Grading a used down vest
Grading a used down vest is a compact puffer inspection. The grade leads with down leakage and loft — feathers escaping seams, flattened baffles — then checks the main zipper and the armholes and shoulders, the abrasion points where a layered vest rubs against jackets and packs and the shell wears through first.
What to check
- Down leakage from seams, pinholes, or tears
- Loft — even fill vs. flattened or clumped baffles
- Armhole and shoulder abrasion (layering wear points)
- Main zipper function
How to grade it, step by step
- 1
Squeeze for leakage
Squeeze and shake each baffle for escaping feathers; active down loss is the leading vest flaw and caps the grade.
- 2
Check armholes and shoulders
Inspect the bound armholes and shoulders, where a layered vest abrades against sleeves and pack straps and the shell thins first.
- 3
Test loft and zip
Confirm even, lofty fill with no cold clumps and run the main zipper full-travel.
Graded examples
| Grade | Why |
|---|---|
| 9 (NWOT) | Even loft, no leaks, crisp zipper and armholes. |
| 6 (Good) | Slight fill migration, armholes sound, no leakage. |
| 3 (Poor) | Feathers leaking a seam and abraded shoulder shell. |
Every grade sits on the GradeThread 1.0–10.0 scale.
Flaws to watch on this garment
Frequently asked
- Where does a down vest wear out first?
- At the armholes and shoulders. Because a vest is almost always layered, those edges rub constantly against jacket sleeves and backpack straps, so the shell abrades and thins there before anywhere else — and a worn armhole that's starting to leak down is often the flaw that sets the grade.
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