Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody Evaluation

Backside Line

The Patagonia Down Sweater (males’s / girls’s) is an absolute traditional and long-time favourite of the CleverHiker staff. 

It excels as a flexible, sturdy, and heat jacket that performs nicely on trails simply in addition to it does round city. With 800-fill-down insulation, an adjustable hood, and a comfortable tall collar, it retains you heat and comfy throughout average actions or when stationary in cool climate. For us, the Down Sweater was the right outer layer right down to the mid-20’s.

Its sturdy 20D ripstop nylon exterior and sensible options—just like the zippered hand-warmer pockets and the flexibility to pack right down to the dimensions of a water bottle—make it a stable alternative for each out of doors adventures and informal put on. 

Nonetheless, it’s not the lightest or most packable choice, and its weight could be a consideration for these in search of an ultralight jacket. Whereas the value level is on the upper facet, its sturdiness and long-lasting efficiency justify the funding for these searching for a dependable, all-around jacket for cooler circumstances. 

If you happen to’re in the hunt for a heat, useful jacket for on a regular basis use and light-weight out of doors actions, the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody is a high contender. For extra suggestions, take a look at our information to the most effective down jackets.

How We Examined

We’ve been testing this jacket for years, utilizing it for all the things from multi-day backpacking journeys within the Rockies to crisp fall climbing periods and on a regular basis put on. The most recent model has joined us on high-altitude hikes in Colorado’s Indian Peaks, early-season ski excursions within the Gore Vary, and post-ski après in a few of our favourite resort parking tons. 

Consolation

Consolation has all the time been a defining function of the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody, which stays true with the most recent model. Each the liner and shell at the moment are created from 100% post-consumer recycled nylon ripstop, sourced from recycled fishing nets. Not solely is that this essentially the most environmentally pleasant choice we examined (no shock there), however the materials is surprisingly smooth and feels nice towards the pores and skin. 

Patagonia has additionally improved the match of the Down Sweater Hoody over time, and the most recent model provides the most effective match but. Whereas the jacket is barely extra relaxed than among the extra athletic cuts we examined, this added room makes it simpler to layer beneath. There’s loads of house within the chest and shoulder areas, so that you by no means really feel restricted, and mobility isn’t a problem. That mentioned, we did discover the jacket to run a bit on the shorter facet, and when the hem was cinched, it could generally experience up, which may have an effect on each consolation and heat.

Heat

The jacket is full of a high-quality 5.3 ounces of 800-fill-power down. That is an enchancment to the most recent model, as the corporate boasts it added extra fill than earlier fashions. So if you happen to had been involved about heat and under-filled baffles, they heard ya.

The windproof shell, form-fitting adjustable hood, adjustable hem, and elastic cuffs all work collectively to retain warmth whereas blocking out the wind. 

Bigger baffles on the hood and torso present additional heat the place it’s wanted most, whereas smaller baffles on the arms and sides improve mobility. For us, the Down Sweater provides the right degree of heat for days above freezing. With correct layering, it will probably comfortably deal with temperatures down into the mid-20s.

The principle draw back we’ve encountered throughout testing is that the elastic cuffs are barely free, permitting warmth to flee and chilly air to enter.

The Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody is a flexible, well-insulated jacket that excels in delicate to chill circumstances. Whereas the cuffs might be improved, its general design and considerate options make it a dependable alternative for staying heat in quite a lot of out of doors actions.

Weight & Packability

The Down Sweater Hoody is barely heavier than different high-end down jackets, weighing 14.8 ounces (our males’s massive model is available in at 16 ounces). Whereas it’s not ultralight, we discovered it to nonetheless be gentle sufficient for backpacking, climbing, or ski touring. If weight is your main concern, a real ultralight choice could also be extra appropriate. Nonetheless, for many actions, we discovered the Patagonia Down Sweater to be gentle sufficient.

Regardless of being barely heavier, the jacket nonetheless packs down compactly and doesn’t take up an excessive amount of house in a backpack. We took it on a number of early-season, low-angle ski excursions, and it match comfortably in a 15L pack with none points.

The Down Sweater Hoody packs into its chest pocket and features a loop for straightforward attachment to a climbing harness or backpack. When packed, the boys’s massive measurement is concerning the measurement of two Nalgene water bottles facet by facet. Whereas it’s not essentially the most compact, it’s adequate for many customers.

One minor downside is the small chest pocket opening, which makes the packing course of a bit tougher than we’d like. It wasn’t a serious difficulty, nevertheless it does require a little bit extra time and hand power in comparison with some opponents.

Climate Resistance

Down jackets ought to by no means be relied upon as an outer layer in wet circumstances. Even the best-performing jackets will ultimately fail in moist climate, as moisture will penetrate the DWR (sturdy water repellent) remedy and attain the down insulation, inflicting it to clump, lose loft, and cease insulating. 

The Patagonia Down Sweater performs moderately nicely, however barely beneath common within the climate resistance class. Patagonia makes use of a non-perfluorinated DWR that works nicely in gentle rain or snow, however the 800-fill down just isn’t a handled “dry down” or “hydrophobic down” that’s generally present in high-end down jackets lately. Which means that as soon as moisture reaches the down, it is going to lose loft and stop to insulate. A easy answer is to layer a rainshell over the jacket if moist climate is anticipated.

We examined the Down Sweater in robust winds throughout a chilly entrance within the Colorado foothills, and located it supplied common to barely above-average wind safety. The hood seals nicely, maintaining out the wind, and the adjustable hem additionally performs nicely. Nonetheless, the cuffs, that are barely massive even for our testers with bigger wrists, and the stitched baffling, each let in excessive winds. This grew to become notably noticeable when temperatures dropped beneath freezing.

General, the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody provides stable climate safety, nevertheless it isn’t fairly constructed for excessive circumstances. Whereas it performs nicely in delicate to average climate, it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer for harsher environments.

Breathability

Down jackets are usually not identified for his or her breathability, as they are typically extra passive insulation than lively. The Down Sweater Hoody performs about common on this space, due to its barely looser match. Not like among the extra form-fitting, athletic-cut jackets we examined, the looser match permits for higher airflow. 

So long as you don’t cinch the hem closed, you’ll be able to count on average airflow, which is okay for brief bursts of high-heart-rate exercise. Nonetheless, for longer intervals of intense exercise, you’ll be higher off with an artificial insulation jacket or one with further heat-dumping options like pit zips. In any other case, you’ll be able to count on to get a bit sweaty when bundled up.

Ought to You Purchase the Patagonia Down Sweater?

We predict so. The Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody is a superb alternative for anybody in search of a flexible, heat, and sturdy jacket for cool-weather actions. It’s good for informal put on, day hikes, tenting, and brief backpacking journeys the place consolation and heat are priorities. Its mixture of 800-fill down insulation, adjustable hood, and wind-resistant design makes it preferrred for average temperatures and stationary use.

Nonetheless, if you happen to’re after an ultralight, extremely packable jacket for lengthy treks or technical climbing, this will not be the best choice, because it’s a bit heavier and bulkier than some opponents. Whereas the jacket performs nicely in delicate to average climate, it’s not designed for excessive circumstances or extended publicity to moist circumstances.

General, the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody provides nice worth for these in want of a dependable, on a regular basis down jacket. It’s constructed to final and performs nicely throughout quite a lot of out of doors actions.

What Different Down Jackets Ought to You Contemplate?

The Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody tops our listing of the most effective down jackets of the yr, but it’s not for everybody. Listed below are some choices that give the down sweater a run for its cash:

Arc’Teryx Cerium Hoody Evaluation: The Cerium Down Hoody offers a comparable degree of heat to the Down Sweater, however in a lighter, extra packable design. Geared extra towards backcountry use, it provides wonderful efficiency and a streamlined match—although it comes with a $70 premium over the Down Sweater.

Rab Microlight Alpine Reivew: The Microlight Alpine is among the few jackets we examined that matches the Down Sweater when it comes to consolation. If you happen to love the Down Sweater however desire a extra technical layer at a greater value, the Microlight Alpine might be precisely what you’re searching for.

Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket: The Patagonia Down Sweater and Cotopaxi Fuego each provide wonderful insulation, a light-weight design, and sensible options. Nonetheless, the Fuego edges forward with a lighter weight, barely extra inexpensive value, and a extra trendy, standout look.