

And unlike the women’s version of the jacket, which was difficult to pack down without snagging on the zipper, we found it easy to compress the men’s hoody into the stuff pocket. The thicker fabrics and inner liner do make the stuffed size a bit larger than hooded ultralight jackets, but it’s still a plenty respectable size of approximately 10 x 6.5 x 4.5 inches (LxWxH). Patagonia keeps the packing process simple by utilizing the interior chest pocket that has a two-sided zipper. If you’re looking to shave some weight on long backcountry missions, Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody weighs less at 11 ounces but falls short of the Down Sweater in durability and warmth. For comparison, the less-insulated REI Co-op 650 Down Hoodie 2.0 is 13 ounces, Rab’s Microlight Alpine Down Jacket is heavier at 1 pound 0.5 ounces, and Cotopaxi's popular Fuego Hooded Down Jacket is similar to the Patagonia at 14 ounces. We’ve tested dozens of down jackets over the years, and while the Down Sweater Hoody isn’t ultralight by any means, it’s competitive for the level of warmth at 14.9 ounces for my men’s medium (just over its 14.8-oz. Again, a hardshell jacket (or even a lightweight windbreaker) is the better bet in blustery weather. Finally, while the nylon fabric does an admirable job keeping you isolated from light winds, the stitched baffling along the arms and body are weak points for letting in strong gusts. As such, we always throw on a hardshell jacket overtop in rain or snow, and if the forecast is looking particularly wet, we’ll swap the Down Sweater out for a synthetic jacket like Patagonia’s own Micro Puff Hoody (synthetic fill will continue insulating even when wet). Patagonia did include a DWR (durable water repellent) finish on the exterior for shedding light moisture, but that’s only a short-term solution and won’t hold up in inclement backcountry conditions. In sustained precipitation, the non-waterproof shell and untreated down fill will wet out and begin to clump, losing its insulating power. Added up, it’s about as versatile as a down jacket gets for everything from everyday to performance use.Īs expected for a down-insulated jacket, the Patagonia Down Sweater shouldn’t be relied on for protection in wet conditions. If we’re nitpicking, we’d prefer a tighter fit around the wrists to seal out the cold, although a pair of liner gloves easily fixed that issue. Throw it on under a hardshell jacket-the semi-trim fit makes it easy to layer-and it’s near-perfect for cold-weather activities like resort skiing, provided you keep it protected from moisture (more on this below). Worn as an outer layer, the Down Sweater’s windproof fabric, relatively tall collar (it reaches my bottom lip), and snug hood did a great job keeping me comfortable around camp in temperatures as low as the mid 40s Fahrenheit. of 700-fill down), and Fjallraven’s Expedition Pack Down Hoodie (3.9 oz. of 850-fill down + synthetic fill), Rab’s Microlight Alpine Down Jacket (5.4 oz. For context, it’s slightly warmer than other lightweight competitors including Arc’teryx’s Cerium LT Hoody (3.6 oz. Now packed with 5.3 ounces of high-quality, 800-fill-power down, the Down Sweater Hoody has proven to be an excellent match for fall backpacking and chilly days in town with temperatures hovering around freezing. And with the most recent model, they’ve given it a substantial boost in insulation (Patagonia claims it’s 29% warmer).

Lightweight and comfortable warmth is what the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody is all about. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our articles on the best down jackets and best midlayers.

Below we break down the Down Sweater Hoody’s performance. The result? It’s our favorite Down Sweater yet: The jacket is extremely comfortable, has a versatile amount of warmth, fits great, and its good looks and feature set make it equally at home around town as it is in the backcountry. Key changes include a new, more sustainable shell fabric, small boost in warmth, and some tweaks to the pocket layout. It’s a go-to piece that has defined a jacket category, and they’ve given it a significant revamp for fall 2022. Climbers, hikers, and outdoor adventurers of all types have enjoyed Patagonia’s Down Sweater for years.
