Lets get to it! For comparison, the less-insulated REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0 is 11 ounces, and Cotopaxi's popular Fuego Down Jacket is similar to the Patagonia at 14 ounces. To enhance its green status, Patagonia made the shell out of a recycled polyester ripstop that's light, windproof, and water-resistant thanks to the DWR finish.Patagonia updated the Down Sweater with a more contoured fit that's longer for better coverage on cold camping trips. We'll answer in the meantime! Two front cinches pull the hem in evenly, and can be adjusted from inside the two hand pockets so your freezing digits dont need to be outside for even a moment. Weighing in at 13.1 ounces in a size medium, the Down Sweater is competitively lightweight. Details include 800-fill-power Traceable Down (European goose down traced from parent farm to apparel factory to help ensure the birds that supply it are not force-fed or live-plucked), stabilized with quilted-through construction, a contoured fit, a drawcord hem that tightens from inside the zippered handwarmer pockets and an interior chest pocket that doubles as a zippered stuffsack with a carabiner clip-in loop. Simply putespecially with the host of more weather-resistant alternatives out therewe dont recommend this jacket for use in wet or severe weather without a shell overtop. In this Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody review, we break down what makes this outdoor jacket so popular and our own experience over 6 years of use. Measurements refer to body size, not garment dimensions, and are in inches, unless otherwise noted. A down sweater thats likely to be worn on a daily basis, backcountry or not, should be warm and inviting. Backcountry Advocate ProgramBreaking Trail, Insulating layer ideal for climbing, hiking, and skiing, Compressible 800-fill down delivers high warmth-to-weight ratio, Lightweight weather-shedding shell blocks wind and light moisture, Single-pull adjustable hood cinches quickly to combat wind, Adjustable hem and elasticized cuffs lock the heat in and cold out, Jacket stows in the interior chest pocket for easy packing, Contoured fit helps reduce bulk and longer hem increases coverage, Patagonia is dedicated to crafting sustainable outdoor gear. Both the shell and interior lining have a nice feel, and the top part of the zipper is covered by a small flap of fleece for comfort against your face when the collar is up. If you are already a Bergfreunde customer, you can log in here. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. Thanks and we appreciate your support! Reasonably light and packable for backpacking and climbing (although you can go much lighter with true backcountry-focused pieces). Patagonia's Traceable Down comes from non-live-plucked and non-force-fed geesea fact that's been third-party-verified. The jacket isn't bulky or loose and layers nicely under a shell, but it also doesn't have the trim, athletic cut that you get with a jacket like the Arcteryx Cerium LT. Ultimately, this 4 year Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody review found that it isnt a super technical, top-of-the-line down jacket for cutting-edge alpine ascents. From the get-go, its clear that the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody is made for the outdoors. We do also have a list of the best down jackets here too if youre interested. Taking the polyester fill game in a different direction than their Nano-Air, which is a highly breathable performance piece, the Patagonias Nano-Air took the active insulation market by storm, designed to be a synthetic jacket that truly can be worn all day through a variety of conditions and activities. The Down Sweater also uses recycled polyester and bluesign-approved fabrics, which means that Patagonia took steps to reduce negative impacts on the environment, workers, and consumers during the jackets production. Then you can get out and enjoy the fresh air. This means Patagonia can show that all the down used in the jacket is from birds that were not force-fed or live-plucked. Theyve been consistent performers over our entire time with the jacket, and have a smooth and positive action even in freezing conditions. However, the down itself is not DWR treated. If youre thinking about buying gear that weve reviewed on Switchback Travel, you can help support us in the process. Measurements are in inches, unless otherwise noted. Stacked up against the Down Sweater, the Coldfront is warmer with 6 ounces of down, although its a lower-quality, 700-fill variety thats not as lofty for the weight or compressible. Don't miss out on the latest offers & products - plus 5 off your next order! The Cerium's 3.2 ounces of 850-fill down in all other areas kept us warm throughout all our testing, and we cant argue with the look and feel of Arcteryx products. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The warmth-to-weight ratio is where this jacket excels in the down sweater group. Its the kind of ethos Patagonia is well known for and has led to brand loyalty, with folks willing to spend a little more for a heightened level of transparency. For the warmth, you can find cheaper options. We use affiliate links andmay receive a small commission on purchases. Patagonia uses responsible sourcing for their down products, and the 800-fill-power goose down found in the Down Sweater is 100-percent traceable. The outer shell of the Down Sweater has a blend of 20x30D fabricwithin the down sweater category, thats on the lighter side. And though we wouldnt call it a bargain, the price is still competitive for what you get: quality down, dependable construction, and reasonable weightnot to mention the whole Patagonia brand cachet. While this allows the jacket to withstand light precipitation, the Down Sweater is by no means waterproof. Overall, the Down Sweater Hoody has a nice all-around fit for everyday use, which is much appreciated. Instead, with the proper gear, you can get outside and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful snowy landscapes. 9.5 x 7.35 x 4.5 (24.13cm x 18.67cm x 11.43cm). The trend is toward lighter materials that still offer decent support, and waterproof boots Patagonia Down Sweater (Men's) Price Comparison, http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=50d08f80-6a3b-4a15-90d3-1b, http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=33a96c45-e1ba-48ba-8258-f6, http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=b5770911-39dc-46ac-ba0f-b4, https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=e295c418-295a-447c-b265-7. The Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody has a DWR (durable water repellent) treatment on both its outer shell and lining. And many people love the retro styling and multi-colored baffles, which add a fun pop of color. ", Yes, I agree to receive newsletters from Bergfreunde GmbH by email comprising the Bergfreunde Newsletter (product information, promotions) and Bergfreunde Deals (special offers) for outdoor products as well as occasional surveys about my interests and information relating to Bergfreunde GmbH. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetics for easy storage. The Sitemap offers a quick overview of all content on this website. Patagonia keeps the packing process simple, using the interior chest pocket that has a two-sided zipper. Its a slightly warmer jacket than even its more expensive sibling, the Micro Puff, and stacks up very well to the other down sweaters on the market. For the same amount, the Down Sweater is noticeably softer and better-built, and Patagonia now offers it in a couple multi-toned colorways that rival Cotopaxis vibrant patterns. At a single pull, the hood cinches comfortably and securely around your head, and the hem and both cuffs help retain the down's wonderful warmth. You have reached the max. Okay, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, lets review some of the basics of the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody. A DWR coating sheds snow and light rain and is well integrated into the fabric, not affecting its soft feel. After testing the past-generation hoody while ski touring, we took the For getting outdoors on cool fall and spring days, its hard to beat a vest. 3 Days Only! That said, in testing the Fuego, we were fairly unimpressed with the overall feel, including noticeably plasticky and slippery fabrics that belie the $230 price tag (for more, see our in-depth Fuego review). If youre looking for something that packs down to a teeny tiny size for use as a layer in emergencies only, the Down Sweater Hoody probably isnt for you. Nylon-bound elastic cuffs seal in heat, and the DWR (durable water repellent) finish sheds moisture. If your ski gear is even a few years old, theres new technology out there that will help make good days on the snow even better. TheirAlpLight Down Jacket follows suit, combining a remarkably low weight and sleek stylinginside a shell made from recycled fishing nets. Below are the As the cold weather approaches, that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to stay indoors and shut down for the winter. Instead, they were raised humanely, and the feathers were collected after the birds were slaughtered for food. It's tough to beat a great down jacket, whether its for casual use or tearing around the backcountry. We wouldnt say that its a particularly athletic cut, which is nice for layering, though it does seem a bit tight on some people around the bottom hem. With so many different down jackets available today, however, its understandable if youre having trouble finding the one thats right for your needs. Its 20D shell is similarly durable, and it shaves off about an ounce and $30 compared to the Down Sweater. These practices are not industry-wide (although more brands are jumping on board), and we applaud Patagonia for taking a leading role here. But for the highest levels of performance and design for the weight, the Cerium LT is tough to beat. Paracord Shoelaces: A Beginners Guide With 6 Pro Tips. Its lightweight at 9.9 ounces, and the use of Coreloft synthetic insulation in areas prone to getting wet is a nice addition. The 100% polyester ripstop shell on this down jacket does more than look sharp; its snow-shedding and windproof. We tested the Down Sweater alongside a large group of over a dozen down jackets, and while its not ultralight by any means, it does fall in the middle of the down sweater category. We stow Patagonia's Down Sweater Hooded Jacket inside its chest pocket on every backpacking trip, high-elevation climb, or midwinter ski tripwe just make sure to let it out regularly so its plush 800-fill down retains its soft loft as the years pass. Hiking boots are critical to your comfort and performance on the trail, but this no longer means a stiff and burly model that will weigh you down. We ordered a medium, and our two testers (510 and 61 with slim builds) felt the fit was spot-on for its intended use. After using the Down Sweater Hoody for over 4 years with no issue, wed have to say that were pretty darn happy with its durability prowess. Thicker fabrics and the inner liner do make the stuffed size a bit larger than hooded ultralight jackets, but its still a plenty respectable size of approximately 9.5 x 7.25 x 4.5 inches (LxWxH). That being said, its a mid-range jacket that doesnt really wow in any specific category but it does pretty darn well in most situations. Here we go! Throw it on under a shell and its a near-perfect resort skiing midlayer, provided you keep it protected from moisture. However, compared to jackets made with ultralight 7D and 10D fabrics (like the minimalist Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2), the Down Sweater feels much more ready for vigorous use. This is what customers from around the world say: "I'll find the best & latest outdoor products for you! *Inseam will vary depending on style; when lengths are offered, "short" is 30, "regular" is 32 and "long" is 34, unless otherwise noted. At $30 cheaper than the Down Sweater and with a decidedly comfy and classy-looking build, we think the Coldfront is a great value for a midweight piece. And in heavy wind, the stitched baffling allows gusts to sneak through. Outdoor gear companies are quick to promote fill power but less so fill weight, and you really need both pieces to get an accurate indication of how warm the jacket will be. However, whats sets the Down Sweater Hoody apart from the competition is the companys commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing of its materials. Patagonias Down Sweater is a legendary down jacket that looks good and performs well for a range of activities. Overall, the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody is a pretty simple jacket, with two handwarmer pockets, an internal chest pocket, and a helmet-compatible hood, so its nothing to call home about. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our articles on the best down jackets and best midlayers.