But a couple of tennis balls and a mild soap will also get the job done, as detailed in this easy method from CleverHiker. And it has a durable water repellent (DWR) coating, which will help keep you dry even when youre walking through socked-in, super-wet alpine zones. The baffles on this jacket are wide, which means the down occasionally moves around and could clump up over time. Even serious hikers who rock a Ghost Whisperer or Cerium LT in the woods opt for their Down Sweater when tramping through the city. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The Mountain Hardwear Super/DS Stretchdown (in mens and womens) was stylish but less warm than many of its similarly priced competitors. And it behaved beautifully as we walked through late-fall rain cloudsthe moisture beaded off the surface, keeping the down inside from getting matted. Incorporate overnight backpacking for the top contenders, taking notes on how they retain warmth as the temperatures drop drastically. When fully zipped, the high collar defends your neck and chin against biting winds. We found the down Swix Romsdal (in both womens and mens sizes) to be both surprisingly puppy-proof and durable. Many of our testers preferred a jacket that could pack into one of its own pockets and did not require a stuff sack. Extra 20% Off Select Backcountry Exclusives .css-1081t4c{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Shop This Deal, Our All Around Duffel, Now In More Colors Shop Packs & Travel, Basecamp Under The Stars Shop Coolers, Camp Furniture & More. We sought an everyday stand-alone insulator that could also serve as a layer for people who enjoy outdoor pursuits (like skiing and backpacking) but who need a jacket that easily transitions to the demands of work, school, or home. Compared with the similarly priced Stio jacket, theres no competition. Because we know prioritizing durability results in consuming less energy, wasting less water and creating less trash. 16 years 6 months 13 days 9 hours 3 minutes. ), the Down Sweater is a surprisingly lightweight jacket. More minimal sew lines leading to fatter/loftier baffles, plus its lighter, full zip, has a way longer hem, and POCKETS. This blog uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. With800-fill power down insulation, the Patagonia Down Sweater is an exceptionally toasty jacket. Unlike many of the brands that offer plus-size clothing, REIs extended size options for this jacket actually lived up to the quality of the standard-size line; rather than just adding a side panel to make the jacket larger, the REI 650 plus and tall options have continuous baffles for consistent warmth, and they contain all the same features as the standard offerings. This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan. The other notable variations can be found in the finish of the cuffs and the outer fabric. The drawstring hem around the waist gives you the freedom to layer and fine-tune airflow, and features dual adjustment tabs. View cart for details. We also plan to test updated versions of down jackets from Columbia, Cotopaxi, and Feathered Friends. We found that most online specs were correct (although it was often hard to pack the jacket down as small as the advertised size). This means that your standard size maps well onto the Patagonia Down Sweater. Heres the 2021 version. If youre in the northern hemisphere, late autumn to early winter is when youll get the most wear out of it. Determine level of comfort in going from indoor to outdoor to commercial-space temperatures. This cookie is set by website built on Shopify platform and is used to track landing pages. Every square inch of it has been carefully constructed with a trifecta of warmth, durability, and performance in mind. The jacket also comes in a wide range of sizes, is easy to layer under, and looks attractive. This cookies is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos. Unfortunately, this jacket doesnt come in extended sizes. Try clothing combinations such as layering a sweatshirt underneath or a shell on top. Uniqlos customer service is generally hard to come by, and though this jacket sometimes comes in extended sizing, online reviewers note that the plus-size jackets tend to be of lower quality. And the 7.6-ounce weight for the womens small jacket (which was slightly heavier than the weight listed on the ArcTeryx website) made it the lightest option in the bunch. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Unfortunately, determining the warmth of a jacket is more difficult than sleeping bags, for example. If youre looking for a cheaper down jacket thats more fitted than our budget pick and more stylish for the city: Consider the mens Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Jacket, which comes in regular and tall and was another favorite budget option among our testers. If you want off the shelf and better warmth, look to the Haglofs LIM Essens puffy. Here's a link to all variants, in both men's and women's: Why in the world is the womens pullover missing a collar? And I'm sure there's more heat loss through that quilted pattern as well. The findings for this guide were also reviewed and affirmed by two additional Wirecutter outdoors editors who have never had any professional relationship with REI. This sub is about overnight backcountry backpacking, with a focus on moving efficiently, packing light, generally aiming at a sub 10 pound base weight, and following LNT principles. And not just among climbers and hikers. Rice, an industrial designer by trade, has been creating awesome outdoor staples for Patagonia since 1997, including his other masterpiece, the Nano Air (womens; mens). That's good. Your reviews help us improve our gear. A high-quality down jacket can keep you comfortable during everything from backyard social gatherings to winter snowshoe adventures. The 700-fill-power downmatched with a weight of 15-plus ounces and the fact that it didnt pack down smallput it lower on the list than wed hoped. See what fits. In the past, Jenni contributed gear reviews to the REI Co-op Journal, which is an editorially independent publication run by the REI Co-op. This down jacket has lots of cozy featureslike graduated wrist cuffs and a cinch cord on the hoodthat set it apart from the rest. It also has two zippered hand pockets. You can compress the Patagonia Down Sweater into the inside zip-pocket. Take a few minutes to tell us what you think. The Down Sweater features. This cookie is set by website built on Shopify platform and is used in assoication with shopping cart. On the other hand, if youre ready to join the movement, check out the Down Sweater here and find your perfect colour (womens;mens). Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Of course, these come at substantially higher price-points. The 800-fill-power AlpLight Down Jacket uses NetPlus, a 100% postconsumer recycled nylon fabric made from recycled fishing nets to help reduce ocean plastic pollution, and was designed for cool-weather missions when you need a featherlight insulating layer that packs down small and still keeps you warm. (For a more size-inclusive synthetic option, try the L.L.Bean PrimaLoft Packaway.) *At the time of publishing, the price was $330. The jacket offers the same warmth (without the extra features) in mens sizes. Since its first iteration, the time-tested Down Sweater has remained unquestionably fashionable. To keep the findings of this review objective, we based our conclusions both on quantitative data (such as weight, compression size, length of the torso, and so on) and qualitative data from third-party testers who had no affiliation with any of the gear companies in this guide. But what I don't understand is that the Haglofs puffy has a warmth rating of 2099 VS for example the Primelite's 2700 according to ultralight dandy's down jacket rating. The cookie also tracks the behavior of the user across the web on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin. The wrist cuffs are nicely lined, and the fit is pretty run-of-the-mill (size up if you plan to layer extensively). The ripstop polyester shell is treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating, making the Down Sweater water-resistant. Unfortunately, the stitching seams that hold the PrimaLoft insulation in place are still, at the end of the day, stitched. The purpose of the cookie is to determine if the user's browser supports cookies. Measure around waist at the smallest circumference. https://www.patagonia.com/product/ultraalpine-down-crew/85570.html. When the jackets arrived, we made short work of packing them down, and then measured their sizes and weights. A great jacket is one that provides reasonable warmth for daily tasks and for outdoor activities. It does not store any personal data. What are your thoughts on the BA Zetto jacket posted above? But for the price of this coat, we really cant complain. The Montbell Alpine Light Down Jacket has held up well for us throughout multiple winters. Fitted for active use, this jacketinsulated with a synthetic alternative to downcan handle rugged wear and tear. r/Ultralight is the largest online Ultralight Backcountry Backpacking community! A full-length zipper allows you to adjust airflow, while the zipper garage reduces chafing. By providing your email address, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The down sweater also comes in hooded versions (mens and womens), for people who need extra warmth. These 100 useful things were the most-purchased Wirecutter picks in January 2022. Learn more. We required all of our picks to be machine-washable, so you can wear your jacket anywhere you choose without living in fear of high dry-cleaning bills. The synthetic-fill Patagonia Nano Puff, available in both womens and mens sizes, is popular and widely accepted as setting the standard in fit. The Patagonia on the left is also leaking more heat (bright colors.) It also packs down small. A full-length zipper allows you to adjust airflow, while the zipper garage reduces chafing. Both jackets feature drop-back, drawcord hems; massive inner dump pockets; YKK zippers; and a helmet-compatible hood complete with a drawcord. The down clumped when it got wet and didnt recover, and the jacket fabric was nearly see-through, allowing for an oddly unbalanced look with the clumpy down. For detergents, the Nikwax Tech Wash and Grangers Down Wash Kit are popular options. On the other hand, for those seeking a more rugged puffy for the trail there are better options. It also has a DWR coating, which will help keep you dry for a short time, but the jacket is not fully waterproof. initiative, which encourages people to repair old gear, buy used whenever possible, and donate what you no longer wear. The cuffs arent lined, and the coat felt restrictive across the chest and shoulderseven for our petite testerswhich made layering difficult. Whether via down or synthetic insulation, we chose the jackets that kept our testers warm and toasty when temperatures dropped. Companies have to design a jacket that will sell enough units, so look and style are a consideration more so than the ultimate efficiency in retaining warmth. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But the immediate increase in core warmth when we put on this jacket, even after mountain biking or running, allowed us to stay out, celebrating adventures indefinitely with friends. Used by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. If youre constantly chilled and wishing you had brought an extra layer, this is also for you. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. In more torrential downpours, youre going to need to layer a hardshell overtop to avoid getting soaked through. In that guide the Haglofs is classified as a 2season down jacket instead of a 3 season. Some of our testers are avid rock climbers, with accolades that include climbing Jungle King in Laos and Lost Arrow Spire Tip in Yosemite National Park. Those pockets function beautifully as hand warmers, but there wasnt adequate room for storageeven a cell phone and car keys fit uncomfortably. We didnt experience any issues with customer service during testing. If youre looking for a super-warm winter jacket, look elsewhere. The true kicker is the jackets ripstop nylon fabric, which feels like butter. This cookies is set by websites built on Shopify platform and is used in connection with customer login. Subscribe now for unlimited access. However, thats where the extras stopand where you can see the cost savings. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Slim-fitting technical garments may be worn over baselayers and light midlayers. It just looks good. This cookie is used store and evaluate the preferred country settings opted by the visitor. Please keep in mind that we get backlogged during sales or the holiday season and it could take longer. It appears to be a variation of the _gat cookie which is used to limit the amount of data recorded by Google on high traffic volume websites. The recycled, , meaning both the baffles and the lining are, . 2022 Patagonia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Good. Leather Boot Care: 3 Simple Treatment Steps, 10 Best Gear and Gadgets for Outdoor Geeks. This isnt to say that the Alpine Light coat isnt equipped to handle fall or spring weather, but rather that it is capable of meeting your needs in fall, spring, and winter, thanks to its breathability. But if youre someone who has a tendency to destroy gear, the downside of this jackets exceedingly soft feel is that it likely wouldnt survive, say, puppy-training sessions; for that, wed prefer the Arcteryx Atom LT. Also, the down used in Montbells jackets is not certified by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS)although the company pledges on its website to avoid live-plucking methods and to use only feathers that are collected as a by-product of water fowl raised for the food industry. Instead of a fashion pick or a specialized, sport-specific one, we were seeking the most functional, multi-use insulated jacket for a mix of activities. We use cookies on our websites for a number of purposes, including analytics and performance, functionality and advertising. This cookie is set by Polylang plugin for WordPress powered websites. Need it sooner? Aaron S. sums it up nicely when he writes, Warm, light, and fits great. The fit of the Down Sweater is considered regular. In case of damage, Patagonia offers a simple way to send it in for repairs or donation. Measurements are in inches, unless otherwise noted. {"title":"Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket","type":"two_columns_single_image","products":null,"single_product_link":"https:\/\/www.altitude-sports.com\/products\/patagonia-mens-down-sweater-jacket-llll-pat-84674","cta_1_text":"Shop Men","cta_2_text":"Shop Women","pros":null,"cons":null,"collection":[{"feature":", Things to Consider Before Buying a Light Down Jacket. Mountain Hardwears Ghost Whisperer (womens; mens) and the Arcteryx Cerium LT (womens; mens) are both lighter and warmer than the Down Sweater. The womens cuffs are angled, reminiscent of a high-low dress, but with function rather than fashion in mind. This means youre getting a jacket thats warm enough to wear in the winter for activities like skiing, snowshoeing, camping, sledding, and commuting, but at a price typically reserved for jackets that are much less warm and comfortable. This is a highly packable jacket. We found it to be very comparable to our budget pick in features and fit, although the Patagonia is much pricier. Backcountry Advocate ProgramBreaking Trail, One of Patagonia's lightest, most packable insulator for alpine adventures, 800-fill down insulation is so lofty that the jacket packs inside its pocket, PFC-free DWR treated recycled nylon is durably water-resistant, Slim fit enhances packability and eases layering, Adjustable hem stays secure under harnesses. And, for general use, you likely wont notice the difference in either warmth or weight. Despite the hundreds (and possibly thousands) of competitors in the lightweight down jacket market, why does the Down Sweater stand out? If youre allergic to down or prefer to avoid animal products, or if youre headed to an environment where youre likely to sweat heavily or hit a spot of damp weather, a synthetic-fill jacket is the right choice. The North Face L3 Summit Down, in mens and womens, is a popular jacket in Midwestern states, where hunkering down in the winter is a necessity. are both lighter and warmer than the Down Sweater. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. This domain of this cookie is owned by Vimeo. More specifically, it excels in temperatures between0Cand15C(32F - 60F). The Alpine Light is also wind-resistant and packs down smaller than any of our other picks. Montbell is still probably a better jacket but being able to tear the jacket 10 years into use and get a free replacement is nice. I guess women don't need functional gear we are just supposed to be admired objects with visible collarbones. Our testers went for a multi-day backpacking trip in this jacket, putting it through rock scrambles, contact with pack straps and grabby undergrowth, and, on one memorable occasion, hugging a scraggly pine tree to avoid falling into a stream. No matter which technique you choose for cleaning your jacket, when it comes to storage, you should always unpack the jacket from its stuff sack to let it breathe. Why You Should Consider the Patagonia Down Sweater. Big points for a process thats both humane and sustainable. But the narrow fit made for limited mobility and difficulty layering, and it had no lined cuffs, only basic pockets, a not-great zipper, and a simple drawstring hood. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. She grew up in the wet and cold cities of Boston and Seattle, and she currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her son, husband, and dog. Create a free Patagonia account. around the waist gives you the freedom to layer and fine-tune airflow, and features dual adjustment tabs. The angled cut makes the pinky-finger side longer than the thumb side, keeping rogue elements like snow and wind from going up your sleeve. Additionally, its compressed size and shape make it an excellent makeshift. Take a pair of pants that fit well and measure from the crotch to bottom of leg. With the same great features as the womens version, this down jacket sets the bar for warmth and functionality. Just look at those colors. She has covered items ranging from headlamps and down jackets to hiking poles and backpacking tents to baby swings. That baffle design up top is dumb. Your email address will not be published. After a hard workout, a limiting social factor is usually how quickly chill will set in, requiring you to leave to change into dry, fresh clothes. After just a day of wear, tiny feathers started to emerge from the seams (the sign of a jacket that will hold up for a few seasons but that wont retain its warmth over the long haul). Though both models have microfleece-lined hand-warmer pockets, the mens jacket also has an exterior zipper chest pocket that is microfleece-lined; the womens coats zipper chest pocket is an interior pocket, so the equivalent microfleece is in the collar of the jacket instead. After another year of testing, we think the newly redesigned Moshi Digits Touchscreen Gloves are the best touchscreen gloves for most people. Our testers especially appreciated this jackets extra luxury features, such as microfleece-lined hand-warmer pockets and collar, a drawcord hem for an adjustable fit, sturdy YKK zippers, an included cinch sack, and large interior drop pockets. Even if you stand too close to a bonfire and embers burn holes into this jacket, no filling will come unstuffed. https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-alplight-down-pullover/194187674441.html, https://www.haglofs.com/fi/en-fi/l.i.m-essens-jacket-men/p/604952-2C5.html. Sadly, its not offered in extended sizes. Alti Flash: Save 20% on 6000+ items | Until July 31. Our testers also took issue with the crinkly feel of the outer material. Yeah, it's more down fill and almost 1/3 of the weight. The most striking difference between these models is their insulation. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. Though each Patagonia product is designed and shaped specifically for its intended use, we can generalize our fit descriptions in four ways: Closer-fitting. After all that, we think Montbells Alpine Light Down Jacket (in womens and mens sizes) is the best puffy jacket for most people because it is lightweight, warm, and weather-resistant. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Cookies Policy We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In reviewing the jackets insulating ability, I wore this during the fall of Torontos winter, where it can swing +/- 10 degrees between the AM and PM and this works perfectly well. The down in these jackets is RDS-certified. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Press J to jump to the feed. This means no force-feeding, no live-plucking, and no killing. The jacket also cinches around the waist, to keep warm air in and cold air out as well as possible. This is a highly packable jacket. As a fellow baffle design nerd, I read your post without clicking the OP link and thought to myself: surely they are exaggerating unreasonably, arent all sewn-through jackets like this?. The ironclad guarantee bring Patagonia back into the options for UL down jackets, as the down sweater they sell now after stopping the old UL down jacket is too heavy. But really, is there a point to it? Hike both above and below the tree lines, ideally for a 5-mile section, to assess a jackets functionality (with backpack straps, layers, and zippers). Montbell Alpine Light Down Jacket Womens, REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0 - Womens Plus, REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0 - Mens Tall, A durable and breathable down alternative, in a womens fit, A durable and breathable down alternative, in a mens fit, Our pick: Montbell Alpine Light Down Jacket, Budget pick: REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0, Upgrade pick: Stio Hometown Down Hooded Jacket, Wirecutters 100 Most Popular Picks in January 2022, Wirecutters 100 Most Popular Picks in November 2021. That said, it weighs more than some of its competitors, with a slightly lower warmth-to-weight ratio. This cookie is set by Youtube. But this jacket is big and heavy, and it doesnt pack down small. This means no force-feeding, no live-plucking, and no killing. Patagonia Down Sweater Puffer Jacket Coats, Jackets & Vests for Men. An inside zippered chest pocket can be used for storing items that should stay warm (like your phone), and doubles as a. for the jacket. Alpine Downlab is an experiment in exploring the possibilities of natures lightest, most packable insulation. Warm, light, and fits great. Especially at its considerablylow price-point. The jacket cinches around the waist, and the wrist cuffs are comfortably lined with soft nylon fabric. Unlike the makers of other budget jackets, REI actually lists down-fill-power numbersand the 650-fill jacket performs well in moderately cold climates. We also heard complaints from our readers and online reviewers about Stios customer service team; at times, it can be slow to respond or even unavailable during regular business hours. While you could argue whether any down jacket is worth its steep price tag, theres no question that Patagonias Down Sweater is definitely a bargain. Why does women's gear suck?? The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors. This doesnt mean its waterproof, though the Down Sweater performs well in light rains or mists, beading and shedding small amounts of water.