Testing out new layering strategies is always a source of stress for me because too much warmth means I’ll be gross and sweaty on the uphills, and too little leaves me with nothing but FOMO, as I, shivering, crawl into my sleeping bag right after dinner, missing the sunset entirely. Thankfully, I’ve got a secret weapon in my outdoor apparel arsenal that’s ultralight and suitable for adventuring in just about any season: Patagonia’s Down Sweater Hoody.
Packed with 800-fill RDS (Responsible Down Standard) down, with an outer fabric that’s constructed with 100% postconsumer recycled nylon ripstop, it’s a durable, packable and uber-warm puffy that’s big on the cozy and light on the environment. Plus, it comes with repair patches so you can save money on a DIY fix-it solution, rather than buying a new one.
I’ve had my Down Sweater Hoody for over five years now, and it’s served me well in both mellow and extreme environments. It’s the jacket that I’m most likely to squish into my pack on a summer backpacking adventure for chilly evening stargazing sessions, and it’s the piece I love to toss into my rucksack as an extra layer on shoulder season day hikes. I’ve carried this thing along the entirety of the John Muir Trail, on road trips across the length of the United States and to the staggering elevation of 17,769 feet in Nepal. Below, I’ll get into what makes this a truly excellent piece of apparel.
Patagonia’s Down Sweater Hoody is lightweight, supremely packable and built with enough pockets to stash must-have items without being bulky. It’s made of postconsumer recycled nylon ripstop fabric, which goes easy on the environment while still delivering big on warmth with its 800-fill down.
The men's version of this hoody comes in seven colors and sizes XXS to 3XL.
What we liked about it
A good all-season puffy needs to deliver in a few key areas to be worth the expense, in my book. The Down Sweater is an impressive jacket that’s fit for four-season use. It’s surprisingly warm for its weight, boasts 800-fill-power down and packs into its internal chest pocket. Tack on the fact that Patagonia is an industry leader when it comes to sustainability, and it’s a match made in heaven.
It’s the perfect warmth for multi-season use
When I’m backpacking, I often feel like Goldilocks when it comes to finding the right jacket. I want something that’s not too hot and not too cold. Patagonia’s Down Sweater sits firmly in the middle of its puffy line-up, warmer and heavier than the brand’s AlpLight Down Jacket, but more packable and versatile than the marshmallow-style AlpLoft Down Parka.
How does that translate to real-world use? Well, I’ve spent more than 100 nights in the backcountry in this thing, and it performs perfectly on summer evenings in the Sierra Nevada when temps suddenly dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit and I’m boiling water for dinner. It runs a bit hot for use in uphill cardio situations (unless you’re ski touring in a blizzard), but it’s the perfect ultralight outer coat for stashing in your pack and pulling out for a summit picnic during shoulder season. Pair it with a waterproof shell and an insulated mid-layer on really cold days, and you’ll have a versatile, multi-layer system that’s fit for any adventure, including resort skiing once the snow hits.
It packs down small
Patagonia really delivered for space-efficient backpackers and belay-savvy climbers with this jacket, because the Down Sweater Hoody is specially designed to stuff into its own interior chest pocket (with carabiner loop) for easy storage and harness-clipping. Its hood is helmet compatible, and its sleeves offer elastic cuffs to help trap warmth. Plus, at a scant 12.1 ounces, you’ll hardly feel it in your bag. This puffy’s superior packability is why I chose it for my trek along the Annapurna Circuit, in which I hiked for 10 days from unheated teahouse to unheated teahouse in the far-flung Himalayas, carrying a small 30-liter pack. Just unzip, shake it out and hop back on the trail.
Ultralight design
Unlike cheaper down jackets on the market today that typically offer less packable, less warm 600-fill down, Patagonia has upped the game by stuffing this baby with 800-fill-power RDS (Responsible Down Standard) down. The higher the number, the lighter and more insulating your jacket (or vest, or sleeping bag) will be. That means that the brand is not only committed to animal welfare, it’s also ensured that this design is as toasty and featherlight as possible.
The brand’s commitment to the environment
It’s no secret that Patagonia is a thought leader in the outdoor industry when it comes to sourcing the most earth-friendly fabrics and utilizing Fair Trade practices with its workers and factories. Yvon Chouinard, the company’s founder, made waves last year when he transferred $3 billion of the company’s voting stock to a purpose-driven trust that will sustain the company’s sustainability-focused values for generations to come. The down hoody also has an outer lining that’s constructed with 100% postconsumer recycled nylon, and its filling is RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified down.
In true, over-achieving Patagonia fashion, the jacket comes with a patch kit so you don’t have to fork over your cash for a pricey repair (or spend on a new jacket), and its water-repellent finish is also PFC-free, which we love.
What we didn’t like about it
As with any piece of tried and tested gear, there are a few things the brand could stand to improve with the next generation of Down Sweaters. At this price point, we’d love to see more wind-proofing, a more water-resistant outer and at least one external chest pocket for maximum harness compatibility.
Not as weather-resistant as synthetic
Sure, down is lightweight, extra packable and just about the warmest insulation you can find, but the one thing it sucks at is repelling moisture. Unlike synthetic fillers, down will absorb a large amount of water, losing its warmth and fluff in the process. Synthetic, on the other hand, can insulate decently well when wet, making it a better choice if you live in a climate where surprise afternoon drizzles are a regular occurrence.
Because of the Down Sweater’s sensitive innards, we would have loved to see a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish on the exterior ripstop nylon fabric to make it more weather-proof, like that found in Rab’s Microlight Alpine Down Jacket. As is, this puffy will need to be paired with a sturdy rain jacket if you live in a wet climate or are embarking on a long-distance thru-hike where the upcoming forecast is unknown.
Could be more wind-proof
After years of testing this puffy in some of the gnarliest domestic situations I could think of, I brought it along on my 10-day trek along the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. It was a well-loved piece around the dinner table in rustic teahouses and on frigid mornings at altitude, but it fell short on my summit day, which was sunny and windy as all get out. Even with a thermal base layer and an insulated mid-layer underneath, I struggled to keep warm as I neared 18,000 feet above sea level. However, according to a guide I spoke with later that day, it was minus 20 degrees Celsius, which is far from the average temperature most users of the Down Sweater will be recreating in.
No upper chest pockets
This one is a touch nitpicky, I know, but when I’m wearing a large backpack with a thicker waist belt or a climbing harness on a chilly morning ascent, I rely on my chest pockets to store my phone and an unfrozen snack. Yes, the Down Sweater Hoody has an interior upper pouch that doubles as a stuff sack, but unzipping your cozy puffy halfway and letting the warm air escape just to check your GPS seems counterproductive, does it not? An additional chest pocket on the outside of the jacket would make this hoody that much more useful when the lower pockets are smushed by straps or a harness.
How it compares
In terms of pricing, Patagonia hit the nail on the head with its Down Sweater Hoody, which is right in the middle of its competitors at $329. That being said, it’s heavier and runs a bit colder than Mountain Hardwear’s Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody ($360), which weighs in at an impressively light 7.8 ounces.
If you’re seeking a wallet-friendly alternative, REI Co-op has a 650 Down Hoodie ($149) that’s designed for slightly warmer climates, as well as a Magma 850 Down Hoodie ($249) that’s warmer and more packable but will cost you a pretty penny more. Decathlon also sells a high-performing ultralight puffy that uses 800 fill-power down — better than REI’s 650 Down Hoodie — for just $100, but it’s not nearly as warm or sustainable as Patagonia’s Down Sweater.
Want a light, packable and warmer alternative for use as a “crisis hoody” in the backcountry? Check out Patagonia’s Fitz Roy Down Hoody ($399), which, at 14.8 ounces, is shockingly light for its improved loft.
Bottom line
The Down Sweater Hoody is the perfect blend of weight, warmth and packability, with roomy hand-warming pockets and a zippered interior chest pouch that can double as a stuff sack for storage when it’s not in use. With 800-fill-power down that follows RDS protocols for animal welfare and recycled ripstop nylon as its outer fabric, it’s a jacket that adheres to rigid sustainability standards, like all of Patagonia’s products, while outperforming its competition in the mountains.
Personally, I would love to see more wind-proofing in future design updates, but for the price, comfort and excellent construction, this is easily one of the best down jackets on the shelves today.