Centrale and Patera are Arc'teryx's first and second warmest parkas. They're both designed for walking around town when it's freezing out (line 24). They're NOT for high output activities.
Before even we get to their comparison in terms of technical performances, probably the most important thing you should know is that the Patera comes with a chronic zipper issue.
- Poll results: Giant Arc'teryx & Patagoina survey (Gore-Tex, pockets, hoods, fit, & more) [1000+ participated]
- Pics from outrageous discounts I ran into at Arc'teryx Parndorf Outlet
- I bought Gamma Lightweight (aka SL), Gamma (aka LT) and Gamma MX
- Patera Parka (one year update): Ain't worth the price...
- Alpha vs Beta: I bought all 4 Beta's and both Alpha's. Settling this for good
- Proton Hybrid: A "hidden" way to stuff it in itself!?
- Best Insulated Jackets: A hands-on Arc'teryx & Patagonia face-off
- 2024 Nano Air is in! Bought it immediately...
- I bought all 7 of Winter '24 Atom and Proton jackets
- Best Arc'teryx Ski Jackets: Rush is ideal, Sabre SV is overkill
- Arc’teryx colors: Most and least liked (poll results)
- Took my Nuclei SV to the Alps near Pfander, Austria
- Arc'teryx Alpha Parka Review: The most impressive jacket of all time
- Arc'teryx ReGEAR: OutdoorCrunch exclusive promo code!
- Beta Insulated Jacket is in: Pit zips AND two way zipper
- DropHood vs StormHood: Pros/cons and best uses
- 7 things all Arc'teryx newbies should know
The updates:
- Updated style lines for a slightly more relaxed, straighter fit,
- Incorporation of a two-way WaterTight™ Vislon zipper with a snap placket,
- And utilizing synthetic insulation in the hood and neck gasket.
Patera.
The problem is that it doesn't slide as smooth as you'd like. It gets stuck half way down, and honestly becomes really annoying after a certain point.
Arc'teryx DID address to this matter with a revision - although they seemingly failed. Some users continue complaining about it.
This might not be a deal-breaker for some of you but it certainly is something to consider. Worst case scenario you return the unused parka (don't forget to double check the return policy of the seller though).
Warmth
Both the Centrale and Patera are equipped with 750 fill power European goose down. This is top-notch quality - meaning that it offers very high warmth to weight ratio and will last decades without losing its insulating power.
The amount as to how much both parkas are equipped with this down, on the other hand, differs (which is an equally important factor that determines the ultimate warmth achieved in practice):
- Patera (2019-2020 model) only has 59 grams of down.
- Centrale (2019-2020 model), on the other hand, comes with a whooping 157 GRAMS OF DOWN - and hence is substantially warmer than the Patera.
Here's the source:
The specs of Centrale specifies 176 grams and not 157 grams - but my guess is that it's due to the size differences. Either way, the difference is ENORMOUS, and the Centrale will come much warmer than the Patera.
In addition to down, they're also equipped with synthetic insulation in strategic locations (NOT throughout the entire jacket) in order to compensate the downsides of down insulation (poor wet weather performance & relatively fragile face fabric - read more about it here in this post of mine).
As a result...
| Name | Activity | Temp (F/C) | Breathability | Weather Res. | Durability | Bottom line | Review | Pit zips? | Two way zipper? | Stuffs into itself? | Face Fabric | Fit | Weight | Length | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha (aka AR) (Men's - Women's) | Climbing | N/A | 8/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 4/10 | Go-to climbing harshell. | Review | Yes | No | No | N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 430 g / 15.2 oz | 79.5 cm / 31.25 in | No |
| Alpha SV (Men's - Women's) | Climbing | N/A | 8/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 3/10 | Strongest climbing hardshell. | Review | Yes | No | No | N100d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 510 g / 1 lb 2 oz | 78 cm / 30.75 in | No |
| Beta (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 6/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | Streamlined all-doer shell. | Review | No | No | No | N30p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 300 g / 10.6 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | No |
| Beta AR (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 4/10 | Go-to all-round harshell. | Review | Yes | No | No | N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 460 g / 1 lb | 76 cm / 30 in | No |
| Beta AR StormHood (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 4/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N40d & N80d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 460 g / 1 lb | 76 cm / 30 in | No | |
| Beta Coat (Women's) | All Round | N/A | 6/10 | 5/10 | No data | 5/10 | No | Yes | No | 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 320 g / 11.3 oz | 88 cm / 34.5 in | No | ||
| Beta Down Insulated (Men's) | All Round | 0/-18 | 9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | No data | Yes | Yes | No | 2L 40D Gore-Tex | Regular | 760 g / 1 lb 10.8 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | No | ||
| Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's) | All Round | 21/-6 | 9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | No data | Go-to hybrid jacket. | Review | Yes | Yes | No | N40d 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 680 g / 1 lb 8 oz | 78.5 cm / 31 in | No |
| Beta Insulated Coat (Women's) | All Round | 16/-9 | 7/10 | No data | No data | No data | No | Yes | No | N40d 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz | 86 cm / 34 in | No | ||
| Beta Lightweight (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N40p 3L Gore-Tex | Fitted | 380 g / 13.4 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | No | |
| Beta LT (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 7/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N40d 3L Gore-Tex | Fitted | 395 g / 13.9 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | No | |
| Gamma (aka LT) (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 7/10 | 3/10 | 7/10 | 3/10 | Go-to softshell. | Review | No | No | No | Wee Burly Double Weave | Regular | 545 g / 1 lb 3.2 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | No |
| Gamma MX (Men's) | All Round | N/A | 6/10 | 4/10 | 8/10 | 3/10 | Strongest softshell. | Review | No | No | No | Fortius 2.0 | Regular | 555 g / 1 lb 3.6 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in | No |
| Norvan Shell (Men's) | Running | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | No | No | No | 13D 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 190 g / 6.7 oz | 73 cm / 28.75 in | No | ||
| Rush (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 3/10 | Go-to ski jacket. | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p-X & N100p-X 3L Most Rugged Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz | 79.5 cm / 31.25 in | No |
| Rush Insulated (Women's) | Skiing | 16/-9 | 3/10 | 5/10 | 5/10 | 9/10 | Review | No | No | Yes | Hadron 2L Gore-Tex Infinium | Regular | 515 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | Yes | |
| Sabre (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | 8/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 705 g / 1 lb 8.9 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | No | |
| Sentinel (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | Go-to ski jacket. | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 640 g / 1 lb 6.6 oz | 73.7 cm / 29 in | No |
| Sentinel Insulated (Women's) | Skiing | 21/-6 | 8/10 | No data | No data | No data | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz | 79.8 cm / 31.5 in | No | |
| Sentinel Relaxed (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 655 g / 1 lb 7.1 oz | ? | No | ||
| Sidewinder (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 8/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 570 g / 1 lb 4.1 oz | ? | No | ||
| Solano (Men's - Women's) | Around Town | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Review | No | No | No | Gore-Tex Infinium | Relaxed | 355 g / 12.5 oz | 72 cm / 28.3 in | No | |
| Squamish (Men's - Women's) | Running | N/A | 5/10 | 4/10 | 7/10 | 9/10 | Go-to running jacket. | Review | No | No | Yes | 30D Tyono | Trim | 140 g / 4.9 oz | 77.5 cm / 30.5 in | No |
| Theriss Down (Women's) | Skiing | No data | 7/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 709 g / 1 lb 9 oz | 63 cm / 24.8 in | No | |
| Alpha FL (Men's - Women's) | Climbing | N/A | 7/10 | No data | No data | 10/10 | No | No | Yes | Hadron 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 209 g / 7.4 oz | 76.5 cm / 30 in | Yes | ||
| Alpha IS (Men's) | Climbing | 23/-5 | 7/10 | 5/10 | No data | 8/10 | No | Yes | Yes | N40p-X 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz | 78 cm / 30.75 in | Yes | ||
| Alpha SL (Men's - Women's) | Climbing | N/A | 5/10 | 7/10 | No data | 9/10 | No | No | Yes | N40p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 326 g / 11.5 oz | 77.5 cm / 30.5 in | Yes | ||
| Beta SV (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 8/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 3/10 | Strongest all-round harshell. | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p-X Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 495 g / 1 lb 1.5 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | Yes |
| Gamma SL (aka lightweight) (Men's - Women's) | All Round | N/A | 7/10 | 2/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | Review | No | No | No | Fortius 1.0 | Trim | 310 g / 10.9 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in | Yes | |
| Incendia (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 3/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | NP100d 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | Yes | |
| Incendo (Men's) | Running | N/A | 7/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | 10/10 | Review | No | No | Yes | Lumin | Trim | 125 g / 4.4 oz | ? | Yes | |
| Incendo Airshell (Men's | Running | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | No | No | Yes | ? | Trim | 105 g / 3.7 oz | ? | Yes | ||
| Incendo SL (Men's) | Running | N/A | 7/10 | 4/10 | 4/10 | 10/10 | Review | No | No | Yes | Permair 20 & Canim | Trim | 80 g / 2.8 oz | 73 cm / 28.75 in | Yes | |
| Macai (Men's) | Skiing | 5/-15 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 1/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 990 g / 2 lb 2.9 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | Yes | |
| Macai Lightweight (aka LT) (Men's) | Skiing | 8/-13 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 2/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N40p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 855 g / 1 lb 14.2 oz | ? | Yes | |
| Macai Shell (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 775 g / 1 lb 11.3 oz | ? | Yes | |
| Micon (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | Yes | ||
| Micon Heather | Skiing | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Yes | No | No | NP100-d 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | Yes | ||
| Nodin (Men's - Women's) | Running | N/A | 8/10 | 5/10 | 5/10 | 10/10 | No | No | Yes | 20D Tyono | Trim | 130 g / 4.6 oz | 75 cm / 29.5 in | Yes | ||
| Norvan LT (Men's - Women's) | Running | N/A | 5/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | No | No | No | N13p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 190 g / 6.7 oz | ? | Yes | ||
| Norvan SL (Men's - Women's) | Running | N/A | 7/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | Review | No | No | Yes | Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 120 g / 4.2 oz | 77 cm / 30.4 in | Yes | |
| Norvan SL Ins. (Women's) | Running | 39/4 | No data | No data | No data | No data | No | No | Yes | Gore-Tex ShakeDry | Trim | 270 g / 9.5 oz | 71.5 cm / 28.1 in | Yes | ||
| Norvan Windshell (Men's | Running | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | No | No | Yes | Permeair 20 | Trim | 90 g / 3.2 oz | 73 cm / 28.75 in | Yes | ||
| Procline (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Yes | No | No | N70p Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 720 g / 1 lb 9.4 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | Yes | ||
| Ravenna (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 3/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N70s-4 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 725 g / 1 lb 9.6 oz | 69.5 cm / 27.4 in | Yes | |
| Ravenna LT (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 6/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 540 g / 1 lb 3 oz | 69 cm / 27.2 in | Yes | |
| Sabre AR (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 700 g / 1 lb 8.7 oz | 79 cm / 31 in | Yes | |
| Sabre Insulated (See related products) | Skiing | No data | 7/10 | No data | 6/10 | No data | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 2L Gore-Tex | Regular | 815 g / 1 lb 12.7 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | Yes | |
| Sabre LT (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 660 g / 1 lb 7.3 oz | 83 cm / 32.5 in | Yes | |
| Sabre SV (Men's) | Skiing | N/A | 10/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 1/10 | Strongest ski jacket. | Review | Yes | Yes | No | N100d Most Rugged 3L Gore-Tex Pro | Regular | 595 g / 1 lb 5 oz | 85 cm / 33.5 in | No |
| Sentinel AR (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N70p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 590 g / 1 lb 4.8 oz | 72.5 cm / 28.5 in | Yes | |
| Sentinel LT (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | Review | Yes | No | No | N80p 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 565 g / 1 lb 3.9 oz | 73.5 cm / 29 in | Yes | |
| Shashka Stretch (Women's) | Skiing | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | Yes | No | No | N70p Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 670 g / 1 lb 7.6 oz | 71 cm / 28 in | Yes | ||
| Trino SL (Men's) | Running | N/A | 8/10 | 5/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | Review | No | No | No | Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 340 g / 12 oz | 74 cm / 29.1 in | Yes | |
| Trino SL Anorak (Women's) | Running | N/A | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | Review | No | No | No | Gore-Tex Infinium | Trim | 290 g / 10.2 oz | 65 cm / 25.5 in | Yes | |
| Venda Anorak (Women's) | Around Town | N/A | No data | No data | No data | No data | No | No | No | Gore-Tex | Relaxed | 255 g / 9 oz | 75.5 cm / 29.7 in | Yes | ||
| Zeta AR (Men's) | Hiking | N/A | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 4/10 | Yes | No | No | 3L Gore-Tex | Regular | 425 g / 15 oz | 80 cm / 31.5 in | Yes | ||
| Zeta FL (Men's - Women's) | Hiking | N/A | 4/10 | 6/10 | 4/10 | 6/10 | No | No | No | N20r 2L Gore-Tex | Trim | 221 g / 7.8 oz | 76 cm / 30 in | Yes | ||
| Zeta LT (Men's - Women's) | Hiking | N/A | 5/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 5/10 | No | No | No | N40P-X 3L Gore-Tex | Trim | 335 g / 11.8 oz | 78 cm / 30.75 in | Yes | ||
| Zeta SL (Men's - Women's) | Hiking | N/A | 3/10 | 5/10 | 4/10 | 5/10 | Review | No | No | No | 2L Gore-Tex | Trim | 310 g / 10.9 oz | 77.8 cm / 30.6 in | Yes |
Performance data axis of synthetic jackets (table above) and shell jackets (this table) are different. Don't compare them.
- Patagonia and Arc'teryx are like up to 70% off at REI rn...
I'd say, generally speaking, when it's dry out, with only a long sleeved shirt under and without a shell on top, with a mild wind and a very low to no activity level...
Centrale.
The approximate lowest temperatures an average person can wear these jackets without feeling cold can be listed as:
5 deg F (-15 deg C) for Patera and -5 deg F (-20 deg C) for Centrale.
If you think you run warmer or colder than the average person, mentally shift these temperatures accordingly.
In other words, Patera would just be enough for Boston winters. Anything colder than that and I'd recommend the Centrale.
Other than warmth, Centrale is also superior to Patera in the durability department since it's equipped with a higher amount of down and hence lasts for decades.
In terms of weather resistance they perform the same. They're water resistant (DWR coated), although not waterproof.
DWR is a coating.
It's basically sprayed on to the surface of these jackets as a finish.
It stands for Durable Water Repellent - which means that water will be repelled under wet conditions instead of soaking into the fabric.
DWR also decreases dry time.
It's a good thing these jackets are coated in DWR.
But pay attention to the fact that DWR is a coating - meaning that it will wear off over time.
Which is why you might want to invest in a DWR spray such as this one at arcteryx.com for after treatment.
As you see, there's a strong correlation between FP x FW and temperature ratings, but not more than, say, 80%. I explained why this happens here in this post of mine.
Cut and Fit
Centrale is puffier outwards and also offers a baggier cut than the Patera.
Check out Arc'teryx's sizing chart for women here.
