Therme (2020 version, see image) is Arc'teryx's second warmest parka (1st is Thorsen).
As most of you already know, I've been sharing helpful guides to all kinds of Arc'teryx jackets for the last couple of years now (find full post list at the bottom).
I've just recently been asked to make an Arc'teryx Therme Parka review by a reader of mine, so here you go.
Summary
If you're looking to get a parka for casual outgoings between 0 - 30 deg F (-18 - 0 deg C), then Therme will probably respond very well to your needs. I'd say its 120 grams of 750 FP down is the sweet spot for this temperature range.
Previous revision of the Therme.
Let me warn you, though. Most of us average Joe's would overheat inside the Therme above 30 deg F.
You can also see this in my other quite popular Thorsen vs Therme vs Camosun post, which I'd recommend you to check out.
If you'd like to read more about down FP ratings and how to interpret them, then check out my Temperature Ratings of Insulated Jackets post.
Warmth
Now before we get to analyze the Therme Parka individually, let's see where it stands in Arc'teryx's entire insulated outerwear line-up:
Now, the Therme is also revised for 2020.
- Some of the Arc pieces you see in this post might be discontinued, and hence might be unavailable at arcteryx.com.
- If that's the case, then I'd recommend you to check out this page at REI. You might be able to find them there.
The redesign includes:
- Updated style lines for a more relaxed fit,
- A two-way WaterTight Vislon zipper with a snap placket, and
- Synthetically insulated hood & neck gasket for additional warmth.
Yes, the last item does affect the warmth feeling a little bit, but not by much. I'd say the temperature range for the previous revisions would be the same as this most recent one (0 - 30 deg F).
- #A sidenote here: Arcteryx.com's PDF guide to their jackets is GOOOLLDDD. Highly recommend you to check it out before you buy.
Down Insulation
One of the main reasons why this and other Arc'teryx parkas are so expensive is in the quality of their down.
750 FP down of the Therme is one of the highest quality down used in the entire market.
- Some of the Arc pieces you see in this post might be discontinued, and hence might be unavailable at arcteryx.com.
- If that's the case, then I'd recommend you to check out this page at REI. You might be able to find them there.
Again, read more about this in my Temperature Ratings of Insulated Jackets post.
Additional Synthetic Insulation
One of my favorite things about Therme is its synthetic insulation in strategical areas.
December 2020, Arc'teryx Customer Service response.
This is well thought out.
Because if you're regular reader of my insulated jacket reviews, then you're probably already aware that one of my main gripes about down jackets is the loss of insulation power under damp conditions.
We're used to seeing Arc'teryx side-tracking this problem with their common method - although they still do offer some other down jackets suffering with the same issue. See my Cerium SL vs LT vs SV post for more information about this.
Therme Parka.
The bonus you get from synthetic insulation is in the durability.
They use the Coreloft 140 instead of 100 in areas that are typically exposed to the highest abrasion, such as the shoulders and back.
Weather Resistance
In summary... you probably don't have to worry about whether protection when getting this parka. I'd highly doubt you'll wish having more than what the Therme has to offer.
When manufacturing a parka, you mostly don't have to worry about breathability.
Because their intended use is casual.
This actually helps you a lot in the weather resistance department.
The weather protection and breathability usually have a negative correlation in between. It makes your job much easier when you only have to worry about one of them, without necessarily trying to find a good balance in between.
P75d Gore-Tex 2L face fabric of the Therme does exactly this. It's not (doesn't have to be) breathable, but it's weather resistant.
It's lighter than the Camosun's N150p-x Gore-Tex 2L, while offering slightly superior weather protection. Therme's face fabric is also softer, and smoother to the touch.
It also comes DWR coated.
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 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.
Looks
I personally love the clean, minimalist looks of the Thorsen and Therme.
Therme's fit (photo belongs to the previous revision).
This is actually also one of the reasons why most of my readers stuck between getting either a Therme or a Camosun usually end up getting the former.
They do offer comparable warmth, but they differ clearly in their designs and looks.
Because, unlike the Therme (and Thorsen); Camosun does display the main zipper at the front.
Features
If you have a large phone, say, 6.5 inches; then you'll have a hard time fitting it into the chest pocket.
You might be able to fit it inside, but it probably won't be comfortable.
You might also not dig the collar configuration when the hood is not in use, but even if you don't like it, I doubt it'll be a deal breaker.
Fit & Length
At 33 inches, Therme reaches down to mid-thigh level. It also comes with a boxier "relaxed" fit, which Arc'teryx refers to as "regular fit".
I didn't mention breathability because that shouldn't be a criteria for you when getting a Parka.
Product video:
Thank you for the review.