• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

OutdoorCrunch

  • BASICS
  • PRO TIPS
  • GEAR
    • JACKETS
      • INSULATED JACKETS
        • DOWN JACKETS
        • SYNTHETIC INSULATED JACKETS
      • SHELL JACKETS
        • HARDSHELL JACKETS
        • SOFTSHELL JACKETS
      • SKI JACKETS
      • PARKAS
      • RAIN JACKETS
      • WIND JACKETS
      • FLEECE JACKETS
    • BACKPACKS
    • COOKING
      • BACKPACKING STOVES
      • COOKWARE
    • FOOTWEAR
  • MISCELLANEOUS
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT ME
    • CONTACT
  • PRIVACY POLICY
Home / Gear / Jackets / Insulated Jackets

Patagonia Micro Puff vs Down Sweater

Last updated: October 31, 2022 by Canberk Koksal

  • Don't miss out on REI's current sale - shop now and save on all your outdoor gear needs!
    • https://www.rei.com/h/deals

In FW23, Patagonia revised both of Micro Puff and Down Sweater. See updates: 

Highlights of the Down Sweater update: 

  • Fill weight is increased from 104 grams to 150 grams (main update), 
  • Number of internal drop-in pockets has been increased from 1 to 2, 
  • Outer fabric is now NetPlus (recycled waste) shell. 

Highlights of the Micro Puff update: 

  • Number of internal drop-in pockets has been increased from 1 to 2, 
  • Outer fabric is now NetPlus (recycled waste) shell. 

There has also been small changes made in the colors, fit and hood sizes. 

FW23 Down Sweater (Men's - Women's). Probably one of the greatest and most popular casual down jackets out there. 

Patagonia's Down Sweater and Micro Puff are both light, packable, warm and fantastic all-doer casual jackets. Depending on the weather, they both can be used as mid-layers or stand alone pieces. They're pretty much identical in terms of best use.

Their main difference lies in their methods of insulation: Down vs Synthetic. 

Down Sweater is warmer than the Micro Puff, but since down loses insulating power under wet conditions, only consider it for dry areas. Micro Puff, on the other hand, is more weather resistant (owing to its synthetic insulation), lighter and more packable than the Down Sweater. 

Additionally, if you're planning to perform high output activities more than, say, once every two weeks, then neither of these jackets would cut it for you - even the Micro Puff (fragile outer fabric and mediocre breathability).

So, in that case, consider getting Patagonia DAS Light Hoody (Men's - Women's) and Patagonia Nano Air (Men's - Women's). 

Links: 

  • Micro Puff: 
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-micro-puff-hoody/84031.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-micro-puff-jacket/84066.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-micro-puff-hoody/84041.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-micro-puff-jacket/84071.html
  • https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-hooded-jacket-mens
  • https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-jacket-mens
  • https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-hooded-insulated-jacket-womens
  • Down Sweater: 
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-down-sweater-hoody/84702.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-down-sweater/84675.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-down-sweater-hoody/84712.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-down-sweater/84684.html
  • https://www.rei.com/product/208593/patagonia-down-sweater-hoodie-mens
  • https://www.rei.com/product/208409/patagonia-down-sweater-hoodie-womens
  • https://www.rei.com/product/208592/patagonia-down-sweater-mens
  • https://www.rei.com/product/208408/patagonia-down-sweater-womens

Also check out their temperature ratings below. 

  • Related Data Set: Temperature ratings of Patagonia jackets
NameEst. Temp (F/C)ReviewPit venting?Stuffs into itself?Two way zipper?TypeActivityFitWeight
Arc'teryx Alpha (Men's - Women's)-18/-28ReviewNoYesYesDownClimbingRegular805 g / 1 lb 12.4 oz
Feathered Friends Khumbu-17/-27NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular960 g / 2 lb 2 oz
Arc'teryx Ceres SV (Men's - Women's)-15/-26ReviewNoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular880 g / 1 lb 15 oz
Mountain Equipment K7 (Men's)-13/-25NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular820 g / 1 lb 13 oz
Rab Positron Pro (Men's)-13/-25NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular740 g / 1 lb 10 oz
Arc'teryx Therme SV (Men's)-11/-24ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular1.072 kg / 2 lb 5.8 oz
Patagonia Grade VII (Men's)-11/-24NoNoYesDownAround TownRegular743 g / 1 lb 10.1 oz
Arc'teryx Firebee AR (Men's - Women's)-10/-23ReviewNoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular680 g / 1 lb 8 oz
Mountain Equipment Exo (Men's)-10/-23NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular770 g / 1 lb 11.2 oz
Arc'teryx Thorsen (Men's)-7/-22ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular1.1 kg / 2 lb 5.4 oz
Patagonia Frozen Range (Men's - Women's)-6/-21ReviewNoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular1.253 kg / 2 lb 12.2 oz
Mountain Equipment Li. Ec. (Men's - Women's)-5/-20NoNoYesDownAll RoundRegular822 g / 1 lb 13 oz
Arc'teryx Patera Long (Women's)-2/-19NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular1.1 kg / 2 lb 6.8 oz
Rab Neutrino Pro (Men's - Women's)-2/-19NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular585 g / 1 lb 8.6 oz
Arc'teryx Dually Belay (Men's)0/-18ReviewNoYesYesSyntheticAround TownRegular705 g / 1 lb 9 oz
Arc'teryx Centrale (Women's)0/-18ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular885 g / 1 lb 15.2 oz
Arc'teryx Camosun (Men's)0/-18ReviewNoNoNoParkaAround TownTrim960 g / 2 lb 1.9 oz
Arc'teryx Cerium SV (Men's)0/-18ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular415 g / 14.6 oz
Arc'teryx Revet (Men's)2/-17NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular755 g / 1 lb 10.6 oz
Arc'teryx Piedmont (Men's)3/-16NoYesYesParkaAround TownRegular515 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz
Arc'teryx Fission SV (Men's - Women's)3/-16ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticAll RoundRegular890 g / 1 lb 15.4 oz
Arc'teryx Alpha Lightweight (Men's)3/-16NoYesYesDownClimbingRegular540 g / 1 lb 3 oz
Outdoor Research Sup. Alp. (Men's - Women's)3/-16NoNoYesDownAll RoundRegular825 g / 1 lb 13.1 oz
Arc'teryx Alessa Long (Women's)3/-16NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular1.015 kg / 2 lb 3.8 oz
Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 (Men's - Women's)3/-16ReviewNoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular1.307 kg / 2 lb 14.1 oz
Arc'teryx Radsten Parka (Men's)3/-16NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular745 g / 1 lb 10.3 oz
Rab Electron Pro (Men's - Women's)5/-15NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular525 g / 1 lb 2.5 oz
Arc'teryx Therme Parka (Men's)5/-15ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular991 g / 2 lb 3 oz
Arc'teryx Macai (Men's)5/-15ReviewYes, zipsNoNoDownSki/SnowboardRegular1 kg / 2 lb 4 oz
Arc'teryx Nuclei SV (Men's)5/-15ReviewNoYesYesSyntheticClimbingRegular600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz
Patagonia DAS Parka (Men's)5/-15NoYesYesParkaAround TownRegular555 g / 1lb 3.6 oz
Arc'teryx Patera (Women's)5/-15ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownTrim867 g / 1 lb 14.6 oz
Black Diamond Access Down (Men's - Women's)7/-14NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular442 g / 15.6 oz
Arc'teryx Kappa (Men's)7/-14ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticAll RoundRegular755 g / 1 lb 10.6 oz
Arc'teryx Prema Down Coat (Women's)7/-14NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular794 g / 1 lb 12 oz
Arc'teryx Radsten Insulated (Men's)7/-14NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular715 g / 1 lb 9.2 oz
Rab Microlight Alpine (Men's - Women's)7/-14NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular466 g / 1 lb 0.5 oz
Arc'teryx Thorium (Men's - Women's)7/-14ReviewNoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular517 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz
Feathered Friends Eos8/-13NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular306 g / 10.8 oz
Arc'teryx Thorium AR (Men's - Women's)8/-13ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular490 g / 1 lb 1.3 oz
Patagonia Macro Puff (Men's - Women's)8/-13ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticAll RoundRegular435 g / 15.3 oz
Arc'teryx Macai LT (Men's)8/-13Yes, zipsNoNoDownSki/SnowboardRegular855 g / 1 lb 14.2 oz
Arc'teryx Seyla (Women's)8/-13NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular507 g / 1 lb. 1.9 oz.
Patagonia Fitz Roy (Men's - Women's)8/-13NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular632 g / 1lb 6.3 oz
Arc'teryx Koda (Men's)8/-13NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular720 g / 1 lb 9.4 oz
Patagonia Vosque 3-in-1 (Women's)10/-12ReviewNoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular1.360 kg / 3 lb
Patagonia City Storm Down (Men's - Women's)12/-11NoYesNoParkaAll RoundRegular468 g / 16.5 oz
Patagonia Jackson Glacier (Men's - Women's)12/-11ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular880 g / 1 lb 15 oz
Arc'teryx Sensa (Women's)14/-10NoNoYesParkaAround TownRelaxed785 g / 1 lb 11.7 oz
Patagonia Hi Loft Down (Men's - Women's)14/-10ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular540 g / 1 lb 3 oz
REI Magma 850 Hoodie 2.0 (Men's - Women's)14/-10NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular340 g / 13.75 oz
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated Coat (Women's)16/-9ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticAround TownRegular600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz
Arc'teryx Atom AR (Men's - Women's)18/-8ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticAll RoundRegular475 g / 1 lb
Patagonia Downdrift (Men's - Women's)18/-8NoNoNoDownAround TownRegular1.014 kg / 2 lb 3.8 oz
Arc'teryx Magnus (Men's)19/-7NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular690 g / 1 lb 8.3 oz
Arc'teryx Agrium (Men's - Women's)21/-6NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular365 g / 12.9 oz
Patagonia AlpLight Down (Men's - Women's)21/-6NoYesNoDownAll RoundSlim270 g / 9.5 oz
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's)21/-6ReviewYes, zipsNoYesSyntheticAll RoundRegular680 g / 1 lb 8 oz
Patagonia Topley (Men's)23/-5NoNoYesDownAll RoundRegular1.133 kg / 2 lb 8 oz
Arc'teryx Alpha IS (Men's)23/-5NoYesYesSyntheticClimbingRegular610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz
Rab Xenon 2.0 (Men's - Women's)23/-5NoYesYesSyntheticAll RoundRegular385 g / 13.6 oz
Patagonia Down Sweater (Men's - Women's)23/-5ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular428 g / 15.1 oz
Arc'teryx Ralle Parka (Men's)25/-4NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular735 g / 1 lb 9.9 oz
Patagonia Silent Down (Men's - Women's)26/-3ReviewNoNoNoDownAround TownRegular585 g / 1 lb 4.7 oz
Arc'teryx Therme Insulated (Men's)26/-3ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticAround TownRegular960 g / 2 lb 1.9 oz
Arc'teryx Cerium (Men's - Women's)26/-3NoYesNoDownAll RoundTrim335 g / 11.8 oz
Mountain Hardwear GW/2 (Men's - Women's)28/-2NoYesNoDownAll RoundTrim250 g / 8.8 oz
Arc'teryx Cerium LT (Men's - Women's)28/-2ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundTrim305 g / 10.8 oz
Arc'teryx Nuclei FL (Men's - Women's)32/0ReviewNoYesNoSyntheticClimbingTrim325 g / 11.5 oz
Patagonia DAS Light (Men's - Women's)34/1NoYesYesSyntheticClimbingRegular320 g / 11.3 oz
Patagonia Micro Puff (Men's - Women's)36/2ReviewNoYesNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim298 g / 10.5 oz
Patagonia Isthmus (Men's)36/2NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular895 g / 1 lb 15.6 oz
Arc'teryx Proton LT (Men's - Women's)37/3ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticClimbingTrim375 g / 13.2 oz
Patagonia Nano Puff (Men's - Women's)37/3ReviewNoYesNoSyntheticAll RoundRegular363 g / 12.8 oz
Arc'teryx Norvan SL Ins. (Men's - Women's)39/4NoYesNoSyntheticRunningTrim270 g / 9.5 oz
Patagonia Nano Air (Men's - Women's)41/5ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim318 g / 11.2 oz
Arc'teryx Atom LT (Men's - Women's)43/6ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim375 g / 13.2 oz
Arc'teryx Cerium SL (Men's - Women's)43/6ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundTrim215 g / 7.6 oz
Arc'teryx Proton Hybrid (Men's - Women's)46/8ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim365 g / 12.9 oz
Arc'teryx Proton FL (Men's)48/9ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticClimbingTrim323 g / 11.4 oz
Arc'teryx Atom SL (Men's - Women's)52/11ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim245 g / 8.6 oz
REI Stormhenge Hybrid (Men's - Women's)TestingYes, zipsNoNoDownAll RoundRegular900 g / 1 lb 15.75 oz
Arc'teryx Monitor Insulated (Women's)TestingNoNoYesParkaAround TownOversized645 g / 1 lb 6.8 oz
Arc'teryx Coelle (Women's)TestingNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular460 g / 1 lb 0.2 oz


These are the approximate lowest temperatures you can wear each jacket without feeling uncomfortably cold, assuming: 

  • you only have a shirt under and no shell over,
  • during daily use (strolls, power walks etc at most - no high output activities), 
  • with just a little bit wind, 
  • and in dry weather. 

Read more about this chart here in my Insulated Outerwear Temperature Ratings Guide. Also my Best Patagonia Jackets post. 

If you think you run warmer or colder than the average person, then shift temperature ranges accordingly. 

Lastly - make sure to check out Patagonia.com Web Specials before you buy. 

I've also talked to the Patagonia Customer Service about Micro Puff vs Down Sweater, and shared the screenshots here in this post. 

The motivation behind trying to come up with a brand new insulation technique (which, ended up being synthetic insulation) was to defy the two strong disadvantages of down (used in Down Sweater): 

  • Loss of insulating capability when it's wet/damp out. 
  • Delayed warmth after putting it on. 

Overcoming these disadvantages comes with its own costs and downsides - which eventually made up the disadvantages of synthetic insulation (used in the Micro Puff): 

  • Fragile face fabric (specific to Micro Puff), 
  • Loss of insulating capability after 3-4 years. 

These are the 4 key points to consider. 

  • Latest on the blog:
  • CLO Values Explained: Primaloft, Coreloft, Thermatek, Plumafill & More
  • West & South Iceland: I visited again, and here's the best itinerary
  • #A sidenote here: Patagonia.com's Web Specials discounts are GOOOLLLDDD. Highly recommend you to check it out before you buy. 

The second point of Micro Puff is typically looked at as a disadvantage of sleeping bags and quilts with synthetic insulation, and often not so much of the clothing since (1) most of us tend to renew our casual wear wardrobe much more often than our outdoor gear and (2) the wearing out occurs each time the jacket is stuffed into its own sack - rather than occurring simply as the time passes. 

That's why, if you're planning to use your Micro Puff or Down Sweater mostly casually when it's cold out in the neighborhood (which is what they are mostly designed for anyway), then I'd recommend you to forget about the second disadvantage of Micro Puff. 

For a mostly dry weather use, Down Sweater can be a better choice since its down insulation will last years longer than the Micro Puff.  

If, on the other hand, you're planning to wear them when skiing, traveling, hiking and/or camping for a fair amount of time, then I'd recommend you to keep this disadvantage in your minds as you read on since packability can't be completely overlooked in your case. 

Warmth

For folks who are unaware of the basic working principle of Down Sweater's down insulation, here's a two sentence introduction first (this is important). 

Down provides warmth by heating and holding on to the air cluster trapped within its vacant spots. Synthetic insulation in the Micro Puff basically tries and mimics this exact process of down - but via artificial, man-made equipment (65 grams of PlumaFill). 

So, the higher the total volume of these empty spots inside the down, the more the air is going to be heated, and hence the provided warmth will be higher. Because the down's ability to loft gets lost as it gets wet, so does its ability to trap/heat more air. 

Ultimately, its warmth will be impacted negatively. 

This working principle is also why the fully extended volume of (dry) down is a crucial metric (referred to as FP) and determines the down's quality, warmth potential, durability and price tag. 

800 FP down of our Down Sweater will feel much warmer, prove solid performance for more years and hence also be a more expensive pick than a 700 FP down.

To my knowledge, FP numbers start from 450 and goes up to 950. This makes the 800 FP down of Down Sweater one of the highest quality fills in today's world. 

This doesn't mean that it's impossible to manufacture a clothing piece using a rather low quality (say, 500 FP down) and make it quite warm. You perfectly can - but you'd just have to stuff a bunch of it - quite a bit more than the amount it would take if you had used a 800 FP down instead. 

  • Related Data Set: Temperature ratings of Patagonia jackets
NameEst. Temp (F/C)ReviewPit venting?Stuffs into itself?Two way zipper?TypeActivityFitWeight
Arc'teryx Alpha (Men's - Women's)-18/-28ReviewNoYesYesDownClimbingRegular805 g / 1 lb 12.4 oz
Feathered Friends Khumbu-17/-27NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular960 g / 2 lb 2 oz
Arc'teryx Ceres SV (Men's - Women's)-15/-26ReviewNoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular880 g / 1 lb 15 oz
Mountain Equipment K7 (Men's)-13/-25NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular820 g / 1 lb 13 oz
Rab Positron Pro (Men's)-13/-25NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular740 g / 1 lb 10 oz
Arc'teryx Therme SV (Men's)-11/-24ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular1.072 kg / 2 lb 5.8 oz
Patagonia Grade VII (Men's)-11/-24NoNoYesDownAround TownRegular743 g / 1 lb 10.1 oz
Arc'teryx Firebee AR (Men's - Women's)-10/-23ReviewNoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular680 g / 1 lb 8 oz
Mountain Equipment Exo (Men's)-10/-23NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular770 g / 1 lb 11.2 oz
Arc'teryx Thorsen (Men's)-7/-22ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular1.1 kg / 2 lb 5.4 oz
Patagonia Frozen Range (Men's - Women's)-6/-21ReviewNoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular1.253 kg / 2 lb 12.2 oz
Mountain Equipment Li. Ec. (Men's - Women's)-5/-20NoNoYesDownAll RoundRegular822 g / 1 lb 13 oz
Arc'teryx Patera Long (Women's)-2/-19NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular1.1 kg / 2 lb 6.8 oz
Rab Neutrino Pro (Men's - Women's)-2/-19NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular585 g / 1 lb 8.6 oz
Arc'teryx Dually Belay (Men's)0/-18ReviewNoYesYesSyntheticAround TownRegular705 g / 1 lb 9 oz
Arc'teryx Centrale (Women's)0/-18ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular885 g / 1 lb 15.2 oz
Arc'teryx Camosun (Men's)0/-18ReviewNoNoNoParkaAround TownTrim960 g / 2 lb 1.9 oz
Arc'teryx Cerium SV (Men's)0/-18ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular415 g / 14.6 oz
Arc'teryx Revet (Men's)2/-17NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular755 g / 1 lb 10.6 oz
Arc'teryx Piedmont (Men's)3/-16NoYesYesParkaAround TownRegular515 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz
Arc'teryx Fission SV (Men's - Women's)3/-16ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticAll RoundRegular890 g / 1 lb 15.4 oz
Arc'teryx Alpha Lightweight (Men's)3/-16NoYesYesDownClimbingRegular540 g / 1 lb 3 oz
Outdoor Research Sup. Alp. (Men's - Women's)3/-16NoNoYesDownAll RoundRegular825 g / 1 lb 13.1 oz
Arc'teryx Alessa Long (Women's)3/-16NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular1.015 kg / 2 lb 3.8 oz
Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 (Men's - Women's)3/-16ReviewNoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular1.307 kg / 2 lb 14.1 oz
Arc'teryx Radsten Parka (Men's)3/-16NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular745 g / 1 lb 10.3 oz
Rab Electron Pro (Men's - Women's)5/-15NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular525 g / 1 lb 2.5 oz
Arc'teryx Therme Parka (Men's)5/-15ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular991 g / 2 lb 3 oz
Arc'teryx Macai (Men's)5/-15ReviewYes, zipsNoNoDownSki/SnowboardRegular1 kg / 2 lb 4 oz
Arc'teryx Nuclei SV (Men's)5/-15ReviewNoYesYesSyntheticClimbingRegular600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz
Patagonia DAS Parka (Men's)5/-15NoYesYesParkaAround TownRegular555 g / 1lb 3.6 oz
Arc'teryx Patera (Women's)5/-15ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownTrim867 g / 1 lb 14.6 oz
Black Diamond Access Down (Men's - Women's)7/-14NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular442 g / 15.6 oz
Arc'teryx Kappa (Men's)7/-14ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticAll RoundRegular755 g / 1 lb 10.6 oz
Arc'teryx Prema Down Coat (Women's)7/-14NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular794 g / 1 lb 12 oz
Arc'teryx Radsten Insulated (Men's)7/-14NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular715 g / 1 lb 9.2 oz
Rab Microlight Alpine (Men's - Women's)7/-14NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular466 g / 1 lb 0.5 oz
Arc'teryx Thorium (Men's - Women's)7/-14ReviewNoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular517 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz
Feathered Friends Eos8/-13NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular306 g / 10.8 oz
Arc'teryx Thorium AR (Men's - Women's)8/-13ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular490 g / 1 lb 1.3 oz
Patagonia Macro Puff (Men's - Women's)8/-13ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticAll RoundRegular435 g / 15.3 oz
Arc'teryx Macai LT (Men's)8/-13Yes, zipsNoNoDownSki/SnowboardRegular855 g / 1 lb 14.2 oz
Arc'teryx Seyla (Women's)8/-13NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular507 g / 1 lb. 1.9 oz.
Patagonia Fitz Roy (Men's - Women's)8/-13NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular632 g / 1lb 6.3 oz
Arc'teryx Koda (Men's)8/-13NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular720 g / 1 lb 9.4 oz
Patagonia Vosque 3-in-1 (Women's)10/-12ReviewNoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular1.360 kg / 3 lb
Patagonia City Storm Down (Men's - Women's)12/-11NoYesNoParkaAll RoundRegular468 g / 16.5 oz
Patagonia Jackson Glacier (Men's - Women's)12/-11ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular880 g / 1 lb 15 oz
Arc'teryx Sensa (Women's)14/-10NoNoYesParkaAround TownRelaxed785 g / 1 lb 11.7 oz
Patagonia Hi Loft Down (Men's - Women's)14/-10ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular540 g / 1 lb 3 oz
REI Magma 850 Hoodie 2.0 (Men's - Women's)14/-10NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular340 g / 13.75 oz
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated Coat (Women's)16/-9ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticAround TownRegular600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz
Arc'teryx Atom AR (Men's - Women's)18/-8ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticAll RoundRegular475 g / 1 lb
Patagonia Downdrift (Men's - Women's)18/-8NoNoNoDownAround TownRegular1.014 kg / 2 lb 3.8 oz
Arc'teryx Magnus (Men's)19/-7NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular690 g / 1 lb 8.3 oz
Arc'teryx Agrium (Men's - Women's)21/-6NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular365 g / 12.9 oz
Patagonia AlpLight Down (Men's - Women's)21/-6NoYesNoDownAll RoundSlim270 g / 9.5 oz
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's)21/-6ReviewYes, zipsNoYesSyntheticAll RoundRegular680 g / 1 lb 8 oz
Patagonia Topley (Men's)23/-5NoNoYesDownAll RoundRegular1.133 kg / 2 lb 8 oz
Arc'teryx Alpha IS (Men's)23/-5NoYesYesSyntheticClimbingRegular610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz
Rab Xenon 2.0 (Men's - Women's)23/-5NoYesYesSyntheticAll RoundRegular385 g / 13.6 oz
Patagonia Down Sweater (Men's - Women's)23/-5ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular428 g / 15.1 oz
Arc'teryx Ralle Parka (Men's)25/-4NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular735 g / 1 lb 9.9 oz
Patagonia Silent Down (Men's - Women's)26/-3ReviewNoNoNoDownAround TownRegular585 g / 1 lb 4.7 oz
Arc'teryx Therme Insulated (Men's)26/-3ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticAround TownRegular960 g / 2 lb 1.9 oz
Arc'teryx Cerium (Men's - Women's)26/-3NoYesNoDownAll RoundTrim335 g / 11.8 oz
Mountain Hardwear GW/2 (Men's - Women's)28/-2NoYesNoDownAll RoundTrim250 g / 8.8 oz
Arc'teryx Cerium LT (Men's - Women's)28/-2ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundTrim305 g / 10.8 oz
Arc'teryx Nuclei FL (Men's - Women's)32/0ReviewNoYesNoSyntheticClimbingTrim325 g / 11.5 oz
Patagonia DAS Light (Men's - Women's)34/1NoYesYesSyntheticClimbingRegular320 g / 11.3 oz
Patagonia Micro Puff (Men's - Women's)36/2ReviewNoYesNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim298 g / 10.5 oz
Patagonia Isthmus (Men's)36/2NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular895 g / 1 lb 15.6 oz
Arc'teryx Proton LT (Men's - Women's)37/3ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticClimbingTrim375 g / 13.2 oz
Patagonia Nano Puff (Men's - Women's)37/3ReviewNoYesNoSyntheticAll RoundRegular363 g / 12.8 oz
Arc'teryx Norvan SL Ins. (Men's - Women's)39/4NoYesNoSyntheticRunningTrim270 g / 9.5 oz
Patagonia Nano Air (Men's - Women's)41/5ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim318 g / 11.2 oz
Arc'teryx Atom LT (Men's - Women's)43/6ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim375 g / 13.2 oz
Arc'teryx Cerium SL (Men's - Women's)43/6ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundTrim215 g / 7.6 oz
Arc'teryx Proton Hybrid (Men's - Women's)46/8ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim365 g / 12.9 oz
Arc'teryx Proton FL (Men's)48/9ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticClimbingTrim323 g / 11.4 oz
Arc'teryx Atom SL (Men's - Women's)52/11ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim245 g / 8.6 oz
REI Stormhenge Hybrid (Men's - Women's)TestingYes, zipsNoNoDownAll RoundRegular900 g / 1 lb 15.75 oz
Arc'teryx Monitor Insulated (Women's)TestingNoNoYesParkaAround TownOversized645 g / 1 lb 6.8 oz
Arc'teryx Coelle (Women's)TestingNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular460 g / 1 lb 0.2 oz


These are the approximate lowest temperatures you can wear each jacket without feeling uncomfortably cold, assuming: 

  • you only have a shirt under and no shell over,
  • during daily use (strolls, power walks etc at most - no high output activities), 
  • with just a little bit wind, 
  • and in dry weather. 

Read more about this chart here in my Insulated Outerwear Temperature Ratings Guide. Also my Best Patagonia Jackets post. 

If you think you run warmer or colder than the average person, then shift temperature ranges accordingly. 

Lastly - make sure to check out Patagonia.com Web Specials before you buy. 

Delayed warmth

As grueling as it sounds, this entire process of the down heating and holding on to the air cluster... takes time. Longer than the synthetic insulation. 

This makes up one of the two disadvantages of the Down Sweater laid out above. You don't get to feel the cozy warmth the moment you put on your Down Sweater. 

With the Micro Puff, though; it doesn't take that much until the maximum potential warmth is achieved. The difference is noticeable. 

Center back length

The Down Sweater is extremely short, which affects its warmth. This can be a disadvantage if you aren't planning to insulate your legs, so keep that in mind. 

Links: 

  • Micro Puff: 
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-micro-puff-hoody/84031.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-micro-puff-jacket/84066.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-micro-puff-hoody/84041.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-micro-puff-jacket/84071.html
  • https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-hooded-jacket-mens
  • https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-jacket-mens
  • https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-hooded-insulated-jacket-womens
  • Down Sweater: 
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-down-sweater-hoody/84702.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-down-sweater/84675.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-down-sweater-hoody/84712.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-down-sweater/84684.html
  • https://www.rei.com/product/208593/patagonia-down-sweater-hoodie-mens
  • https://www.rei.com/product/208409/patagonia-down-sweater-hoodie-womens
  • https://www.rei.com/product/208592/patagonia-down-sweater-mens
  • https://www.rei.com/product/208408/patagonia-down-sweater-womens

Durability

And this, is the disadvantage of Micro Puff. 

I know I've kept saying that the insulating power of Down Sweater can last for decades (much shorter for the Micro Puff), and that's true; but there's one more parameter there: 

  • How often are you going to be stuffing them into their own sacks? 

The quicker loss of Micro Puff's insulation capability doesn't occur when these jackets are simply at rest. 

Instead, it occurs each time you stuff the Micro Puff into its own sack and then release it back. The more you do this cycle, the quicker it'll get old.

For the Down Sweater, on the other hand, it doesn't really matter, since its insulation is very durable. So you can stop worrying about it and instead use the stuff sack freely (which you'll also do with the Micro Puff anyway... so it'll get older quicker). 

Regardless of the insulation, face fabric of Micro Puff is also fairly fragile. 

Weather Resistance

Micro Puff is more weather resistant than Down Sweater. Not only does it stand better against wind and precipitation, but its warmth also doesn't decrease when the jacket gets wet (which, as mentioned earlier, isn't the case with Down Sweater). 

The difference isn't huge, by the way, but definitely is noticeable. 

By the way, they're both coated with DWR. 

  • What is DWR by the way?

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. 

Yes, the DWR does help with preventing the rain drops from getting soaked into the internal surface of the Down Sweater, but doesn't help so much with its warmth. 

Again, once the fill gets wet, its warmth will drop significantly. Depending on the precipitation, the water will get in, too. 

Pockets

Both offer 2 internal drop-in pockets (large enough to fit 110 mm skins) and 2 external hand warmer pockets. 

Breathability

Face fabric of Micro Puff (0.7-oz 10-denier shell and lining) breathes slightly better than the Down Sweater (1.4-oz 20x30-denier shell and 1.4-oz 20-denier lining).

But, neither of these jackets are designed to breathe and hence are terrible in this department. They're not equipped with pit zips either, so I'd recommend you to forget about getting these jackets if breathability is one of your expectations. 

Check out Nano Air (Men's - Women's) in that case.

Style

To most people, Down Sweater looks prettier (especially this Carbon color is liked by many - including me). 

Micro Puff... I don't know. Looks overly wrinkled and pretty bad. At least to me. 

Weight and Packability

Micro Puff offers an exceptional level of warmth to weight ratio. This is a bit strange because you'd actually expect this from a down product first and synthetic product second. 

Micro Puff is the lightest and most packable synthetic insulated puffy in Patagonia's line-up. 

Links: 

  • Micro Puff: 
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-micro-puff-hoody/84031.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-micro-puff-jacket/84066.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-micro-puff-hoody/84041.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-micro-puff-jacket/84071.html
  • https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-hooded-jacket-mens
  • https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-jacket-mens
  • https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-hooded-insulated-jacket-womens
  • Down Sweater: 
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-down-sweater-hoody/84702.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-down-sweater/84675.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-down-sweater-hoody/84712.html
  • https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-down-sweater/84684.html
  • https://www.rei.com/product/208593/patagonia-down-sweater-hoodie-mens
  • https://www.rei.com/product/208409/patagonia-down-sweater-hoodie-womens
  • https://www.rei.com/product/208592/patagonia-down-sweater-mens
  • https://www.rei.com/product/208408/patagonia-down-sweater-womens

My discussion with the Patagonia Rep

Here are the screenshots I took. Reps can sometimes provide inaccurate information or even flat out incorrect "facts" every now and then - so take the info in this conversation with a grain of salt. 

Product videos 


I hope this post was helpful for you to learn more about the jacket(s) in your mind.


Feel free to ask me any questions or provide feedback and I'll be happy to respond in the comment section below.


Guide: Insulated & Shell Jackets

Start here:

  • Best Arc'teryx Jackets: My Top Picks
  • Best Patagonia Jackets: My Top Picks
  • Best Down Jackets: My Top Picks
  • Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets: My Top Picks
  • Temperature Ratings of Best Insulated Jackets
  • Arc'teryx Wiki: Complete Data Set
  • CLO values: Explained, compared & plotted
  • Ultimate Size Guide to Arc'teryx
  • StormHood vs DropHood

Complete list:

  • All Arc'teryx Shell Jackets sorted by performance
  • All Arc'teryx Ski Jackets sorted by performance
  • All Patagonia Ski Jackets sorted by performance
  • All Patagonia Winter Jackets compared
  • All Patagonia Fleeces compared
  • All Patagonia Rain Jackets compared
  • All Patagonia Down Jackets compared

Synthetic Insulated Jackets

  • Arc'teryx Proton LT
  • Patagonia Nano Air
  • Arc'teryx Atom LT
  • Arc'teryx Atom AR
  • Patagonia Nano Puff
  • Patagonia Micro Puff
  • Arc'teryx Atom SL
  • Arc'teryx Proton FL
  • Arc'teryx Proton Hybrid Hoody
  • Arc'teryx Fission SV
  • Arc'teryx Dually Belay Parka
  • Arc'teryx Atom SL Anorak
  • Arc'teryx Kappa

Down Jackets

  • Arc'teryx Cerium LT
  • Arc'teryx Cerium SV
  • Arc'teryx Cerium SL
  • Arc'teryx Thorium AR
  • Patagonia Down Sweater
  • Arc'teryx Firebee AR
  • Arc'teryx Ceres SV

Parkas

  • Arc'teryx Thorsen
  • Arc'teryx Therme
  • Arc'teryx Camosun
  • Arc'teryx Patera
  • Arc'teryx Centrale
  • Patagonia Tres
  • Patagonia Vosque

Shell Jackets

  • Arc'teryx Beta SV
  • Arc'teryx Beta FL
  • Arc'teryx Beta AR
  • Arc'teryx Alpha AR
  • Arc'teryx Alpha SV
  • Arc'teryx Gamma MX
  • Arc'teryx Gamma LT
  • Arc'teryx Gamma SL

Ski Jackets

  • Arc'teryx Rush
  • Arc'teryx Rush IS
  • Arc'teryx Sabre LT
  • Arc'teryx Sabre AR
  • Arc'teryx Cassiar
  • Arc'teryx Sidewinder
  • Arc'teryx Macai

Fleece Jackets

  • Patagonia R1
  • Patagonia R2
  • Patagonia Synchilla
  • Patagonia Better Sweater

Wind Jackets

  • Arc'teryx Solano
  • Arc'teryx Nuclei FL
  • Patagonia Houdini
  • Patagonia Houdini Air
  • Arc'teryx Squamish
  • Arc'teryx Incendo
  • Arc'teryx Norvan SL
  • Arc'teryx Trino SL

Rain Jackets

  • Patagonia Torrentshell
  • Patagonia Torrentshell Insulated
  • Arc'teryx Beta SL Hybrid
  • Arc'teryx Zeta FL

Also see:

  • Arc'teryx vs Patagonia
  • List of Manufacturing Facilities of all Arc'teryx Jackets

Thank you for reading!

Filed Under: Insulated Jackets Tagged With: jackets, patagonia, Patagonia insulated jackets

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Benoit says

    April 19, 2020 at 11:28 am

    Would you take the atom ar over the micro puff when you consider: style, fit, durability, weight to warmth and packability?

    • Canberk says

      April 19, 2020 at 3:36 pm

      Thank you for your comment Benoit!

      When warmth to weight ratio and packability are a concern, it’s hard to beat the Micro Puff.

      • Benoit says

        April 19, 2020 at 6:45 pm

        I have a micro puff. But after a couple of months i am not happy with the fit ( to wide on the chest) and i cant get over the shiny fabric. I am worried about the durability over the years aswel. For now i use it for casual walks outer layer and as a midlayer when cold and wet. Or as a throw over jacket at camp for warmth.

        I am willing to let it go and get the atom AR instead, warmer and better fit i think. Okay its not as packable but i saw arcteryx promo film on how to pack it in the sleeve. I climb mount meru and kili in september and would use it as back up and to throw on at rest stops. For me its not weight thats an issue its the size of the ‘package’ .
        Does it ressemble?

Primary Sidebar

Crunch Search

About me

Hey, what's up? Canberk here. I try to approach outdoor gear from a scientific point of view. Here's more about me.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Featured Posts

  • Temperature Ratings of Insulated Jackets
  • Best Arc’teryx Jackets
  • Best Patagonia Jackets

window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-GDD0YD30SK');

  • BASICS
  • PRO TIPS
  • GEAR
  • MISCELLANEOUS
  • ABOUT
  • PRIVACY POLICY