• 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

StormHood vs DropHood

Last updated: October 31, 2022 by Canberk Koksal

  • This article is revised after Arc'teryx FW23 update. 
  • 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

The difference between StormHood and DropHood is that with the DropHood the hood is separated from the collar, whereas with the StormHood the hood and collar are sewn and move together. 

90+% of Arc'teryx jackets are equipped with StormHood. 

Summary

The consensus with StormHood vs DropHood is that the DropHood is more comfortable than the StormHood when the hood is down and vice versa. 

One is not better or worse than the other. 

They simply have different best uses and different people like different hoods, which is why they manufacture both. 

The best way to settle this is obviously to go ahead and try each of them on. But if you can't do it for some reason, then follow this advice. 

Pros of StormHood: 

  • Higher comfort when using the hood 
  • Better coverage of your head 
  • Simple design and lighter weight due to leaner nature

Pros of DropHood: 

  • Higher comfort when not using the hood 
  • More protection with the hood down 
  • Makes up a better mechanical ventilation during high output activities 

Most people get their hardshells with a StormHood because most people use their hardshells when it's really inclement. 

StormHood vs DropHood: Arc'teryx jackets breakdown

Here's a list of the Arc'teryx shells with/without these hoods: 

NameActivityReviewBreathabilityWeather Res.DurabilityPackabilityPit zips?Two way zipper?Hood?
Alpha FL (Men's - Women's)Climbing4/105/106/1010/10NoNoStormHood
Alpha SL (Men's - Women's)Climbing3/104/106/109/10NoNoStormHood
Alpha AR (Men's - Women's)ClimbingReview8/107/108/104/10YesNoStormHood
Alpha SV (Men's - Women's)ClimbingReview8/1010/1010/103/10YesNoStormHood
Alpha IS (Men's)Climbing7/105/105/108/10NoYesStormHood
Beta (Men's - Women's)All Round5/105/104/105/10NoNoStormHood
Beta Long (Men's)All RoundReview5/108/108/103/10NoNoStormHood
Beta Coat (Women's)All Round7/105/104/105/10NoYesStormHood
Beta LT Hadron (Men's - Women's)All Round5/105/104/105/10NoNoStormHood
Beta LT (Men's - Women's)All RoundReview8/107/108/105/10YesNoStormHood
Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's)All Round10/104/104/102/10YesYesStormHood
Beta Insulated Coat (Women's)All Round7/104/104/102/10NoYesStormHood
Beta AR (Men's - Women's)All RoundReview8/108/108/104/10YesNoDropHood
Beta SV (Men's - Women's)All RoundReview8/1010/109/103/10YesNoStormHood
Alpine Guide (Men's - Women's)All Round8/1010/109/103/10YesNoStormHood
Gamma SL (Men's - Women's)All RoundReview7/102/106/105/10NoNoStormHood
Gamma LT (Men's)All RoundReview7/103/107/103/10NoNoStormHood
Gamma MX (Men's - Women's)All RoundReview6/104/108/103/10NoNoStormHood
Rush (Men's - Women's)SkiingReview8/109/109/103/10YesNoStormHood
Sabre (Men's)Skiing8/108/108/102/10YesNoStormHood
Sentinel (Women's)Skiing8/108/108/102/10YesNoStormHood
Macai (Men's)SkiingReview10/108/109/101/10YesNoDropHood
Macai LT (Men's)Skiing8/107/108/101/10YesNoStormHood
Andessa (Women's)Skiing10/10TestingTesting1/10YesNoDropHood
Andessa Shell (Women's)Skiing5/10TestingTesting3/10NoNoDropHood
Theriss Down (Women's)Skiing8/106/107/102/10YesNoStormHood
Rush IS (Women's)Skiing5/10TestingTesting9/10NoNoStormHood
Sentinel IS (Women's)SkiingTestingTestingTestingTestingYesNoStormHood
Ski Guide (Men's - Women's)SkiingTestingTestingTestingTestingYesNoDropHood
Micon HeatherSkiingTestingTestingTestingTestingYesNoStormHood
Micon (Men's)SkiingTestingTestingTestingTestingYesNoStormHood
Cassiar (Men's)SkiingReview8/107/108/103/10YesNoDropHood
Cassiar LT (Men's)SkiingReview6/106/106/105/10YesNoDropHood
Ravenna (Women's)SkiingReview8/107/108/103/10YesNoDropHood
Ravenna LT (Women's)SkiingReview6/106/106/105/10YesNoDropHood
Procline (Men's)SkiingTestingTestingTestingTestingYesNoStormHood
Shashka Stretch (Women's)SkiingTestingTestingTestingTestingYesNoStormHood
Sabre AR (Men's)SkiingReview7/108/107/107/10YesNoStormHood
Sentinel AR (Women's)SkiingReview7/108/107/107/10YesNoStormHood
Sabre LT (Men's)SkiingReview7/108/107/108/10YesNoStormHood
Sentinel LT (Women's)SkiingReview7/108/107/108/10YesNoStormHood
Incendia (Women's)SkiingReview8/109/109/103/10YesNoStormHood
Indencia ISSkiingTestingTestingTestingTestingYesNoStormHood
Norvan LT (Men's - Women's)Running5/105/108/106/10NoNoStandard
Squamish (Men's - Women's)RunningReview5/104/107/109/10NoNoStormHood
Norvan SL Ins. (Women's)RunningTestingTestingTestingTestingNoNoStandard
Cita (Women's)RunningReview7/104/105/1010/10NoNoStandard
Cita SL (Women's)RunningReview7/104/104/1010/10YesNoStandard
Incendo (Men's)RunningReview7/104/105/1010/10NoNoStandard
Incendo SL (Men's)RunningReview7/104/104/1010/10NoNoStandard
Incendo AirshellRunningTestingTestingTestingTestingNoNoStandard
Norvan SL (Men's - Women's)RunningReview7/106/108/108/10NoNoStandard
Trino SL (Men's)RunningReview8/105/107/106/10NoNoStandard
Trino SL Anorak (Women's)RunningReview8/107/108/107/10NoNoStandard
Nodin (Men's - Women's)Running8/105/105/1010/10NoNoStandard
Solano (Men's - Women's)Around TownReviewTestingTestingTestingTestingNoNoStandard
Venda Anorak (Women's)Around TownTestingTestingTestingTestingNoNoStandard
Zeta FL (Men's - Women's)Hiking4/106/104/106/10NoNoStormHood
Zeta SL (Men's - Women's)HikingReview3/105/104/105/10NoNoStormHood
Zeta LT (Men's - Women's)Hiking5/107/108/105/10NoNoStormHood
Zeta AR (Men's)Hiking7/108/107/104/10YesNoStormHood


Are StormHoods uncomfortable when skiing?

I felt like answering this because I started to see it more often. I don't agree with StormHood coming uncomfortable when skiing or snowboarding, and I honestly never saw anyone having any problems with it. 

From what I can see, the usual complaint around this is StormHood getting in the way of your eyesight. But since you'll have goggles most of the time, this doesn't become an issue. 

The only scenario where I can imagine this being a problem is when the person wearing the StormHood doesn't do any adjustment at all by tightening any of the cords. 

What about helmet compatibility?

Both are helmet compatible and both are very comfortable with the helmet. When wearing a helmet, the DropHood again gives a bit more coverage around your neck when the hood is down. 

So I recommend disregarding helmet compatibility in this regard. 


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: Jackets Tagged With: arcteryx, arcteryx jackets, jackets

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