I went through a few weeks of research on down jackets before finally making this purchase for the John Muir Trail. I had been using the Patagonia Nano Puff jacket and the Arc’teryx Atom LT for the last few years, but wanted a real down jacket for the cooler nights I knew I’d experience on the JMT this summer. The main competitors were the Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer and the Patagonia Ultralight. I decided on the Down Sweater after trying all of them on, based on warmth, durable fabrics, and it’s versatility. It is a little bit heavier than the other two at 15.1 oz., but the weight is due to more down being used in the jacket. The down for this jacket is 800-fill traceable down insulation.
Support Trail to Peak by purchasing this jacket from Amazon with the links below:
Patagonia Men’s Hoody
Patagonia Women’s Hoody
I got hit with a pretty cold storm on my way out of Yosemite Valley to the point where snow was sticking overnight at Tuolumne (This was in July). The cold spell continued over Donahue Pass and didn’t break until a little after Thousand Island and Garnet Lakes. I was very happy to have this jacket on me, as it allowed me to sit out and watch the sunset over Banner Peak as an afternoon thunderstorm rolled through. This jacket was great at allowing me to hang out around camp late into the night at high elevation, which is something I haven’t been able to do comfortably with my other jackets. The Deluge DWR finish did a good job of keeping the water from soaking through and bought me more than enough time to put my waterproof on when afternoon thunderstorms hit.
The final test was a sunrise summit of Mt. Whitney to finish the JMT. The wind was blowing hard that morning and the temps were a little below freezing, probably the coldest I experienced on the John Muir Trail. I was nice and toasty with this jacket on, which allowed me to stay at the summit for quite a while before heading down. I was actually quite surprised at just how warm this jacket was given the conditions.
The hood on the Down Sweater Hoody is deluxe. I buy all of my jackets with hoods as I feel it’s worth the price to get the added head warmth. The combination of a beanie and down hood is pretty tough to beat.
The sizing and shape is the only slight knock on the Down Sweater Hoody. I’m almost always a size M in jackets and shirts, and this is the size I bought for this jacket. The Down Sweater fits perfectly on my shoulders and arms, but like most clothing these days, floats a little around my waist (I’m a 32 waist). Part of this I’m sure is to accommodate for layering, but I think it’s more a product of the ever growing size of most Americans.
The Down Sweater packs into it’s own pocket which is great when thru-hiking, as it minimizes the volume used in a pack and/or stuff sack.
So far this jacket has held together very well. I can’t really comment too much on the durability for climbers, as I’ve only used this for hiking and backpacking. These pursuits aren’t really a true test of the polyester ripstop fabric, seams, and stitching, but I hope to put them to work very soon. Everything on the Down Sweater Hoody appears to be of the highest quality, and I’m looking forward to logging many more miles, and spending many more nights outside in it.
Support Trail to Peak by purchasing this jacket from Amazon with the links below:
Patagonia Men’s Hoody
Patagonia Women’s Hoody
Do you have a woman’s opinion on the female version of this jacket? I’m just curious because I’ve wanted to purchase this exact hoody. I’m sure they’re the same thing though! Great post!
Thanks! Julia wore the exact same jacket for the John Muir Trail and had equally positive opinions. The only real difference is the size and shape.
Perfect! Thank you!!
No problem!
Hey Drew,
How do you like the Arc’teryx Atom LT? Is it warm enough for SoCal wind and weather? I’ve been looking at some lightweight jackets/shells and its been challenging to narrow down the choices. Thanks!
I love the Arc’teryx Atom LT. I bought it in Courmayeur last year while hiking Tour du Mont Blanc. It’s perfect for active pursuits in cold weather. It breathes well, which also means it can be a bit drafty around camp or when you’re not moving. I think it’s great for So Cal and it’s my jacket of choice until the temps go below 40.
Nice pictures .
Thank you!
Gah! I didn’t know they had a hooded version. Still though, I love this jacket. I don’t get too hot in it during more active stretches, and colder weather has yet to phase me. Really glad I spent the extra money for it, it’s irreplaceable. It’s survived some brutal stretches without even getting frayed.
It’s a great jacket, and great to hear yours is holding up so well! I look forward to abusing mine a little more this winter.
What is your height, weight, chest as I am unsure what size down sweater to get
I’m 5’11”, 182lbs, and a 42 chest ( I think).
Hi drew why u dont choose ghost whisperer or patagonia ultralight over the patagonia down?
Hey Antony. I really liked the Ghost Whisperer, but the fit was a little off for me. I ordered the Patagonia Ultralight, but it wasn’t warm enough for me. I also got a great deal on the Patagonia Down with a coupon. All three are great jackets, but the Patagonia Down was the best choice for me.