Although they are different brands, FullRange by Patagonia and Polartec Alpha are direct competitors in performance synthetics. For freezing winter conditions, parkas like Patagonia's DAS are true winter-weight synthetic jackets. Additional changes from this past fall included swapping the quilted side panels for a smoother look (a positive upgrade in our opinion), and Patagonia incorporated an 87-percent-recycled polyester shell and lining. Fit: A medium fit is your best bet for this layer. Weight: 12.3 oz. Now I was pushing it and working up significant body heat…..but I kid you not…..soaked through, that Xenon was providing me the warmth I needed! See the Fjallraven Keb Padded Hoodie See the Women's Keb Padded Hoodie. PlumaFill I was convinced the jacket had ceased to provide any warmth due to it being soaked, so I removed it and packed it away. For a similar jacket with more warmth, the Arc’teryx Atom AR uses thicker 120g Coreloft insulation around the core... Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody  See the Women's Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody. This combination has made it one of Patagonia’s best-selling jackets year after year. DWR treatments do a pretty good job at repelling light to moderate precipitation, but by no means waterproof the jacket. Throw in a significant amount of stretch and a number of alpine-centric features like pit zips and a helmet-compatible hood (alpine, not ski), and you have yourself one heckuva Swiss Army Knife piece that can work for climbing, ski mountaineering, and a whole lot more. 3.6 oz. –Editors, The Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody is another jacket that gets top marks for breathability. In my experience, it’s best to acquire winter backpacking gear over a period of 2-3 years, so you can spread out the capital expenditure required while using some of your existing three-season gear for camping and backpacking in less extreme winter conditions. We also like that it packs down small for a synthetic, much like your favorite down jacket would. Back to Our Top Synthetic Jacket Picks  Back to Our Synthetic Jacket Comparison Table. Our issues with the Micro Puff are that it’s expensive and not super versatile. But what really sold me…..it “wetted through” one mid-30s day during sleet and downpours in the Berkshires. The result is an absolute beast of a synthetic that is among the warmest and toughest on this list. The 11 Best Synthetic Down Jackets of 2021 . Some are sheet-like in appearance with a continuous filament pattern, creating a buffer of warmth like a blanket. 8 oz.Insulation: 100% PolyesterWhat we like: A solid value for a good-looking jacket.What we don’t: Limited performance chops. The nylon fabric on the torso is almost shiny with small baffles along the arms that don’t scream hardcore outdoor use. With the much-anticipated Micro Puff jacket, Patagonia debuted their proprietary PlumaFill insulation. Most down jackets fail immediately as soon as they get wet. The shell is DWR-treated Pertex Quantum, and the unique baffle patterns keep the insulation in place with minimal stitching and minimal cold spots. It’s worth noting that Patagonia currently only uses PlumaFill in a few jackets including the Micro Puff, Macro Puff, and new DAS Light Hoody. The fit is just about perfect—it’s fairly athletic and not too baggy yet still allows for layering underneath. I love it because it keeps me comfy on trail over a pretty wide span of temperatures, plus it is pretty wind resistant. When the heart of the coldest winter months arrives, it’s time for a serious jacket. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily. The basic insulation isn’t nearly as breathable as the active insulation models on this list, the jacket doesn’t stuff down as small as the down imitators and will take up considerable space in your pack, and it’s lacking features like a helmet-compatible hood. The hood is form-fitting, the face fabric is abrasion resistant and highly durable, and all materials are weather-resistant as well as being reasonably breathable for use as a mid-layer on the go. However……it has proved outstanding. Its sleeves are designed so that you can scrunch them up if you are feeling a tad warm, and the pockets have no zippers, but they are just soo cozy that you don’t mind – they are genuine hand warmer pockets. It is worth noting that Arc’teryx makes an even lighter Proton FL Hoody with Octa Loft insulation, which still is highly breathable but less warm and weather resistant. I stated in my recent ultralight backpacking sleep system post that down is a superior choice for a quilt or sleeping bag. 2 oz.Insulation: G-Loft Supreme (60g)What we like: Everyday appeal and premium build quality. They won’t be as small as down in nearly all cases (Patagonia’s Micro Puff and DAS Light Hoody come close), but for casual use and adventuring when space isn’t at an absolute premium, synthetics will pleasantly surprise you with their packability. When receiving it…..I was skeptical of its ability to keep me warm. It’s big, heavy at over 20 ounces, and doesn’t pack down very small (it could be used as a belay jacket, but other performance uses are limited). The good news is today there are plenty of synthetic down jackets that are just as good (if not better) than the real thing, while being completely vegan and cruelty-free. Bean Packaway. There is a significant amount of variation in the warmth of our synthetic jacket picks above. We are the word nerds of The Trek who want nothing more than to infuse some hiking and backpacking joy into your day. Similar to The North Face ThermoBall below, it feels somewhat similar to a lightweight down jacket but with better wet-weather performance and a lower price. First off, Arc’teryx’s jacket lives up to its windproof designation with a virtually impermeable shell fabric, while the Patagonia gives up a lot with its highly baffled design. Outdoor Research wised up and launched the Winter Ferrosi with the addition of VerticalX insulation. I’m 65 now….I run cold. This is a slim-fit insulation layer with narrow quilted baffles, a deep hood, and a high collar for wind protection. The Nunatak is warmer and heavier than the Torrid and built to handle tougher conditions, and both use continuous filaments for added durability. This jacket isn’t the warmest on the list, but has a neutral fit for layering over and under. The Nano Puff is the most casual of the group, has a shell that is more slick than soft, and its lightweight and comfortable feel have made it popular for daily use, travel, and light adventuring. It's tough to beat a great down jacket, whether it’s for casual use or tearing around the backcountry. The single biggest selling point of synthetic fill over down fill is that it retains its ability to insulate when wet. Note: This list is A) not in order and B) will continue to evolve as more products are released and tested. The Nano-Air from Patagonia may not be our top overall pick, but it wins outright in one important category: comfort. Simply put, the best ultralight jackets for trail running may be different from the best models for cool-weather hiking, climbing, or ultralight backpacking, and your choice will also depend on the typical weather you encounter. Based on customer reviews and our own purchase of this jacket, the quality doesn’t seem as good as the REI 650 Down Jacket 2.0 (see our review above ). With their insulated warmth and cool vibe, it’s no wonder quilted down jackets are a modern hiker’s dream. The degree to which synthetic insulation resists water varies by type, but all synthetics repel moisture much better than down. The packable synthetic jackets listed below are as light and packable as the best down jackets. Cost: $99; Best For: Car Camper, Day Hiker, Urban Hiker; The REI Down Jacket 650 2 is a model that receives improving tweaks year after year, and is the retailer’s excellent attempt at a well-made budget down jacket. But dollar for dollar, the Stoic is a solid option for daily use, hiking in cool weather, and as a layering piece for downhill skiing.See the Stoic Insulated Stretch. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. It is an excellent layering piece, but can also stand alone as an outer layer thanks to the weather-resistant materials. Found in everything from their popular Atom LT jacket to areas vulnerable to moisture in their creative down/synthetic hybrid Cerium LT, Coreloft is a staple for lightweight, hydrophobic warmth. As synthetic technologies continue to be more eco-friendly, have a higher warmth-to-weight ratio, and maintain insulating properties even when wet, there… Similar to the older version, the Xenon packs down relatively small into its own chest pocket, which isn’t true of the popular Arc’teryx Atom LT above. The Women's Stretch Nano Storm, but there are some strong contenders your body temperature getting some blood.. 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