more fashion than function

By johndiggity Ranked #2327 - Men's Down Jackets December 20, 2009

this is the only piece of outerwear i purchased on impulse. i was stuck in new york city in 10º temps with little in the way of insulation layering so i stopped into the patagonia store to see what they had. i originally tried the large on in a bright green color and at the last moment, decided i wanted a the blue, so i picked one off the rack. even though it was the same size as the one i tried on, the sizing was much larger, and not as trim. much to my disappointment i discovered this AFTER i had paid and walked out wearing it. i actually ended up exchanging it for a medium almost a year later; a testament to patagonia's satisfaction guarantee.

the insulation to weight ration is quite good, especially if you find a size that fits you well. however sizing seems to be the problem as you sacrifice a snug fit for arm length. i am by no means oddly proportioned, but the medium jacket is about 2 inches too short in the sleeves. compound that with the lack of any way to tighten the wrists and you get a jacket that rides up your arms with just about any movement. this can get pretty annoying. don't wear this on a chilly day with gloves without wrist gauntlets.

for casual wearing around town, it's probably ok, but i think you could find more affordable alternatives. i can't imagine wearing this as a belay jacket as it is not that warm. also it breathes poorly. i'm not really sure what it's useful for except lightweight warmth in a pinch. for the money, i'd consider the arc'teryx atom lt, which i wish was available when i had bought my down sweater as i would have purchased that instead.

View Details: Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket - Men's

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