First Impressions

As soon as I put it on, I understood why they call it a “sweater.” The Patagonia Down Sweater is super lightweight — it feels more like a sweater than a performance jacket. It’s available in a range of colors including Amaranth (a hot pink-purple with eye-catching contrasting trim). I wore it immediately and enjoyed its warmth and comfortable fit.

Features

Patagonia’s Down Sweater is made of 22-denier 100% recycled polyester ripstop with Deluge™ DWR finish. The fabric feels strong and durable and admirably repels water. The 800-fill down is extremely lightweight and warm. The lightness of the fill makes the jacket very comfortable—some down items feel restrictive due to their bulkiness. This jacket is no weightier than a favorite fleece yet offers the warmth, water repellence, and wind resistance of heavier options.

Two front pockets and an interior mesh pocket offer plenty of storage options. The zippers work easily and, on this version, are in a contrasting color, adding extra style. The interior mesh pocket is roomy and doubles as a storage pouch, making the jacket very packable. The stuff pouch is pretty snug and I was concerned about stretching the zipper too far, but the jacket ended up packing nicely.

Elastic at the cuffs and a draw cord in the hem of the jacket keep the wind and weather away. A nicely detailed storm flap under the front zipper helps keep the jacket warm and snug. While I would prefer a hood for both looks and versatility, the stand-up collar on this model kept my neck warm and breeze-free.

Fit

Sized in a medium, the jacket fit me nicely. The sleeves are the perfect length and the shoulders are comfortably roomy. Hitting mid-hip, the jacket is a good length. I tend to be long-waisted and many jackets are too short on me. This one hit in exactly the right spot on the hip — long enough to keep the wind out. Designated a “regular fit”, the jacket still has a nice curve to the waist. The great color with contrasting lining and zippers gives the jacket a real “fashion” look, but the fit and features make it a great performance item.

Final Verdict

I love the lightweight feel of this jacket and its great performance. I’ve worn it in a variety of weather conditions and have always stayed warm and dry. Over and over I am amazed by the improvement in down-filled gear. This piece is easy to wear, keeps the weather out, and looks great.

Available at Massey’s Outfitters.

Thanks for reading another outdoor gear review from GearGuide written by Cheryl K. And thanks to the folks at Patagonia for providing product and information for this review.