Midlayer down jacket for men
A midlayer down jacket is an essential garment of an effective layering system for ski touring, split boarding and other winter sports activities. Down jackets offer exceptional warmth without adding much weight. Below we compare five high-quality options: Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody, Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody, Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket, Millet Trilogy Edge Aircore Hoodie, and Valandré Immelman G2.
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Read this blog to find out which (mid)layer is perfect for your adventure.
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Our main evaluation criteria are:
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Thermal insulation: How well does the jacket keep you warm in cold conditions?
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Weight and packability: How light and compact is the jacket?
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Breathability: Is the jacket suitable for intense activities?
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Durability: How well does the jacket perform in the long run?
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Value for money: Is the investment worth it?
Rating table
Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody (Men’s)
A lightweight and technical midlayer that combines 850 fill power goose down with Coreloft synthetic insulation in moisture-sensitive zones. Ideal for cold, dry weather and intense activities.
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Specifications:
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Insulation: 850 fill power goose down + Coreloft
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Weight: 305 g (0.67 lbs)
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Price: ± $350
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Feature: lightweight and compact to store.
Rating:
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Thermal insulation: 9
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Weight and packability: 9
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Breathability: 8
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Durability: 9
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Value for money: 8
Overall score: 43/50
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody (Men’s)
A versatile jacket made from recycled goose down and a durable outer layer with DWR treatment. Offers an excellent balance of warmth and durability.
Specifications:
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Insulation: 800 fill power recycled down
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Weight: 428 g (0.94 lbs)
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Price: ± €300
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Feature: Ideal for versatile use, including casual settings.
Rating:
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Thermal insulation: 8
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Weight and packability: 8
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Breathability: 8
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Durability: 9
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Value for money: 9
Overall score: 42/50
Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket (Men’s)
This jacket combines a streamlined design with 700 fill power goose down and a robust Pertex Quantum outer layer. Perfect for touring skiing and mountaineering.
Specifications:
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Insulation: 700 fill power goose down (RDS-certified)
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Weight: 428 g (0.94 lbs)
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Price: ± $280
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Feature: Optimal breathability and robustness.
Rating:
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Thermal insulation: 8
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Weight and packability: 8
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Breathability: 9
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Durability: 9
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Value for money: 9
Overall score: 43/50
Millet Trilogy Edge Aircore Hoodie (Men’s)
Designed for mountaineering and extreme conditions, this jacket offers a perfect blend of 700 fill power goose down and a durable Pertex Quantum outer layer.
Specifications:
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Insulation: 700 fill power goose down
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Weight: 340 g (0.75 lbs)
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Price: ± $320
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Feature: Ergonomic design for maximum freedom of movement.
Rating:
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Thermal insulation: 9
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Weight and packability: 8
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Breathability: 8
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Durability: 9
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Value for money: 8
Overall score: 42/50
Valandré Immelman G2 (Men’s)
A technical down jacket designed for extreme cold, with excellent insulation capacity thanks to 350 g of high-quality goose down and a 3D design for optimal heat distribution.
Specifications:
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Insulation: 800+ fill power goose down
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Weight: 450 g (0.99 lbs)
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Price: ± $400
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Feature: Ideal for heavy expeditions and extremely cold conditions.
Rating:
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Thermal insulation: 10
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Weight and packability: 7
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Breathability: 8
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Durability: 9
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Value for money: 8
Overall score: 42/50
Summary Table: Product Characteristics
Conclusion
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Best all-around choice: The Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody and Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket offer an optimal balance of warmth, weight and performance.
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Best for extreme cold: The Valandré Immelman G2 is ideal for tough expeditions and extreme conditions.
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Best durability: The Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody combines durability and versatility at a reasonable price.
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Best ergonomics: The Millet Trilogy Edge Aircore Hoodie offers freedom of movement and technical performance for mountain athletes.