Patagonia Down Sweater Vs Micro Puff | Synthetic Vs Down Jacket Battle Showdown

In this video we consider the debate of down versus synthetic as we consider two popular jackets from Patagonia, the Down Sweater and the Micro Puff and which may be the best for backpacking and hiking.
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#patagonia #down #synthetic
Gear Used:
Jackets:
Micro puff:
Down Sweater: bit.ly/2Xg0TM2
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[@BackcountryRenegade]

Hope this helps see the pros and cons of each jacket. What do you prefer, down or synthetic? What other jackets would you like to see compared? Also a big welcome to all the new subscribers, much more content planned from gear reviews, hiking, and overlanding !

[@jaymills1720]

What would I you recommend for NY (30-50 degrees) and standing stationary for 2-3 hours at a time? Base layer I’d weight and wool socks/gloves. What about a winter coat?

[@teegee748]

I happen to have owned both of these jackets and loved them both. However I sold the micro puff last winter because of one issue I had, and discovered other owners have posted about the same issue, so a known problem. It's the top of one of the zips as it ends at the tip of the collar. For some inexplicable reason it keeps poking into your chin and neck when not completely zipped up. Granted, sounds like a minor issue. But before too long it became sooooo irritating. I tried all manner of attempts rectify the problem such as folding the offending area over leaving it compressed for days in the hope of changing the way it hung when worn, but to no avail. I hated to see it go. But after discovering that this appears to be a known fault and not just a one off I just gave up. Sold it and replaced it with a navy blue Arcteryx Rico jacket which is truly awesome. More of an casual wear than the Micro Puff, but thats were I wear them anyway. Keeping the Down sweater as it too is a great Patagonia icon. No issues and in a special edition colourway. As a side note. I also own an Arcteryx Cerium lt vest. Seems to me that the micro puff and a Arcteryx Cerium lt jacket would be a better comparison. Given the weight, insulation and outer fabric similarities. Oh, and price difference!

[@thdjjfsfh]

That is a very comprehensive review of the two jackets. I have the Down Sweater vest and a Micro Puff jacket. Your review is bang on. I actually only use the Micro Puff during summer high alpine hikes because I don't want to wear it out. On the other hand, I wear the Down Sweater mostly in the city. The material is not super technical and is indeed a lot more durable so I am not worried about wearing the Down Sweater. You can definitely use it camping, hiking, and fishing as well, it just won't be the most technical piece. I feel like the comparison between the two is not as relevant as your other comparison. Here are some suggestion: 1. Micro Puff vs Cerium LT (or maybe even SL). 2. Cerium LT vs MH Phantom 3. Cerium SL vs MH Ghost Whisperer 4. Arc'teryx Nuclei vs a-good-down-jacket. The Nuclei uses a continuous fiber that makes it a lot more durable than most synthetic fiber, so I am curious how it stacks up against a good down jacket. I actually prefer it over my Cerium LT, but I don't wear it daily because I save it for the cold summer trips.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Thanks for the info and good to hear your experience matches up. Awesome suggestions on which to compare next. I’ll look into those. Thanks for the encouragement and support !

[@DanielSzilagyi]

I can't speak for the Micro but I've owned the down sweater for some time in the PNW and it's served me well for rainy, damp, and windy days in the city for sure, I'd advise anyone thinking about getting a hooded version to do so, better to have than not. I usually lay with a thin long sleeve, better sweater, and the down sweater and it's cozy and really warm for city travel.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Awesome thanks for the input!

[@adolfogallardoklein4737]

Best review ever, I just purchased the nano and also have the micro, you cannot beat the weight to warmth ratio.

[@Errcyco]

If you have an H2NO rain-jacket, get the down one. Ive been doing that for two seasons now and working great. Rather than buy a down with a hardshell for like $500 I got a $200 Raindshadow in tandem with a $100 Eastern Mountain Sports mens Feather Jacket (800-fill down) It works like the top half of an Everest suit except I can remove the rain gear when needed. If I had to choose one of these alone though.. Hard choice.

[@BubbafromSapperton]

In comparison the down sweater is a much, much warmer jacket if that matters...

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Yes something to consider with the thicker denier will do a better job at blocking wind from coming through and their is much down, but lesser quality down which is why it is almost double the weight

[@ericb.4358]

TheMicro Puff is made by Prima Loft. I have NOT had good luck with Prima Loft retaining its loft so I MUCH prefer Climashield and even the newer Thermolite.

[@gonzalozech]

Just watching it with that masochist sort of attraction as I bought my down sweater today without knowing that the Micro Puff was as warm. Anyway, as I'm gonna be using it in the city as well, the looks were kind of a thing.. but also the durability is another big factor for me. The only big con I will have to deal with, maybe with a good gore-tex or similar layer, is the loose of loft when it rains, that might be a bit of a pain in the ass.. I wouldn't be hiking without a gore-tex layer or similar over any of these, as they both seem quite fragile when it comes to friction, vegetation, spikes and specially fire sparks.

[@cannibalmanimal2336]

I still wear my micro pullover from 2004,when they first were sold. 80g polar guard delta sheet insulation per the era, works perfectly. They aren’t new, just tweaked every few years.

As my gear comes to end of it’s life, I find myself returning to Renegade’s reviews. Thanks! ⛰️

[@user-fg2ts3pg7z]

hey i just stumbled across this video and i immediately recognized you as the pastor of that small church in PA, i went there a few times when i visited the town.. I didnt know you were into reviewing jackets! :)

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Haha cool yep that’s me. I love hiking and the outdoors and the gear, so this was a cool hobby I enjoy doing. Hope your able to visit again next time ur in town

[@greenhat7618]

If the down jacket is at it’s original price I would rather pay a bit more and pick up the ghost whisperer. But recently they released a new design snd the old ones went on sale, and I just happened to need a down jacket so I got a hooded one for £138 from the original price of £230 which I think is a huge bargain for the quality of the jacket.

[@annlidslot8212]

Hi, Thank you for the review, it's very helpful. I realise that you did this review quite some time ago now, but even so: I'm looking to buy a nice and thin down either a vest or a jacket. In trying to research the buy, I've come to the conclusion that Patagonia is trying their best to leave as little impact as possible for our descendants to deal with, which I get behind. I realized that even if UNIQLO is much cheaper, my instincts are telling me that I would get what I paid for, wherelst if I buy a "brand", yes I would pay for the brand, but also buying something I won't have to replace in my lifetime. So this is the way I came upon this site In your review you say that the shell of the Patagonia down sweater is made from polyester. However when I look at their own comparison they now state that it's made from recycled post-consumer nylon. have they changed the material and are somewhat misleading or have they updated the fabric used, now after you mad the review, you think? Yours, Ann

[@Anon_E_Muss]

Down is amazing, although I really like the packability of the micro puff

[@lalosoria]

Nano Puff is my way to go!

[@Katzku]

Great video! No nonsense, very informative. Just what I needed. I'm subscribing 👍🏻

[@danielmartin3249]

I’m a short guy. 5’6”. About 155lbs. Can you recommend my size for the down sweater?

[@BackcountryRenegade]

id go medium, it fits a bit trim so small will be a bit tight

[@markemunson]

Very thorough review, I appreciate it

[@jacoe33333]

Great review.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Thanks. These have been updated since then with some nice refreshes. Look for a new updated vid on these soon

[@DJ-pp9yg]

Great review, good information. I bought the Micro Puff last year and am happy so far. Curious why you did not put the Big seller Nano puff in the mix? Thanks again, keep up the good work!

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Thanks! I compared the micro puff with the nano puff in this video below, but since I picked the micro over the nano, I decided to have that battle against the down sweater. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqO4onqEbpeLo7s

[@KlvnBelowZero]

I rather have down insulation and throw a waterproof shell over it when it rains.

[@hfelder_03]

I just subscribed to your channel because I figured it needed some love. Your review was really well done and explanatory. I came to this video because I just bought my own Patagonia down sweater and I wanted to see what other people thought of it. Keep up the great videos and God bless!

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Thanks for the encouragement and support! Hope you enjoy the down sweater. It is a pretty Sweet jacket. Blessings!

[@stratotastasound]

Great comparison and nice music!

[@jaymills1720]

Great reviews dude

[@cyberdockyard]

Very nice video thank you very much. Can you tell me what the colour of the down patagonia is called? Is Pufferfish Gold or Cosmic Gold or Gabin Gold?

[@BackcountryRenegade]

this one in particular was the Gabin Gold

[@cyberdockyard]

@@BackcountryRenegade Thank you very much, I'm trying to figure out what the shade will be like because I can't see it up close in Greece. You helped me a lot thank you very much!!

[@BackcountryRenegade]

@@cyberdockyard your welcome, how you enjoy it

[@aresonance]

I've tried to watch four of your videos. The music is just too loud. You have to remember that your audience might be watching your material on different devices that have different speakers. What might be fine on a desktop probably isn't on a mobile/ TV/ etc... Anyway, good luck with the channel.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Thanks for the feedback lowered them a ton since the first jacket review, I’ll mess with it again

[@KevinFryAdventures]

Great job! Glad Doug recommended your channel! New sub!

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Thanks! Welcome

[@fuji4202]

I agree just sold my down and up graded to a hooded Micro Puff $140 steal deal . My X gf bought it for me anyways so good by to down.

[@chlorophyll365]

The micro puff is my choice. Looks a bit more modern 😊

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Good pick and super light weight

[@cannibalmanimal2336]

I’d like to see how one the new Alplight pieces stacks up

[@grahamriley8124]

I sold my micro puff. The size large is too roomy around the waist while also being tight around the neck and not giving the best room when extending the arms or reaching down or forward. Also, perhaps someone can confirm this surely the plumes in the micro puff will clump when wet? The washing instructions seemed to suggest this. Clumping mens loss of loft and then cold! Anyone got experience of this?

[@mra9953]

Great video. Sorry if I missed it. What height and weight are you, as well as the sizes of the jackets.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Thanks, both jackets are a small. I’m 5’7, 143 lbs

[@sohailjaper]

Helpful comparison, but what is the dimension of hem opening of downsweater .. regards

[@barriewatson]

You speak about warmth but you dont say what you have underneath? Prehaps a norwegian jumper? Or a shirt and tie? Or maybe a tee-shirt, .

[@BackcountryRenegade]

haha on all my reviews its just a tee shirt

[@MarisolsAdventures]

Great review thank you.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Thanks for watching!

[@HollyJoint]

Hi. Is that down sweater on you tight or room for layers?

[@hamerplayer1229]

The micro puff will be eaten alive wearing a pack. It will wear right through the fabric. Best used as an inner insulation piece or for fashion

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Meant more for when you get to camp then when you are actually backpacking. Will be far too hot and not very breathable. If you are getting this to wear with a pack better to look at proton or the nano air

[@alexfernandez4356]

Is that color buckwheat gold? It looks different on the website and I want that exact color in your video

[@BackcountryRenegade]

yes, it is buckwheat gold fall 2020. what size you thinking of going with?

[@Eimardl]

I’m 6’1/6’1 1/2. 170 lbs slim build what size do you recommend I get M or L? Thanks.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

probably depends on the arm length. Id think if your pretty slim, a medium would be sufficient.

[@pattarapongnakharangkul7337]

How tall are you ? And which size are you wear ?

[@BackcountryRenegade]

5’7 and weigh 140 lbs. wearing a size small for each.

[@pattarapongnakharangkul7337]

@@BackcountryRenegade thank man

[@pattarapongnakharangkul7337]

@@BackcountryRenegade size s it’s fit or slim fit for you ?

[@samhalsey5051]

How tall are you?

[@englishtranslation1718]

very good

[@Tothefloor]

why is the video all fuzzy when it's 4K. You need a new computer guy.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

sadly it was filmed in 720 p, newer vids have been fixed

[@Patchow]

Synthetic always wins as nobody died to make it.

[@justinitsthatguyme010]

You realize birds die on their own too don't you?

[@89gauna]

@@justinitsthatguyme010 humans also die on their own. does that mean that it's fine to go around killing humans to use them as resources? i don't think so... choosing synthetic over down means that you actively reduce suffering. of course, everyone can do what they want, but synthetic is objectively the more ethical choice. now whether you care about ethics or not is something everyone has to decide for themselves.

[@justinitsthatguyme010]

@@89gauna if you believe a bird life is equal to human life then you're fucked up. If you morn a birds death the way you would your mother then fuckin hell