Arc’teryx Cerium Down Hoody Evaluate

Backside Line

The Arc’teryx Cerium down jacket (males’s / ladies’s) is a superb alternative for these searching for a heat, light-weight, and extremely packable puffy. With its 850-fill-power down insulation paired with artificial Coreloft panels in moisture-prone areas, it strikes an ideal steadiness between heat and climate resistance. The Cerium Hoody delivers spectacular heat for its weight, making it excellent for packing it for cool to cold-weather actions like mountaineering, climbing, or snowboarding. We have been comfy all the way down to ~20 levels with average winds whereas stationary. 

Arc’teryx describes this jacket as an “alpine mid-layer,” designed to be worn with further layers on high. The athletic, trimmer match hugs the physique by means of the chest, waist, and hips, and the low-profile lower minimizes bulk, strikes with you, and offers a snug match over base layers or below outer layers. Regardless of its technical design, the Cerium Hoody additionally appears to be like nice and works nicely as a flexible jacket for on a regular basis use. Nonetheless, the slim match might not be comfy for all physique varieties.

Given the heat and safety it gives, the worth is on the upper facet, which is typical for Arc’teryx. Nonetheless, we nonetheless discover worth within the jacket attributable to its high-quality supplies, design, and general efficiency. The Cerium Hoody punches above its weight in heat, packs down compactly, and is mild sufficient for all however essentially the most hardcore ultralight lovers. See the way it compares to our different favorites in our full information to one of the best down jackets.

How We Examined

We’ve been testing this jacket for years, utilizing it for every little thing from multi-day backpacking journeys within the Rockies to crisp fall climbing periods and on a regular basis put on. The newest model has joined us on high-altitude hikes in Colorado’s Indian Peaks, early-season ski excursions within the Gore Vary, and post-ski après in a few of our favourite resort parking heaps. 

Consolation

The Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody is comfy, but it surely doesn’t stand out as essentially the most comfy choice in our lineup. The Arato Nylon used for the shell and internal lining is light-weight and sturdy however feels barely rougher in comparison with different jackets we examined, notably these made with Pertex Quantum. Whereas we don’t thoughts the texture of those supplies, it’s price noting for comparability.

We discovered the general match to be good. The Cerium encompasses a slim, athletic lower that hugs the physique whereas being straightforward to layer over. This match permits the jacket to maneuver with the physique reasonably than proscribing motion, which is particularly useful when touring rapidly or working in alpine environments. There’s sufficient room beneath for a base and mid-layer, supplied the mid-layer isn’t too thick. Arc’teryx markets the Cerium as an “Alpine Mid Layer,” which means it’s designed to suit as snugly as a mid-layer in order that it could actually simply be worn beneath outer layers. The match is tighter by means of the stomach, with further room within the chest and shoulders for added mobility. The mixture of the lower and lofty down provides the jacket a cosy, cozy really feel, although in the event you’re between sizes, choose up.

A sloppy hood design is a pet peeve for our analysts, however Cerium’s insulated storm hood is comfy and simply adjustable. It matches nicely, doesn’t impede your view, and stays in place with out flopping round—a characteristic we actually admire..

Heat

For a way mild it’s, the Cerium Hoody is surprisingly heat. It packs extra heat than you’d anticipate for its weight. The jacket options 3.5 oz. of 850-fill-power down, offering glorious heat whereas remaining mild and compressible. We discovered this to be a pleasing shock whereas ski touring the Gore Vary. It stored us a lot heat throughout sundown laps with out taking on an excessive amount of room in our packs in the course of the day.  

Arc’teryx makes use of their 850 down within the torso and sleeves, whereas artificial Coreloft insulation is in moisture-prone areas just like the shoulders and underarms. They do that to assist the jacket keep its insulating properties even when uncovered to moisture.

Because of its lack of bulk, it really works nicely as a part of a layering system. We discovered it excellent for layering in chilly circumstances or sporting as a standalone jacket in milder climate. The slim match, mixed with the lofty down fill, traps warmth effectively, maintaining you heat throughout high-output actions like mountaineering or climbing. 

Our analysts even discovered it heat sufficient throughout low-output actions, like taking part in within the snow with their baby. We have been pleasantly shocked to remain heat within the low twenties, even with 20-30mph winter winds, when paired with an artificial mid-layer. For those who’re going through colder circumstances or spending lengthy hours in freezing temps, layering it with a shell or further insulation is a great transfer.

Our solely critique concerning heat is that the Cerium Hoody can really feel a bit too heat for high-output actions in milder, sunnier circumstances. We’d suggest sporting it in cooler to colder climate, or for extra low-key actions in hotter circumstances. Nonetheless, our testers are inclined to run heat, so this might not be the case for everybody.

Weight & Packability

The listed weight for the Cerium Hoody is 11.9 ounces, which is probably going for a dimension medium, although the dimensions isn’t specified on Arc’teryx’s web site. Our males’s massive weighs in at 12.6 ounces. Whereas it’s not ultralight, its heat makes the 12.6 ounces justifiable to hold on almost any journey.

The Cerium packs into an included stuff sack that attaches (pre-attached) to a loop contained in the zippered chest pocket. Whereas we’d desire the jacket to pack into its pocket with out the stuff sack, the truth that the stuff sack attaches contained in the pocket makes it tougher to lose, which is a pleasant contact.

Given its hybrid design, we have been interested by how nicely the jacket would pack down, combining extremely compressible 850-fill down with much less compressible Coreloft artificial insulation. Total, it requires a bit extra effort to compress into the stuff sack in comparison with another jackets, however this isn’t a significant problem. We’re happy with the Cerium’s packability.

Climate Resistance

Whereas it’s not totally waterproof, the jacket holds up nicely in mild rain and snow due to its sturdy water-repellent (DWR) end, which helps moisture bead off as an alternative of soaking in. 

Arc’teryx makes use of artificial Coreloft insulation in moisture-prone areas just like the shoulders and underarms to take care of heat when uncovered to mild rain or snow, stopping the down from dropping its loft. That is used instead of handled hydrophobic down, which means that if moisture does penetrate the shell and attain the down, it could actually ultimately clump and lose loft. That mentioned, in our testing, the Coreloft insulation held up nicely, even in average snow. With this jacket, we’re on board with the hybrid insulation design.

For harder climate, pairing the Cerium with a water-proof shell ensures full safety, making it a flexible layer for chilly, unpredictable environments.

Breathability

The Cerium Hoody isn’t essentially the most breathable jacket on the market, particularly for one thing designed to be a mid-layer. It’s heat and packs down nice, however as soon as we began shifting at a sooner tempo—whether or not mountaineering uphill or climbing—it felt stuffy quick. 

The athletic match, whereas nice for layering and mobility, doesn’t permit a lot airflow, making it straightforward to overheat. We positively observed some sweat buildup, which took away from the general consolation. For those who’re planning on working arduous on this jacket, be ready to shed layers or unzip to dump warmth.

To be honest, breathability is a problem for all down jackets, as their major focus is insulation reasonably than air flow. Nonetheless, for a bit designed for alpine use, we had hoped for higher moisture administration. The artificial Coreloft insulation in moisture-prone areas just like the shoulders and underarms helps considerably, but it surely doesn’t totally mitigate the difficulty. For extra intense actions, a extra breathable softshell or artificial jacket is likely to be a better option.

Ought to You Purchase the Arc’teryx Cerium Down Hoody?

The Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody is a stable choose in the event you’re on the lookout for a light-weight, heat, and tremendous packable down jacket for cool to chilly circumstances. It’s an ideal match for hikers, climbers, and skiers who need an athletic lower that layers nicely and works as each a mid-layer or outer layer, relying on the climate. With high-quality 850-fill down and artificial Coreloft insulation in moisture-prone areas, it’s a dependable alternative when heat and packability are high priorities.

That mentioned, in the event you are inclined to run heat or want severe breathability for high-output actions, the Cerium may not be your greatest guess. Its slim match can also be one thing to think about, as it might not work for all physique varieties.

It’s positively on the expensive facet, however with premium supplies, sensible insulation placement, and powerful general efficiency, it’s a stable funding for many who need a sturdy, versatile, and light-weight insulation piece.

What Different Down Jackets Ought to You Contemplate?

For extra choices, try our full down jacket gear information. Listed below are a number of alternate options to the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody that may higher fit your wants:

Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody Evaluate: For those who’re on the lookout for a extra relaxed match and higher on a regular basis versatility, the Down Sweater Hoody delivers glorious heat and sturdiness with a barely much less technical design. It’s additionally extra reasonably priced and higher fitted to informal outside actions.

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hoody Evaluate: Ultralight lovers will love the Ghost Whisperer. Weighing simply 8.8 ounces, it’s lighter and extra packable than the Cerium, but it surely sacrifices some heat and sturdiness and lacks the hybrid insulation for moisture administration.

Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka Evaluate: For these prioritizing weight financial savings and heat, this parka is a standout choice. It’s noticeably lighter than the Cerium and options premium 1000-fill-power down. Nonetheless, this efficiency comes with the next price ticket and decreased sturdiness.