Patagonia Vs. Arc’teryx: Who Makes The Best Outdoor Gear

Patagonia Nano Puff

Patagonia’s Nano Puff collection features some of the lightest insulated jackets you can get your hands on. Nano Puff items are all water-resistant, windproof, and insulated with Primaloft – the best kind of synthetic insulation there is.

Patagonia uses Primaloft Gold Eco in this collection, which is designed specifically around retaining warmth in wet conditions – something you can only dream of with regular down insulation.

The Eco version of this insulation is made from 55% recycled materials, meaning that all of the Nano Puff items are in fact environmentally friendly. Especially with the jacket shells that are made from recycled polyester.

Another great thing about the Nano Puff jackets and hoodies is that they are all lightweight and packable. They usually fold into one of the pockets, making them super easy to pack and carry everywhere. If you just want to have an extra layer of clothing in your backpack, any of the Nano Puff jackets is a great option that will take up virtually no space in your bag.

Now, onto the downsides. This collection from Patagonia focuses on keeping you warm and not really on protecting you from the elements. While the jackets are all windproof, they aren’t really waterproof. Which means that they will get wet and soggy in heavy rain – although the insulation is able to keep you warm even in such conditions, nobody actually feels comfortable in a wet and soggy jacket.

The Nano Puff items work best as a middle layer – something you will wear over your t-shirt, but under a waterproof outer layer. They actually pair really well with the brand’s Torrentshell jackets that are 100% waterproof, but don’t have any insulation. You can read more about those jackets if you scroll a bit further down.

Arc'teryx Cerium LT Jacket 

The Cerium jacket from Arc’teryx is another excellent example of a warm and packable jacket. It is insulated with a mixture of down and synthetic insulation, for great warmth and performance in various weather conditions.

The main insulation in the jacket is 850 fill power goose down, which is the best and most expensive kind of insulation that exists. It’s exceptionally warm, so much so that it is often used in gear for polar expeditions.

However, even the best goose down will clump up if it gets wet, which practically eliminates its warmth trapping capabilities. The Cerium jacket deals with this by having Coreloft synthetic insulation in strategic places that would get wet first.

But even with that, you still wouldn’t stay warm for too long in heavy rain. And considering that this jacket isn’t waterproof but only water-resistant, you would definitely need an extra outer shell.

This jacket is exceptionally lightweight at only 9.9 ounces, and it packs into one of its pockets. It’s a great layer to have stashed away in your backpack when you’re doing longer hikes and need something for sudden weather changes. You won’t even feel it in your bag and it barely takes up any space.

The only downside of the Cerium LT is the price – it costs nearly twice as much as the Patagonia Nano Puff, and that’s a bitter pill to swallow. Granted, it does use more expensive materials, but is really that much better than Patagonia’s alternative? I don’t think so, but ultimately that’s your decision.

One thing worth noting here is that Arc’teryx does offer a version of a mid-layer jacket that features only synthetic insulation – the Atom LT. However, that jacket is still pricier than Patagonia’s option, and it uses Coreloft insulation, which is not quite as great as Primaloft Gold.

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

The Torrentshell 3L jacket is Patagonia’s best outer layer hands down. It features 3 layers of H2No technology to ensure you stay dry even if you walk through a waterfall. But the jacket doesn’t have any insulation and it won’t do much in terms of keeping you warm. Because of that, it works best when paired with an insulated middle layer like the Nano Puff jacket.

Patagonia’s Torrentshell jacket is lightweight, packable, and very breathable. With zippers in strategic places, you can easily let some of the hot air out and cool yourself down a bit if you ever get too hot.

And the drawcord at the hem is also helpful here – you can tighten it completely if you really want to trap the heat, or you can loosen it up if you want to let some cold air inside the jacket. These features also make it easier for people with different body types to get the best fit.

The neck of this jacket is lined with fleece, which actually helps trap the heat inside the jacket. It also feels soft and warm against your skin and creates an additional waterproof barrier. On top of that, the Torrentshell also features an adjustable hood with a laminated visor, for even better protection from the elements.

The entire jacket stuffs into the left-hand warming pocket, making it ultra-packable. It weighs less than a pound, so you can easily carry it wherever you want without feeling weighed down one bit. And the best part is that it will just fit into your favorite backpack, taking up less space than a hydration bladder.

Arc’teryx Beta SL Hybrid Jacket

The Beta jacket features an outer shell made from Gore-Tex fabric, which is the absolute champion of breathability and waterproofing. It outperforms Patagonia’s H2No by miles, and in that sense, the Arc’teryx is by far the better option. The only aspect in which Gore-Tex is not as good as Patagonia’s in-house fabric is comfort.

Gore-Tex tends to be really stiff, so it’s not very comfortable to wear. However, if you’re going to wear the shell jacket over an insulated mid-layer, you won’t really feel that too much. The comfort is only an issue if you plan to wear the shell over a t-shirt or something really thin.

This jacket is also extremely lightweight at only 12.7 ounces, and it’s easy to carry everywhere. Unfortunately, it’s not one of those jackets that packs into its own pocket, but I highly doubt that’s a deal-breaker considering all of the other excellent features of the jacket.

The Beta features multiple ventilation zippers in strategic places, allowing you to control exactly how warm you want to be. It also has zippered pockets for the items you want easily accessible at all times, and it comes with a helmet-compatible storm hood.

All of the zippers of the jacket are waterproof, which is pretty amazing. The Beta SL jacket also has adjustable cuffs and hem, which will keep out the wind fully when they are properly tightened. They also allow you to customize how to jacket fits, ensuring it’s equally comfortable for people of different body types.

The only downside is the price. It’s a very expensive jacket, nearly three times pricier than Patagonia’s Torrentshell, but it’s certainly not three times better than that jacket.

Patagonia R2 TechFace Jacket

The R2 TechFace jacket is Patagonia’s version of a versatile mild-weather jacket. It works great as a mid-layer in cold weather, but also on its own in chilly evenings or mornings. The weather-resistant jacket is warm and breathable, making it an excellent option for long days in the mountains.

It’s not a fully waterproof jacket, but that’s never the case with outerwear made from soft fabrics. It is water-resistant though and it can keep you dry in some light rain and snow, thanks to the DWR coating. The jacket is made from a high-loft fabric with excellent breathability that is very soft, ensuring you’re very comfortable when wearing the R2 TechFace jacket.

This Patagonia jacket features five pockets total – two hand-warming pockets that are high up so that you can easily access them when you’re wearing a hip belt, an extra zippered chest pocket, and two drop-in pockets inside. The internal pockets are big enough to hold water bottles, which is pretty great.

The cuffs are stretchy but they aren’t adjustable and that’s a shame. You also can’t do anything about the hem – it’s either going to fit well or it’s not. But if you get the jacket in your usual size, you shouldn’t have any problems getting the right fit.

Those are the two main downsides of this lightweight Patagonia jacket. I’d also add the fact that it doesn’t come with the hood, but that’s usually the case with these mid-layers. At least it’s not very expensive – with a retail price of a little more than $150, it’s a lot cheaper than anything similar from Arc’teryx.

Arc'teryx Gamma MX Jacket 

The Gamma MX jacket is an excellent softshell option for changing weather. It’s great for those days when you’re on the trail the entire day and need that extra bit of warmth in the morning and evening.

This Arc’teryx jacket is weather-resistant, but it is not fully waterproof. It will stay dry in light rain and it is very breathable, which ensures that you’re always comfortable in the Gamma jacket. On top of that, the fabric of the jacket is abrasion resistant so it’s great for rough surroundings – if you need something for rock climbing or forest hikes, this is a great option that won’t get torn easily.

Also, the Gamma is a great option if you need something that’s not very restrictive. It is very articulate thanks to the stretchy materials, so it will actually move along with your body.

Another thing I love about the design of this jacket is the placement of pockets. There are two sets – chest pockets with hidden zippers and hand-warming pockets that are higher up than usual.

The placement of the lower pockets is such that you can easily access them even if you have a waist belt on, which just shows that a lot of thought went into the design of the jacket. This Arc’teryx jacket also features pockets on the arms, for items you want to keep separate from the rest.

The hem and the cuffs of the Gamma are both adjustable, which helps keep the wind out. It also allows the jacket to fit well on different body types for premium comfort.

The only thing that I think is a downside is that there’s no hood on the jacket. There is another version of the Gamma that has a hood, but that one features a slightly different design with less pockets and a higher price point.

Patagonia Altvia Pack 22L

Altvia Pack backpack from Patagonia is easily the brand’s best selling option and for all the good reasons. Its 22-liter capacity is just enough for day-hikes, with plenty of external storage for overnight adventures when you can pack light.

The pack is actually available in a variety of different sizes, ranging from an 14-liter daypack to a 28-liter bag. But the 20-liter option is by far the best for day hikes, in terms of capacity, carrying comfort, and bag weight.

The top-loading pack features a spacious main compartment with several outside pockets for easy organization, zippered hipbelt pockets for items you want most easily accessible, and stretchy pockets on the sides and the front panel.

It is made from durable 100% recycled nylon which is naturally water-resistant. And there is a built-in rain cover for when it really pours down!

The back system is padded, ventilated, adjustable, and equipped with a sternum strap and a hip belt. Also, the sternum strap is attached to the daisy chain webbing and you can actually adjust its position, which is very convenient.

This backpack has side compression straps that allow you to cinch in the main compartment for better load distribution when the pack is not at full capacity. Additionally,there is a huge stretchy front pocket in place – if you want to put something big and bulky in there, you just have to loosen up the straps as much as you can.

Arc'teryx Arro 22 Backpack

The Arro 22 backpack is the most iconic bag from Arc’teryx. It is an incredibly versatile backpack that works for both urban environments and light days in the mountains, as well as the occasional overnight trip. It is made from weather-resistant nylon and it features waterproof zippers, for excellent performance in different weather conditions.

With a capacity of 22 liters, the Arro pack will fit everything you need for light day hikes. It is a hydration bladder compatible with a bladder compartment that features a tube port and attachment points on the shoulder straps that allow you to secure that tube in place. The pack also features a 15” laptop compartment, for those days when you’re only exploring the urban jungles.

It is a classic front-loading backpack with a kangaroo pocket, stretchy side pockets, and multiple external attachment points. The backpack also features ergonomic shoulder straps with really thick padding, as well as a height-adjustable sternum strap. The backpanel is also heavily padded, ensuring you will stay comfortable even when the bag is at full capacity.

On top of all that, the harness is also height adjustable, allowing everyone to make the backpack fit their bodies perfectly. The only thing I don’t really like about the bag is the lack of breathable mesh on the backpanel – it means that the breathability is not the best, so you might sweat more than you’d like.

Also, the hip belt is just a thin webbing strap. There’s no padding, and sadly it doesn’t feature any pockets for those items you like having extra handy.