Down Jacket
Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody
$399, 15 oz./425.2g (women’s small; men’s medium is 17 oz./482g)
Sizes: men’s XS-3XL, women’s 2XS-2XL
backcountry.com
From backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies and Oregon, hut treks in New Zealand, and spring and summer camping and climbing trips in Idaho’s Sawtooth Valley and Oregon’s Smith Rock State Park, to countless days of resort skiing at Oregon’s Mount Bachelor and in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, plus days of backcountry ski touring, my college-student daughter has stayed warm in Patagonia’s Fitz Roy Down Hoody in temperatures down to around freezing—while demonstrating this hooded jacket’s versatility.
Stuffed with RDS-certified (Responsible Down Standard), 800-fill down, it has the good warmth for its weight and packability needed for backcountry use. And weighing around a pound (varying with jacket size), it delivers more warmth than lighter down jackets, enhancing its versatility for a wide range of activities like hiking, backpacking, climbing, camping, and backcountry ski touring in temperatures from below freezing to the 40s Fahrenheit.
Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter and receive great ideas for your next adventures. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here for my expert e-books to classic backpacking trips. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.
That’s ideal for someone who wants one high-quality insulated jacket they can use for basically everything, from sitting around camp on chilly nights while backpacking in the mountains in summer or the Southwest in spring and fall, to using it as a layering piece for winter hikes or ski tours or wearing it around town or at outdoor sports events.
People who get cold easily and find that they usually dress more warmly than other people they know will likely prefer this jacket over lighter models.
However, this is standard down, not water-resistant, so the Fitz Roy remains susceptible to the bane of down jackets: losing its loft and ability to trap heat if it gets wet.
The Pertex Quantum 10-denier nylon ripstop shell fabric, treated with a PFAS-free DWR (durable, water-repellent treatment), blocks wind and sheds light precipitation, but it’s also not very breathable; this isn’t an insulation layer intended for more than moderate exertion in temperatures from just above to well below freezing. This lightweight shell fabric is reasonably durable, but like many insulated jackets, try to avoid accidentally brushing against sharp edges, thorns, etc.
Plan your next great backpacking trip in Yosemite, Grand Teton,
and other parks using my expert e-books.
The regular fit enables wearing a couple of warm base layers underneath and a summer or winter shell over it, and the hip-length hem helps minimize weight and bulk, although it will not feel as warm as a jacket of comparable weight and down fill quality that extends below the hips (the style of jacket that’s too heavy and bulky for backcountry use). The Fitz Roy also comes in a broader range of men’s and women’s sizes than many other insulated jackets.
The easily adjustable, helmet-compatible hood with a one-hand drawcord, and a collar that zips up over your chin, help the jacket trap body heat efficiently and enable the hood to turn with your head and stay put in strong winds. Elasticized cuffs and hem seal in warmth.
Put more adventure in your life starting today. Sign up now for my FREE email newsletter.
The two zippered chest pockets are accessible while wearing a pack or climbing harness and there are two zippered hand pockets, plus a large, internal drop pocket with an elasticized opening that’s a good place to keep (or dry out) spare gloves or mittens or climbing skins. Pull the jacket out of the hand pocket that it stuffs into and it lofts up quickly.
Lastly, it’s very much worth noting that few companies or corporations of any size have demonstrated a commitment to protecting the environment that matches Patagonia, whose founder, Yvon Chouinard, voluntarily placed the company in a trust committed to supporting environmental causes. Every Patagonia purchase supports our planet.
I’ve helped many readers plan unforgettable backpacking and hiking trips.
Want my help with yours? Click here now.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for a high-quality down jacket that’s light and packable for backcountry use, warm enough for temperatures below freezing (as part of a layering system), and versatile enough to be your one puffy for all seasons and a wide range of activities, the Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody checks all those boxes—and your purchase will do a small part to help save the planet.
BUY IT NOW
You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody at backcountry.com, patagonia.com or rei.com, or a women’s Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody at backcountry.com, patagonia.com, or rei.com.
See all reviews of outdoor apparel at The Big Outside, including “The 12 Best Down Jackets,” “The Best Rain Jackets for Hiking and Backpacking,” “The Best Ultralight Jackets for Hiking and Running,” “The Best Sun Shirts,” and “The Best Base Layers for Hiking and Running.”
And don’t miss my popular reviews of “25 Essential Backpacking Gear Accessories” and “The Best Backpacking Gear” of the year.
NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of all gear reviews and expert buying tips.
—Michael Lanza