With our cooler, shorter fall days leading into winter, it was time to research a couple of functional jackets to greet the cold.
Through all the choices out there, we narrowed it down to two for this season: Helly Hansen’s Verglas Hooded Down Insulator (also available in a women’s non-hooded version) and Patagonia’s Down Sweater (such a popular Patagonia jacket that it’s made for men, women, kids and infants).
[Hooded Down Insulator in Olympian Blue, Black]
Helly Hansen Verglas Hooded Down Insulator
This practical, cozy and soft puffy jacket is great for pairing with an outer GORE-TEX or eco shell, or just on its own during cool, dry days and evenings.
The Verglas Hooded Down Insulator’s got two front pockets with an adjustable bottom hem cord that cinches for a customized fit.
[Hooded Down Insulator in Sweet Lime, Blaze Orange]
It’s insulated, highly breathable, durable and lightweight, making for an ideal travel piece.
Filled with Allied® premium down 85/15 European goose and constructed using Pertex microlight rip-stop down fabric, this jacket has a lot of awesome details to keep it looking good for multiple seasons.
Via Allied’s Track My Down website, you can see exactly the origin and species of goose used in your jacket. You can also feel good about this purchase: It’s Bluesign-approved, meaning the jacket is produced with the highest environmental textile standards in the industry.
The hood fits snugly with a complimentary blue Lycra edge, while the full inner wind fly behind the center front zipper blocks wind and has a top rollover to protect the face. I love the unique squared design of the main front zipper. The back hem drops for added protection against the elements too.
Additional Features
– 700+ RDS (Responsible Down Standard) Certified down fill
– Hood adjustments at center front with two side shock cord and locks
– Low profile cuff easily adjusts to any wrist
– Cord lock anchors made of gros grain ribbon keep loose cords contained
– Eyelets are reinforced underneath to disperse stress when cords are tightened
– Cord ends prevent fraying
The Verglas Hooded Down Insulator (shown here in North Sea Blue) comes in sizes S to XXL in Blaze Orange, Sweet Lime, North Sea Blue, Olympian Blue and Black; available at Helly Hansen online for CAD $340/USD $280.
[Patagonia Down Sweater, paired with Pearl Izumi Visa Pant]
Patagonia Down Sweater
Patagonia’s classic Down Sweater, with its 800-fill-power Advanced Global traceable goose down, now comes in 11 colours (including black and white).
[Patagonia Down Sweater in Cobalt Blue (with Curacao Blue), Craft Pink, Camp Green]
This lightweight jacket has a contoured fit with a longer hem that can be adjusted by pulling the cord inside the hand warmer pockets (and released via the cord locks).
This “sweater” also has a front zipper with a wicking interior storm flap, zipper garage at the chin and nylon-finished elastic cuffs to seal in the warmth on cold days.
It easily layers under a GORE-TEX or eco shell for complete water resistancy or can be worn alone after winter treks or as a powder jacket. Being 100% traceable and NSF International-certified means accountability from the parent farm straight to production at the factory, helping to ensure that birds are ethically treated during the process.
The fabric is also Bluesign® approved. Bluesign is a Swiss-based organization that independently audits textile mills, examines raw material manufacturing processes, energy inputs to water and air emissions outputs, making sure that companies are producing products in the most environmentally-friendly way possible, minimizing their impact on both people and environment.
In fact, Patagonia was Bluesign’s first member when the organization launched in 2000.
[Patagonia Down Sweater in Light Balsamic, Sunset Orange and Tasmanian Teal]
Lining: 1.4-oz 20-denier 100% recycled polyester ripstop, DWR (durable water repellent) finish
Shell: 1.4-oz 20×30-denier 100% recycled polyester ripstop, DWR finish
[Patagonia Down Sweater in Black, Feather Grey, Big Sky Blue]
As for colours, the Down Sweater comes in Black, Feather Grey, Birch White, Classic Navy, Big Sky Blue, Cobalt Blue (with Curacao Blue), Craft Pink, Camp Green, Light Balsamic, Sunset Orange and Tasmanian Teal, in sizes XXS to XXL; CAD $285/USD $229
The Down Sweater is also available in hoodie and vest versions. Visit Patagonia online for sizing, ordering and store locations.
We were sent both jackets for the purpose of this fall preview. Opinions, as always, remain our own. Non-watermarked images courtesy of Helly Hansen and Patagonia.
