Cerium LT vs Down Sweater for upcoming trip

[Joey G]

I am fixing to head off on a 5 day trip in Yellowstone and we have some pretty chilly temps for this Texas boy. Some days will be high in the low 50’s and low and the high 20’s. There will also be a chance of rain most days.

I have been looking at both the cerium and down sweater and a little torn. I’ve been making a strong conscience effort to get my pack lighter. I’ve tried to identify the comforts I could get rid of and am trying to figure out if this is why I am leaning to one over the other.

For my size XL the cerium 13.5 and the down sweater is 16.5 ounces.

My thoughts:

• Cerium
  • seems more technical which I like
  • lighter
  • tighter. I am able to get a fleece under it but it feels a little tight
• Down Sweater
  • fabric feels good against the skin
  • seems like it’ll be warmer
  • great hood
  • looser, which I like.
  • I do not like the low pockets, but not a big deal

Any thoughts?

I’m going to use this when static ( not moving ). I have a melanzana I’m going to use for active insulation.

[Philip Tschersich]

Warmer and fits better? Obviously the Patagonia. You would never notice the 3 ounce difference on the hike in or out, but you would notice the smile on your face in camp wearing the more comfortable puffy.

I don’t know what the melanzana is, but when it gets cold on a trip I end up wearing all the clothing that I brought. Bearing that in mind, I would assume you would want to wear that article under your puffy at some point. Leave some marginal layering room for it.

[Dan]

These two jackets basically fill the same niche so I doubt it will matter very much, use your own judgement, I think. If you’re worried about being cold, it might be more important to consider a warmer fleece or replacing the lightweight puffy with more of a mid weight piece.

[Bill Budney]

If you have time to order from Timmermade or Nunatak, you’ll get one of the lightest and warmest jackets available. Nunatak’s are more complete jackets, with pockets and zippers and stuff, while Timmermade’s are minimalist and slightly lighter (he can add a zipper if you want). Both are better than most larger brands, but both have long lead times (and crazy short purchase windows).

Decathlon makes down jackets in several weights that are popular (most of them have lightweight shells that are good for backpacking). AliExpress has some great deals, but you might have to experiment to get the balance you want.

Agreed with Phillip that “warmer and fits better” is a good goal for a puffy.

[Dan]

I apologize for the thread drift, but the direction that Arcteryx has taken is just so disappointing to me. The discontinued Cerium SL hoody was 7.6 oz, the Cerium LT hoody that remains in the line-up is 10.8 oz. I’m sure the Cerium LT has more features and a more robust shell, making it better for use around town, but by eliminating the SL, Arcteryx is making it pretty clear that they are just moving in a mass-market consumer direction.

[Author]

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