Patagonia SugarDown Hoody Review

patagonia sugar down jacket

The best biobased performance puffy jacket made with sugarcane-derived polyester

Constructed with nearly 100% biobased materials, the Patagonia SugarDown Hoody is a clear winner for most sustainable down puffy. We applaud this innovative, cutting edge, eco-friendly design.

  • Price: $329
  • Weight: 11.6 oz
  • Fabric: 12D Biobased polyester derived from sugarcane
  • Fill Power: 800 | Fill Weight: 3.2 oz
  • Percent Down Weight: 28%
  • Uncompressed Down Volume: 2560
  • Down Volume/Jacket Weight: 221 in3/oz
  • Pros: Very eco-friendly. Lightweight.
  • Cons: Not ultralight.

Features

The 12D polyester used in this lightweight down jacket is derived entirely from sugarcane and the entire garment is fair trade certified.

While it’s not winning any performance awards based on stats alone, the SugarDown hoodie holds its own as a high end backpacking puffer. Weighing only 11.6 oz with 800 fill power, it’s still lighter than most down jackets, and significantly lighter than Patagonia’s own best seller, the Down Sweater Hoody.

That said, we think it’s a bit underfilled, and wish there was a little more down in its baffles. This puffy is only marginally warmer than Ghost Whisperer, which is a bit below average.

As features go, the SugarDown has hand pockets and a chest pocket with nylon zipper trim that has been manufactured mostly from castor oil, another biobased building material. Beyond that, the hem, hood, and cuffs are all sealed with stretchy elastic fabric rather than cinches, which further cuts down on plastic-y doodads.

To take this one logistical step further, it seems like the zipper could have been replaced by buttons or toggles to crank up the sustainability and save weight!

Verdict

All said and done, this is perhaps the most innovative lightweight down jacket in our guide, though not in the usual way. We’re stoked to help broadcast the glory of SugarDown, so please do mother nature a solid and pick one up next time you need a puffy.

Check out more great ultralight puffy wear in our guide to the best down jackets and pants of the year.

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