Last Updated on 27/02/2022
In this Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody Review, we will explain the pros and cons of one of the best higher-end down jackets.
When you live an active, outdoor lifestyle, you need to have the right gear for the job. Those of us who live in colder climates know all too well the importance of a quality insulated jacket for staying warm in those colder months. But with so many different options out there, how could you possibly choose just one for your adventures?
That’s where the Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody comes in. The Thorium AR Hoody is one of Arc’teryx’s essential down jackets, perfect for use in any urban or outdoor context. A true all-arounder, it doesn’t necessarily dazzle in a particular situation but is the perfect companion for a lifetime of activity.
To help you decide if the Arc’terx Thorium AR Hoody is right for you, we’ve taken the time to meticulously test and review the jacket.
Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody: The Basics
The Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody is a modern twist on a classic down jacket. Manufactured by Arc’teryx, a top-of-the-line Canadian gear company, the Thorium AR Hoody is packed full of high-quality features at a relatively decent price point.
While the Thorium AR Hoody isn’t a fancy jacket with the latest in fabric and insulation innovations, it is pretty
darn good at keeping you warm. Oh, and it’s pretty stylish, too. Here are some of the Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody’s key features:
- • Weight: 14.8 oz (420g)
- • Insulation: 750 fill European grey goose down (105 g-M) & Coreloft 140/Coreloft 80
- • Shell fabric: 40 denier Arato 30 100%Nylon
- • Fit: Hip length, regular fit with a center back length of 25.5 in (65 cm)
- • Water-resistance: Durable Water Repellent finish
- • Packed size: 2.5L
- • Helmet-compatible hood?: Fits over a helmet, but not comfortably
First Impressions of the Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody
Upon receiving the Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody, we were immediately impressed with how sleek and stylish the jacket is. The shell fabric feels durable, unlike other down jackets, while also still maintaining a comfortable softness against the skin.
In the women’s version, the jacket has a “regular” cut, which is contoured but not restrained for a more active fit. The Thorium AR hoody feels warm as soon as you put it on but doesn’t make you feel like a puffed-out Michellin man, either. The jacket looks and feels like it’s always ready for an adventure.
Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody Review
Any puffy jacket is only as good as its performance, so we tested the Arc’teryx Thorium AR in the mountains, the desert, and everywhere in between to see how it fared. Here’s what we found:
Warmth
The Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody is made with a unique blend of 750 fill European grey goose down and Coreloft synthetic insulation. In this jacket, Arc’teryx uses its proprietary “Down Composite Mapping” technology to strategically place synthetic Coreloft insulation in the most moisture-prone places in a jacket. Thus, the Thorium AR Hoody has a substantial base of 750 fill-down insulation, with additional synthetic fill in the hood, cuffs, and under the arm to help keep you warm, even in wet conditions.
Perhaps one of the most surprising things we found in this Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody review was the jacket’s warmth and loftiness. Compared to other down jackets of similar weight, the Thorium AR Hoody packs in a lot of insulation that keeps you toasty warm in all but the coldest conditions. To the attentive reviewer, this may seem odd based on the jacket’s “mid-range” 750 insulation (850+ is the gold standard now) but we could barely notice a difference between the Thorium’s warmth and that of other “higher-quality” down jackets.
Compressibility
One of the key selling points of any puffy jacket is the layer’s compressibility. Particularly when it comes to down jackets, the ability to compress all of that poofy loft into a tiny package when packing up camp in the morning is paramount.
The Thorium AR Hoody performed decently well in this category, thanks to its included 2.5L stuff sack. The stuff sack itself is made of the same fabric as the jacket, which helps keep it lightweight. Plus, the stuff sack is just the right size for the jacket, so it’s easy enough to pack without much of a struggle.
At 2.5L in packed size, we wouldn’t say that the Thorium AR Hoody is overly compressible, but it gets the job done.
Weight
Generally speaking, the Thorium AR Hoody is a pretty average puffy jacket when it comes to weight, at least when compared to similarly high-end mid-layers. At 14.8 ounces (420g), the Thorium AR Hoody manages to stay under the one-pound benchmark, but it’s by no means the lightest in its class.
Much of this weight comes from the slightly thicker shell fabric, which adds a lot of durability to the Thorium AR Hoody. So, while the Thorium AR Hoody won’t be winning any ultralight awards, it is a good option for adventures in rough terrain.
Water Resistance
Water is usually the Achilles heel for all down jackets, thanks to down’s propensity for clumping and losing all insulating value when wet. Thanks to Arc’teryx’s Down Composite Mapping technology and durable water repellent treatment, however, the Thorium AR Hoody actually performs pretty well in this category.
The added synthetic Coreloft insulation in high moisture areas really does help keep the jacket warm in a light drizzle, though like all down jackets, the Thorium AR Hoody does eventually get soaked. The one apparent downside to this jacket is that it seems to take a particularly long time to dry out after getting wet, so perhaps remember to pack your hardshell jackets when wearing the Thorium AR Hoody in the rain.
Fit and Comfort
The Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody is a technical mid-layer, but it sure is comfortable. The jacket’s regular fit in the women’s cut is contoured but not constraining, which is surprisingly hard to find in modern-day down jackets.
This jacket is snug and comfortable but still allows for a good range of motion, whether you’re hiking or climbing. Plus, the hood really does trap in a lot of heat around your head without impacting your vision. While the hood does fit over a helmet, though, we wouldn’t really consider it to be “helmet-compatible” because it feels really tight and constraining when pulled over your noggin protector.
Durability
More often than not, outdoor enthusiasts find that they end up ripping their jackets while they hike, either getting them caught on a stick while bushwacking or accidentally melting them with a rogue ember from the campfire. When you rip a hole in a down jacket, well, let’s just say the results aren’t pretty.
Thankfully, the Arc’teryx Thorium AR is made with some fairly robust 40 denier Arato 30 nylon fabric, which is some of the most durable in its class. While we wouldn’t go out and roll around in a field of sharp rocks with the Thorium AR, it is certainly able to hold its own throughout regular use.
Features
We found reviewing the Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody pretty simple, so don’t expect many fancy features beyond a quality down insulating layer. This jacket has two handwarmer pockets and one internal zippered pocket, though there are no external chest pockets.
The front zipper is smooth and easy to use, thanks to its plastic zipper head and accessory cord zipper pull, which helps save weight. The Thorium AR Hoody’s collar has a soft, smooth lining, which feels comfortable against the skin. Beyond that, the Thorium AR is as simple as it gets!
Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody Review Verdict
Ultimately, the Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody is a solid all-around down insulated jacket made for outdoor pursuits. While it doesn’t really wow and impress in any one particular category, it does keep you warm and comfortable while outside.
For this Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody Review, we have used it in a lot of different contexts and have rarely been found wanting. Unless you try to use the jacket in a rainstorm without a hardshell over it, it’s unlikely to fail you (but what puffy wouldn’t fail in those conditions?) and its durable construction means it’s ready for a lifetime of adventure.
Like all Arc’teryx products, the Thorium AR Hoody is fairly pricey, but it’s not excessively expensive, especially when compared to other models in its class. Our verdict? For a reliable jacket with all-around high performance, the Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody is a good bet.
