Review: Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody

A down insulated jacket designed for a wide variety activities in cold and dry environments.

The Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody is a mid-weight insulated jacket that is designed for wide range of activities in the colder seasons. Finding a good compromise between weight, warmth, durability and style, the jacket is ideal for everything from high mountain expeditions and resort skiing to everyday wear through the winter months.

Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody: The stats

Features of the Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody

Hood

The hood is expertly contoured and insulated for significant warmth. Its adjustment system is both intuitive and efficient. While it fits a lightweight climbing helmet comfortably, it falls short of accommodating a larger ski helmet.

Outer fabric

Arato 30 Denier has been used as the outer face fabric, the same material used in the previous version of this jacket. To me, it feels like a great balance between weight and durability, perfect for everyday use. Compared to the lighter Cerium Hoody, which has a 15 denier outer fabric, I’m glad the Thorium feels much sturdier.

To help improve water repellency, the outer face fabric has been treated with a DWR finish. This is essential when using the jacket in the mountains as it sheds snow effectively when needed. But, as with most down jackets, it will reach the limit quickly when precipitation turns to rain or wet snow.

Cuffs

Elasticated cuffs offer a straightforward solution. With no need for intricate adjustments or Velcro, they keep things uncomplicated. Their snug fit, especially when paired with gloves, effectively seals out the cold and snow. Plus, their clean design keeps everything neat and tidy.

Internal pockets

The Jacket features two generously sized internal “Dump” pockets, which I find indispensable during my mountain excursions. These pockets comfortably accommodate large gloves when I need my hands free, or my ski skins during transitions while ski touring. They’re deep and equipped with an elastic hem at the top, ensuring that my belongings stay securely in place, whether it’s a soft water bottle for those chilly pre-dawn starts or any other essential gear I need on the go.

Hand pockets

Two front hand pockets are well-positioned, adequately spacious, and easy to use. They feature a lightweight micro fleece lining on the front side, which is a delightful addition. In this updated 2024 version, there’s also a chest pocket on the left-hand side. It’s large enough for a mobile phone, snacks, or a map, and it’s conveniently situated higher above a rucksack chest strap.

Hem

The elasticated hem is simple, effective and lightweight. Plus, it’s easily adjusted with one hand.

Zipper

There’s a good quality smooth and durable two way zip to seal the jacket. It feels much more robust than the lightweight zipper on the Cerium Hoody. Additionally, a large rubber toggle on the top zip is easy to operate with gloves on but not so big that it becomes an annoyance.

Stuff sack

The jacket comes with a lightweight stuff sack made from the same 30D face fabric. The packed dimensions of the jacket inside the stuff sack are: 25cm x 14cm x 12 cm.

Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody review

The Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody is a mid-weight insulated down jacket designed to provide substantial warmth, low weight and good packability for a variety of activities. Arc’teryx also offers the warmer and heavier Thorium SV and the lighter, less warm Cerium Hoody.

I’ve been using the Thorium Hoody almost daily for the past three months while working as a mountain guide in the European Alps during winter, engaging in activities such as ice climbing, mountaineering, ski touring, and resort skiing in temperatures as low as -15°C, sometimes in stormy and challenging weather conditions. Primarily, I use the jacket as part of a layering system, combining it with a base layer, mid-layer fleece, and lightweight shell jacket, with the Thorium worn over my shell jacket when I need extra insulation. Occasionally, I also wear the jacket as a standalone outer layer for lower output activities like resort skiing on cold early-season days.

I’m very impressed with the jacket as it strikes a perfect balance between weight, warmth, and durability, which I find to be a tricky balance to achieve. Working as a professional in the mountains every day, I need my equipment to be lightweight yet durable and presentable, considering it undergoes significant wear and tear.

Fit

I typically wear a standard medium size with most outdoor brands, and the medium Thorium fits me perfectly. It provides a good fit when worn as the main jacket and is large enough to layer over mid and shell layers for additional insulation. The cut is excellent, with a long back to keep my lower back warm and well-tailored arms that prevent the cuffs from riding up when reaching up. The collar, in particular, is a standout feature, as it’s high and well-tailored, providing a close fit that helps retain heat.

Insulation

With a 140g fill weight and 750 fill power, the Thorium doesn’t boast particularly high loft down compared to some competitors like the Patagonia Down Sweater (800 fill) and Rab Mythic Ultra (900 fill). However, the jacket’s advantage lies in its mix of insulation. While predominantly down-filled for warmth, weight, and packability, Arc’teryx has strategically incorporated small amounts of Coreloft synthetic insulation in key areas such as the cuffs, shoulders, and top of the hood, which are prone to wetting out in challenging conditions. This blend enhances both performance and long-term durability.

Face fabric

The Thorium utilizes a 30D water-repellent outer fabric, where ‘D’ represents Denier, a measurement of material thickness. In comparison, the Rab Mythic Ultra features a 10D outer fabric. The 30D fabric gives the Thorium a durable and abrasion-resistant feel, ensuring it stands up better to wear and tear over time than other ultra-light models. Once again, Arc’teryx has achieved a fine balance between weight and durability.

What I love the most about the Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody

I love the way Arc’teryx has strategically used synthetic insulation to enhance the durability and performance.

What I don’t love so much about the Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody

My only criticism is that I would like to have seen a higher quality down fill power of 850 or 900 to make this a really premium Jacket.

Verdict

The Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody, while not the lightest or warmest down jacket available, is well-suited for use in challenging cold mountain conditions. It’s light enough to carry, warm enough to provide comfort on a mountain summit, stylish enough for everyday wear, and built with top-quality, durable materials. In my opinion, Arc’teryx has struck an excellent balance with this jacket.

It’s ideal for people who are looking for a compromise and need one insulated jacket to cover all bases from everyday use to high alpine winter adventures. I am very satisfied with the Thorium, and I will continue to bring it with me into the mountains until the temperature significantly warms up.

Value for money-wise, it’s a top-end price, but for what it offers, I feel it is fair. You get top-end construction and materials, the only exception being that higher fill power down would be even better.

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Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company.

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