Patagonia Ultralight Down Hoody

Overall this is a decent jacket, but it's not as warm as some other jackets out there.

The Ultralight is a sized down alternative to the classic Down Sweater. Coming in at just under 300 grams it's one of the lightest weight insulation pieces on the market. I've had mine for over two years now, and it's seen its fair share of use.  

The water resistance is good, and it takes an impressive beating for a ultralight down jacket. It also packs down to about the size and shape of a 1L Nalgene, which is excellent. But that's kinda where the benefits end. 

In the field I've found it to be a bit lackluster. The wind resistance seems to serve only preventing breathability, and yet drafts are felt immediately. As a midlayer it gets sticky and hot quickly, yet never seems warm enough when the cold settles in. The narrow baffles means there is just too much potential. And these same narrow, thin baffles allow a great deal of heat to escape. Despite being synthetic, and supposedly less heat efficient, my Atom LT is far warmer. 

Around town its not a bad looking jacket, but it's very crinkly, and not as comfortable as my Atom, Chaos, or other insulated jackets. The cut is also quite boxy, and rides high on my long torso, so I find it lets air in easily. I am very trim, and taller though with a size small jacket, and 28 inch waist and 5'10". 

Overall this jacket will only come out if pack size and weight are my primary concern. I think that the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer is a better option if you want to go super lightweight, and the Cerium LT from Arc'teryx is a better jacket for warmth at a nearly identical weight. 

Great looking.

I am 5'10" 185 lbs. 42 chest; 33 arms; 34 waist; 16.5 neck . I bought a Large. I can fit this over layers (shirts, sweatshirts, midweights), but it also fits under my shells (Arc Beta AR in M and Marmot Pro Tour in L). The Ultralight I found has a very trim fit, so I do not think I would have been comfortable at all with the Medium.

I bought a MHW Ghost Whisperer and this at the same time as they were both on sale. Luckily I live in the country with no neighbors because I probably looked pretty goofy going out and doing walking laps in my yard alternating between the two to see which I liked better.

My conclusion was that the Ghost Whisperer was better (warmer). The temps were about 0-5°F with a light wind and the hood with elastic stays tighter around your head and keeps you warmer. I also felt less air seep through the stitching.

I think the Patagonia is better looking and the hood is better looking just as OutdoorGearLab stated. The Pat is the better coat for around town, but the Whisperer is more effective. The Viking blue is a great color as well. I ended up sending this coat back (reluctantly). 

I bought my father-in-law one as well with no hood for Christmas and he really liked it and kept it. He lives in AZ and hikes a lot. He didn't quite need the warmth I was looking for.