Warm and versatile, the Thorium has quickly become my go-to winter insulation. Photo: Heather Hendricks//The Inertia
I first heard of the Arc’terex Thorium Hoody from my badass friend, Britt. She’s a professional mountain biker and mother of two littles who tends to run extremely cold. She’s not a wimp, but simply knows she needs the best in terms of predictable warmth.
When researching jackets to test for The Best Women’s Winter Jackets, Britt guided me to the Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody ($500), saying, “It’s my everyday go-to. So warm, comfy, and durable… Absolutely worth the price.” Britt is my sensibility guru. She is a woman who sticks to a strict budget and has plenty of boundaries. I always listen when Britt says something is worth it, as she is keen on quality and has the penchant to return anything that doesn’t meet her expectations.
All that said, at first I was skeptical of the $500 price tag. Could a puffer really be worth that much? There was only one way to find out. In December 2023, the slate green piece showed up outside my little cabin near Marble, Colorado. Spoiler alert: it’s been well worth the investment, and then some.
Bottom Line: With over fifteen months of consistent wear through an array of environments, Arcteryx’s Thorium Hoody remains my dependable go-to down puffy. Lightweight, packable, exceptionally warm, dirt and smell-resistant, this down jacket is the number one piece of gear I consistently count on. While it’s an upfront investment, the payout is warm, weather-resistant dependability that is worth it for years to come.
Related: Best Women’s Winter Jackets | Best Women’s Puffer Jackets | Best Women’s Winter Boots
Features of the Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody
Weight: 455g/ 1 pound
Insulation: 750-fill European Grey Goose Down, Responsible Down Standard (RDS)
Fit: Regular
Sustainable Features: PFC-free DWR treatment
Length: Hip
Waterproofing: Features a highly water-resistant outer shell with a durable water-repellent (DWR) PFC-free treatment. While not fully waterproof like a hardshell jacket, it can withstand a surprising amount of snow and rain.
Construction: Arcteryx’s Down Composite Mapping tech strategically places down clusters in key areas for optimal warmth and Coreloft synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas.
Zippers and Snaps: Full-length two-way front zipper with an internal storm flap for added wind protection
Collar: High collar zips up for added warmth around the neck.
Pros:
- Exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio: The 750-fill down provides impressive warmth for its weight. It’s only 1 pound!
- Durable and weather-resistant: The outer shell keeps you dry and protected in wintery mix and drizzly conditions.
- Comfortable fit: The regular fit allows for a good range of motion that’s not too bulky and allows for layering underneath.
Cons:
- Price: At $500 a pop, it’s a significant investment that may be out of reach for some.
- Limited breathability: As with most down jackets, breathability can be an issue, especially during high-output activities (like snowboarding). However, while sleeping in sub-zero temperatures in my truck, the Thorium kept me warm but wasn’t breathable enough to combat sweating.
- Durability: Overall, the puffer is durable, but my dog, Rosie, did manage to rip the sleeve when we were aggressively playing in Moab. Nothing a bit of ripstop tape couldn’t easily fix!
A hip-length cut provides extra coverage when the temps drop. Photo: Heather Hendricks//The Inertia
Testing The Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody
First Impressions
Shaking the paper it was packed in aside, I felt the soft cush of its feathery insides. I was immediately intrigued by its plushness and tossed it on. With the hood on, I zipped it up all the way and was thrilled with its high collar and roomy, regular (not slim) fit. The Thorium Hoody looked and felt every bit the premium piece of gear it promises to be.
I’m an adventure gal who spends most of my time outside in the elements. Whether snowboarding, split boarding, backpacking, climbing, or a mix of it all, I’ve tested numerous jackets and puffys in diverse environments and climates, providing a solid foundation for evaluating the Thorium Hoody.
Over the last year, I’ve tested the Thorium in many cold weather conditions, from sub-zero ski days in Aspen and Arapahoe Basin to blustery, wet, chilly days exploring Banff National Park to cold spring and fall camping and climbing trips in Moab and beyond.
Editor’s Note: Check out our complete list of The Best Women’s Winter Jackets
While not specifically designed for the slopes, the Thorium can certainly stand up to the rigors of resort shredding. Photo: Heather Hendricks//The Inertia
Testing Locations
I began testing the Thorium just outside my cabin near Marble, Colorado. It was my go-to to toss on for walking my dog, Rosie, out in the snow and around the frozen pond. Super easy to wear, and I never had to worry about what layers I had on underneath as it was roomy enough to toss on over anything.
As winter travel and exploration ramped up, I found that the Thorium was always my number one puffy to toss in my bag. It proved to be a staple in the van and for winter camping trips.
After a solid year of testing, the Thorium has racked up plenty of miles zigzagging across the States from Colorado, Jackson Hole, Montana, Idaho, down to SoCal, over to Minnesota, and back to Colorado. It’s also gone international as my go-to packable puffer for explorations in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
The Thorium is a high-performance, expedition-ready down jacket. Its 750-fill European goose down and durable outer shell combine warmth and weather resistance. I found it outperformed other premium down puffer options, such as the Rab Neutrino Pro and Patagonia Down Sweater. It’s warmer and more water resistant.
The Thorium’s versatility cannot be understated as it looks at home in the backcountry and on city streets. Photo: Heather Hendricks//The Inertia
Testing the Thorium in Aspen, Banff, Moab, Minnesota and Beyond
As mentioned, the Thorium quickly became my go-to for cold-weather adventures. While it is slim enough to layer under a shell, I primarily wore it as my outer layer. The 750-fill down provided impressive warmth for its weight, just one pound. The large size was often slightly too bulky to wear under my shell, and the Thorium provided enough warmth and weather resistance to not always need a shell.
A few examples of where the water-resistant outer shell shined were when it kept me completely dry while shredding in cold smoke powder in Aspen and during a cold, wet snap while riding at Arapahoe Basin.
Additionally, one day when everyone else opted for a shell, I wore only this puffer while hiking the notoriously windy route to the Highlands Bowl. As the wind whipped around me on the exposed ridge, I was comfortably unaffected by the big, blustery gusts. The tall collar, and roomy hood (big enough to go over a helmet), also helped keep my extremities covered from the elements.
A cinch at the back of the hood helps size it down if you’re not wearing a helmet underneath. Photo: Heather Hendricks//The Inertia
Notable Features of the Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody
Warmth and Comfort
As I was able to test this piece in a vast array of locations, I found the Thorium Hoody excels at keeping you warm in a wide range of weather. The downfill is exceptionally lofty, trapping heat effectively even in frigid temperatures. The regular size fit minimizes cold spots and allows for easy layering. While traveling, I could pair this with a t-shirt and knew I would be warm enough for whatever the weather, without having to worry about lugging around a bunch of layers.
On an early winter trip to Banff, I knew the weather would be cold. Armed with only a small carry-on, I needed a jacket that would be able to handle everything. I made a gamble by only bringing this Thorium Puffer for several days of hiking and exploring in the snow. It held up to the elements and allowed me to look fashionable and smartly dressed for the freezing temperatures at night.
After more than a year of testing, the only wear this jacket has to show is a small tear that is entirely my own (or my dog’s) fault. Photo: Heather Hendricks//The Inertia
Durability
While I did encounter one rip as mentioned above, the shell is generally resistant to abrasions. If my dog and I were playing a bit more mindfully, and her teeth and claws weren’t razor sharp, I wouldn’t have experienced the tear. However, any tear or issue on this puffer can be easily fixed with good ripstop tape. Some even said that I looked a little more “hardcore” with the ripstop.
The little bit of tape helped to show some wear of this otherwise very durable puffer. It has managed to stay clean and repel dirt. In the entirety of the year of testing this puffer, I haven’t had to wash it yet. Normally, the cuffs of my coats will start to show wear and grime, but this piece has miraculously stayed looking clean despite hours upon hours of daily hardcore wear.
Rubber toggles on the zippers make them easy to operate in cold weather, and with gloves on. Photo: Heather Hendricks//The Inertia
Features
The helmet-compatible hood is honestly a bit big without a helmet on, but thankfully the cinch at the back helps minimize its size when not wearing a helmet. The hood, when cinched, provided excellent coverage and stayed in place even in strong winds. The handwarmer pockets are spacious and easily accessible. I appreciate how easily they zip, even in cold weather. The rubber toggle never froze and was easy to use.
Also notable is the extra large internal chest pocket, which comes with a stow sack. I honestly didn’t even find the stow sack for several months, despite using the internal pocket to stash goggles, my phone, and other essentials. Then, one day, I reached deeper inside the pocket, felt something slick, and pulled it out to find the stash bag. Easy to use, the puffy smashes easily into the little sack, which can be used as a small pillow or to further stow your jacket in your pack.
All smiles on a freezing cold powder day thanks to the Thorium’s versatile warmth. Photo: Heather Hendricks//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
The Arcteryx Thorium Hoody is a top-tier down jacket that excels in a wide range of winter conditions. Its combination of exceptional warmth, durability, and weather resistance make it an ideal choice for women who get after it outside, regardless of the temps. While the price tag is steep, the Thorium is a long-lasting investment that will provide years of reliable performance.
For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Patagonia Down Sweater offers excellent warmth and value, but the Patagonia option isn’t as warm or wind-resistant as determined through testing. The Rab Neutrino Pro is another strong contender, offering similar performance to the Thorium with a slightly lighter weight and more supple outer fabric. Rab’s option is slimmer fitting and has extra features like velcro-adjustable wrist cuffs, which I felt like I could do without.
In answer to my question from the beginning of the article, the Thorium Hoody has been worth it for the last year and beyond. Let’s see how long she can go.
Check Price on REIEditor’s Note: To see how the Thorium Hoody stacks up against the competition, check out our guides to The Best Puffer Jackets for Women and Tbe Best Winter Jackets for Women. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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