[GEAR REVIEW] Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody—Dependable When You Need it Most

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The Cerium Hoody by Arc’teryx is top of its class. It’s reliable, dependable, light, and stylish. The streamlined, lightweight, down hoody filled with 850-fill European white goose down has an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio and excels as a backcountry mid-layer or standalone jacket in cool, dry conditions. As a frequent backcountry tourer, I never leave home without this jacket. I’m either wearing it or keeping it in my pack at all times in case I need the extra warmth.

I was impressed with the mid-layers warmth-to-weight ratio, along with its durability and how windproof it is. The thing is LIGHT but still super warm. It feels like it weighs almost nothing at all and you can really feel the warmth it provides. It’s also very easy to fold up and put in your pack as it doesn’t take up much space at all due to its lightweight design weighing only 335g (11.8 oz).

Dependability when you need it most

I keep this jacket in my pack anytime I venture out in the backcountry and once it even saved my ass. On a ski tour in Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon earlier this season, one of my touring partners broke his ski binding while we were miles away from the trailhead. The sun was going down and we were caught in the shade, frantically trying to fix his binding. It was already freezing and getting colder by the minute. I threw on my Cerium Hoody and was immediately comfortable, giving me a sense of confidence to deal with the situation at hand calmly. It must have been nearing 0ºF at the time, but with my Cerium on I literally could have hung out there all night. Thankfully, we made it back to our car, but only after several hours of bushwacking and my partner skiing down on one ski.

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The most unique aspects 

The Cerium Hoody uses Down Composite Mapping which is a construction that places down in the core of the garment and synthetic Coreloft insulation in areas that are prone to moisture, maximizing the benefits of both insulation materials. This system protects the down and targets its warmth toward the body’s core and shoulders, where comfort is most valued.

The Cerium Hoody is cut slim for a low profile fit and it is as breathable as it is light, too. Often when I’m touring, I don’t feel like I get enough airflow to my torso with my jacket on, and begin sweating a bit. The Arc’teryx hoody did a great job at keeping my torso ventilated as I was laboring up the hill, preventing excessive sweating.

The Arc’teyx Cerium Hoody goes for $400 retail and can be purchased on the Arc’teryx website. There are both men’s and women’s lines available. 

About Arc’teryx

Arc’teryx is a Canadian outdoor high-end clothing and sporting goods company founded in North Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1989. The name and logo of Arc’teryx refer to the Archaeopteryx, among the earliest known birds. The company has a collection of versatile products that showcase its principles of design and commitment to creating high-performance, hard-wearing, and reliable solutions.