What we don’t: Expensive and not particularly warm. What we like: Best-in-class breathability and backcountry-ready athletic cut. The North Face Summit Series Casaval Hoodie ($300) See the Men's Cotopaxi Teca Cálido See the Women's Cotopaxi Teca Cálidoīest Active Insulator for High-Output Use 3. All told, the Cotopaxi is not the most high-performance jacket here, but it’s a very versatile pick for everyday wear and a great value at just $150. And if you do choose to test its limits in the backcountry (we did), the Teca Cálido holds up fairly well, with a lightweight and packable build (the jacket stuffs into its chest pocket), relatively durable shell, and gentle elastic bindings on the hem, cuffs, and hood that seal in warmth. You don’t get a breathable, stretchy shell like the TNF Casaval below, and the Cotopaxi certainly doesn’t compete with the Micro Puff (also below) in terms of warmth for weight, but it’s hard to beat for casual use. We tested the Teca Cálido throughout a mild winter, and it became our go-to jacket for daily use. As with most of their offerings, Cotopaxi did something a little different with the Teca Cálido, and we really like the result. What’s more, it’s reversible, with a solid interior that showcases retro styling and cool dump pockets, reminiscent of puffer jackets of yore. Their Teca Cálido Hooded is case in point: the jacket features a recycled shell, insulation, and lining, and its vibrant color blocking and classy fit and finish make it fun to wear both in the mountains and around town. What we don’t: Other jackets are lighter, warmer, and more breathable.īased in Salt Lake City, Cotopaxi is a relatively new brand that has quickly risen to popularity in the outdoor world, thanks to their sustainable business practices, positive community presence, and-of course-hard-to-miss colorways. What we like: Retro styling, reversible design, and great value. Cotopaxi Teca Cálido Hooded Jacket ($150) See the Men's Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody See the Women's Arc'teryx Atom Hoodyīest Budget Synthetic Jacket 2. And a final note: The women’s version of this jacket is simply called the Atom Hoody, but features the same overall design and materials as the men’s Atom LT Hoody. Most of all, we love the versatility: the Atom LT works great as an outer layer or midlayer, and it’s one of the best options on this list for everyday wear. We’ve worn the Atom LT during all kinds of outdoor activities from hiking and biking to cross-country skiing, so how does it compare? The Arc’teryx isn’t quite as breathable as the Casaval and other performance-centric synthetic jackets, but the Coreloft Compact insulation and stretchy fleece side panels still work well for active use. And with its most recent update, Arc’teryx incorporated a more durable face fabric, a longer hem, and improved cuffs, making our favorite synthetic jacket even better. Unlike The North Face's Casaval below that has a softer shell and interior fabric, the Atom is tougher and shows less wear over time. This synthetic jacket absolutely nails the essentials: you get impressive warmth for the weight, supreme comfort, a useful feature set, and a sleek design. What we don’t: Breathability could be better.Īrc’teryx makes some of the top jackets and shells on the market, and the Atom LT Hoody is perhaps their most well-known model. What we like: Great mix of warmth, mobility, and comfort.
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