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Patagonia DAS Light Hoody - Women's Review

A high performer that'll keep you warm and protected throughout the seasons
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patagonia das light hoody for women insulated jacket review
Credit: Patagonia
Price:  $349 List
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Manufacturer:   Patagonia
By Amber King and Maggie Nichols  ⋅  Dec 1, 2022
78
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 12
  • Warmth - 25% 8.0
  • Comfort - 25% 8.0
  • Weather Resistance - 20% 9.0
  • Weight and Compressibility - 15% 7.5
  • Breathability - 15% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Patagonia DAS Light Hoody is a welcome favorite that we can't help but gush over. The Endurance Quantum Shell offers superior wind and water resistance with insulation that'll keep you warm in the most shiver-worthy conditions. It has a longer torso and sleeves than many other jackets we tested, adding extra coverage and warmth where we need it most. Though we couldn't fit it into the pocket it's meant to pack away into, its lightweight design still compresses easily to stuff into the smallest spaces of your backpack. We enjoy wearing the DAS Light for pretty much any adventure throughout all seasons of the year.
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent water resistance
Warm
Compressible
Versatile
Good coverage
REASONS TO AVOID
Shell can tear easily
Less breathable
Doesn't fit into its pocket
Editor's Note: We retested this jacket and published our findings on December 1, 2022.

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Excellent water resistance, warm, compressible, versatile, good coverageWarm without being bulky, great coverage all around, protective and comfortable cuffs, microfleece-lined pocketsSoft and comfortable, breathable, easy to layer, great mobility, weather resistantLightweight and packable, more coverage, excellent cuffs, good warmth-to-weight ratio, versatile fit and functionWarmth, many comfort features, very weatherproof
Cons Shell can tear easily, less breathable, doesn't fit into its pocketRuns largeDoesn't stuff into its own pocket, hood is very largeHood is drafty without a beanie or helmet, stuff pocket is oddly shapedNot breathable or very packable
Bottom Line A high performer that'll keep you warm and protected throughout the seasonsAn excellent midweight jacket with great warmth, top-notch coverage, and comfortable detailsA very comfortable jacket that's great for adventures in diverse conditions where layering, mobility, and protection are keyA lightweight versatile jacket with good warmth and great coverage that's got your back on any missionA cute, high performing non-technical option that boasts an excellent price
Rating Categories Patagonia DAS Light... Rab Xenon Hoodie 2.0 Arc'teryx Atom Hoody Mountain Hardwear G... Columbia Heavenly H...
Warmth (25%)
8.0
7.5
7.0
6.5
9.0
Comfort (25%)
8.0
8.5
8.5
6.5
9.0
Weather Resistance (20%)
9.0
8.5
7.5
7.5
8.5
Weight and Compressibility (15%)
7.5
8.0
7.0
9.5
3.0
Breathability (15%)
6.0
6.5
8.5
6.5
3.0
Specs Patagonia DAS Light... Rab Xenon Hoodie 2.0 Arc'teryx Atom Hoody Mountain Hardwear G... Columbia Heavenly H...
Weight, size small (ounces) 11.5 oz 12.1 oz 10.5 oz 9.7 oz 22.4 oz
Number of Pockets 3 (2 zippered hand, 1 exterior zippered chest) 3 (2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered chest) 3 (2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered chest) 4 (2 zippered hand, 2 internal drop) 3 (2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered chest)
Hem Type No adjustment Single bungee adjustment Dual bungee adjustment Single bungee adjustment No adjustment
Fit Relaxed Relaxed slim Relaxed Relaxed slim Slim
Insulation 65g PlumaFill 100% recycled polyester 100% recycled PrimaLoft Silver Coreloft 60 100% recycled polyester 80 g (body, sleeves), 60 g (hood, side panels) partially recycled synthetic 100% polyester
Outer Fabric 10D Pertex Quantum Nylon 30D Pertex Quantum ripstop Tyono 20D 100% nylon
Stretch fleece side panels: 94% polyester, 6% elastane
Whisperer 10D x 10D Ripstop
100% Recycled Nylon
Storm-Lite DP II Polyester
Lining 10D Pertex Quantum Nylon 20D recycled Atmos ripstop Dope Permeair 20D - 100% nylon Whisperer 10D x 10D Ripstop
100% Recycled Nylon
Luscious Pile Fleece Polyester
Hood Option Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Built-in stow pocket Yes; hand Yes; chest No Yes; hand No
Cuff construction Elasticized cuffs Elasticized with overhang Stretch-knit Elasticized with overhang Stretch-knit wrist-warmer cuff with thumbholes

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Patagonia DAS Light Hoody is a heavy midweight jacket with a large hood and a relaxed fit. Its exterior is made of 10D Pertex Quantum Nylon and it has a relaxed hem with no adjustment points. It features three pockets — two zippered hand pockets and an exterior zippered chest pocket. The jacket is supposed to fit into this chest pocket, but we were unable to actually zip it closed.

Performance Comparison


patagonia das light hoody for women insulated jacket review - comparing the performances of several insulated jackets, with the...
Comparing the performances of several insulated jackets, with the impressively weather resistant and warm Patagonia DAS Light on the far left.
Credit: Amber King

Warmth


This is a warm jacket that we've tested thoroughly while skiing in both the resort and backcountry. We deem it appropriate for four seasons. Slide it on during a cool summer evening in the mountains or layer it with a fleece and base layer in the winter. It's packed with 65 grams of PlumaFill insulation that'll stay warm even when wet. The coat traps lots of air and warms up quickly.


When testing it in Jackson Hole, WY, on a superbly cold day, it did exactly what it was supposed to with just a base layer and midweight fleece. The exterior shell is excellent at cutting wind while offering some water resistance. Even when we got soaked from a wet winter storm one day, it still kept us warm, even when temperatures dipped into the single digits. The hood is large with a cinch strap around the back and fits beautifully overtop a ski or climbing helmet. We also wore it while climbing in the spring and fall, and it functioned beautifully as a belay jacket. On multi-pitch climbs, this is the one we'd choose to stuff into a small bag to wear at any frigid belay ledge.

patagonia das light hoody for women insulated jacket review - lounging in the trolley while wearing the patagonia das light hoody...
Lounging in the trolley while wearing the Patagonia Das Light Hoody. It offers a roomy construction that works with many layers and a baffle-free construction for superior weather resistance.
Credit: Amber King

Comfort


The lofty warm, and airy feel of this jacket makes it super comfortable. While it's not loaded with any weight-adding features like fur or fleece, it's comfortable in a different way. It comes with a voluminous chest pocket and two large waist pockets that are lined with a smooth Pertex Quantum material.


It's easy to layer the DAS Light over top of other clothing with its smooth slippery surfaces. The roomy interior fit of both the arms and the torso through the armpits allowed us to easily add a base layer and fleece for added warmth in cold months. The Pertex Quantum shell slides easily, even overtop high-pile bulky fleeces. The hood is quite roomy, with space for a ski or climbing helmet. Unlike mobile jackets, the hood isn't tightly fitted, so it has to go overtop the helmet (not underneath, as some prefer). We also like that it comes with a cinch strap for a solid fit. The cuffs and hem are simple and taper inside to try and keep heat out. If we had to ask for any additional feature, it'd be a cinch strap around the hem to keep cold air out on especially cold days.

patagonia das light hoody for women insulated jacket review - we enjoy the comfort and versatility of the das light for many...
We enjoy the comfort and versatility of the DAS Light for many seasons, from winter skiing to summer alpine camping.
Credit: Amber King

Weather Resistance


We put this jacket through the wringer and tested it in every season. The nylon construction throughout the liner and exterior both prove to be wind and water-resistant. The exterior shell is made of a superior textile called Endurance Pertex Quantum, which is a nylon composite. During wind storms, no air penetrated. During snowstorms, water is kept away from our core so we stay protected and warm.


To thoroughly test weather resistance, we put the jacket under the nozzle of a showerhead for two minutes. During these tests, we were thoroughly impressed. The double layer of nylon kept water out of the jacket. Most continuous shells just pool water between the layers, but none was absorbed. The shell beaded water, and when put outside in the sun, it was dry in about ten minutes. During a snowy day skiing at the resort, we were hit with a wet snowstorm that soaked the DAS Light. The material beaded water at first, then finally saturated, but it never penetrated the lower layers. We also stayed warm, despite the jacket being completely saturated. Overall, we deem it superior when it comes to poor weather. It's excellent at cutting the wind and offers more water resistance than other continuous shell options or any insulated jacket that we've tested so far!

patagonia das light hoody for women insulated jacket review - even on super snowy days, the das acts as a highly weather-resistant...
Even on super snowy days, the DAS acts as a highly weather-resistant shell.
Credit: Amber King

Weight and Compressibility


The DAS Light Hoody feels light and airy. It has a few more material features than ultralight coats, so a size small weighs in at 11.5 ounces. When packed, it almost compresses down to the size of a small Nalgene bottle.


It can stuff into its own pocket, but unfortunately, we found it nearly impossible to close all the way. That said, we typically just stuff it into the bottom of our climbing or running pack, which works just fine. The continuous fabric design compresses to a small, lightweight package, making it versatile for virtually any adventure where weight is a concern or consideration.

patagonia das light hoody for women insulated jacket review - while the das light does technically pack into its own pocket, we...
While the DAS Light does technically pack into its own pocket, we were never able to zip it closed to complete the package.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Breathability


As is true with most highly weather resistant jackets, breathability suffers. While the DAS Light has a full-zip construction that'll easily vent moisture, the layers are a bit too thick to provide much fabric breathability. We tested it while hiking uphill in the winter and even tried (and failed) to wear it while running.


When hiking to a mountain at Grand Targhee, we found ourselves getting pretty sweaty with the warm sun beating down. We opened it up all the way and eventually had to take it off. This isn't a jacket we recommend for super sweaty endeavors in warmer weather. However, we wore it while ski touring on a really cold day, and we kept it on the whole time. The fabric has some breathability; however, if you're seeking a breathable jacket, we'd recommend looking at mobile and soft-faced jackets or a continuous shell design with a thinner design instead.

patagonia das light hoody for women insulated jacket review - we heat up a little bit on this hike-to adventure. here we unzip our...
We heat up a little bit on this hike-to adventure. Here we unzip our jacket to vent some warmth on this sunnier day in the mountains.
Credit: Amber King

Should You Buy the Patagonia DAS Light Hoody?


While the DAS Light is one of our favorite jackets, its price is high. But for those seeking an almost perfect blend of superior warmth, compression, and weather protection, this coat may be worth the investment. It's one we'd recommend to our friends that have the cash and need this kind of performance. However, for most ladies just looking to get outside, you can probably find a higher-value option that'll do what you need for fewer dollars spent.

What Other Insulated Jackets Should You Consider?


The DAS is an excellent jacket that features a protective weather resistant shell, lofty warmth, and great compressibility. If you're willing to sacrifice a smidge of weather resistance for a very comfortable jacket that costs a lot less, the Rab Xenon 2.0 is our favorite insulated jacket for a much more approachable price. If packability is what you're after, check out the lightweight, yet still quite warm, Mountain Hardwear Ghost Shadow.

patagonia das light hoody for women insulated jacket review - the fit is athletic and not too boxy with a nice look that isn't too...
The fit is athletic and not too boxy with a nice look that isn't too tight.
Credit: Amber King

Amber King and Maggie Nichols
 

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