This article is part of our series?Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.
A warm, cozy puffy is a must-have for autumn hiking, lightweight backpacking in the mountains and carry-on-only traveling. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the most expensive pieces in your outdoor gear quiver.
If you’re planning on shredding loads of powder this winter, going on a mellow snowshoe hike or simply walking your pup through the brilliantly changing fall leaves, chances are you’ll want a packable, light jacket that’s got some wind and waterproofing, in case the weather takes a turn.
We ordered two of the top-rated down hoodies on the market today —?at very different price points — and pitted them head-to-head on a variety of fall hikes, nighttime neighborhood strolls and measurable, controlled at-home tests. The aim was to figure out if a $400 puffy from one of the most expensive, storied brands, Arc’teryx, is actually worth $300 more than Decathlon’s $100 Forclaz MT100. The results may shock you.
I personally tested these two jackets for a solid month in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. They came with me on chilly midnight dog walks, on local hikes and on photography trips to see the elk rut. I rubbed their sleeves against a rock wall to test for durability and twirled around in the shower for a full minute to see if the baffles soaked through. To measure the garments’ potential for future rips, I zipped the front zipper up and down 50 times and noted any snags and abrasions. I also did a series of yoga poses in each one to test out stretch, movement mapping and roominess.
Let’s get into how these two puffies performed.
Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody vs. Decathlon Forclaz MT100 at a glance
If you want the better jacket, it’s no question you should go with the Arc’teryx. Yes, it’s expensive, but it performed better in nearly all of our tests. If you demand a lot out of your puffy, the Cerium is for you.?
If you don’t need top-of-the-line performance, the Decathlon Forclaz does surprisingly well. It isn’t as good as the Cerium, but it definitely punches above its price tag. For walks around town and shorter, easier adventures, this puffy is a great pick.?
Quick comparison
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Weight (size M) | 10.2 ounces |
9.7 ounces |
| Fill type | 850-fill down + Coreloft synthetic |
800-fill down |
| Outer fabric | Recycled 15D Arato (nylon) |
100% 15D polyamide |
| Pockets | 2 zippered hand, 1 inner zippered |
2 zippered hand |
| Price | $400 | $100 |
Warmth
Like a smart shopper should with any down puffy, we put warmth front and center in our testing for these two babies. Luckily, during the testing period, my hometown of Boulder began to experience its first several nights in the 40s, which was ideal for seeing how well the jackets insulated on higher-altitude hikes, as well as during in-town evening explorations.
Because of the difference in fill power between the two jackets (850 for the Cerium, versus 800 for the Forclaz MT100), it’s no surprise that the more expensive Arc’teryx performed better in this category. The down itself is loftier, and the stitched, horizontal baffles are adequately stuffed with fluff to insulate in mild winds under 20 mph.
On flat, mile-long strolls, with temperatures in the low 50s and only a short-sleeved cotton T-shirt underneath, the Forclaz hooded puffer was adequately warm unzipped, both in the shade and in the sun. In the same conditions, the Cerium hoody was a bit too warm, and in the sunshine, I had to take the jacket off here and there to vent my core. As such, the Arc’teryx would make an excellent, packable option for alpine backpacking or active winter adventures, when the temperatures will be below 45 degrees and weight and space are at a premium.
If you’re looking for the warmer jacket, the Cerium is definitely your pick. And while it will feel hotter in warmer temperatures or more strenuous activities, the Cerium is also stuffed with synthetic Coreloft in “moisture-prone” areas (the brand hasn’t released specifically where). Since down loses its insulation properties when wet and Coreloft doesn’t, these strategic placements mean you’ll stay warm even when you’re sweating on a gnarly uphill.
Weight and fit
Though two size mediums in these down hoodies weigh a remarkably similar amount (10.2 ounces for the Cerium and 9.7 ounces for the Forclaz MT100), the fill power and fill content of the inner stuffing is dramatically varied, causing the two jackets to perform differently in the wild. Arc’teryx’s Cerium is full of 850-fill-power down, as opposed to the Forclaz MT100’s 800-fill-power. This means that the same weight of filling in the Cerium will maintain more warmthand lessvolume than that found in the Forclaz.
We also noticed what we hope is a typo on the front page of the Forclaz’s description — the jacket weighs 9.7 ounces (275 grams) for a size medium, not 3.52 ounces for a size 2XL, as the copy incorrectly states.
Both jackets boast a “fitted” profile, meaning that they are slim around the shoulders, waist and hips, to allow for easy layering under a rain jacket or shell. Both tester jackets were a size small and seemed to fit excellently true to size. When swinging my arms around and doing the same series of yoga poses in each jacket, I didn’t notice much difference in the restrictiveness of either. I would, however, recommend sizing up in both brands for larger-chested gals or for those who know they’ll want to wear a couple of layers underneath (like an undershirt and a thick thermal).
Both the Arc’teryx Cerium and Decathlon Forclaz MT100 are light enough to be considered ultralight puffies, even though the Cerium weighs a smidge more. And when it comes to fit, both jackets are comfortable for movement while maintaining a slim fit perfect for layering.
Water resistance
Here’s where the tests really got interesting, because in all my years of backpacking and world traveling, I simply haven’t had the gall to douse my beloved down jackets in water to see how well their loft held up (the things we do for gear testing).
At first glance, both jackets performed nearly perfectly after I spun around in the makeshift downpour of my condo’s shower for one full minute, making sure to adequately wet the front, back and sleeves of both puffies. The Decathlon Forclaz MT100 soaked through a bit at the top of the zipper, but otherwise stayed dry — no small feat for a jacket that’s merely labeled as “weather-resistant.” The Arc’teryx Cerium also did great in the shower test, shedding all the water I threw at it while maintaining all of its loft and warmth.
The kicker? After the test was complete, I laid both pieces out on my wood floor to dry and noticed that, after roughly 20 minutes, the Forclaz had soaked through at the seams surrounding both pockets, while the Cerium was still comfy and dry underneath.
It’s clear that if water resistance is a big factor for you, the Arc’teryx Cerium is the jacket to buy. The Forclaz can withstand an occasional sprinkle, but if you’re adventuring and want the extra peace of mind of more robust weatherproofing, investing in the Cerium is a must.
Sustainability
No surprise, but in the fashion industry, you tend to get what you pay for in terms of sustainability. While the Forclaz MT100 offered a few perks, like a gray inner lining that cuts carbon emissions by using less dye and RDS (Responsible Down Standard) filling, it was ultimately made in a Chinese factory, using cheaper fabrics than the Arc’teryx.
The Cerium Hoody, on the other hand, is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory in Vietnam, uses recycled materials in its outer fabric and uses solution dying for a more eco-friendly approach to the garment-making process. It also uses RDS-certified filling and meets Bluesign criteria.
Warranty
The warranty information on the Forclaz MT100 Hooded Puffer is a bit unclear — Decathlon states that all Decathlon-brand items are subject to a limited warranty against manufacturer’s defects. But that’s about it.
As for Arc’teryx, the brand offers a limited warranty for the “practical product lifespan,” guaranteeing that it’ll be free from material and workmanship flaws, or you get a free repair. I have personally needed a zipper replaced on an older Arc’teryx jacket, and the staff was happy to help me out, no charge.
Bottom line
If you’re simply looking for a warm-enough fall or winter jacket that’s affordable, water-resistant and lightweight, the Forclaz MT100 Hooded Down Puffer performs surprisingly well for its affordable-to-most price tag. It’s a great option for winter pursuits where temps venture into the low 40s (or 30s, if you’re really moving and grooving) and is the jacket most people should probably buy for occasional or casual outdoor use.
However, if you demand a lot from your puffies, consider splurging on the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody (or put it on your wish list). It performed better than the Decathlon Forclaz in basically all of our tests; it’s warmer and more water-resistant, and the company behind it is more committed to sustainability and better worker standards. So if you live in a rainy climate and weather resistance is a big factor, or you’re venturing into the backcountry and need a truly technical, high-performing puffy, there’s no question the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody is worth the splurge.
