Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody Fleece Jacket Review

There are so many reasons to love a fleece. They’re cozy, comfortable, warm, and they have a lot of performance appeal too: They breathe better than synthetic insulated jackets, and naturally repel moisture. When it comes to picking a fleece that can do a little bit of everything, Arc’teryx’s Kyanite Hoody checks most of those boxes. Not only does its softness, suppleness, and flattering fit make it an excellent choice for hanging around town or the campfire, but its protective features—including durable face fabric, scuba-style hood, and tall collar—help it keep up in the backcountry too. While it’s far from a true performance layer, it’s quickly become one of my go-tos for alpine starts, nights in the backcountry, and writing gear reviews from my home office. Below I detail my experiences with the Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoody. For a more comprehensive view of the market, see our articles on the best fleece jackets, best women's fleece jackets, and best midlayers.
 

Table of Contents

• Warmth
• Breathability
• Weather Resistance
• Comfort
• Weight and Packability
• Key Features
• Build Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Warmth

Truth be told, the Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoody has become one of my favorite jackets for everything from campside hangouts, neighborhood walks with the dog, and chilly shoulder season hikes in the backcountry. Between its polyester fleece interior and sleek nylon face, the Kyanite traps heat better than most other fleeces I’ve tested. What’s more, the exterior offers a softshell-like protection from the wind. Features like long sleeves and elastic cuffs, a lined hood with a tall collar, zippered hand pockets, and extended back length offer even more protection from the cold. Like most fleeces, it doesn’t offer enough warmth to replace a heavier down or synthetic insulated jacket in true winter conditions, but it works well as a midlayer for resort skiing and shoulder season camping.
 

Breathability

Arc’teryx describes the Kyanite hoody as best suited for “low-to-medium-output mountain activities,” which I think sums it up perfectly. There’s no doubt this layer sacrifices some breathability to achieve its warmth. That said, I was surprised by how well it breathed on some higher-output activities I’ve taken it on. I had no issues with overheating while wearing it on the final push to the summit of Eldorado Peak in late May, for example. Do keep in mind that I run cold, so my tolerance (and need) for warmth is maybe higher than most people. But in most cases, this fleece is best suited for pre-sweat output levels (though, if you do get sweaty, the interior fleece does an admirable job at wicking it). 
 

Weather Resistance

While certainly no replacement for a dedicated rain shell or wind jacket, the Kyanite can hold its own in slightly inclement conditions. The nylon face fabric provides a decent amount of protection from gusts and light precipitation. Simply put, I’ve been thankful to have my Kyanite on many ‘o windy summits. However, I wouldn’t suggest relying on this layer for its weatherproofness. For one, the face fabric isn’t reinforced with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating, so while it does a fine job at fending off flurries and light mist, it will be quick to wet out in truly wet conditions. 
 

Comfort

I’ve tested my fair share of fleeces over the years, but the Kyanite remains one of the most comfortable I’ve tried. Arc’teryx uses Polartec’s Power Stretch Pro fleece, which is both soft and stretchy. On the inside, the brushed polyester interior offers a nearly unbeatable next-to-skin softness, making this jacket a pleasure to wear over t-shirts and tank tops. The jacket is also easy to move in thanks to the four-way stretchy fabric and articulated patterning. Details such as a lined scuba hood, soft zipper garage at the top of the collar, and flatlock seams really round out the comfort of this design. 
 

My only gripe with the comfort of the Kyanite is a small one: The hand pockets are lined with a slick mesh fabric rather than the same soft fleece as the jacket’s interior. To be fair, the mesh is far from uncomfortable, but I’d prefer to warm my hands in a fleece-lined pocket. I was surprised to find this detail wasn’t changed in the latest iteration, but I’m holding out hope that it will change in future revisions.

Weight and Packability

Fleeces aren’t known for their weight and packability, especially when compared to down or synthetic insulated jackets, and the Kyanite is no exception. My women’s medium Kyanite hoody weighs in at 13.5 ounces on my scale. For comparison's sake, my medium midweight synthetic Outdoor Research Vesper Insulated Hoody weighs an ounce less. That may not seem like much, but it makes the Vesper the clear warmth-to-weight winner. The Vesper and most other synthetic or down insulated jackets are easier to pack down or stuff in a backpack. That said, I didn’t mind the weight of my Kyanite while backpacking in the Kananaskis backcountry because I knew the at-camp comfort would be worth it. The Kyanite Hoody can pack down to about the size of two standard Nalgenes inside its own hood, but I prefer stuffing it between the gear in my backpack to fill empty space.
 

Key Features

Storage: Pockets

The Kyanite hoody has four pockets in total: two hand pockets and two interior dump pockets. The hand pockets are generously-sized and can easily hold a smartphone or other similarly-sized gear. As I mentioned above, I’m not the biggest fan of the mesh lining, but it’s far from a dealbreaker. The interior dump pockets are new for this version, though I’d hesitate to deem them anything revolutionary. The previous version had a similar mesh panel on the inside, but the bottoms weren’t stitched closed. The new version has simply added stitching to make those panels functional pockets. I haven’t gotten much use out of these pockets personally, but they are big enough to hold gloves, a phone, or even a small notebook.

Hood

As mentioned above, I’m a big fan of the Kyanite’s hood. The design was updated slightly in the newest version to add a soft nylon brim to the front. While the brim doesn’t offer much more protection, it does provide a more flattering fit. The fleece-lined interior is especially nice on chilly camping nights. And when combined with the tall collar, the hood offers great protection from the wind.
 

Build Quality and Durability

As I’ve come to expect from Arc’teryx, the Kyanite boasts a premium build quality. This jacket has so far held up well to being worn under a pack, being stuffed at the very bottom of my backpacking backpack, and countless rounds of washing and the occasional accidental trip through the dryer with little wear to show for it. A closer look reveals some pilling along the seams and fabric along the shoulders, but nothing too noticeable. The newest version also features a zipper reinforcement along the hand pockets and a durable plastic zipper pull (the previous version had a fabric pull). 
 

I just have one small durability concern: The newest version has merrow seams on the outside of the jacket, which exposes the thread more than the previous version. While I haven’t had any specific issues with the seams to date, I could see them being prone to wear overtime. Nitpicks aside, I have no serious concerns with the long-term durability of this jacket, which could make the hefty price tag worth the investment for some.

Fit and Sizing

I normally wear a size medium in tops and jackets (for reference, I’m 5’8”), and my medium Kyanite Hoody fits excellently. It's long enough to cover my lower back for protection from the elements, and the sleeves cover my wrists completely. It's also sleek and form-fitting enough to layer effortlessly under a hardshell or insulated jacket. The most recent version of the Kyanite also has an updated fit: Compared to the last version that I also tested, the newest iteration doesn’t bunch up as much in the midsection and has a more flattering fit along the hips. In my opinion, the Kyanite is a better casual-crossover contender than most performance fleeces I’ve tested due to its complimentary silhouette. I have no problem wearing this one straight to dinner after getting out of the backcountry.
 

Sustainability

Like many brands of late, Arc’teryx incorporated several sustainability updates in the newest version of the Kyanite Hoody. To start, the Polartec Power Stretch Pro fabric uses recycled content, though Arc’teryx doesn’t specify the amount or type. The jacket is also free of any PFAS chemicals (also known as “forever chemicals”) that are known to be harmful to the environment and consumers. Arc’teryx also claims that this newest design “facilitates repair,” though there’s no specifics on what that entails. 
 

Brand aside, it’s worth pointing out that fleeces fall into a sustainability grey area. Fleece is a petroleum-based material, meaning it’s constructed from plastic and its manufacturing can result in greenhouse gas emissions and potentially unsafe work environments. Polartec’s use of recycled materials helps minimize these effects, but it’s not perfect. Some brands are increasing their use of natural fabrics as a way to avoid these concerns, so we’re curious to see if Arc’teryx picks up on the trend in future versions of the Kyanite. 

Other Versions of the Arc'teryx Kyanite

I tested the women’s version of the Kyanite Hoody, but Arc’teryx also offers the fleece in a men’s version. Besides fit, the only difference between the men’s and women’s is color options. Arc’teryx also offers a hoodless version that costs a bit less than the Hoody. Another option is the Kyanite Lightweight Hoody which is (as the name suggests) a lighter-weight and more breathable version of the standard Hoody, and it features Arc’teryx’s in-house Torrent fleece. Men get a couple more options in the Kyanite family, including a pullover and pants.
 

What We Like

• Sleek nylon face fabric and soft polyester interior traps heat and blocks wind, making the jacket a warm addition to campside hangouts and cold weather activities.
• Holds up surprisingly well to wind and light precipitation, but still isn’t an alternative to a rain shell or wind jacket.
• Supremely comfortable; next-to-skin soft fleece interior, lined scuba hood, and supple fabric for ample mobility.
• Aside from some concern regarding the exposed exterior seams, the rest of the jacket is extremely well-built and has so far proven durable.
• Updated fit is even more flattering, especially along the midsection and hips.
• Crosses over well between the backcountry and around-town wear.

What We Don’t

• Emphasizes warmth over breathability; best suited for low-to-medium output activities.
• Like most fleece jackets, it’s not the lightest weight or most packable layer.
• Some small nitpicks include mesh-lined hand pockets (fleece would be softer), wear-prone exposed exterior seams, and slight pilling along the shoulders.
• Fleece jackets are inherently less eco-friendly than wool or other natural fabrics.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Kyanite’s strong performance in both performance and casual environments have pushed it to the top of our list of favorite fleeces for many seasons, but there’s no shortage of options to consider. Keeping within Arc’teryx’s line, the Covert Cardigan is a slightly cheaper and slightly more casual-leaning option. The Covert’s Alpenex fleece won’t get you the same stretch as the Kyanite’s Polartec, but it does boast a wool-like stylishness that’s sure to earn compliments around the campfire or town. What’s more, the Covert is made with 100% recycled polyester, which gives the Kyanite’s undisclosed amount of recycled content a run for its money. 

If performance is what you’re looking for, Patagonia’s R1 line is worth considering. The R1 CrossStrata Hoody is insulated with the brand’s iconic zig-zag R1 fleece that does a better job at regulating temperature than the Kyanite: The fleece traps warmth, but gaps between the patterning lets heat escape when the going gets sweaty. The CrossStrata has a water- and wind-resistant face fabric that’s reinforced with a PFAS-free DWR coating for even more protection. While we have to hand it to the Kyanite for comfort, the CrossStrata is a better choice for backcountry performance (and at a lower price to boot). 
 

Fjallraven’s Keb Fleece Hoodie is closer to the Kynaite in terms of intention and styling. Like the Kyanite, the Keb has a soft fleece interior and sleek face fabric with just a touch of elastane for mobility. While it can certainly keep up on low-output endeavors, it does become a bit too heavy and thick for true heart-pumping pursuits. Unlike the Kyanite, however, the Keb uses a recycled polyester and wool blend, which gives it the upper hand in terms of sustainability. It also has G-1000 reinforcements over the shoulders and hood, making it slightly more durable. The sacrifice is weight, packability, and price, but the Keb and Kyanite really do finish neck-in-neck for their casual-crossover appeal.
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