REASONS TO BUY
Soft jersey-knit cuffs
100% recycled polyester
Laminated low-profile pockets
REASONS TO AVOID
Wind permeable
Fleece is not the softest
Bunches in elbows
Expensive
Arc'teryx Covert Cardigan Review
This traditional, sweater-knit fleece is a warm mid-layer in the winter and a stylish outer layer on cool fall days
Credit: Arc'teryx
RELATED: Best Fleece Jackets for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
The Arc'Teryx Covert Cardigan is a solid choice for general use around town. It looks great and has a regular fit that is flattering for a wide range of wearers. Its sweater-knit styling gives the appearance of a wool jacket, but it is not scratchy and is much softer on the inside than actual wool. During testing, it performed well in most metrics but didn't wow us in any particular way regarding its backcountry prowess. It is warm, but there are warmer options out there, it is comfortable but isn't the softest of the bunch, and it layers decently but also bunches sometimes. There is nothing we dislike about this jacket, but there's also not a whole love that we absolutely love.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Arc'teryx Covert Cardigan | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Fleece Jacket |  Best Technical Layer |  Best Bang for the Buck | Best on a Tight Budget | |
| Price | $180 List $180.00 at REI | $159.00 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | $199.95 at Evo Compare at 2 sellers | $71.97 at Amazon Compare at 4 sellers | $26 List $25.72 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A 100% recycled polyester fleece with fashion-forward style for a variety of outdoor adventures and in-town activities | A stylish and comfortable fleece that is lightweight yet warm | A year-round layer for any of your technical mountain pursuits, even in stormy conditions | This lightweight and breathable fleece with excellent performance at a price that's hard to beat | A breathable fleece that’s several times cheaper than the competition |
| Rating Categories | Arc'teryx Covert Ca... | Patagonia R1 Air Fu... | Rab Ascendor Summit... | Outdoor Research Vi... | Wrangler Authentics... |
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Layering Ability (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Arc'teryx Covert Ca... | Patagonia R1 Air Fu... | Rab Ascendor Summit... | Outdoor Research Vi... | Wrangler Authentics... |
| Measured Weight | 18.6 oz | 12.8 oz | 11.6 oz | 13.2 oz | 12.5 oz |
| Type | Midweight | Lightweight | Lightweight | Lightweight | Midweight |
| Main Material | Body: Alpenex II, 100% recycled polyester | Body: 100% polyester | Body: 20D Pertex Quantum Air, Thermic G fleece, polyester knit | Body: 94% polyester, 6% spandex | Body: 100% polyester |
| Hood Option? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| # of Pockets | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Features | Laminated pockets | Slim-fit hood, quick drying | Body mapped fabric positioning, flatlocked seams, wind resistant zipper, under helmet hood, thumb loops | Thumb holes, UPF 30, 3-panel hood with binding | Quarter-length zipper, double fleece layering on back |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
This midweight fleece is made from 100% recycled Alpenex II polyester. The knit style of the material is durable and looks nice. The laminated pockets are low profile and keep contents well-protected from the elements.
Performance Comparison
The Covert Cardigan is a bit bulky but it's a nice option for early spring walks or a casual day out.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Warmth
This jacket is warm but doesn't quite live up to expectations, given how bulky the fabric is. The fleece is high-volume but not especially dense, so it's quite wind-permeable. Having said that, there are additional mesh panels on the inside of the abdomen for a second layer of protection. In our experience, the neck is not quite large enough to burrow down into, so we had to rely on alternate face coverings to block the wind when conditions got gusty.
The interior fleece is not as soft as other models but it is plenty warm.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Comfort
As with many other elements of this garment, it's not bad, but it's also not exceptional. The fleece is reasonably soft on the inside, though somewhat stiff compared to several of the much stretchier hoody models in the category. Though we wouldn't choose it as our primary lounging option, we do appreciate the jersey-knit cuffs and waist, and these were especially useful on damp days when abrasion would have been an issue. The lay-flat seams and low-profile zippers are also nice but ultimately do more for fashion than for comfort, though we do like that the main zip has a garage at the top so it's not cold against the skin.
The neck is lined with stretch knit fabric which is soft and comfortable and doesn't get matted from sweat and dirt like fleece does.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Breathability
This fleece sort of splits the difference between warmth and breathability. When we started sweating on hikes, it was hard to cool down, and we just ended up taking off the jacket altogether. Even just wearing it around town, when the sun came out, sweat tended to stay in the garment rather than wick away.
The knit fleece is thick but has space between threads for modest breathability.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Layering Ability
The Covert Cardigan has slightly above-average layerability. Though we did sometimes find it difficult to pull on (it doesn't have thumb loops, and the fabric can be very clingy), it fits easily over a base layer. Similarly, it's form-fitting enough that it doesn't bunch underneath a winter coat, though, again, the fabric's thickness means that the sleeves can feel bunchy.
This jacket is bulky but still fits well underneath a shell without sticking out at the bottom.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Weight
The Covert is one of the heavier models in this review. Weighing in at 18.9 ounces, it's definitely not a fast-and-light jacket for the backcountry. It can also get quite bunchy and takes up a lot of space in a daypack. Despite the weight, it also does not have a hood, as do many of its lighter-weight counterparts, so its fabric is even heavier than given the amount of coverage it offers.
The Covert Cardigan is a midweight fleece that is also one of the heaviest in the review.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Should You Buy the Arc'teryx Covert Cardigan?
The Covert Cardigan is the right choice for those who prefer to spend as much of their time outdoors in the front country and walking around town as they do in the wilderness. It is a warm mid-layer that is designed with fashion in mind. Though it's not the strongest backcountry performer, it is a reliable all-around mid-layer that is well-suited for most people.
What Other Fleece Jackets Should You Consider?
If you are set on this particular style of sweater-knit fleece, but this model is a little too slim, we recommend the full zip Patagonia Better Sweater or the Kuhl Interceptr 1/4 Zip. If you are open to another hoodless classic fleece, the Cotopaxi Teca Full Zip is a colorful (and less expensive) alternative.
With a few nice features and a goo-looking knit style, this fleece is a solid general-use jacket.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
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Ben Applebaum-Bauch
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