REASONS TO BUY
Stylish
Highly breathable
Incredible comfort
Versatile
REASONS TO AVOID
Pilling
Costly
No chest pocket
Baggy fit
Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody Review
An extremely comfortable fleece that equally belongs in the city or in the mountains
Credit: Zach Lovell
RELATED: Best Fleece Jackets for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
The Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody is an impressively versatile fleece for hanging around town or adventuring. With a Nylon face acting as a shell, the brushed interior makes this piece among the most comfortable options tested while still offering mountain performance. With 4-way stretch fabric, we loved the freedom of movement found in the Kyanite, whether rock climbing, skiing, or winter hiking. Much to our surprise, this midweight fleece also boasts great breathability, keeping us from overheating on big days outside. This garment started pilling fairly quickly, and we did miss having a chest pocket, but if this option fits your budget, it's a phenomenal pick for your next fleece. Some prefer an athletic fit in their fleece, but the Kyanite is a baggier cut than other options, so be sure to check out our full review on fleece jacket men.
Editor's note: The Kyanite Hoody was previously known as the Kyanite AR Hoody. Also, it is substantially different from the similarly named Kyanite Lightweight Hoody. Among more granular changes in materials, the largest difference is that this Kyanite Hoody is a midweight-class fleece, and the Kyanite Lightweight Hoody, as the name suggests, is a lightweight-class fleece.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Most Versatile |  Best Overall Fleece Jacket |  | Best Bang for the Buck | Best on a Tight Budget |
| Price | $200 List $200.00 at REI | $159.00 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | $71.97 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $88.95 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | $26 List $25.72 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A stylish and comfy fleece that’s both functional and fashionable | A stylish and comfortable fleece that is lightweight yet warm | This lightweight and breathable fleece with excellent performance at a price that's hard to beat | A budget-friendly option that provides comfort and performance in an aesthetic package | A breathable fleece that’s several times cheaper than the competition |
| Rating Categories | Arc'teryx Kyanite H... | Patagonia R1 Air Fu... | Outdoor Research Vi... | The North Face Cany... | Wrangler Authentics... |
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Layering Ability (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Arc'teryx Kyanite H... | Patagonia R1 Air Fu... | Outdoor Research Vi... | The North Face Cany... | Wrangler Authentics... |
| Measured Weight (Size Tested) | 14.8 oz (Size M) | 12.8 oz (Size S) | 13.2 oz (Size M) | 14.6 oz (Size M) | 12.5 oz (Size S) |
| Type | Midweight | Lightweight | Lightweight | Midweight | Midweight |
| Main Material | Body: 53% polyester, 38% nylon, 9% elastane | Body: 100% polyester | Body: 94% polyester, 6% spandex | Body: 96% recycled 75D polyester, 4% elastance fleece (solid fabric); 56% recycled polyester, 40% polyester, 4% elastance fleece (heather fabric) | Body: 100% polyester |
| Hood Option? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Number of Pockets | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Features | Nylon face outer with a brushed polyester interior, 4-way stretch textile | Slim-fit hood, quick drying | Thumb holes, UPF 30, 3-panel hood with binding | 3 piece hood, smooth-face fleece with brushed back, elastic bound hood, cuffs, and hem | Quarter-length zipper, double fleece layering on back |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody is one of our favorites due to its versatility. We could effortlessly go from a coffee shop hang to the ski slopes in this fleece without missing a beat. While this isn't the lightest option out there, if you want a do-it-all layer, the Kyanite is worthy of your consideration.
Performance Comparison
We tested the Kyanite for several weeks across the western US.
Credit: Dan Wolfskill
Warmth
One of the primary jobs of a fleece is to offer warmth to its wearer, so we rated this metric at 25% of the total score. We tested this metric by putting boiled water into a bottle and measuring how long it took for that bottle to drop to 150°F while inside the fleece. We also investigated each fleece's wind resistance by putting each product in front of the same fan at the same setting. Finally, we made notations of perceived warmth while recreating in wintry environments. The Kyanite scored very well in this metric, landing near the top when compared to other products in our review.
The Kyanite offers excellent warmth, keeping the water bottle above 150°F for 1 hour and 25 minutes in testing. Compared to some, this was an impressive 20 minutes longer, making it an excellent choice for those seeking heat retention from their fleece.
This layer performed well during our thermometer test.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The nylon face also acts as a sort of fleece shell, with decent wind resistance for this class of layer. In occasional light snow, we could even keep our hardshell jacket in the bag. After extensive field testing, we were thoroughly impressed with this product in the warmth metric.
Even on snowy days, the Kyanite offers excellent warmth for a fleece.
Credit: Dan Wolfskill
Comfort
Comfort is one of the main aspects of a fleece's likeability, so it's worth 25% of the total score. We tested each fleece's comfort by assessing how much it bunches around the arms, waist, chest, neck, and stomach. We also sized up its coverage, moving our arms in various positions to see if the garment kept our upper body covered. Lastly, we made notations throughout testing to see how comfortable the fabric was against our skin. The Kyanite scored very highly in this metric.
When examining coverage and fabric-against-skin comfort, the Kyanite was nearly perfect, with the cozy brushed interior keeping us covered regardless of arm and body position. This version of the Kyanite has a more baggy fit, so it does bunch some around the chest and stomach. If you're looking for an athletic cut fleece, we'd steer you elsewhere, but many won't mind the more casual feel and aesthetic of the Kyanite. In field testing, we could effortlessly move our upper bodies rock climbing, and we even enjoyed this piece while working in the office.
This layer is incredibly comfortable and offers excellent range of motion.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Breathability
Breathability makes up 20% of the total score. We tested this metric by taking every fleece on sustained outdoor adventures of similar length and output, notating each garment's ability to breathe along the way. We also investigated features that can further enhance each product's breathability. The Kyanite greatly surprised us with a very high score despite being a midweight fleece.
The Kyanite kept us from overheating across several weeks of testing, from backcountry and resort skiing to ice climbing. The Polartec Powerstretch Pro includes a nylon face with a brushed interior underneath, helping usher body heat away from the innermost layer. The waist pockets do offer venting if left unzipped, though we wish Arc'Teryx had included a chest pocket as well, which can offer additional venting or convenience for carrying a cell phone. The bottom line is that breathability is one of the best reasons to consider this as your next fleece.
We were pleasantly surprised by the top-notch breathability of the Kyanite even though it's a midweight fleece.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Layering Ability
We weighted layering ability at 15% of the total score, given that most fleece options will be part of a layering system. We tested this metric by comparing each option's ability to fit layers underneath and over the jacket. This fleece scored near the top in this metric, further confirming that it's a high-quality option.
The Kyanite, uniquely, can be used as a next-to-baselayer jacket or can be used as a mid-layer over other clothing. Arc'teryx managed to nail the delicate balance between having a relaxed, baggy fit without greatly increasing the overall bulk. The 4-way stretch also makes it easier for this jacket to be worn over other layers without feeling like a character out of “A Christmas Story” who puts on so many layers they can't put their arms down. For around-town hangs, this layer easily fit over a collared shirt and underneath a puffy coat.
We were able to use this fleece as an under or outer layer.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Weight
We gave weight 15% of the overall score of the fleece jackets we tested. We tested this metric by weighing each fleece on the same scale and recording our findings. As a midweight fleece, the Kyanite lands further back in the pack.
While the Kyanite does most things well, it's not the lightest fleece we tested. Given the amount of warmth this layer offers, it wasn't a surprise to our testers when we saw the higher numbers on the scale. At 14.84 ounces, this is still a far cry from our heaviest options reviewed, and many will likely have no issues with the weight. It is a bit bulkier than some of the competition, but most shoppers will be able to fit this layer in their pack.
The strap used to contain this fleece weighs .05 ounces, putting the Kyanite at 14.84 ounces.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy the Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody?
If you're looking for a do-it-all hoody for going to dinner and the mountains, keep this at the top of your list. The Kyanite isn't the most technical layer, and we'd steer you elsewhere if you're seeking something light and boasting a more athletic cut. We thoroughly enjoyed testing this piece and were pleasantly surprised by its high performance despite its more casual appearance.
The Arc'teryx Kyanite is a worthy option for shoppers seeking a do-everything fleece.
Credit: Zach Lovell
What Other Fleece Jackets Should You Consider?
If you're looking for a more technical option, we'd recommend the Rab Ascendor Summit Hoody, which has a slimmer fit. If you were put off by the Kyanite's weight, take a look at The North Face Summit Series FutureFleece Full-Zip Hoodie.
—Zach Lovell
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