The Better Sweater is one of Patagonia’s most popular styles, which makes a lot of sense when you think about it. The design—not too technical, but not too vintage-y, either—is perfect for the kind of guy who likes to look pulled-together without drawing a lot of attention to himself. Plus, it gets the job done. Worn on its own on brisk days or as a mid-layer when the temperature drops, it’ll keep you warm and last for years. It’s easy. Dependable. Solid.
But is “solid” good enough? Depends on who you ask. Patagonia makes a wide range of jackets and sweaters in everything from packable down to classic wool. If I had to choose, personally, I’d pick something from that lineup. But the Better Sweater might be perfect for you. So, what’s the right call? Let’s break it down.
Who should buy a Better Sweater?
If you want something that’s not too technical and not too fashion forward, the Better Sweater is it. It’s warm, functional mid-layer, but it’s heavier than more specialized fleece, down, or synthetic insulators. It’ll keep you cozy down to around 40°F, then it’ll serve as a good layer beneath a windbreaker or rain shell. It’s durable. Even if it pills, it’ll still do its job. It doesn’t require the upkeep that a down jacket might, and it performs better than down in damp conditions. It looks more put together than super technical mid-layers, so for a certain type of guy it’s passable to wear in the city. (Though, I encourage you to reach for greater fashion heights.) That’s my pitch. If any of that appeals to you, buy this jacket now, and you won’t be disappointed. But if you’re interested in some of my better performing or better looking alternatives, keep on reading.
Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Jacket
What are some more technical alternatives?
When I’m thinking of jackets I’d buy before a Better Sweater, I tend to think about the more technical mid-layers, because high-tech layering is what Patagonia is really about. The main alternative to a Better Sweater that I’d recommend is anything from the R1 line. The standard R1, the R1 Air, or the R1 Thermal are all more-technical, easier-to-pack fleece options. The R1 fleeces use recycled polyester like the Better Sweater, but these are woven in a more performance-focused grid pattern. Similar to technical waffle knits of old, these fleeces have a phenomenal warmth-to-weight ratio, and they’re all about half the weight of a Better Sweater or less. If you’re planning on wearing a fleece as a mid-layer while skiing, hiking, or climbing, I’d recommend one of these.
Beyond the one-to-one fleece alternatives, you can go for a down or synthetic mid-layer. A Down Sweater, synthetic fill Nano Puff, or Nano Air are all a lot more technical and a lot more expensive. But they also have the benefit of looking a bit nicer for city wear, in my opinion.
Patagonia R1 Air Zip-Neck
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Patagonia R1 Fleece Pullover
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Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
And some more fashionable options.
Speaking of city wear, I’ll close out with a few less-performance alternatives to a Better Sweater. If you don’t want one of those technical mid-layers, I’d suggest you just lean into the fact that you want to look cool wearing this as a standalone layer.
As far as fleece goes, nothing beats a Retro-X. It’s Patagonia’s coolest-looking jacket, in my opinion. That said, the Retro-X is the only jacket on this list heavier than a Better Sweater. Another option I’d replace a Better Sweater with is an old-school looking fisherman’s Cable-Knit Sweater. Patagonia makes a great one, using a blend of wool and nylon to make sure these sweaters are ridiculously warm while still being durable. Plus, they’re a bit more lightweight than a Better Sweater, even if more bulky when folded. If you’re a Patagonia guy—I assume you are if you’re here—either of those are still going to fit the whole outdoorsy look. But I think they’re just a bit more interesting.
Patagonia Classic Retro-X Fleece Jacket
Patagonia Wool-Blend Cable-Knit Sweater
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If after all this you’re still feeling a Better Sweater, here’s my advice: Buy it. Like I said, it’s a solid jacket. If you’re looking for a simple fleece that’ll look fine in town but can also handle a quick day hike or weekend camping trip, the Better Sweater is a perfectly capable jacket. All I’m saying is don’t ignore the rest of the Patagonia lineup. There’s a lot of gold to be found in that mine.
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