Arc’teryx Cerium vs Thorium Jacket: Which is Better?

When it comes to choosing the perfect jacket for your outdoor adventures, the Arc’teryx Men’s Cerium Jacket and the Arc’teryx Men’s Thorium Jacket stand out as two great pieces of gear.

Each jacket offers unique features tailored to different needs, making them ideal companions for various activities.

The Cerium Jacket is celebrated for its lightweight design and impressive warmth-to-weight ratio, making it perfect for alpine missions and backcountry excursions.

The Thorium Jacket excels in serious cold conditions, providing enhanced durability and warmth for everyday use and travel.

We’ll compare the key differences between these two jackets, helping you make an informed choice for your next outdoor adventure!

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1. Arc’teryx Men’s Cerium Jacket

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The Arc’teryx Men’s Cerium Jacket is a light, warm down jacket that excels as an alpine midlayer and versatile standalone. Previously known as the Cerium LT Jacket, this Fair Trade Certified piece is proven across various alpine missions and backcountry adventures.

It packs small, weighs little, and delivers significant warmth. The design has been refined for optimal fit and efficiency, utilizing more sustainable materials while maintaining an outstanding warmth-to-weight ratio.

The jacket features responsibly-sourced 850 fill down and Coreloft synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas, a recycled 15D Arato nylon outer, and a bio-derived liner. The streamlined design is articulated for freedom of movement.

Main Features and Materials

Important Features:

• Moisture-resistant outer face fabric
• Breathable
• Great warmth-to-weight ratio
• Lightweight and compressible
• Wind resistant
• Insulated collar with mid-height to seal out drafts
• Down Composite Mapping for strategic insulation placement
• Stretchy cuffs
• Trim fit for ideal layering
• Adjustable hem drawcord to seal out drafts
• Includes stuff sack for compact transport
• Articulated patterning for unrestricted mobility
• Two hand pockets with zippers and an internal zippered security pocket
• TPU zipper pulls reduce noise and are easy to grab
• Reverse coil center-front zipper for improved durability

Materials:

• Insulation: 850 fill European white goose down (RDS certified)
• Synthetic Insulation: Coreloft 100 (100 g/m²) and 80 (80 g/m²) – 80% recycled polyester (bluesign Approved Material)
• Outer Fabric: Recycled 15D Arato nylon (dope dyed)
• Lining: Downproof 20D plant-based Arato liner (60% bio-derived material, FC0 DWR)
• Fabric Origin: Japan
• Weight: 300g / 10.6 oz

Sustainability:

• Contains materials meeting the bluesign criteria
• Recycled content in body fabric
• Bluesign-approved insulation material
• Bio-derived liner material
• Dope dyed process reduces water and energy usage
• Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified down
• PFAS compliant

Sizes Available:

• XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL

Activities Suitable For:

• Alpine
• Rock climbing
• Hiking
• Resort wear
• Everyday use

Manufacturing:

• Built by Mensa Industries Company Limited in Vietnam
• Fair Trade Certified, supporting worker well-being through additional funds

This jacket is designed to provide exceptional warmth and functionality while adhering to high sustainability and ethical standards.

2. Arc’teryx Men’s Thorium Jacket

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The Arc’teryx Men’s Thorium Jacket is a warm, versatile, and standalone jacket insulated with responsibly-sourced goose down. Perfect for serious cold, it offers efficient performance, comfort, and durability.

The jacket features a lightweight, abrasion-resistant Arato 30 nylon shell and Down Composite Mapping for strategic insulation placement. A bio-derived liner reduces petroleum use, while a DWR treatment repels water. Multiple pockets provide ample storage.

Main Features:

• Moisture-resistant outer face fabric
• Breathable
• Lightweight, compressible, and packable
• Wind resistant
• High collar for added warmth
• Down Composite Mapping for strategic insulation
• 750 fill-power grey goose down for premium warmth
• Downproof 20D plant-based Arato liner to reduce petroleum use
• Stretchy cuffs
• Regular fit for freedom of movement
• FC0-DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish
• Dual lower hem adjusters
• Includes stuff sack for compact transport
• Articulated patterning for unrestricted mobility
• Multiple pockets: chest pocket with zip, two hand pockets with zippers, two internal dump pockets
• Two-way front zipper

Materials:

• Arato 30 – 100% nylon (self)
• Arato 20 – 100% nylon, 60% bio-derived material (lining)
• 750 fill grey goose down – RDS-certified
• Coreloft 140 (140 g/m²) and 80 (80 g/m²) – 80% recycled polyester, bluesign approved

This jacket is designed for travel, commuting, and everyday activities, offering a perfect balance of warmth, durability, and functionality.

3. Comparison

Here are the main differences between these two products:

• Weight:
  • Cerium: 300g / 10.6 oz
  • Thorium: 470g / 1 lb 0.6 oz
• Fit:
  • Cerium: Trim fit
  • Thorium: Regular fit
• Insulation:
  • Cerium: 850 fill European white goose down with Coreloft synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas
  • Thorium: 750 fill grey goose down with Coreloft synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas
• Outer Fabric:
  • Cerium: Recycled 15D Arato nylon
  • Thorium: Lightweight, abrasion-resistant Arato 30 nylon
• Design:
  • Cerium: Designed as an alpine mid-layer and standalone; highly packable and lightweight
  • Thorium: Designed as a standalone jacket for serious cold; more durable and slightly heavier
• Pockets:
  • Cerium: Two hand pockets with zippers; internal zippered security pocket
  • Thorium: Chest pocket with zipper; two hand pockets with zippers; two internal dump pockets
• Collar:
  • Cerium: Mid-height collar
  • Thorium: High collar for added warmth
• Hem Adjusters:
  • Cerium: Adjustable hem drawcord
  • Thorium: Dual lower hem adjusters
• Manufacturing Facility:
  • Cerium: Mensa Industries Company Limited, Vietnam
  • Thorium: Youngone (CEPZ) LTD, Bangladesh
• Activities:
  • Cerium: Alpine / Rock / Hike / Resort / Everyday
  • Thorium: Travel / Commute / Everyday

4. Which is Better?

The Arc’teryx Men’s Cerium Jacket is an excellent choice for those seeking a lightweight, packable, and warm jacket that excels as an alpine midlayer or a versatile standalone piece.

Its 850 fill European white goose down provides exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for activities where minimizing weight and maximizing warmth is crucial, such as alpine missions and backcountry adventures.

The Cerium Jacket’s trim fit and use of Coreloft synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas enhance its performance in variable conditions. Additionally, its recycled 15D Arato nylon outer and bio-derived liner underscore a commitment to sustainability.

On the other side, the Arc’teryx Men’s Thorium Jacket is better suited for seriously cold conditions where warmth is the primary concern. It features 750 fill grey goose down and a more robust Arato 30 nylon shell, which offers increased durability and abrasion resistance.

This makes the Thorium ideal for everyday use, travel, and commuting in cold weather. The jacket’s regular fit allows for layering underneath, providing greater versatility in fluctuating temperatures.

The Thorium’s high collar and dual lower hem adjusters add to its ability to retain warmth, making it a reliable choice for staying comfortable outdoors in harsh conditions.

In conclusion: choose the Cerium Jacket when you need a light, compressible option for high-intensity activities or layering, and the Thorium Jacket when you need maximum warmth and durability for cold weather and everyday use.