Faherty vs Patagonia: which zip-up to buy, and when
Both land in the premium tier: the Faherty Legend Zip Sweater Hoodie at $158, the Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Jacket at $159, $1 apart. Here is how they stack up, head to head.
| Faherty | Patagonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $158 | $159 |
| Material | Proprietary Legend sweater knit or soft fleece, mid-weight with a notably plush, brushed interior. | Recycled polyester sweater-knit fleece, ~14oz, fair-trade sewn. |
| Fit | Relaxed, comfortable cut with an easy body; generally true to size with room to layer. | Regular fit, true to size; reads casual-smart rather than athletic. |
| Quality | Smooth zipper, soft ribbed trims and clean seams; finishing supports the cozy, casual intent. | Built to last and be repaired — durable warm fleece, solid zipper; the knit face pills slightly over years. |
| Best for | Comfort-focused buyers wanting an exceptionally soft, relaxed zip layer for coastal-casual wear. | Casual-smart layering, cold weather, and anyone who values longevity and repairability. |
| Care | Machine wash cold gentle and lay flat or tumble dry low to protect the soft knit surface. | Cold wash and tumble low; Patagonia will repair it rather than have you replace it. |
Faherty's Legend Zip ($158) and Patagonia's Better Sweater ($159) are a dollar apart and both go for a sweater-knit fleece look, but they're built for different timelines. Faherty prioritizes hand-feel: a plush brushed interior, a relaxed easy body, and a soft proprietary knit. Patagonia prioritizes longevity: a ~14oz recycled-poly sweater fleece, fair-trade sewn, with a solid zipper and a repair-and-recycle program behind it.
- The case for Faherty
- plush brushed interior, softer hand-feel, relaxed roomy fit, room to layer
- The case for Patagonia
- ~14oz durable fleece, repair-and-recycle program, fair-trade sewn, strong cost-per-wear
VerdictThe pick
Effectively the same price, so decide on what matters more to you. Buy the Faherty if softness and a relaxed drape are the point and you want the cozier layer. Buy the Patagonia if you want something you'll keep for years: the ~14oz fleece and the repairability drive the cost-per-wear down, with the trade-off that the knit face pills slightly over time. One wins on first touch, the other wins on the long haul.
This link may pay us when you click or buy, at no extra cost to you.