Waterproofing
The Verglas Insulator’s fabric is DWR treated and has dealt well with small amounts of precipitation, although I doubt it could handle much exposure in a downpour or snowstorm. Granted, this really isn’t its intended purpose.
Despite the DWR treatment, the jacket’s seams are sewn through the fabric, opening up potential wind and waterways at every stitch. This also makes the jacket more wind-permeable.
Durability
While admittedly I haven’t been very rough on the Verglas Insulator and I’ve only spent ~20 days in it, I haven’t noticed any tears or issues with the stitching. That’s more than I can say for my Micro Puff—threads ripped out of the seams about two weeks after I bought it. (Patagonia has since changed the design of the Micro Puff, and the jacket has fewer outer seams, hopefully making it more durable.)
Bottom Line
On the whole, the Verglas Insulator is a versatile jacket—it’s light and warm, and I’ve enjoyed wearing it while skiing and walking around on my college campus.
Although it is $71 more expensive than the Patagonia Micro Puff, the Verglas Insulator is warmer, lighter, and so far, more durable. If you don’t mind a little extra length in the torso, then the Verglas Insulator is a great option for outdoor adventures and time spent around town.