Patagonia Torrentshell

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Patagonia Torrentshell Review Facts

Anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it be for walking or for performing activities such as climbing, hiking, or skiing, knows that it is important to have a jacket that will withstand all types of weather conditions. While you ideally avoid doing much when it is raining and storming outside, you can’t always be certain of what the weather is going to be like for the day and might find yourself caught in the middle of a storm while out hiking. For this, it is essential that you have something which will be able to resist the rain so that you won’t get wet and cold.

The Patagonia Torrentshell jacket is perfect for wearing in the rain. Not only that, but it is also a great jacket to wear regardless, and you don’t necessarily have to limit yourself to wearing this jacket while out hiking or climbing. Many people who own this jacket say that it is a great option for anyone who is looking for something casual, comfortable, lightweight, and durable, and you can even wear this for more casual, everyday occasions.

The jacket is made out of recycled nylon, which aids in the jacket’s ability to withstand some lighter rain. It also is perfect if you are looking something that is easily transportable, since you can easily pack the jacket away into its pocket. And its light weight means that it won’t be an extra weight in your backpack.

Besides that, the jacket has an adjustable hood and cuffs, which also enables you to stay warm and keep out any rain. However, some people noticed that this jacket isn’t the best to wear in much heavier rain conditions, and there are cheaper options on the market that offer some of the same things. But, many agreed that this is an option worth looking into.

Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
  • The jacket is very light and packable, which means that it is easy to take anywhere you need to have it with you

  • The jacket provides good protection against different kinds of weather conditions, making it versatile to wear whenever you want

  • The Torrentshell is made out of highly durable materials despite its light weight

  • The hood and wrists of the jacket can be adjusted

  • There is microfleece around the back of the jacket’s neck part

Cons
  • There are many more affordable options on the market that offer similar features

  • The jacket is not made out of the most breathable materials on the market

     

Brand

Patagonia is a brand that is well known for creating top quality gear for the outdoors. Some of this gear includes jackets, snow gear, coats, backpacks, and water bottles. Most people who are into doing activities in the outdoors like products that are made by Patagonia, but often shy away from purchasing them due to the fact that Patagonia tends to make products that retail for much more than other similar products on the market. However, one area that makes Patagonia stand out is the fact that its products are very durable, which might not necessarily be the case for gear that is much, much cheaper. If you choose to purchase anything from this brand, you can almost be rest assured that it will be lasting you for several years. Many people who purchased this jacket, in particular, said that it was made out of high-quality materials and that, despite it being pricier than some other options, it was worth it.

Price

The Torrentshell jacket, as we mentioned, is not necessarily the cheapest rain jacket on the market- its official price is $129, although you may be able to find it for differing prices online (though it seems that the options on Amazon are more expensive than on the actual Patagonia site). If you are looking for a jacket that has the features that this one has to offer, then this may be a viable option and completely worth the price.

Breathability

Being active in the outdoors means that you will want to have clothes that are as breathable as possible. This is because you are going to work up a sweat after having done so much activity and you will want to remain as cool and dry as possible. Breathability and breathable fabrics are important features that people look for when it comes to athletic gear.

Unfortunately, this is also one area where the Patagonia Torrentshell is lacking. That is not to say that the jacket is not breathable at all, but it does not rise to the level of some people’s expectations when it comes to how breathable a jacket is supposed to be. People who have purchased the jacket said that they noticed that they got sweaty very quickly while wearing it, and since the jacket does not have the best ventilation, it made the jacket feel clammy and stick to their bodies. However, there are zips in the pit area which are supposed to help to add some ventilation to your body. If you have light layers on underneath the jacket, you should be fine, but that means that this jacket probably won’t be the best in instances where you will have to have on heavy layers, because the lack of breathability will make the jacket extremely uncomfortable for you.

Durability

Considering the fact that this is a rather lightweight rain jacket, you should not expect it to be the most durable product offered on the market. The part of the jacket that has the worst durability is the inner lining, which people have said tends to break down after several years of use. That is what’s important to mention- this jacket can last for years without experiencing many problems. So, if you are looking for something that will last you for quite some time, and that you might not even end up wearing too often if you don’t want to go out in the rain or if you don’t live in a rainy area, this jacket is a good choice for you. And, the zippers on the jacket are durable, as well as the Velcro and the cords which are meant for adjustment. This all is very standard when it comes to rain jackets.

Size

One area where this jacket performed very well was when it came to sizing. People were genuinely pleased with how well this jacket fit them, especially in comparison to other similar jackets on the market. It has an athletic fit, which is not always common in clothes that are meant to be used as outerwear. However, most people noted that this jacket fit them very well and the size that they typically wear is also the size that they wore with this jacket. If you want something that is a little loose and baggy on you, you may want to purchase a size larger, but otherwise, that won’t be necessary with this one. The jacket is not very long when compared to other similar jackets that are available, but that was not an issue for most people.

Use

This jacket is best to be used in any type of conditions, but it is better that you wear this jacket when it is a little warmer outside. This is because this jacket does not offer the best breathability, so having on a lot of warm layers underneath it will cause you to sweat excessively and grow uncomfortable. Also, if you plan to be in places where it is going to rain heavily, you probably will not want to wear this jacket because it does tend to soak in some moisture with heavy rain.

However, people said that this jacket is great to wear in many weather conditions and while doing many activities. Other than the lack of breathability, it is comfortable and flexible and allows people to participate in a multitude of different activities, including hiking, running, and climbing without having to feel uncomfortable. Its lightweight material also makes this jacket perfect for multiple uses. Also, people said that the style of the jacket is nice enough that they can wear this jacket for casual occasions and for running everyday errands.

Cleaning

Since this Patagonia product is made completely out of nylon and mesh, it will be extremely easy to clean. You could easily take a wet wipe to clean off a small stain that got on the jacket, or if it is particularly smelly and dirty, you can easily put it in the washer and then into the dryer. You will want to be careful, however, since it isn’t made out of the most durable materials, and sometimes putting clothes into the dryer, especially more delicate clothes, can ruin the material. So, this might be a clothing item that you will want to air dry.

Style

A lot of people were pleased with the style of this jacket. It has a slim fit and people said that it looks more like an athletic outfit rather than outdoor gear. Also, many people said that the jacket was fashionable enough that they didn’t feel as though they couldn’t wear it for casual, everyday occasions.

Another great feature of this jacket is that it is available in many different colors, so you will surely be able to find something that you like. Some of the colors include black, red, yellow, blue, gray, teal, bright green, and navy blue.

Water Resistance

If you like to spend a lot of time outdoors, you know how important it is to have products that will allow you to not get wet as much as possible. You never know when you might find yourself in the rain or in conditions where you will need it. The Patagonia Torrentshell is marketed towards being a rain jacket. And, many people agree that this jacket is great for wear in lighter rain conditions, and that it works great for ensuring that you won’t get too wet. Being made out of a recycled nylon material helps to ensure that it will expel rain that gets on you. However, one area where people expressed some dissatisfaction was that the jacket does not offer the best resistance to heavy rain. So, if you live somewhere that gets heavy rain quite frequently, this might not be the best option.

Wind Protection

As well as protection from the rain, you will also need to take into consideration the fact that it’s important for a jacket to keep out the wind, too. Wind can be very annoying when you are out hiking or climbing, but it is almost to be expected in such mountain conditions. You also want to make sure that your jacket can keep out as much wind as possible so that you don’t get cold and possibly catch a chill.

People who have purchased this jacket and worn it in particularly windy cities and towns said that the jacket does a decent job of keeping out the wind. It might not be the best for extremely high winds, but just as with rain, people said that this jacket is perfect for keeping out everyday rain and wind. And, of course, since this jacket can be easily packed in your
As well as protection from the rain, you will also need to take into consideration the fact that it’s important for a jacket to keep out the wind, too. Wind can be very annoying when you are out hiking or climbing, but it is almost to be expected in such mountain conditions. You also want to make sure that your jacket can keep out as much wind as possible so that you don’t get cold and possibly catch a chill.

People who have purchased this jacket and worn it in particularly windy cities and towns said that the jacket does a decent job of keeping out the wind. It might not be the best for extremely high winds, but just as with rain, people said that this jacket is perfect for keeping out everyday rain and wind. And, of course, since this jacket can be easily packed in your bag, you can always pull it out when it gets a little windy or rainy.

Key Features

The jacket can fold into itself through one of the pockets, which makes it easy to transport
This has a great fit and will look flattering on many different people
It is meant to keep out light rain and is generally water-resistant
This is made out of recycled nylon
It is great for activities such as skiing, climbing, backpacking, and hiking

Bottom Line

As with all products, this jacket does have its downsides, including the relative lack of breathability and not necessarily being the most durable product on the market. But, where it lacks in some areas it makes up for in others. You will easily be able to take this jacket with you wherever you go and have it on hand should you encounter rain because it is very easy to fold up and light enough for transport. The jacket also is great for ensuring that everyday rain and wind will not affect you during your activities. The only area that might deter some people is the price, but many people were pleased with the lightweight abilities of this jacket.