August 17, 2018
Patagonia Rain Jackets
Patagonia gear is always well regarded.
They are using Gore-Tex in a few of their present offerings, but
most is unknown technology with a "H2No rating".
If they use Gore-Tex, they will say so -- I think Gore demands it.
The H2No thing
This boils down to odd doubletalk by Patagonia in my frank opinion.
If you read carefully, you will learn that H2No is not a technology,
but a standard for waterproofness and breathability.
This means that Patagonia generally does not tell you what the technology is,
they just tell you to trust them that it meets the standard.
So we end up guessing, and my guess is that in most cases it is some kind
proprietary polyurethane coating, but who knows -- and they are free to change it at
any time, as long as it lives up to their standard.
I tend to trust Patagonia and think that you can hardly go wrong with any of their offerings.
Their Fit
This has always been a pet peeve of mine. I am 6 foot 1 and 160 pounds -- so I am tall and thin.
If I buy their medium, it fits my torso, but the sleeves are too short.
If I buy their large (as I do if I need long sleeves), the torso is baggy.
The answer is to buy Arcteryx.
So what is Patagonia thinking?
Perhaps they are aiming for weekend warriors with a pot belly rather than mountain athletes.
Their lineup
Here is my Patagonia product table. I may have missed some offerings.
I include the Houdini just for comparison, it is not a rain jacket.
- Houdini $99 3.6 ounces, 15D nylon ripstop with DWR, chest pocket.
- Torrentshell $120 12.1 ounces 2.5 layer 50D nylon ripstop, 2 pockets, pit zips
- Stretch Rainshadow $199 10.4 ounces 2.5 layer 30d nylon ripstop, 2 pockets, pit zips
- Cloud Ridge $249 13.8 ounces, 3 layer 30D polyester ripstop, 2 pockets
- Storm Racer $249 6 ounces, 3 layer 12D nylon ripstop, chest pocket.
- M10 Anorak $199 7 ounces, 3 layer 12D nylon ripstop, chest pocket.
- Pluma Jacket $549 14.6 ounces, 3 layer 40D GoreTex Pro, 4 pockets, pit zips.
- Triolet Jacket $399 19.4 ounces, 3 layer 75D GoreTex Pro, 5 pockets, pit zips.
- Refugitive Jacket $499 19.4 ounces, 3 layer 30D GoreTex CNIT, 5 pockets, pit zips.
- Powslayer Jacket $699 19.3 ounces, 3 layer 40D GoreTex Pro, 7 pockets, powder skirt, pit zips.
The "storm racer" is promoted for trail running, while the M10 is marketed toward
the alpine climber. Both seem to be made from the same fabric, but there certainly
are construction details that are different.
My take is that the "racer" may have a different liner that works better with
high exertion (like running), while the M10 is cut longer and has a different liner.
Price and whatever is available on sale might carry that decision.
The Pluma is worth comparing to the Arcteryx Alpha-FL since both use 40D GoreTex Pro.
The Arcteryx is lighter and has the trim Arcteryx cut which I much prefer.
The Arcteryx lineup
Arcteryx gore-tex rain jackets are the standard to which all others
are compared.
Here is my Arcteryx product table for handy comparison.
- Alpha FL $425 11.1 oz N40p-X (pro) 1pocket+inner storm hood
- Alpha SL $279 10.8 oz N40r paclite 1pocket storm hood
- Alpha AR $575 14.1 oz N40p-X + N80p-X (pro) 2pockets+inner storm hood pit zips
- Alpha SV $749 17.3 oz N100p-X (pro) 2pockets+inner storm hood pit zips
- Beta LT $525 12.1 oz N40p-X (pro) 2pockets storm hood
- Beta SL $299 11.1 oz N40r paclite 2pockets storm hood
- Beta SL hybrid $399 12.3 oz N40r paclite + N42p Cnit 2pockets storm hood pit zips
- Beta AR $575 16.0 oz N40r-X + N80p-X (pro) 2pockets + inner drop hood pit zips
- Beta SV $649 17.1 oz N80p-X (pro) 2pockets + inner storm hood pit zips
- Zeta LT $425 11.8 oz N40p-X (pro) 2pockets + inner storm hood
- Zeta AR $475 15.0 oz N70p (Cnit) 2pockets + inner storm hood pit zips
Have any comments? Questions?
Drop me a line!
Tom's hiking pages / tom@mmto.org