Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Evaluation

Backside Line

The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L has lengthy topped our record of the finest rain jackets, and it retains displaying us why. All through our testing in Alaska’s temperate rainforest, we cherished its sturdy climate resistance, air flow, and sturdy design. We saved reaching for this shell on days after we knew the precipitation could be heavy.

The Torrentshell comes geared up with options that reveal Patagonia’s excessive consideration to element. Elastic cinches within the hood and across the waist assist dial within the match. Whereas the arms felt a bit lengthy and boxy, the velcro cuffs cinch right down to make a customized match for a wide range of our bodies. The jacket’s three-layer building offers superior climate safety whereas permitting nice breathability. Aided by pit zips, the Torrentshell vents inside warmth and breathes moisture out all whereas maintaining you dry.

Whereas the Torrentshell just isn’t the lightest or most packable possibility in the marketplace, its versatility and efficient climate resistance make up for it.

Consolation & Mobility

At first, the match felt cumbersome and cumbersome when carrying the Torrentshell out of the field. The jacket embodied that trademark stiffness of most arduous shells in the marketplace. Nevertheless, the material broke in after carrying it on a number of hikes and have become extra versatile.

The physique is well drawn in and cinched thanks to 2 elastic bands with toggles on each side of the hem. Whereas some rain shells solely include one cinch, this double characteristic permits a comfortable match for heavy rain and a customized match. The hood was very snug, with a again cinch that securely held the hood across the face. The entrance of the hood adjustment required two fingers to adequately cinch down, leaving us wishing for a single-hand accessible design.

The arms on this mannequin generally felt a bit lengthy and boxy. Whereas the velcro on the cuffs helped to cinch that in, the coat nonetheless retained some emotions of bagginess. These with bigger torsos will match this jacket higher than slender our bodies. The roominess additionally offered house for layering and unrestricted mobility.

Climate Resistance

When the rain pours, the Torrentshell shines with its skill to maintain you heat and dry. Its three-layer building is top-of-the-line with regards to blocking precipitation. This rain shell resisted wetting out for much longer than the others we reviewed.

Though it doesn’t have waterproof zippers, the flap over the principle zipper offers sufficient protection that water seeping in by the zipper just isn’t a difficulty. Throughout our testing, the shell’s shoulders and hood resisted heavy downpours and shed water away from the physique. The hood comes with a stiffened brim that helps preserve water off the face even and not using a brimmed hat beneath. The Torrentshell constantly delivers in inclement situations, incomes a everlasting spot in our lineup for wet days.

Air flow

The Patagonia Torrentshell finds the steadiness between heavy climate safety and air flow. Whereas the three-layer building breathes nicely by itself, that is additional aided by two pit zips. In our testing, we felt these zips might be a couple of inches longer for elevated air flow and ease of entry, however their skill to shed warmth was spectacular.

You’ll run hotter on this possibility than others we examined and subsequently we suggest this mannequin for average to low-output actions the place retaining warmth is vital. The jacket depraved inside moisture out shortly, however physique warmth was retained for longer than anticipated. We’d recommend this shell for cooler climate the place retaining further warmth just isn’t an issue.

Sturdiness

One other hallmark of the Torrentshell’s three-layer building is it’s very good sturdiness. We’ve taken this jacket out day after day and it continues to carry out as if proper out of the field. After combing it by the comb, towards rocks, and a number of soakings, the Torrentshell nonetheless seems new and reveals no indicators of wear and tear. For hikers who need one jacket to carry up for a very long time, then the Torrentshell is the selection. Coming backed by Patagonia’s Ironclad Assure, you can be positive to make use of this jacket for a lot of journeys to come back.

Weight

The place the Torrentshell excels in climate resistance, that efficiency comes on the sacrifice of weight. Removed from the lightest jacket we examined, the Torrentshell is available in at nearly a pound for a males’s medium.

Whereas this further weight means a sturdy and dependable design, it’s not probably the most packable. It does pack down right into a zippered pocket, however even then it’s bigger than most others in our lineup. If you happen to’re the gram-counting sort, or on a visit the place each ounce and inch issues, this won’t be the best choice. If prioritizing climate resistance and sturdiness over weight is your aim, then the Torrentshell checks the containers.

Ought to You Purchase the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L?

If you happen to’re planning to purchase only one rain jacket to make use of for a very long time, then the Torrentshell is the right selection. With superior climate resistance and sturdiness, this mannequin will final lengthy and defend you on many adventures. Whereas not the lightest or most packable jacket in the marketplace, its versatility lends itself to a entrance or backcountry possibility. On journeys the place each ounce in your pack issues, this is probably not one of the best match for the job.  If you happen to run heat, or plan to make use of it in hotter situations or high-output actions, it’s possible you’ll need to preserve purchasing. We proceed to offer the Torrentshell excessive marks throughout our testing metrics and sit up for many extra journeys with it in our packs.

What Different Rain Jackets Ought to You Contemplate?

Marmot Precip Eco Evaluation: A justifiably priced shell for entry-level budgets, the Marmot Precip Eco is the right possibility for intermittent publicity to rain that’s light-weight and packable.

REI Rainier Evaluation: If an accessible value is your primary concern, then the REI Rainier can’t be crushed for worth. It’s considered one of our lower-priced choices that also punches above its weight.

Arc’teryx Beta Evaluation: If you happen to love the climate resistance of the Patagonia Torrentshell, then the Arc’teryx Beta is the jacket for you. Providing unparalleled climate resistance, this rain-repellant guarantees safety in heavy precipitation.