Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Assessment

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 beloved its sturdy climate resistance, air flow, and sturdy design. We saved reaching for this shell on days after we knew the precipitation can 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 little bit lengthy and boxy, the velcro cuffs cinch right down to make a customized match for quite a lot of our bodies. The jacket’s three-layer development supplies superior climate safety whereas permitting nice breathability. Aided by pit zips, the Torrentshell vents inside warmth and breathes moisture out all whereas protecting you dry.

Whereas the Torrentshell shouldn’t be 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 either side of the hem. Whereas some rain shells solely include one cinch, this double characteristic permits a cosy 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 little 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 supplied house for layering and unrestricted mobility.

Climate Resistance

When the rain pours, the Torrentshell shines with its capability to maintain you heat and dry. Its three-layer development is top-of-the-line relating 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 supplies sufficient protection that water seeping in via the zipper shouldn’t be a problem. 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 maintain water off the face even and not using a brimmed hat beneath. The Torrentshell persistently delivers in inclement circumstances, 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 development breathes effectively by itself, that is additional aided by two pit zips. In our testing, we felt these zips may very well be just a few inches longer for elevated air flow and ease of entry, however their capability to shed warmth was spectacular.

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

Sturdiness

One other hallmark of the Torrentshell’s three-layer development is it’s excellent 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 via the comb, towards rocks, and a number of soakings, the Torrentshell nonetheless seems new and reveals no indicators of damage. 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 may be certain to make use of this jacket for a lot of journeys to return.

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 isn’t 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. Should you’re the gram-counting sort, or on a visit the place each ounce and inch issues, this may not be the most suitable 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?

Should you’re planning to purchase only one rain jacket to make use of for a very long time, then the Torrentshell is the proper selection. With superior climate resistance and sturdiness, this mannequin will final lengthy and shield 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 will not be the very best match for the job.  Should you run heat, or plan to make use of it in hotter circumstances or high-output actions, you might need to maintain buying. We proceed to present the Torrentshell excessive marks throughout our testing metrics and look ahead to many extra journeys with it in our packs.

What Different Rain Jackets Ought to You Think about?

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

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

Arc’teryx Beta Assessment: Should you 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.