Patagonia Airshed Professional Assessment | CleverHiker

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The Patagonia Airshed Professional is a novel windbreaker that blurs the strains between a light-weight shirt and wind wind-resistant shell. With a physique manufactured from wind-resistant Pertex Quantum Air and the hood and arms manufactured from recycled polyester, the Airshed Professional appears like a shirt – however with the safety of a windbreaker. This distinctive mixture makes it considered one of our favourite windbreakers for high-output actions like path runs and mountain hikes.

Examined on path runs and hikes in temperatures within the low forties and mid-thirties, the Airshed Professional is a superb layer to put on for high-exertion actions in reasonably chilly temperatures. Becoming extra like a shirt than a jacket, the Airshed Professional could be very slim and comfy sufficient on the pores and skin to be worn as a standalone layer. Nonetheless, the slim lower makes layering over something greater than a baselayer inconceivable.

The Airshed Professional is likely one of the most breathable windbreakers in our lineup. We by no means felt clammy or overly sweaty whereas operating for hours on this jacket due to its excessive breathability. A windstop physique, mixed with Patagonia’s stretchable and comfy Capilene materials within the arms makes it ethereal and light-weight. This excessive breathability comes on the worth of its wind resistance. Solely wind-resistant within the physique, wind simply passes by way of the hood and arms. This is probably not the perfect jacket to take out on the windiest days, however it’s a nice one to put on on cooler runs for mild safety.

How We Examined

Over two months, we wore the Patagonia Airshed Professional on hikes and runs in addition to backcountry and cross-country ski journeys to subject check its efficiency in a number of circumstances. Our checks consisted of real-world publicity to the wind and components. We additionally used a blow drier to check wind resistance and in addition accomplished a one-hour run whereas deliberately overdressed to check its breathability and moisture administration.

Wind & Climate Resistance

The Airshed Professional is designed to be both a standalone layer or worn over a light-weight baselayer to supply further wind resistance. It blurs the strains between shirt and jacket whereas tipping extra in the direction of a closely constructed shirt. 

The physique is made with Pertex Quantum Air, a very windproof taffeta nylon. Whereas taking this jacket out on a blustery shoulder season path run, it turned obvious that the Airshed Professional doesn’t maintain up on actually windy days. The physique gives full wind resistance, however the wind shortly and simply penetrates by way of the arms and hood. Produced from double-knit Capilene, these areas lack any type of wind resistance. 

Though it’s handled with a DWR end, the Airshed Professional shortly wets by way of on windy days. Adequate to throw on as you head out the door for a jog or to stuff in your operating vest, the Airshed Professional doesn’t present the total protection wanted on windy days with lengthy publicity to a chilly breeze.

Breathability

The Airshed Professional stands out to us as one of the vital breathable windbreakers we now have examined. Though we seen our again turned moist with sweat whereas operating with a vest, the quick-dry materials shortly evaporates away any extra perspiration. 

The standout characteristic of this jacket is the breathable Capilene Cool material discovered within the arms and hood. This is similar material Patagonia makes use of on a lot of their base layers and solar shirts. The arms and hood are each extraordinarily breathable and vent all sweat and extra warmth shortly. Moreover, the sleeves are stretchy permitting them to be pushed up on the forearms for elevated venting and luxury. We additionally appreciated the double zipper to permit for a customizable opening on the chest of the jacket.

Weight & Packability

With a manufacturer-stated weight of 4 ounces and a measured weight of three.5 ounces (males’s medium), the Airshed Professional within reason mild – however not the lightest in our lineup. Nonetheless, a 3.5-oz weight is mild sufficient that it’s hardly noticeable in a pack or operating vest. We love that it zips into its chest pocket to make it extraordinarily packable. We shoved this small bundle into operating vests, belts, and even coat pockets for fast and straightforward deployment.

Consolation & Match

The Patagonia Airshed Professional matches extra like a shirt than it does a jacket. Its slim lower signifies that layering over something greater than a baselayer is inconceivable. Nonetheless, it’s comfy and trim sufficient that it may be worn immediately on the pores and skin as a stand-alone layer. The Capilene Cool sleeves are comfy and tender on the pores and skin – like a t-shirt – and the wind-resistant physique lacks the uncomfortable trash bag really feel of extra conventional wind jackets. You received’t be carrying this jacket over a mid-layer or vest like others we examined, nevertheless it’s excellent for cardio outings the place a light-weight layer add a bit of extra heat.

Ought to You Purchase the Patagonia Airshed Professional?

The Airshed Professional is ideal for path runners, climbers, or anybody needing a light-weight wind shell for cardio outings. It’s an awesome layer for delicate chilly and shoulder season temperatures – both worn over a baselayer or immediately on the pores and skin. We love the consolation and breathability of the Capilene Cool arms and hood. Nonetheless, wind shortly passes by way of these areas, and the DWR end received’t forestall the jacket from wetting by way of shortly with any precipitation. The Airshed Professional is a high-tech wind layer excellent for these embarking on cardio outings with transient publicity to the weather.

What Different Windbreaker Ought to You Take into account?

Head to our gear information, to see the total lineup of greatest windbreakers.

Montbell Tachyon Assessment: Equally breathable, the Tachyon is even lighter than the Airshed Professional however provides extra options like zipped hand pockets and is absolutely windproof.

Enlightened Tools Copperfield Assessment: If light-weight is what you’re after, then you’ll be able to’t get a lot lighter than the Copperfield.

Patagonia Houdini Assessment: With higher wind and climate resistance and a barely roomier match, the Houdini is a barely extra versatile possibility than the Airshed Professional.