patagonia shell jacket men's


U.K.-based Mountain Equipment isnt a household name in the U.S., but its starting to gain traction. patagonia

Whats more, the jacket features a very long cut, which is great for coverage but slightly polarizing for casual use. One of the reasons is they make a great producttheir Lhotse jacket can stand up to just about anything in terms of weather protection and build quality.

eVent was one of the first to really break through with their direct venting design, and these other technologies follow suit with air-permeable 3-layer builds to encourage airflow. The quality and performance of a hardshells waterproof laminate is this jacket types defining feature. hiking Almost all of the jackets on the list above include a hood that can fit over a climbing helmet. rei snowshot The Arc'teryx Beta AR (featuring premium Gore-Tex Pro) is our favorite all-around hardshell for years running, but you can save a lot of money with a standard Gore-Tex model like the Patagonia Triolet. But thats not to say the Microgravity doesnt hold its own: We took the jacket hiking in the stormy Cerro Castillo range of Patagonia, and were impressed with its performance, comfort, and breathability. When the wind is really blowing, throwing on a hood is your best form of protection. You can save weight and get a more layering-friendly fit with the Beta AR above, and the Alpha SV and Mammut Nordwandwin out in durability. This differentiates them from rain jackets, which commonly use 2 or 2.5 layers as a way to cut costs and weight. 1.5 oz.Waterproofing: Gore-Tex ProDenier: 30D & 40DWhat we like: Thin fabrics enhance breathability.What we dont: Surprisingly heavy considering the lightweight materials. Most hardshells in our all-around category have a "regular" fit, allowing ample room for layering while providing great coverage and a stylish look that looks great on the mountain and in town. The partnership produced the unique Muztag GTX, which combines lightweight 30-denier Gore-Tex Pro in the body (the thinnest Pro material available) with slightly sturdier 40-denier reinforcements. Mountain Hardwears Exposure/2 series is like a fashion show for Gore-Texs various waterproof membranes: take your pick from Paclite, Paclite Plus, Active, and Pro. We prefer rain jackets for daily wear, on summer backpacking trips, or as emergency shells when bad weather isnt in the forecast. Not many fabric technologies have received as much fanfare as Futurelight (touted as being thinner and more breathable than Gore-Tex) and Spectra is a fairly impressive name-drop, but The North Face simply cant measure up to the more premium brands in terms of quality. softshell css patagonia jacket mens This Gore-Tex Pro shell is meant for high-alpine adventure with a long cut, 40-denier face fabric with burly 70-denier reinforcements, helmet-compatible hood, and tall collar. To help you get a better idea of Arcteryxs hardshell line-up, lets take a look at how the LT compares to the AR. And compared to most minimalist hardshells, storage is excellent, with internal dump pockets (great for storing skins and gloves), massive hand pockets (awkwardly sized, in our opinion, but accessible with a pack on), and interior and exterior chest pockets. Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Both jackets are extremely protective with tall collars and extended back lengths, and both include harness- and hipbelt-friendly storage.

But the Storm10 is nevertheless a reliable companion for day trips and quick overnight excursions, and its hard to argue with the weightRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Patagonia Storm10 See the Women's Patagonia Storm10. patagonia hooded softshell jacket simple guide backcountry Most hardshell jackets have hand pockets placed midway up the torso to accommodate a backpack hipbelt or climbing harness. Most people will go with an all-around shell, but our alpine and minimalist categories fill in the gaps for those with more specific needs.Alpine The North Face is a go-to brand for casual wear, but they also take pride in building robust outerwear for expeditions to the worlds worst weather. In addition, the hood design could use some work: When tightened down over a ballcap, the cinch cord sits awkwardly and uncomfortably right over the ears (on a positive note, the hood is helmet-compatible with climbing and skiing lids). Clocking in at a scant 7.4 ounces, the Alpha SL manages to pack in a 3-layer build and impressively durable face fabric, which is a real feat in terms of hardshell design (previous versions of the SL resorted to 2.5L GTX in order to shave weight). Minimalist shells are a great choice for shoulder-season activities like backpacking or climbing, and also serve as a great emergency layer. There is literally nothing negative we can say about the weather protection or durability, but its high price is a significant downside. Arcteryx has long experimented with minimalist jackets in their climbing-centric Alpha collection, but the Alpha SL Anorak here is their best effort yet. From months of daily drizzle to heavy downpour in the mountains, were acutely aware of the benefits of a quality waterproof and breathable shell. What we dont: Overkill for some, colorways are polarizing. Gore-Tex still dominates the marketits no coincidence youll see their name on most jackets that made our list. For more information, see our hardshell comparison table and buying advice below the picks. The Keb Eco-Shell was our go-to jacket throughout the winter, ideal for everything from snowy walks to the office to powder days at the resort. Of course, there are inherent limitations to an anorak design, and some might prefer more stretch in their face fabric for high-output activities. The high placement means you can open and close the pocket without needing to pull up on the jacket or unclip the belt. Along with this top-shelf weather protection, the Exposure/2 here features a burly 80-denier face fabric and a competitive 14.6-ounce weight, which are simply remarkable specs given its $450 price tag. On the other hand, for multi-day tours or if youre traveling in mild conditions, it's best to leave a heavyweight like the 1-pound-7-ounce Norrna Trollveggen at home and instead bring a trimmed-down hardshell.

Within this category, the Arc'teryx Alpha SL Anorak is the lightest on our list, while designs like the Arc'teryx Beta LT and OR Microgravity are a bit more well-rounded.

In the past, theyve used a range of waterproof options including eVent and NeoShell, but recently went all-in with Gore-Tex. Further, its 1-pound-3.4-ounce weight can be a burden to carry for extended stretches, and the jackets substantial build and regular cut have a negative impact on mobility (it feels more like a ski jacket than alternatives like the Beta AR above). Building on the success of their StormLine and FineLine rain jackets, Black Diamond took that expertise upmarket with the Highline Stretch. These shells are also the most expensive here, ranging from $450 for the Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 GTX Pro Lightto $825 for the Mammut Norwand Pro HS. As an example, there have been very few instances where weve regretted packing our 1-pound-2-ounce Alpha SV on a trip. The end result is that the pockets are slightly less comfortablethe location isnt as natural of a resting place for your handsbut its something were willing to tolerate to make the pockets usable. For an emergency layer or lightweight shoulder-season protection, it doesnt get much better. In the end, you can certainly save money and weight with an alternative like the Beta AR above, but if youre looking for the toughest hardshell, this is itRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Arc'teryx Alpha SV See the Women's Arc'teryx Alpha SV. 2.3 oz.Waterproofing: Eco-ShellWhat we like: Sophisticated performance; great comfort and style with a soft and stretchy shell.What we dont: Too heavy for backcountry use; side vents are strange. Few jackets can compete with Arcteryxs Alpha SV in price and performance, but Mammut is giving it a real go with their $825 Nordwand Pro HS. Heres the story: this latest design includes a 3-layer variation of their in-house BD.dry membrane, has a light amount of stretch incorporated into the nylon build, and keeps things pretty light at 12.7 ounces all-in. The Summit L5 falls into an esteemed group of top-shelf alpine hardshells, including the Alpha SV Mammut Nordwandabove.

For top-of-the-line performance, Gores Pro laminate is the class leader. Further, at $375 youre paying a lot for a niche piece thats fairly impractical for daily use. Patagonia Soft Shell Coats & Jackets for Men, 1 product ratings - Patagonia Men's Nano Puff Vest. Category: All-around/minimalistWeight: 13.9 oz.Waterproofing: Gore-TexDenier: 40DWhat we like: A streamlined version of the Beta AR for $200 less.What we dont: Less winter-ready than the AR. Patagonia has a rich history in alpine exploration, so it comes as little surprise that their high-end Pluma is a real standout. Compared with a hardshell, rain jackets are less durable and wont breathe as well, but are quite a bit cheaper (prices range from approximately $100 to $200), lighter-weight, and compress smaller for packing. But for $200 less, the LT is still a very protective and high-quality shell and will be the more practical pick for manyRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Arc'teryx Beta LT See the Women's Arc'teryx Beta LT. Category: Alpine/all-aroundWeight: 14.6 oz.Waterproofing: Gore-Tex ProDenier: 80DWhat we like: Impressively lightweight and affordable for a winter-ready hardshell. But AscentShell has proven itself to be an exceptional breather (weve worn it in a variety of jackets at this point, including the Realm, Skyward, and Interstellar), making the Microgravity a suitable jacket for shoulder-season activities like hiking or backcountry skiing. Like Outdoor Researchs Microgravity above, the Highline does a nice job balancing price, weight, and all-around performance, but it cant compete with a Gore-Tex shell in terms of outright protection and refinement. In addition to the 3-layer waterproof construction, another key piece of a hardshells protection and breathability is its durable water repellent finish (commonly referred to as DWR). Water-resistant zips, sleek Velcro cuffs, and a helmet-compatible hood further help to batten down the hatches, and side vents open wide when heat starts to build. Accordingly, these tents are much stronger Norrna Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Jacket Review, Norrna Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light ($599), See the Norrna Trollveggen GTX Pro Light, See the Women's Norrna Trollvegen GTX Pro Light, Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 GTX Pro Light($450), See the Women's MH Exposure/2 GTX Pro Lite, See the Women's Outdoor Research Archangel, Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell ($399), See the Women's Mountain Equipment Manaslu, The North Face Summit L5 Futurelight ($650), See the Women's TNF Summit L5 Futurelight, See the Women's Arc'teryx Alpha SL Anorak, Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 GTX Pro Light, Back to Our Hardshell Jacket Comparison Table. Category: Minimalist/all-aroundWeight: 14.6 oz.Waterproofing: AscentShellDenier: 20D x 45DWhat we like: Softshell-like comfort and excellent weather resistance for just $249.What we dont: Thinner and less refined than the premium competition. If you dont need full-on winter protection, however, the Highline is a comfortable and well-designed hardshell jacket that costs significantly less than the Gore-Tex-equipped alternatives.See the Men's BD Highline Stretch See the Women's BD Highline Stretch.