The Patagonia Torrentshell Is the Rain Jacket to Get
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
Patagonia’s Torrentshell is therain jacketI personally recommend to almost anybody because it’s more protective than anything cheaper and a lot more affordable than anything more substantial. Its three-layer construction makes it stronger and more comfortable than other sub-$200 rain shells. In my experience, it’s tough enough to survive a speedy fall on skis yet light enough to wear while backpacking. It will survive many years of hard use as long as you wash it regularly to keep the waterproof membrane from clogging. If anything does go wrong, Patagonia will repair or replace the jacket at no cost under itsIronclad Guarantee. For many people, it could be the only shell you ever need to buy.
New! You can now save this product for later.
New! You can now save this product for later.
The Torrentshell’s superior protection extends beyond its durability. At 31 inches long, it offers noticeably better thigh and butt coverage than your typical 28-inch-long entry-level hiking jacket. It also has generously long, smoothly gliding pit zips that can be opened with one hand for extra ventilation. Many cheaper jackets have clunky zips, if they have them at all. And it even has a helmet-compatible hood, so you can use it while skiing, biking, or climbing or cinch it down to cover only your head and hat.
At $189, the Torrentshell is a bit more expensive than other entry-level jackets from comparable outdoor brands, but the quality of its materials more than justifies the slight premium. Its recycled-nylon face fabric is more abrasion resistant than the polyester cloth used in the North Face’s entry-level jacket. And the backing fabric that protects the waterproof membrane from sweat and body oils will easily outlast the plastic coatings used in two- or 2.5-layer-jackets from Marmot, Helly Hansen, and other outdoor-clothing makers. These silky coatings are lighter and quite comfortable while they last, but they inevitably flake off over time and cannot be repaired. This might even have happened to an older Torrentshell of yours since Patagonia switched to a three-layer design only in 2020.
Overall, the Torrentshell actually has more in common with a$500 Arc’teryx shellthan a $120 Helly Hansen. The fit is a bit boxier than it needs to be — though this makes it easier to layer — and the bright, boxy logo may not be to everyone’s liking. I would also appreciate some interior pockets and a two-way main zipper for even more flexible ventilation. Even so, no other jacket comes close to offering this level of functionality and construction quality for under $200.
Other rain jackets we like
New! You can now save this product for later.
Men's upgrade for a tailored fit, Gore-Tex, and an interior pocket.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Women's upgrade for a tailored fit, Gore-Tex, and an interior pocket.
New! You can now save this product for later.
A more affordable but less durable option.
More From The Strategist
- The Back-to-School Hall of Fame
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- Everything You Need to Outfit Your College Dorm
- The Strategist Summer 100
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
