And on the bright side, Patagonia did incorporate fleece at the back of the neck. In addition, there’s no fleece along the chin, but the zipper garage does keep my facial hair from snagging on the main zip. However, it’s decidedly one of the stiffest rain jackets I’ve worn to date: The fabric is crinkly and noisy-reminiscent of a winter-ready hardshell-and it’s noticeably less supple than the older version that used a 2.5-layer construction (I found it does break in and soften a little over time, however). On one hand, the 3-layer construction means you get a full lining along the interior, which makes it less plasticky- and slippery-feeling while working up a sweat. Patagonia did opt for a fabric flap here for protecting the zippers, which plays a role in the jacket’s heft and larger packed size (many performance-focused designs use coated zippers instead), but this is a very small nitpick and not a major concern for most.Ĭomfort is a bit of a mixed bag with the latest Torrentshell. I did grow noticeably warm quickly, but the dual zippers allowed for easy customization to regulate airflow, and the fabric zipper pulls were easy to find and grab (although they’re on the small side for manipulating with gloves on). I wore the shell on numerous climbs, and the openings kept me from overheating. That said, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L does include pit zips, which are a must for those who run warm. In general, the jacket strikes me as a fine piece for hiking and backpacking, but it's worth upgrading to a higher-performing option like the Outdoor Research Microgravity or Arc’teryx Beta LT for more strenuous activities like ski touring or biking. The thick and substantial fabrics likely play a role here, and it’s pretty clear that Patagonia prioritized durability and protection over air permeability. So, while its wet-weather performance easily beat out competitors like the Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 or Black Diamond StormLine Stretch, I found the Patagonia to be similarly breathable (if not slightly worse in the case of the StormLine). Three-layer jackets are often better breathers than 2.5-layer designs, but this seems to be one area of compromise with the cheaper Torrentshell. All in all, from a protection standpoint, the Torrentshell 3L is as good as I’ve seen for under $200. But again, I saw no signs of leakage even after extended exposure to rain, wind, and even blowing snow. It’s worth noting the hand pockets only have fabric flaps to keep out moisture, so I wouldn’t recommend storing valuables in there in heavy rainfall. I found it easy to batten down the hatches with the large hood, and even in extremely strong gusts and periods of true downpour, I had no issues with leaking. In addition to the quality waterproofing, the Torrentshell has a healthy number of protective features, including Velcro cuffs, zipper flaps, and hem adjustments at each side. You do pay for the added protection in weight and heft (more on this below), but that tradeoff is worth it for many, and especially those who live in areas with consistent rainfall. For reference, the vast majority of competitors utilize a thinner 2.5-layer build, which is more prone to being overwhelmed by heavy moisture. At only $179, this is truly impressive performance. The H2No Performance Standard waterproofing, quality seam taping, and durable water repellent (DWR) finish did an admirable job of fending off rain and blocking strong gusts, and the jacket never once soaked through. Southern Patagonia is synonymous with sideways rain and constant wind, and the Torrentshell 3L Jacket proved to be an extremely capable and reliable barrier against those challenging elements. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best rain jackets. Below we outline our experience with the Torrentshell 3L. Our takeaways were similar to the outgoing jacket: The shell is a bit stiff, and we’d prefer it came with a chest pocket, but it’s otherwise a true standout for mixed casual and outdoor use. Patagonia lightly updated the design in late 2022-the most notable change is a PFC-free DWR coating-and we took the latest model to southern Patagonia for testing. The hardwearing 3-layer build offers excellent protection and durability, you get a wide variety of color options, and the price is right at $179. Patagonia’s Torrentshell 3L rain jacket is about as popular and well liked as it gets in the outdoor apparel space.
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