When it involves discovering the quintessential rain jacket in your thru-hike, the choices can simply really feel overwhelming. Because it seems, waterproofness isn’t the one high quality that retains you, effectively, dry. Taking into account the jacket’s breathability, match, and talent to maintain you heat with out turning into an inescapable moisture magnet are all components to find that excellent jacket.
And whereas no jacket is ideal, the Patagonia Storm10 will reply the prayers of these looking for a smooth, light-weight weatherproof jacket that doesn’t skimp on the bells and whistles. This three-layer jacket, with the ladies’s mannequin clocking in at simply 7.4 ounces, doesn’t sacrifice the creature comforts that the majority ultralight jackets do. Assume light-weight, plus backpack-compatible pockets, adjustable hood, and low-profile cuffs, all completed off with Patagonia’s polished look. Plus, it even packs all the way down to the dimensions of a 21-ounce Hydro Flask.
Patagonia Storm10 At-a-Look
MSRP: $329
Weight: 7.4 oz (ladies’s) | 8.3 oz (males’s)
Supplies: 3-layer, 20-denier 100% recycled nylon ripstop outer layer and 7-denier tricot inside backer
Waterproofing: H2No polyester-based membrane and DWR end
Circumstances of Overview
I examined this jacket throughout Colorado’s excessive peaks throughout a late monsoon season, August to October. This packable layer endured the uncovered alpine of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, rugged trails involving scrambling and excessive mobility within the Elk Vary, dense, precipitous forests of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, and every day afternoon thunderstorms that required an emergency shell.
Though I solely discovered myself needing this jacket for shorter, every day bursts of inclement climate, it maintained its stormproofness in torrential rain, piercing hail, and even a summertime snowstorm for a number of hours at a time. It was additionally my go-to layer whereas trekking on wind-stripped ridges above 14,000 ft, and usually examined in temperatures starting from 40 to 65 levels Fahrenheit.
Patagonia Storm10 Options
Adjustable Hood
You’ll be able to simply alter the hood utilizing a single-pull drawcord within the again to drag within the elasticized sides for defense towards the weather. Certainly one of my greatest rain jacket pet peeves is a floppy hood that frequently sinks over your eyes, which usually affords minimal safety and no visibility. The Storm10 dealt with this minuscule, but irritating, downside and supplied nice peripheral imaginative and prescient.
For my fellow dirtbag pals who additionally make the most of a lot of their thru-hiking attire for climbing, mountaineering, or snowboarding endeavors, the hood on this jacket can also be helmet-compatible.
Pockets Galore
The very first thing most light-weight jackets sacrifice is pockets. Happily, the Storm10 doesn’t make you select between performance and weight. Nonetheless sustaining its featherweight standing, this jacket is constructed with a whopping three pockets. Two entrance pockets, deliberately designed to be appropriate with a backpack waist belt, are massive sufficient to suit the requirements (telephone, snacks, and different easy-access gadgets). Plus, the exterior chest pocket stealthily doubles as a stuff sack for your entire jacket.
Anti-Clammy Interior Material
Most ultralight rain jackets skimp on an interior materials, which implies as quickly as you start to sweat, that cloth clings to your pores and skin like plastic wrap. Patagonia remedied this concern with the Storm10’s tricot backer, a nylon cloth that feels delicate towards the pores and skin and resists clamminess.
Cuffs and Drawcords
As promised by Patagonia’s smooth design, this jacket additionally boasts adjustable cuffs to tightly seal out climate utilizing a velcro closure and a drawcord hem to raised alter the match of the jacket’s waist.
Stormproof Zipper & Storm Flap
This jacket contains a full-length watertight zipper with an inner storm flap to make sure most safety. That mentioned, all zippers on this jacket are additionally coated and waterproofed.
The Nice Debate: Breathability & Waterproofness
The 2 widespread questions when assessing a rain jacket are, “Is it breathable?” and, “Is it actually waterproof?” Whereas most jackets attempt to incorporate breathable and waterproof options into their materials or coatings, it’s not doable to have 100% of both. Let’s get into what meaning.
Climate Resistance
Patagonia depends on its signature H2No membrane, produced from 100% recycled polyester-based cloth, to provide the jacket its waterproof skills. Coupled with the 3-layer building and DWR end, that is what affords one of many extra sturdy and long-lasting waterproof choices outdoors of a Gore-Tex or thicker and heavier materials.
Nevertheless, the flip facet of H2No’s high-quality waterproof skills is that it sacrifices breathability. That’s simply the secret with waterproof materials and isn’t distinctive to the Storm10. Rain jackets don’t enable your physique warmth and sweat to flee in addition to non-waterproof layers.
Breathability
Along with the jacket’s waterproof membrane trapping moisture, the extra essential factor to think about with the Storm10 is its lack of venting. For a jacket that appears to supply quite a lot of fan-favorite options, resembling pockets, it appears remiss of Patagonia to not embody pit zips for simple air flow.
Whereas I primarily examined this jacket at greater altitudes and, therefore, cooler temperatures, it’s straightforward to imagine that this jacket would flip into a private sauna if worn in hotter climates or throughout extra intensive exercise.
Patagonia Storm10 Professionals
Light-weight and Packable
Definitely, the largest attention-grabber for hikers seeking to lower on weight is how ridiculously light-weight and packable the Storm10 is. Most ultralight choices, just like the basic Frogg Toggs, could also be a number of ounces lighter, however they’re considerably missing in options. The Storm10 is sort of as mild and packable, plus it’s extra comfy, suits higher, and affords a plethora of options that enhance its means to maintain you dry.
Adjustable Match
It’s tough to discover a jacket that’s designed to be adjustable on all fronts. Whereas Patagonia’s match and sizing is usually a bit wonky (see cons listing under), the adjustable velcro cuffs, drawcord hood, and waistband make up for it.
Excessive-High quality
Patagonia is thought for his or her high-quality gear, so this comes as no shock. Though it could not make the most of Gore-Tex, Patagonia’s proprietary waterproof membrane is among the greatest in the marketplace, and resists wetting out in powerful environments.
Honest Commerce Licensed
One other key high quality Patagonia is thought for is the corporate’s excellent ethics in relation to environmental motion and honest labor. The corporate pays (and expenses) a premium for each certainly one of its gadgets made in a Honest Commerce Licensed manufacturing unit in an effort to make sure dwelling wages for staff of their provide chain.
Patagonia Storm10 Cons
Worth
The excessive price ticket that accompanies each Patagonia garment is persistently a barrier in my e-book. Though you’re usually investing in a high-quality piece of drugs, that justification is often an afterthought with extra reasonably priced and equally high-quality gear in the marketplace. At $329, even with decked-out options like pockets, or adjustable hood and cuffs, the worth is tough to excuse contemplating it’s not Gore-Tex and lacks air flow choices.
DWR Coating
Sturdy Water-Repellent coatings don’t final endlessly and is usually a ache to take care of. Though the majority of the Storm10’s climate safety is offered by the inner membrane, you continue to have to refresh the DWR coating periodically to make sure your jacket features correctly. DWR’s most important perform is to stop the outer cloth from wetting out, thus preserving breathability. Whereas hardly distinctive to the Storm10, DWR well being must be a priority over the lifetime of the jacket. It’s going to probably not final everything of an extended thru-hike which means that you simply would possibly profit from giving it some love alongside the way in which.
Awkward Match
My one quip with Patagonia is their wonky sizing. Categorized as a slim-fitting jacket, the Storm10 is a slim garment that most closely fits a person with an extended, straight torso. As a girl with hips, I discovered the sizing on this jacket tough to get proper. In an effort to make sure layering compatibility with fleeces and different jackets beneath, I sized up at the price of a clumsy match that bunches on the hips.
Whereas I acknowledge vogue is nearer to the underside of my listing (proof: I’ve rocked the dishevelled Frogg Toggs search for many miles), the bunched cloth is, frankly, annoying when sporting the hip belt of a pack. As well as, the helmet-compatible hood appears to be like extremely goofy in case you’re not sporting a helmet—which, for the sake of a thru-hike, is a moot level.
Get Able to Sweat
Like I discussed above, the draw back to this jacket’s nice waterproofing is its diminished breathability and lack of venting choices. The jacket fails to incorporate any pit zips, forcing the wearer to depend upon the jacket’s membrane for breathability, which is insufficient throughout lively pursuits.
Total Impression
All issues thought of, the Patagonia Storm10 is a unbelievable possibility for ultralight backpackers who need a jacket that disappears of their pack whereas additionally preserving some luxurious options resembling an adjustable hood and pockets. Assuredly sturdy and waterproof, this jacket is right for these anticipating passing afternoon thunderstorms on a path just like the PCT or Colorado Path, fairly than a soggy, precipitous thru-hike by means of the Pacific Northwest through the wet season.
Store the Girls’s Storm10 Jacket
Store the Males’s Storm10 Jacket
Comparable Ultralight Rain Jackets
Frogg Toggs Extremely-Lite² Rain Jacket
MSRP: $25
Weight: 5.8 oz
Montbell Versalite Jacket
MSRP: $249
Weight: 6.4 oz
Outside Analysis Helium Rain Jacket
MSRP: $170
Weight: 6.3 oz
This Patagonia Storm10 was donated for the aim of assessment
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