Patagonia – the name conjures a remote part of Argentina and incredible natural beauty. To the outdoor clothing industry, it represents an iconic brand logo of a mountain sunset, amazing clothing, and sustainability. Led by its founder Yvon Chouinard, the clothing company has promised 1% off all profits toward environmental causes. The company also doesn’t sell Vests to finance bros, which is a plus.
Patagonia‘s renowned apparel collection includes high-quality technical gear that ranges from casual styles to Gore-Tex shells for summiting alpine peaks. I had high expectations for the men’s Stretch Rainshadow jacket as the brand has a reputation for making great rainwear products.
I was hoping the Stretch Rainshadow would replace my aging hand-me-down outdoors raincoat, and I wasn’t disappointed. This light and stretchy technical coat is my new adventure jacket!
| Our review | |
|---|---|
Pros:
|
Cons:
|
The Good.
My requirements for a good all-round adventure rain jacket are for it to be lightweight, waterproof, packable, and breathable. The Patagonia Stretch Rainshadow jacket ticks those boxes and more!
Clocking in at 306g, this jacket barely tips the scales for something so versatile, and it also packs small enough to be barely noticed in my backpack. Being waterproof and breathable is essential for any quality outer layer, and the H2No membrane does this without breaking a sweat – no pun intended. The membrane is supple, light, and kept me well protected from sea spit and light rain.
Along with the waterproof construction, all the seams have been taped on the inside to ensure moisture doesn’t seep through. The pockets and armpit vents have also been given a DWR (durable water-repellant) finish to prevent leakage. Patagonia also equipped the front zipper and 2 hand pockets with waterproof YKK zips, ensuring you and your essentials remain dry in downpour conditions.
The material is 100% recycled nylon from fishing nets and other recycled products. Patagonia also designed this jacket to stretch, making it very comfortable to wear for multiple activities. Overall, I had no issues with a restricted range of motion. As a result, I’ve felt comfortable wearing it for sports like mountain biking, hiking, and ski touring.
Having a helmet-compatible hood, which fits over bike and mountaineering helmets – is another a positive. The adjustable pull cord on the rear of the hood makes for a near-perfect fit. Two more pull cords at the hem – under each hand pocket – allow for easy tightening to block cold updrafts.
Critique.
My only critique of Patagonia is the sizing: the Stretch Rainshadow jacket, and other products from the brand, all tend to fit a little big and boxy. I usually wear a large in almost all outdoor apparel, but for this coat, I had to drop down a size just to get the right fit. Honestly, if I could combine the length of the Large with the cut of the Medium, I would.
I would definitely recommend trying this jacket for sizing before buying it as I imagine I’m not the only person that has struggled to find a correct fit.
Conclusion.
So far I’ve used the Stretch Rainshadow jacket from Patagonia at the beach, camping, hiking, and walking into town for dinner. It’s been more than adequate for all the challenges of West Coast seasonal living. I would say that it has become more than just an adventure jacket – it’s a staple in my 3-season wardrobe.
Share on
