From the perpetual drip of a rain forest trek, to the flash and bang of an alpine afternoon thunderstorm, the new Patagonia Torrentshell jacket is built to protect in rough conditions.
Torrentshell Collar
Fit: Feels true to size
Sleeve Length: Feels true to length
Chest Size: Feels true to size
Pros: Lightweight
Best Uses: Hiking and Camping, Wet Weather
Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer
Was this a gift?: No
Patagonia Torrentshell Rain Jacket (November 2010)
I picked up the Torrentshell jacket this week after my 2nd Marmot rain jacket was falling apart. I thought it was time for a company switch. Personally, I live in a rain jacket and I would say it is the most important piece of outdoor equipment to purchase. Maybe my opinion has something to do with living in Portland, OR. Either way I expect a lot out of a rain jacket and hope the Torrentshell will hold strong through years of constant use. Some things that appealed to me when I bought the Torrentshell are the big side pockets. I tend to carry all my electronic devices in my jacket pockets staying out of the rain. I need roomy pockets to be able to fit them all and the Torrentshell has that. The Torrentshell is also very light weight and packs down easily in my backpack or other small out of the way places. I noticed this jacket has a drawstring hood adjustment which does a lot better job than Velcro at form fitting to your head. One thing that might be a drawback is that the collar zips up much higher up on the neck than other jackets do. This feature is nice if you're caught in stormy conditions and are protecting your mouth and nose from the elements, but it can look and feel a little inappropriate if you're just walking around town or in a casual setting. Overall this seems like a nice jacket and I'm happy with my choice.
(legalese)
