Are you on the lookout for the best Patagonia jacket to buy?
Patagonia is one of the leading brands in outdoor clothing. Whatever the weather, Patagonia has the jackets, fleeces, and hardshell jackets you need for either a morning stroll or a trek to the south pole.
Quick Answer – Best Patagonia Jackets
- Learn All About The Brand – Why Choose Patagonia?
- The Best Patagonia Jackets – See Our Review
- Amazing Lightweight Jacket – Micro Puff Hoody
- Best Womens Jacket – Nano Puff Jacket
- A 3-In-1 Jacket For Men – Men’s Parka Jacket
Although Patagonia has made many products in the past, it’s the jackets that are the big seller and always have been.
Their range has included sleeping bags, camp foods, backpacks, and travel bags. This particular page takes a deep dive into Patagonia’s jackets.
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Best Patagonia Jacket
Patagonia has innovated in so many ways with not just their products, but their company ethos and message.
They stand for sustainability and environmental protection, which they have strived for since the 1980s.
With this in mind, we’re looking into which Patagonia jacket could be considered the best.
Why Choose Patagonia?
Patagonia is just one of many different companies that produce high-quality jackets and fleeces.
With so many up and coming as well as established brands out there, companies need to set themselves apart from the competition.
What sets Patagonia above the likes of North Face, Regatta, Berghaus, Canada Goose, or Craghopper’s?
Patagonia started as Yvon Chouinard, an accomplished rock climber, opened a store in 1973 named Great Pacific Iron Works.
At the time, Yvon was an instructor and an experienced outdoorsman. He was self-taught in many different fields such as forging with his own blacksmith.
Paving the way within his own life he found that there were no innovations within the world of climbing.
He used to travel to Europe so that he could acquire rugby shirts, which had thick collars that protected his neck from slings.
Although based in Ventura, California, Patagonia is perfect for the Patagonian winds and weather.
Their research and development stem from a lifetime of passion for the great outdoors.
This passion is manifested not only with the company’s origins, but also its environmental stance.
Since 1985, Patagonia has committed to using 1% of their total sales towards preserving and restoring the natural environment.
Patagonia Values
In 2002, Chouinard and Craig Mathews (owner of Blue Ribbon Flies) set up a non-profit corporation urging other companies to follow in Patagonia’s footsteps.
1% for the Planet is the alliance of businesses that understand the necessity of protecting the natural environment.
The company is based on four core values:
- Quality, and the pursuit of ever‐greater quality.
- Integrity, the relationships built on integrity and respect.
- Environmentalism, to serve as a catalyst for personal and corporate action.
- Never Bound by Convention. Our success—and much of the fun—lies in developing innovative ways to do things.
So, up to now, we’ve looked at the history of Patagonia as a company and its core values, now let’s get into its amazing products.
Best Patagonia Jackets
Below is a list of Patagonia jackets we have found to be the best for a myriad of reasons. Start by taking a look at these jackets then we’ll delve deeper into the types of jackets Patagonia offers.
Men’s Micro Puff Hoody
The Micro Puff is one of the better lightweight jackets in the range. It’s very durable and has an insulation design conducive to keeping warm. The setback to the incredible insulation is the simple bulky look.
It isn’t the easiest jacket to pack or store, since it’s quite puffy. The overall design and look of the jacket is very stylish, making for a unique look. It has nice pocket sizes, with the inside of the jacket featuring pockets and comfortable lining.
This is the best jacket available in the puff form, as it has all the latest in insulation technology as well as incredible waterproofing.
It feels like a down jacket, but could easily be used as a simple waterproof without the shell shielding from wind.
This is definitely better than most puff jackets out there, so give this one a look online if you’re interested in larger than life puff jackets with waterproofing capabilities.
Men’s Houdini Jacket
The cheaper option in the Patagonia range is also one of the most popular. Designed for high-output wherever you may be in the world, it has all the features you’d want from a weather-proof.
Somehow, this jacket is sometimes half the price of other weather-proof jackets in the Patagonia range. It’s one of the most popular since it’s so freeing when worn. It doesn’t feel like a jacket that’s even there when you wear it.
It’s so thin to the touch that it’s translucent under some lights. This can be a pro for some people, but a con for others. If you live in the UK and find most waterproofs to be too thick, you must be thick-skinned to the bitter cold.
The fact is, this is the waterproof perfect for countries that have high-temperature climates. Think of countries along the equator such as Brazil with rainforests or countries that have hot rainy days.
This is the perfect travel jacket, as it comes with an integrated Stuffsack which is great for packing away.
Women’s Nano Puff Jacket
This is definitely one of the best women’s puff jackets on the market. Much better than the Micro Puff, it has more features and seems to have a more sustainable outreach.
Being one of the lighter jackets too has so much to offer. What may put customers off however is the fact that the price tag is much higher than the other coats in the Patagonia women’s range.
If you are considering buying individual fleeces or matching liners, you should go for the 3-in-1 instead. You’ll be saving money and getting a more versatile coat.
Men’s Tres Jacket
If you’re looking for the perfect multipurpose coat, this is the one for you. Once you’ve bought this 3-in-1, you’ll never have to buy another jacket again.
It comes as standard: a double insulated parka with a weather-proof outer shell. There are so many features with this jacket, but our favorite has to be the snap flaps.
They are extremely handy and come with the inner jacket. Don’t let the price tag fool you; this jacket has everything.
Women’s Shelled Synchilla® Fleece Jacket
This is the timeless classic that Patagonia loves to play with when it comes to design. This is exactly what Yvon envisioned when it came to the perfect outdoor jacket.
Most of the jacket is made of recycled materials and the inside is very comfortable. It is heavier than you expect it to be, but it’s well worth the price tag.
Best Patagonia Jacket
Overall, the best jackets can be narrowed down by what uses they may be tailored towards. So the best jackets are the all-rounders.
The jackets can be both versatile and stylish. For this reason, we have chosen the best Patagonia jacket to be the Quandary Jacket.
Without being so thin that it’s translucent, the Quandary packs so many features into one jacket.
It features a super versatile H2No™ Performance Standard waterproofing, windproofing, and snowproofing. It’s also breathable, which not all Patagonia waterproofs have. It has at least some insulation, but not too much.
Plus, it’s FairTrade sewn and it’s one of the more affordable jackets in the range. You can’t beat the Quandary on looks too.
Types of Patagonia Jackets
Rainwear
There are two main rain jackets available in the range: the Torrentshell and the Rainshadow.
The Torrentshell is more affordable, despite having three layers for waterproofing and recycled materials to boot.
The 3-layer H2No™ Performance Standard technology is for all-day comfort and long-lasting waterproof durability.
It’s for every day/commute kind of waterproof. The Rainshadow, on the other hand, has a higher premium and offers more by way of protection.
It has everything the torrent shell has, but with more protective surface area and breathability. All rainwear comes in a variety of colors.
3-in-1
Whether a parka or a jacket, the 3-in-1’s are the most versatile products in the Patagonia range. They offer three settings to suit wherever you are and wherever you may travel to.
It can adapt to become a simple shell, an insulated jacket, or a fully-insulated coat. They come in three different designs, each with different styles and appearances.
The Parka is the most expensive and most suitable jacket for colder climates. The Lone Mountain is perfect for climbers and trekkers looking for the perfect versatile coat without having the faff of buying separate jackets.
The Isthmus is for those looking for extreme comfort. All 3-in-1’s are FairTrade sewn and use recycled materials.
Casual
The casual Patagonia range consists mainly of sweaters of all varieties. The Better Sweaters are like fleeces but better, and the pullovers are evocative of Yvon’s rugby tops.
The Baggies jacket is classic in style but not the most technologically advanced.
If you’re looking for the perfect blend of casual, versatile, and waterproof; the answer is the quandary.
It stops wind, rain, wet snow, and has a breathable feature. Unlike any casual waterproof on the market, the Quandary has it all.
Insulated
The insulated range has many forms but mostly come in vest, hoody, or jacket variations (or combinations).
The best in active insulation is the Nano-Air range, which has all the breathability and comfort for start-stop activity.
The Nano and Micro Puff ranges are the best in waterproof insulation and perfect for outdoor snow activities such as skiing. Down insulated jackets are slightly cheaper but are best worn in dry conditions.
If you’re seeking some indoor insulated jackets for the style and label, the down jackets are preferable.
So there you have it! We have looked at the best of the best when it comes to environmentally-friendly and eco-conscious travel jackets that you can wear today.
The best of all is the price which by visiting the Patagonia site you’ll find is very competitive when compared with other brands.
Best Patagonia Jacket
Patagonia is the most environmentally-conscious outdoor apparel company out there today.
They have always taken accountability for the environment and taken action. Unlike many different major brands today, their huge growth and status have not swayed their initial standings.
They are as passionate now about the environment as they were as a small Californian store in the 1970s.
It’s also a company that just so happens to make the best wind-proof and water-proof jackets and coats on the market.
Although we narrowed down the range to the top jackets available, you can look for the perfect jacket for you online at patagonia.com.
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Need More Packing Inspiration?
Hopefully, you’ve found a Patagonia for your adventures.
Feel like you need more travel gear for your trip?
- North Face Jackets – Designed for the great outdoors.
- What to Wear In The Desert – Sun protection clothing.
- Travel Bug Spray – Keep those pesky mosquitos at bay.
- Anti Theft Clothing – Protect your belongings on the road.
- Hidden Pocket Pants – Anti-theft pants for all types of travel.
Or, maybe you’re considering buying a gift for a fellow traveler? See this best travel gear page for even more ideas on what to shop for.
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