I’m not what you’d call a fair-weather backpacker. With my work as a backcountry guide in the Smokies and plans to traverse Scotland’s West Highland Way, I was expecting a lot of wet weather on the trails this year. So I knew I needed a rain jacket that could handle any weather. Enter the Patagonia Torrentshell.
This durable 3-layer rain jacket isn’t the lightest on the market, but it seemed like a good choice for my purposes. How did it hold up? Read on to find out.
Patagonia Torrentshell Overview
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket on a rainy hike in GSMNP
MSRP: $179
Weight: 12.4 oz (Women’s), 14.1 oz (Men’s)
Material: 3-ply, 3.5 oz 50 denier ECONYL 100% recycled nylon ripstop face with 13% bio-based polycarbonate PU membrane, tricot lining, DWR finish
Size range: Women’s XS-XXL, Men’s XS-3XL
Review status
I work as a backpacking guide in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and have worn this jacket on multiple overnight trips throughout the 2024 season. I also took the Torrentshell with me to Scotland to hike the West Highland Way. Both the Southern Appalachians and Scotland are known for their humid climates, and this jacket was tested on wet and windy days.
Major features
ADJUSTABLE HOOD: Features a two-way adjustable hood and visor to keep rain out of your eyes (especially useful if you wear glasses).
Microfleece-Lined Neck: Enough microfleece to keep this high-touch area nice and cozy, while providing an extra layer of protection with a waterproof, breathable barrier.
PIT ZIPS AND HAND POCKETS: Unlike minimalist ultralight rain jackets, the Torrentshell luxuriates in weight with pit zips for increased ventilation in sweat-prone underarm areas and zippered handwarmer pockets to stow your hands or small snack/gear items.
Cuff closures: Velcro closures allow you to tighten the cuffs around your wrists so that rainwater doesn’t run down your sleeves every time you raise your arms (such as when using trekking poles).
ADJUSTABLE DRAWCORD HEM: The hem can be adjusted to fit your perfect fit anywhere around your waist or hips to seal out cold drafts.
PFC/PFAS FREE: Torrentshell is treated with a durable water repellent finish, like most rain jackets, but without the harmful “forever chemicals.” This class of chemicals is known to persist in the environment and be dangerous to human and environmental health, and more and more brands are moving to PFC/PFAS free DWR treatments.
Patagonia Torrentshell Fabric, Fit and Performance
fit
I am a 5’8″, 150 lb. woman with wide hips and small chest. I wear a women’s size medium and it fits perfectly. I was able to zip this jacket comfortably over a base layer, mid layer, and fleece.
I think the rain jacket would have fit snugly better if I had been planning on wearing a down jacket, but overall I was happy with the fit, and I also liked the longer cut because the jacket didn’t ride up under my hip belt, even when I wore it with a fully loaded backpack.
Adjustability
It has multiple elastic cords, zippers and Velcro straps to allow for the wearer’s preferred fit. The hood can be tightened with a fastener at the back of the hood or cinched at the sides with drawcords. The cuffs can be tightened or loosened with Velcro. There is also an adjustable drawcord around the waist.
like water off a duck’s back
Patagonia’s signature H₂No is a performance standard, not an actual product. Tested both in the lab and in the field, it rates an item’s “waterproofness, breathability, surface water repellency and long-term durability.” In the Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket, true waterproofness is achieved by using three separate layers: a quick-drying nylon face, a waterproof polycarbonate membrane and a tricot liner for a soft inner layer that’s next to the skin. The jacket has a durable water repellent (DWR) finish.
Breathable
Because the jacket is three-layered, there isn’t much airflow through the jacket. These materials trap heat while trying to keep water out. Patagonia’s designers tried to address this issue by incorporating 11-inch pit zips into the Torrentshell 3L for increased breathability.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Women’s Jacket “Pufferfish Gold”, Medium Size
There are pockets on the left and right front that function as hand warmers. There are no chest pockets or pockets sewn into the lining.
zipper
Two zippered handwarmer pockets. Storm flaps (double layers of material) at the top and bottom of the center zipper to prevent water seepage and jamming of the zipper. 11″ pit zips on both sides for increased ventilation.
Did it get wet?
In the short term, no. In the long term, yes. At some point, nothing is completely waterproof after a few hours of sustained light rain. This reality, combined with the fact that I was sweating while wearing this jacket, makes it hard to determine how wet I actually got. Was I wet from the rain because the jacket got wet, or was I wet because I was sweating underneath my layers?
Outside of extended backpacking trips in the Smokies or Scotland, I wear this jacket regularly in my daily life. It keeps me dry when rushing to the car or just walking around the neighborhood on an overcast day. I think the jacket will hold up fine for an hour or so, but then the rain will get the better of it and slowly soak into the fabric.
Typical rainy weather in Scotland while exploring the fairy pools on the Isle of Skye
Advantages of Patagonia Torrentshell
A brand with a purpose: Patagonia’s values are clearly stated on the company’s website: “We stand behind every product we make. We take responsibility for our impact. We support grassroots causes. We protect your gear. We give our profits back to the planet.” A key feature Patagonia is known for is its participation in Fair Trade. While researching this article, I watched the company’s short film, “Fair Trade: First Steps.” Patagonia partners with Fair Trade USA to ensure that a premium is paid for every product made in a Fair Trade certified factory. That premium is then passed on to a worker-elected committee whose members decide how to spend the funds. In the film, the highlighted factory chose to donate the premium funds to an on-campus childcare center. As a consumer, it makes me feel good to know that my support benefits the person who sewed my rain jacket.
Patagonia prides itself on its “iron-clad guarantee.” If any part of our gear, from clothing to equipment, breaks down over time, Patagonia will repair it for a fee. When you buy anything from Patagonia, you can expect to get your money’s worth.
Windproof: This jacket was primarily used as a windproof jacket while hiking in Scotland. I encountered strong winds on the summit of Conic Hill and Ben Nevis. I put this jacket on to keep the wind from chilling me, and it really helped. I could feel the wind biting through my trousers, but the rain jacket kept it away from my core. It also served as a good insulating layer during chilly nights at camp.
Visor: A laminated visor over the hood keeps rain out of your eyes and from dripping down your face.
Packability: The jacket packs down into the small included stuff sack located in the left front zipper pocket. I usually store the jacket rolled up with the laminated visor. Either way, it packs down small when it’s not raining.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Compact
Cons of Patagonia Torrentshell
Price: I wore a pair of $25 Frogg Toggs while hiking the Appalachian Trail. I definitely consider myself a saver, so the price is a minus for me.
But compared to other brands like Arc’teryx, Patagonia’s prices are modest (especially when you remember that the $179 Patagonia jacket was made in a Fair Trade Certified factory.) Sure, there are cheaper options on the market, but there are also options that are significantly more expensive.
Weight: At just over 12 ounces for the women’s jacket and just over 14 ounces for the men’s jacket, they’re not super light by any means. For a quick weekend trip or just riding around town, the weight isn’t a big issue. But for trips lasting several weeks or months, the weight can add up and become a big issue.
If you don’t want to compromise on weight, there are a variety of ultralight rain jackets on the market.
Hard-to-use drawcords: The drawcords around the hood of the jacket are recessed into the fabric, meaning you can’t actually see the release buttons to adjust the cord. It took me a lot of trial and error to blindly fumble for the release buttons before I figured out how to adjust the hood claps.
There’s one drawcord on each side of the hood and one at the back of the hood, and while this clumsiness could be down to operator error, the drawcord release mechanisms at the bottom of the jacket are noticeable and easy to use.
Considering that this jacket has two different release mechanisms, I feel the designers should have gone with the one they found easier to use, or at least made both visible and easier to operate (especially when you’re trying to adjust the hood of your jacket while it’s pouring rain).
Few Pockets: If pockets are a priority for you, this jacket isn’t for you. There are only two handwarmer pockets. Other rain jackets may have chest pockets or hidden interior pockets. I didn’t think two pockets for the hands was an issue, but other jackets have fun with secret hiding places.
Breathability isn’t the best: Even with the armpit zippers wide open, I had a hard time regulating my body temperature while wearing this jacket. Breathability isn’t the best, especially in the core, where heat tends to build up, and with the main zipper closed to keep out the rain, there’s very little ventilation in that area.
Patagonia’s Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket used as a windbreaker on the summit of Ben Nevis in Scotland
Conclusion
Overall, this jacket is good for the price. There are cheaper ones on the market and some that are more expensive. I truly believe there is no such thing as “waterproof” – no matter how much you pay for it, you’re still going to get wet eventually.
I don’t think this jacket is particularly breathable, but beggars are not choosy – there is no such thing as a perfect rain jacket, and finding yourself in the pouring rain without one can be heart-shattering (and dangerous), so it’s always a good idea to bring some with you.
The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is a great jacket to take on any type of adventure, whether that be a thru-hike, a weekend getaway, or just a quick walk between your car and the office.
Shop Patagonia Women’s Torrentshell
Shop Men’s Patagonia Torrentshell
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If you want to learn more about what rain jackets thru-hikers are wearing this year, check out The Trek’s “Best Backpacking Rain Jackets for Thru-Hiking 2024.”
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket was donated for review
