Patagonia Alpine Wind Jacket Review

Wind jackets are nothing new, in fact I think it was Marmot that first made them popular. I had one of theirs briefly years ago, but it didn’t fit well and felt kinda bulky. However, last fall Patagonia got in the game with a version of their own, the Alpine Wind Jacket, and I decided to check it out. After many days of use, from muli-pitch rock climbs to fourteener hikes and everything in between, I have to say, I’m finding more and more this is my go to jacket when heading outdoors, especially with fall upon us and the temperatures starting to drop.

The Good Stuff

It seems to be the perfect weight for when you need a little extra warmth, or a biting wind kicks up. And I’ve been quite impressed at how well it breathes, even when pushing it hard up hill at a steady rate. As far as weather protection, it’ll keep you dry in a light rain shower, but if it really starts to come down, you’ll get wet. It did keep me plenty dry in a raging snow squall I encountered yesterday, and I think it’s going to make a great backcountry skiing piece as well. I also like how light it is, I never think twice about tossing it in the pack.

The Not-So-Good-Stuff

So what don’t I like? Probably the only downside is that it’s not waterproof, which means that on days when you think there might be a chance of rain, you’ll probably end up taking this AND a storm proof shell. I do feel that’s not really a big deal though, as rain shells have become so incredibly light these days that it’s pretty inconsequential to add one to your load. Still, for the minimalists out there, that might be a sticking point. Everyone else will likely find this a great addition to the jacket quiver.