Patagonia Alpine Wind Jacket review
Patagonia Alpine Wind Jacket
The Patagonia Alpine Wind Jacket is a super lightweight layering piece that is amazingly versatile. This jacket is warm, it breathes, it stays dry in light rain and is totally windproof (as the name implies). I got to try out the Alpine Wind Jacket over the last three months or so, and put it to the test during activities ranging from backcountry skiing, to mountain biking, to doing a backyard hangboard routine in the rain.
Prepping to ski with the Patagonia Alpine Wind Jacket
At first glance, the Patagonia Alpine Wind Jacket
seems flimsy and insubstantial. This is the mystery of the jacket. How can something so thin perform so well and be so durable? It must be the polyester ripstop fabric, because nothing got through the outer layer. Even after being stabbed in the arm while skiing through pine trees, the material never got punctured but only became a bit distorted.
So about ski touring. While skinning up drainages and peaks in the Wasatch Mountains, the Alpine Wind Jacket was surprisingly breathable, even during warm spring tours. I never overheated or got too sweaty, yet the jacket still kept out any cold wind once ridgelines were gained. To add to its versatility, it also made a good mid-layer under my Patagonia Ascensionist Jacket when it was time to descend. But on warmer days, the Alpine Wind Jacket worked great as an outer layer as that brush with the pine confirmed.
Yet surprisingly, I found myself mostly using the Alpine Wind Jacket for bike riding. When I first saw the bright orange color of the jacket, I turned my nose in disgust. But the lightbulb went off in my head that the color makes it perfect for bike commuting as drivers will definitely see me wearing it. I rode my hike all over the Salt Lake City streets and felt more safe and comfortable knowing I was visible, especially at night. Again, the breathability worked wonders as the stretch-woven underarms and mesh inner liner wicked moisture away. In addition, I got caught in the rain several times but always stayed dry except for where water seeped in at the neck line.
Even when mountain biking, the Alpine Wind Jacket was good to have around. I was especially glad to wear it while competing in the 18 Hours of Fruita mountain bike race when overnight temperatures dropped into the mid-30′s. The entire time, my core temperature stayed regulated.
I have some gripes, but they are few. The pockets are practically worthless as the outer material is so stretchy and light that stuff just flopped around as if I grew udders. I also found that the front zipper tended to stick after a few uses. I’m also not a fan of elastic sleeves, but anything else would make the jacket feel bulky at the wrists so I guess that can’t be avoided.
Here are the specs from Patagonia:
Overall, I’d say there isn’t much the Patagonia Alpine Wind Jacket can’t do. It’s practially built to handle anything the mountains can throw at it in all kinds of weather and conditions. For spring, summer and autumn outdoor activities, the Alpine Wind Jacket may be the only outer layer you’ll ever need.
You can purchase the Patagonia Alpine Wind Jacket directly from Patagonia.com.
