These jackets are worth the money: I’ve had a Patagonia Torrentshell ( men’s sizing, women’s sizing) for seven years.I also didn’t trust the durability of Jack Wolfskin’s recycled shell I got cold and clammy on short, half-day hikes. It just doesn’t justify the substantially higher price tag. Marmot’s Keele Peak lightweight shell performed well while hiking and biking, but Marmot’s Pertex doesn’t feel as nice as either AscentShell or Futurelight fabrics, and I don’t find it as breathable. I also like these waterproof shells: I still like the Fjallraven Keb’s PFC-free waterproofing materials and commuter-friendly design details.
It’s still waterproof and is a more affordable alternative. I’ve also had Outdoor Research’s AscentShell ( men’s sizing, women’s sizing) for several years. The Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket comes in men’s sizing and women’s sizing and is $399 at REI. I found the full-zip Beta LT version to be more comfortable, versatile, and readily available.
★ Good Alternatives: Arc’teryx has been my favorite in this category for a long time, even though the company’s high prices give me palpitations (although you can occasionally find good items used). I also tried the Arc’teryx Alpha SL ( men’s sizing, women’s sizing), another climbing shell whose ultra-lightweight fabric is the result of a proprietary collaboration between Arc’teryx and Gore-Tex. As a bonus, it stretched over several insulating layers. It kept me dry, even through pelting rainstorms that left my pants soaked after less than five minutes. It quickly became my favorite jacket for any athletic activity (bar running), just because it was so easy to wear.
By the time I got my hands on a tester, the only ones available were in men’s sizes. No, the reason I did not believe it would work was because the jacket itself was improbably light, flexible, soft, and stretchy. If you want to achieve that magical combination of being a little protected but not clammy, I’d recommend something lighter, like Nathan’s Vamos track jacket ($100) or Smartwool’s merino anorak ($130), which uses a PFC-free DWR. However, this is not not terribly breathable. The nylon is recycled, and the company recently made the switch to PFC-free DWR. In the past few years, Patagonia has made a few more Earth-friendly moves that make me more inclined to recommend its jackets. I also like that the cuffs are elasticized, so you don't have to fiddle with Velcro to keep water from running up your arms. It has one single chest pocket for keys or a snack that doubles as a stuff sack, and it packs down to nearly nothing (3.7 ounces!) in my tiny Nathan running vest or in a backpack while traveling. It has a slim fit that doesn’t rustle while you’re swinging your arms back and forth, and the hood fits my proportionately oversized head. For the past several months, I’ve been reaching for Patagonia’s lightweight windbreaker, the Houdini. In fact, it has broken the record for the city’s rainiest April ever, and softshell rain jackets with fewer features just haven’t been cutting it. This spring in Portland has been exceedingly soggy.
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