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Post by hikerjer on Oct 17, 2016 14:26:36 GMT -8
Anyone use Patagonia's "Torrent" rain wear - jacket and pants? I've got a chance to pick some up at a great price and am just wondering about other's experience with it. It's not gore-tex but I know Patagonia generally makes good stuff if a bit over priced, IMO.
Thanks for lending your expertise.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Oct 17, 2016 15:15:44 GMT -8
Yep. Have a torrentshell jacket and pants. They have some sort of proprietary material "h2no" fabric, which I suppose is how they (and Marmot's precip/nanopro) avoid paying fees to goretex. h2no/torrent works for me. Not nearly as heavy as a lot of goretex like many Arcteryx jackets.
I don't feel like I'm stifling in the h2no/torrent stuff, but I stay dry. If you're ice climbing or something like that you may want a tougher/heavier shell due to abrasion protection - rocks, ice, etc. Here in the midatlantic torrent/h2no works great - tree branches, sitting on rocks, an occasional scramble over rocks, and of course, keeping dry.
In any case, I'm a firm believer in pit zips for ventilation.
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jazzmom
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a.k.a. TigerFan
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Post by jazzmom on Oct 17, 2016 16:03:48 GMT -8
I have the jacket. I rarely use it for backpacking, but gets used often for dog-walking, car-camping, and many rainy baseball/football/whatever games I've attended as a parent. I really like the hood and it does have pit-zips. The fabric is similar to the Precip, quite a bit stiffer than Paclite. I have a Paclite paddling jacket that I really like and I think it breathes much better than my Torrent.
I've had the Torrent for a long time. I revive the DWR about once a year with Revivex.
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Post by hikerjer on Oct 17, 2016 17:37:24 GMT -8
Not nearly as heavy as a lot of goretex Yep. That's one thing I like about this jacket and pants as well as the screaming deal I'm getting on them. |
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Post by dayhiker on Oct 17, 2016 19:06:30 GMT -8
2.5-layer H2No® Performance Standard
ie about the same as precip and other 2.5 layer jackets. though REI says these can be different.
I bought mind some time back. I like that its pockets aren't (weren't?) mesh, so they are waterproof if the jacket is open or if I sweat allot.
The hood is (was?) a bit different, as it is tight fitting, with a baseball like bill, though smaller, no so good for glasses, though I usually use a rain hat anyway.
I think they used to have one for a bit more with a rainproof zipper , instead of a flap.
Once the inner fabric wears away it is time to toss the jacket.
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Post by hikerjer on Oct 17, 2016 20:41:23 GMT -8
I rarely use it for backpacking, Why? |
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Oct 17, 2016 21:34:05 GMT -8
I rarely use it for backpacking, Why? Weight reasons, mostly. I think mine weighs something like 11-12 oz which, frankly, is the weight of my Solomid-knockoff (tarp) and it's pretty bulky (compared to what I have.) I don't need all the features that retail jackets have for backpacking, like an adjustable hood (extra fabric, cinchable), pockets, full-length beefy zipper, and they're usually longer than I need since I'm so short. So, I have a DIY rain anorak that I made from 'Hyvent' material (another one of those proprietary fabrics), weighs something like 4.5 oz. FWIW, I really like Patagonia and think their clothes are really well-made, really durable. That usually means some weight penalty, though. So, while my son and I both have quite a few pieces, especially jackets, we tend to have them for everyday wear, or for day hiking, kayaking, skiing, etc. Just not as much backpacking. I'm out walking my dog every day, year-round, and my Nano puff and Torrent shell get used a lot. All that said, though, if I were to buy a reasonably priced rain jacket for backpacking, I would most likely buy a Marmot Minimalist. I'm seeing them on sale a lot (maybe they're redesigning/updating it?) and I think that Paclite (it's a Gortex fabric) is so damn comfortable. Can't speak to durability. I don't use my paddle jacket that much and it doesn't get the stress of backpack shoulder straps either. |
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