by Jacob Gordon
We discussed Patagonia’s history and philosophy earlier, and now it only seems appropriate to dedicate this Five on Friday to the products of the brand.
Because Patagonia does an amazing job of providing quality pieces across the board, we’ll focus this week’s Five on Friday on iconic Patagonia pieces. These are pieces that define the brand. And the best part? Patagonia does a fantastic job of creating like-products for both men and women. If they offer the Down Sweater for men, they’ll have a version for women.
And remember, all of Patagonia’s pieces are made from responsible materials, be it recycled materials; organic cotton; or responsibly sourced, traceable down.
So let’s get right into this Five on Five with arguably Patagonia’s most iconic product…
1. Patagonia Capilene Baselayer
This might be cheating. Rather than highlight one specific piece from Patagonia’s Capilene line, I’d like to just talk about Capilene in general. Made from recycled polyester, the Capilene Baselayers work as a great insulating layer. Ranging from 1-4, the lower the number the lighter the weight and vice versa. Capilene 1s and 2s make for great warm-to-mild weather layers, while Capilene 3s and 4s are perfect for layering in the winter. Each Capilene piece no matter the weight works to provide breathable, comfortable body temp regulation, while the bluesign certified construction provides a little peace of mind.
The old Synchilla line may have paved the way for Capilene’s reign of supreme, but Patagonia never abandoned the Synchilla all together. Instead, they’ve focused it into a super comfy and stylish pullover sweater. Super layer-friendly, the Snap-T can function perfectly on its own during those milder fall days in which you want to show off its flashy design, but can still be a skier or snowboarder’s favorite layer. The recycled polyester blend works to wick moisture away, while the snap placket allows ventilation options to avoid over heating.
3. Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket
The Torrentshell Jacket from Patagonia uses the appropriately named H2No performance shell, which is utilizes a 2.5 layer construction that offers excellent lightweight, waterproof protection. The Torrentshell’s hood rolls into the cuff and offers a laminated visor, which stands up even to the most torrential downpours. The hood also features a nice pull cord at the back for easy one-hand adjustments. For added comfort, you’ll enjoy the microfleece-lined neck which is soft to the touch and eliminates the plastic feeling of other rain jackets. The Torrentshell is a nice piece to wear around town, but its lightweight construction makes it a nice option to hit the trail with too.
4. Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
The Nano Puff Jacket from Patagonia offers excellent insulation without the price of down. Featuring 60-g of Primaloft Gold insulation, the Nano Puff is lightweight, super durable, and highly packable. It’s a perfect piece to throw into your pack on your next excursion thanks to the synthetic insulation that will keep you nice and toasty warm even if it gets a little wet. The shell features a DWR coating that stands up to light precipitation, and the chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack for easy storing.
5. Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket
Arguable, one of the most popular Patagonia products on the market is the Down Sweater Jacket. Filled with 800-fill power Traceable down, the Down Sweater Jacket keeps you toasty warm without the gloom and doom of conventional down; Patagonia ensures all of their down is responsibly sources, so you know you’re getting a quality product. The large baffling plays wonderfully with Patagonia’s unique color combination, ensuring you won’t be shy about wearing this jacket around town.