Patagonia Torrentshell 3L (men’s) review: a three-layer shell at a mid price
Most rain jackets at a moderate price use a light 2.5-layer fabric that keeps rain out for a few seasons and can then wear thin from the inside. The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L uses a full three-layer fabric, the construction used in far more expensive jackets, and adds pit zips and a hood that adjusts properly.
Quick take
A three-layer rain shell for regular hikers at a mid-range price. The men’s Torrentshell 3L kept testers and long-term users dry through hours of heavy rain, has pit zips for venting, packs into its own pocket and is built to last for years. The fabric is stiff and crinkly, it weighs more than a 2.5-layer shell, and it is not the most breathable jacket on a hard climb. For most hiking in wet weather it is a strong choice.
What it does
The Torrentshell 3L is a three-layer rain jacket. A waterproof, breathable membrane is bonded between a 50-denier recycled nylon ripstop face and a soft knit backer, and the three are one fabric. In a 2.5-layer jacket the inner face of the membrane is covered only by a thin printed coating, which feels clammy against bare skin and wears through first. The knit backer of a three-layer fabric protects the membrane from sweat, skin oil and abrasion, so the jacket lasts longer and is more comfortable over a T-shirt. The cost is a fabric that is stiffer and noisier than a light shell, most noticeably when new.
Patagonia tests the fabric to its own H2No waterproof standard, and the water-repellent finish on the outside is made without PFCs. The seams are taped. The front zip is covered by a storm flap, and there are two zipped hand pockets.
For venting there is a zip under each arm. The hood adjusts at the back and the sides and has a stiffened visor, the cuffs close with hook-and-loop tabs, the hem has a drawcord, and the collar is lined with soft fleece at the chin. The jacket stuffs into its left hand pocket, which has a loop for clipping it to a pack or harness.
The men’s jacket weighs 14.1 ounces (400 g) and comes in sizes from XS to XXXL. It is sewn in a Fair Trade Certified factory and covered by Patagonia’s guarantee, which includes repairs.
What verified buyers say
Across verified-purchase reviews, the same points come up:
- Dry in real rain. The most common report: an hour or more of heavy rain with water still beading and nothing coming through. One owner wore it for six weeks on an Arctic canoe trip without a problem.
- Well made, and it lasts. Owners describe sturdy fabric that has not snagged in thick brush, and one reports water still beading after four years with no re-treatment.
- Pit zips help. With the vents open, most find it comfortable on the move.
- Crinkly at first. The fabric is stiff and noisy when new and softens over a few months of use.
- Check the size for layering. The cut is roomy for most, but several who wear a fleece or light insulated jacket under it went up a size, and the sleeves run long.
- Damp inside on hard climbs. A few owners find condensation builds up when working hard in the cold, even with the vents open.
- A minority had jackets that wet through. A small share report water coming through within months. Some of those were replaced under the guarantee.
Worth knowing
This is a rain shell with moderate breathability. On a steep climb in mild weather you are likely to sweat inside it, so open the pit zips early and slow down before you overheat. When rain stops beading and the face fabric darkens, the jacket is not leaking, but it will feel cold and damp and stop breathing. Wash it with a technical cleaner and tumble dry on low to revive the finish, and re-treat it when that no longer works. The front zip relies on a storm flap, so in wind-driven rain some water can reach the zip. The hand pockets sit where a pack hip belt covers them, and there is no chest pocket. At 14.1 ounces (400 g) it is heavier than a 2.5-layer shell; if weight matters most, look at a lighter jacket and accept a shorter life.
Who it is for
The men’s Torrentshell 3L is for hikers, backpackers and paddlers who are out in the rain often enough to wear out a lighter jacket, and who want one shell that will also serve for travel and daily wear. It suits three-season use and works as a wind shell over insulation in winter.
If you want the lightest packable shell and hike mostly in showers, the Marmot PreCip Eco (men’s) weighs less. For sustained mountain storms and more venting, the Outdoor Research Foray 3L opens from hem to bicep. For an inexpensive first shell, see the Columbia Watertight II. The women’s version is reviewed separately: Torrentshell 3L (women’s). Our guide to what to wear in the bush covers the layers that go under a shell.
Specs at a glance
- Type3-layer waterproof-breathable shell
- FabricH2No, 50D recycled nylon ripstop, PFC-free finish
- Ventingpit zips
- Hoodadjustable, stiffened visor
- Cuffshook-and-loop
- Packs into its left pocket
- SizesXS to XXXL
- Listed weight14.1 oz (400 g) · men's
- Best forregular hiking and backpacking in rain
These links go to MEC and REI, which are authorized Patagonia dealers and stock the full size range, so the jacket comes with Patagonia’s guarantee. We have no affiliate relationship with either and earn nothing if you buy through them.
The Verdict
The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L gives regular hikers a durable three-layer rain jacket with pit zips and a good hood at a moderate price, and independent testers rank it at or near the top of its class. It is stiffer and heavier than a 2.5-layer shell and only moderately breathable. For frequent use in wet weather it is a sound choice. For a lighter shell, see the Marmot PreCip Eco (men’s); for the hardest mountain weather, the Outdoor Research Foray 3L.
