Buying guide for Best women’s patagonia jackets
Do you spend a lot of time outdoors in colder weather? Chances are you’re bundled up and wearing several layers to stay warm. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your outerwear lately, we recommend considering a women’s Patagonia jacket.
Patagonia jackets have it all: warmth, versatility, and durable construction. Many have several generous compartments for storing essentials, and most styles have adjustability features. There are even convertible Patagonia jackets that come in removable layers to suit the weather accordingly. And Patagonia jackets are made with the outdoor aficionado in mind in more ways than one. In addition to providing superior protection in challenging conditions, the company aims to help save our planet, one jacket at a time. Among other philanthropic efforts, the outerwear manufacturer donates 1% of sales to preservation efforts.
Next time you zip up to head out, make sure it’s in a Patagonia jacket. Here’s our buying guide introducing you to their impressive line of cold-weather styles plus a few of our favorites.
Key considerations
Patagonia jacket styles
Parkas: These are Patagonia’s warmest jackets. Parkas feature the best in insulation, which is usually in the form of top-quality down, as well as one of Patagonia’s many patented insulation materials. Parkas are the longest jackets available, typically reaching the knee or mid-calf. They also have full-coverage, insulated hoods, many of which are removable.
Patagonia also has a line of convertible Frozen Range 3-in-1 parkas, which have additional removable layers. They’re a solid choice if you want flexible options for temperature regulation, but given their design, it’s no surprise that they’re some of Patagonia’s most expensive styles.
Everyday insulated jackets: Patagonia has a pretty broad range of everyday insulated jackets, which can be cropped above the waist or cut mid-thigh. More than anything, these jackets are typically used as everyday cold-weather jackets. Warmer styles in this category have down filling, while others feature some of Patagonia’s lightweight linings.
These vary considerably when it comes to features and can include one or more of the following: hood, insulated pockets, flexible waistband, drawcord detail, adjustable openings, and pack-away case. Everyday insulated jackets also vary when it comes to the shell material, which ranges from ripstop nylon to canvas.
Lightweight fleece jackets: For those who only need moderate warmth in cool conditions, Patagonia offers a broad range of lightweight fleece jackets. These include lightly lined fleece jackets, polar fleece styles, and teddy bear jackets, just to name a few. They tend to be waist or hip length, and some styles come with an adjustable drawcord hem to keep drafts at bay. Many of these styles are slim cut, so if you like layering, expect to size up.
Windbreakers and rain jackets: Even more lightweight are Patagonia’s windbreakers and rain jackets. These simple styles are as bulk-free as you can go. They have all the wind and rain protection basics covered with a lined hood, wind-resistant flaps, drawcord hem, and water-resistant shell. These Patagonia jackets tend to have a boxier, looser fit than many fleece styles.
Other popular styles: If you’re looking for sport-specific jackets, Patagonia offers styles that are well suited for climbing, hiking, skiing, and snowboarding. Each one is specially crafted to please the active outdoor thrill seeker, so they offer a variety of dedicated features. Climbing jackets, for example, have a high degree of flexibility to accommodate a full range of motion as you work your way up a mountain.
Patagonia jacket technology
Gore-Tex: This is a popular material choice for jackets because of its stellar water and wind protection. Its unique construction consists of a fine membrane with tens of thousands of microscopic pores that make it breathable while also making it virtually impossible for water and wind to penetrate. Gore-Tex is available in a few varieties of up to three membrane layers. For added water resistance, some Gore-Tex is treated with a water-repellent coating that encourages water and moisture to bead off the surface.
H2No: Jackets with the ultimate water protection receive Patagonia’s H2No seal of approval. This means the shell material has undergone rigorous lab and field testing and met waterproof performance requirements. There are three levels of H2No, with the three-layer being the highest. Jackets at this level are totally waterproof, windproof, breathable, and perform the best in extreme conditions.
Patented insulation: Patagonia also has several patented insulation materials, namely PrimaLoft and Regulator. These special blends quickly transform their jackets into performance- and sports-ready styles. PrimaLoft insulation features a tight weave of ultrafine water-resistant fibers designed to be as soft as down. Regulator insulation is a lightweight fleece with the warmth of a heavyweight style. It also offers excellent breathability and wick-away features.
Features
Patagonia uses a few different popular materials for its jackets.
Down
Patagonia uses Traceable down in its women’s jackets, mostly with warm 800-fill power virgin down. The company also manufactures some lighter styles with 600- or 700-fill power down.
In addition to making the warmest jackets around, Patagonia is proudly transparent about its down supply chain and ethical sourcing. As required by Patagonia, down must meet strict in-house standards, as well as the Advanced Global Traceable Down Standard.
Ripstop nylon
One of the most popular shell materials in Patagonia women’s jackets is ripstop nylon. The tight weave makes it profoundly resistant to tearing. It holds up better to friction, pulling, and even modest punctures before sustaining damage. Ripstop jackets are often treated with a water-repellent coating as well.
Recycled materials
Some lines of women’s Patagonia jackets are made from recycled down, nylon, polyester, or wool. This aligns with Patagonia’s mission to limit its footprint in as many ways as possible, especially when it comes to eliminating waste and repurposing materials that are still usable.
- Recycled down. This comes from Patagonia’s own discarded down, as well as from some other approved sources.
- Recycled nylon: Patagonia uses some post-industrial waste nylon, such as that used in garment factories or fishing nets. Each piece undergoes a thorough cleaning and quality check before being approved for apparel production.
- Recycled polyester: Single-use bottles and worn-out polyester garments are cleaned and respun into recycled, reusable polyester.
- Recycled wool: Threadbare wool garments and blankets are taken apart and reassembled by color to produce attractive new wool for Patagonia’s jackets.
Women’s Patagonia jacket prices
Women’s Patagonia jackets cost between $89 and $799, depending on how much warmth you need.
Inexpensive
If you prefer lightweight jackets with modest protection and warmth, you’ll find styles between $89 and $199.
Mid-range
For styles that offer medium-level warmth and more wind and moisture protection, expect to spend between $200 and $400.
Expensive
Parkas, which cost between $400 and $799, are typically the longest and warmest Patagonia jackets. This range also includes their Frozen Range 3-in-1 convertible styles.
"Never zip your jacket in a rush. The teeth can catch on the material and potentially rip it. "
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Tips
- Choose a neutral color for an everyday jacket. If you’re a big fan of patterned leggings, footwear, or handbags, stick with a neutral color for your jacket. It will keep the focus on the print without making your overall look too busy.
- Let the jacket dry before returning it to the closet. After you come indoors on a rainy or snowy day, let your jacket dry thoroughly before hanging it up to avoid transferring moisture to other garments in your closet.
- Avoid hand lotion to prevent stains. Hand lotion is a necessity in dry winter weather, but it can stain your Patagonia jacket, particularly the cuffs. Save the lotion for later, or put on gloves before putting on your jacket.
FAQ
Q. Does Patagonia repair jackets?
A. Yes, and the company often does it at no charge since its products have a lifetime guarantee. If the repair is more than superficial, though, Patagonia will charge a small fee. Patagonia also walks you through repair the jacket yourself in the event the damage is minimal. It’s definitely an option worth considering because it can take up to 12 weeks for repairs by the company.
Q. Where can I hear more about Patagonia’s philanthropic efforts? I’d like to get involved.
A. Patagonia is transparent about its charity and outreach efforts and updates its website weekly on the Patagonia Works page. It lists projects and partnerships around the country, some of which have open-call for volunteers through the company’s advocacy group, Patagonia Action Works.
Q. How do I clean my Patagonia jacket?
A. It depends on the material, especially since Patagonia uses a unique material blend in every style. Clear care and washing instructions are listed on a separate tag inside each jacket. For more detailed information, visit Patagonia’s website. It has extensive information about how to care for dozens of jackets based on the materials, ranging from Gore-Tex to PrimaLoft insulation.
