Our tester gives his long-term review of Patagonia's bestselling three-layer shell
The last Patagonia Torrentshell proved a hit with the Outdoors Magic gear testers when it was released in 2019. ‘A sturdy, no-nonsense jacket at a great price,’ were the exact words used. The 2020 iteration, which switched from a 2.5-layer to 3-layer construction, also went down well. Now, six years on, has the Torrentshell 3L stood the test of time? The answer is a profound yes.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L: The Top Line
I’ve become very familiar with this jacket over the years and my overall thoughts are that it represents excellent value for money. I’ve worn it on multi-day mountain hikes in Wales, my most recent trip being a February hike through the rain up a mountain called Pen Cerrig-calch, and it’s always performed well. There are, however, some details that do reflect the reasonable price it comes at.
Will with the latest iteration. Will is 5 foot 10 and wearing a size L here.
Materials
This has a 3-layer H2No construction. Much like Gore-tex, this involves a membrane that’s sandwiched between a durable outer shell and an internal liner fabric. This provides virtually identical levels of protection and breathability to Gore-tex – to me the difference between them is negligible. The same can be said for the durability. Where I think it differs slightly from the latest crop of Gore-tex jackets, those that feature the new ePE technology, is that it does feel a bit more crinkly and less stretchy.
Where to Buy
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
Our editor’s verdict: “A functional jacket that serves as a good all-rounder – and at a reasonable price for a 3L shell.”
All the right stuff here. You get a reliable, storm-proof and helmet compatible hood with a toggled cinch at the back and a slight peak. There’s a toggle on the hem and Velcro tabs on the cuffs. There are two-way pit zips as well – always useful to have.
Will testing the 2020 version – which has all the same details but a new PFAS-free fabric.
As for the pockets there are just two handwarmer ones here, one of which doubles as a stuff sack for the jacket. If you’re wearing a climbing harness or a backpack with a hip belt you can’t really access these, which is a bit of a drawback. This wouldn’t have been too much of a problem if there was another pocket you could use on the chest but there isn’t one. This was a problem I highlighted with the 2020 iteration and Patagonia haven’t changed this on the new model.
The main zip doesn’t have any fancy waterproof coating but you do get the protection of internal and external storm flaps which both do their job well. The lack of any high-spec waterproof zips is arguably one of the reasons why Patagonia have been able to keep the Torrentshell’s pricing at a reasonable level. From my personal point of view, I don’t mind the approach Patagonia have I find that waterproof zippers can’t always be 100% relied upon and I haven’t had any issues with the duel stormflap method Patagonia have deployed.
Performance
I’ve used this for big days out in the hills and also for just day-to-day wear (a lot of dog walks) and it hasn’t let me down. The waterproof construction is good; it’s certainly very protective. The breathability is OK; it’s not anything to write home about, but you can get plenty of airflow going around if you open up those pit zips.
It’s not the lightest of jackets, but that’s not to say it’s heavy either. 400g, for me, is tolerable for a three-layer shell. I wouldn’t want to take it on any ultralight missions – on a fastpack for instance – but I’ve been more than happy carrying it on backpacking trips.
It stashes into its own pocket.
Will enthusiastically testing out the 2020 edition of the Torrentshell during a wild camp at the start of March – right before the UK locked down!
What is the Fit Like?
I’m 5 foot 10 and often wear a size Medium but I’ve progressed to a size L these days. This isn’t because I’ve put on weight but because I’ve started to prefer a looser and more relaxed fit than a trim one. I find it makes layering easier, there’s more fabric to stay under a hipbelt and it provides more coverage on the backside. In relation to this then, if you find yourself sometimes between sizes, or you prefer a looser fit, you might want to go a size up here. I haven’t regretted it. This and my chunky Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T fleece are very handy pairing together.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L: Verdict
After years of experience with the Patagonia Torrentshell, to this day it remains as a shell I’d recommend to any who wants reliable 3-layer protection without a huge price tag. OK, it lacks some of the technical details that some shells have (those at much higher prices), like a moldable peak, chest pocket, a zip that’s PU-coated and two-way and pockets that can be accessed when you’re wearing a harness or hipbelt, but overall it gets the main and most important things right.
There are, of course, also the sustainability and ethical credentials here too. For instance, it comes from a Fair Trade Certified factory, it’s PFAS-free and uses a 100 recycled fabric and, from my experience, it’s robust and built to last.
This article was originally published by the author in 2020 with updates in 2026 made by the same author.
Where to Buy
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
Our editor’s verdict: “A functional jacket that serves as a good all-rounder – and at a reasonable price for a 3L shell.”
