Patagonia M10 Storm Jacket Review

This packable jacket excels on demanding routes thanks to its low weight and high degree of mobility. It doesn't keep the wind out as much as thicker jackets, nor is it as durable, but it gets the job done when weight matters.

Performance Comparison

Weather Protection

The Patagonia M10 Storm Jacket features an ultra-thin 30-denier main fabric that feels incredibly supple. It repels water easily, but doesn't provide much confidence in blowing gales. I found the fabric to let wind penetrate rather easily, but since I usually tested the shell with a mid-layer worn underneath, the wind didn't affect me too much. The fabric is completely waterproof, and all seams are sealed.

The jacket has a full-coverage hood with three-way adjustment cords, ensuring a snug fit over a climbing helmet. Also, Patagonia's DWR treatment performs well as usual, beading water easily and resisting wear and tear. My testing sample still beads water after weeks of use. This jacket will keep you dry and sheltered, but it doesn't provide the same confidence in inclement weather as a thicker shell.

Weight

This jacket is packable and light, weighing in at 11.5 ounces for a size large. Such a low weight makes this jacket suitable for alpine climbing, long-distance backpacking, or any other activity where you don't want to carry more weight than you need. It packs down to the size of a small water bottle.

Of course, this low weight is accomplished using a thin main fabric and by eliminating useful features like hand pockets and armpit vents. While alpine climbers won't mind these omissions, most users will want more pockets for convenience. And, since the fabric is so thin, it's susceptible to snagging on tree branches and twigs and ripping sooner than other hardshell jackets on the market.

Mobility and Fit

The M10 Jacket has good tailoring and mobility, and it's a pleasure to climb while wearing. The sleeves are long enough to remain fastened over my gloves when swinging ice tools overhead, and the hem of the jacket stays tucked into my harness when I'm making big moves. There is some extra material that tends to bunch up around the front waist, but this material is welcome when the climbing gets acrobatic.

This piece is roomy where it counts, ensuring the fabric won't hold you back from the moves ahead. There aren't any tight points. While climbing in this jacket, I never felt like it was limiting my range of motion.

Venting and Breathability

The Patagonia M10 has a relatively thin and breathable main fabric, which includes a proprietary waterproof and breathable membrane. This breathed well in our testing, which included hiking aerobically on the approach to various multi-pitch ice climbs. Compared to heavier and thicker shells, this one breathes fairly well. This also means wind penetrates easier, but air movement is usually desirable when wearing hard shells.

Notably, there are no armpit vents on the M10. While this omission effectively saves weight, it limits this jacket's versatility. Technical climbing is often slow and methodical, and venting isn't usually needed. However, hikers, skiers, and more casual users might wish that this piece allowed them to ditch heat through physical vents when the movement gets aerobic.

Features and Design

Markedly light on features, the M10 has two front pockets at chest level. This placement keeps them out of the way of backpack straps and the harness waist belt. However, these pockets aren't as big as I'd like them to be. I can stuff in small items like energy bars or a cell phone, but I can't fit a pair of gloves. For alpine climbing, this isn't a big deal, and I could easily manage this detail. More casual users will undoubtedly want more pockets.

A lightweight hem drawcord seals out the jacket from below, and hook-and-loop straps close the wrists around the user's gloves. That's it for features on this shell.

Should You Buy the Patagonia M10 Storm Jacket?

The Patagonia M10 Storm Jacket is perfect for alpine climbers and others who need lots of mobility and solid weather protection in a lightweight package. Long-distance hikers and runners might find this jacket useful. It is likely too flimsy for heavy-duty use as an everyday rain jacket or ski shell. The price is low compared to other high-performance shells on the market, making it a great deal for users who can tolerate a light and flimsy jacket.

What Other Hardshell Jackets Should You Consider?

If you want a lightweight jacket but also want better style, the Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex is a great option. Among the more durable jackets, the Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light is hard to beat, and the Mammut Nordwand Advanced is perhaps a bit more suited towards technical objectives. The durable (and expensive) Arc'teryx Alpha SV is a safer bet for skiing through trees and urban use, thanks to its thicker main fabric.