Patagonia Torrentshell 3L - Women's Review

Of the rain jackets tested, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L offers the best water resistance, making it an exceptional choice for those looking to prioritize top-level water resistance, whether you're on a tight budget or not. While it may not have some of the high-end bells and whistles of pricier options, it is a reliable, high-performing workhorse that will keep you dry no matter the conditions and is worth considering for wet-weather adventures. The jacket's H2No 3-layer fabric consists of 50-denier ECONYL 100% recycled nylon ripstop face, a polycarbonate PU membrane with 14.3% biobased content, a tricot backer, and this iteration received a more environmentally friendly PFC-free DWR finish. The fabric is bluesign-approved, and the garment is Fair Trade Certified, making it a great sustainable option that doesn't skimp on waterproof performance.

Performance Comparison

Water Resistance

The H2No fabric lives up to its namesake, effectively repelling water and preventing moisture from penetrating the jacket's interior. “I found it provides excellent water resistance that can withstand heavy precipitation for an extended period,” reports lead tester Trish Matheny after wearing the jacket during a trail run in heavy early-season snowfall. The Torrentshell 3L kept testers dry during our shower test, long hikes in light rain, heavy Sierra snowstorms, and even torrential downpours. In this category, it kept pace with the top performers, many with a significantly higher price point.

The hood on the Torrentshell provides good coverage, with a large visor that shields the face from rain while offering dual adjustability to allow for a comfortable, customized fit for maximum coverage. “While there are many features, including the hood, that I quite like, the zippers are a weakness in this affordable design,” says Trish Matheny. The zippers are not sealed nor watertight; instead, they rely on a placket to keep moisture at bay. The center zipper has both an internal and external storm flap, effectively preventing rain from seeping through the zipper's teeth. The storm flaps on the pockets provided adequate coverage in most situations, and of all the jackets we tested that feature plackets on the pockets, those on the Torrentshell 3L delivered better water resistance than others with non-sealed zippers. If water got under the placket, it would soak through. But this only happened if water was left to pool in these areas or when the flaps were not properly closed. Overall, we were quite impressed with this jacket's ability to keep our testers dry in wet, windy conditions, and we have no trouble recommending it to those seeking a rain jacket that prioritizes waterproof performance.

Breathability

The Torrentshell 3L efficiently vents internal moisture and heat from sweat while keeping external precipitation out. During both in-the-field and isolated lab tests, the three-layer construction proved to be one of the more breathable options among those in the lineup with stiffer, more robust fabrics — even with the vents zipped up. With the vents closed, the jacket can be a little warm, causing slight sweating, but it's not uncomfortable.

Once opened, the 11-inch vents quickly expel heat and regulate internal temperature, perfect for hiking, running, snowboarding, and biking. For a hardshell-style jacket, the Torrentshell 3L is surprisingly breathable. However, it is worth mentioning that the rigid fabric just isn't as breathable as other, thinner, and more stretchy designs that we tested, which tend to sacrifice some storm protection to provide a more flex-ready fit. Our testers hypothesize that rigidity is one of the reasons this jacket offers better water resistance overall, noting this also often leads to some loss of breathability within the fabric itself. That being said, we were happy with the balance of water resistance and breathability achieved through opening the vents, making it a good option for those living in wetter climates who often get outside for active endeavors in sustained rain events.

Comfort and Mobility

The fit of the Torrentshell 3L manages to be simultaneously flattering while leaving plenty of room to move. The shoulders are roomier, allowing a full range of motion. The hood has dual adjustments, operated from the back as well as from the sides. The side adjustments have an internal release button that can be a bit fiddly. The back adjustment drawcord and toggle also have a loop-and-hook on the back, allowing the wearer to roll the hood up and stash it to make a collar. We like this versatility.

The Torrentshell 3L fabric is on the stiffer, more crinkly side, which some testers were not a fan of, and is worth considering depending on your clothing preferences. The biggest spot where this was an issue was at the neck — it's on the slightly taller side and hits the chin, feeling a little stiff and scratchy. The opening for the face is on the smaller side, which offers good coverage, but we found that if the jacket was already zipped up, you couldn't easily do so. Instead, you must unzip the jacket a touch, put the hood up, and then re-zip it again. While this was somewhat annoying, it's a small trade-off for great hood coverage.

Weight

Weighing in at 11.8 ounces, the Torrentshell 3L is on the heavier side of the rain jackets we tested, which is worth considering if gram-shaving is frequently a concern.

This rain jacket stows into one of its hand pockets, which has a double-sided zipper. On the last version of this jacket, we found it was hard to pack into the intended stow pocket, but Patagonia increased the size pocket width by 1 inch, making it much easier to use quickly. Still, once stowed, the package is on the larger side of the options we tested, making it a bit less packable than some more compact designs. However, it has a loop in the pocket that can be clipped to a carabiner, which we found handy.

Construction Quality

The Torrentshell 3L is built of quality components, all of which held up well throughout testing. The 50-denier ripstop fabric is tough, rugged, and abrasion-resistant. Construction is solid and showed no signs of weakness during our testing period or beyond.

The only questionable component of this jacket is the front hood adjustment. The elastic cord goes around the front, with internal lock buttons on either side of the face. These buttons are about 5.5 inches up from the end of the cord, where you pull to tighten. Since the cord is elastic, you have to pull with some force before it starts to tighten between the buttons. The cords held up fine through testing, but it is an unusual design, and we can imagine the elastic may get stretched out over time because of this.

Should You Buy the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L?

The Torrentshell 3L may not have some of the highest-end features of more expensive jackets. That said, all the components are high quality, and the water resistance and rain protection the jacket offers far exceed its price tag. The 3L fabric is among the most rigid we tested and may be a dealbreaker for those after waterproof performance within a design that features a stretchy and flexible fabric. It is also slightly bulky, which may be less appealing if you need something that will easily tuck away unnoticed. All in all, this jacket is a good investment for those looking for top-notch water resistance that will keep them dry and comfortable for the long haul.

What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?

While we love that the Torrentshell 3L outperforms its price range, there are better options for those seeking to maximize breathability and comfort. The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic features a very lightweight and stretchy design that is unique in its versatility and exceptional breathability. A similar option with flexible fabric is the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch, which is our favorite for ultralight adventures thanks to its lightweight design and top-tier water-resistant features. If you are serious about staying dry and don't shy away from making a significant investment in premium gear, the Arc'teryx Beta SL is hands down the best rain jacket we tested across nearly all testing metrics. Or, if you are looking to save even more bucks, the best deal in the lineup for active outdoor enthusiasts is the Marmot PreCip Eco.