Patagonia Men’s Stormstride Jacket Review

The Patagonia Stormstride Jacket is a low-profile yet handsome piece of outerwear effective in its intended use: backcountry travel. However, like many other Patagonia products I’ve owned over the years, I would not hesitate to wear it at the resort, around town, or on a backpacking overnight trip.

I tested the Stormstride Jacket on a ski tour around the Mail Cabin zone on the South Side of Teton Pass (Stealth Bowl, 88s, and East Superbowl) and came away feeling comfortable, light on my feet, and, perhaps most importantly, dry. Because the weather was bluebird, I was not able to get an excellent understanding of the 3-layer H2No Fabric’s threshold against the elements. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the ease of motion provided by the material’s stretch over our many transitions

Fit

As a 5′ 10 “, 170-pound male, I opt for a large in most shell jackets. However, the Stormstride was an excellent fit in a medium, with room to layer a puffy, mid, and base layer underneath. The jacket is athletically tapered, allowing for a snug fit around the waist that protects bottom layers from snow entry in conjunction with a minimal powder skirt along the bottom hem. The length of the jacket was ideal for my build, long enough that the bottom zipper did not interfere with the hip belt on my pack but short enough not to hamper the mobility of my hip flexors on the uphill. The pit zips were unobtrusive on my underarms, a drawback I’ve noticed before with gore-tex shells before they are properly broken in.

Function

The stretch of the 3-layer H2No Pertex fabric was noticeably forgiving when I bent over to retrieve something from my pack on the ground, peeled off my skins, or planted a long stride with my pole on a tight kick turn. The chest portion had plenty of room to house my skins, though the one inner pocket marketed for this purpose was not nearly large enough for both. The two outer pockets are of a good size and easily accessible with a pack on.

The pit zippers provided enough ventilation to avoid dropping a layer on some steeper ups. The ease of the zippers was excellent; I had no issues using one gloved hand for even the pit zips. The oversized hood can easily accommodate a helmet and included a synch that pulled tight around my baseball cap, effectively blocking wind. The velcro cuffs allow for a tight connection between the jacket and glove liners. While the weather was fair, the Stormstride kept me dry through multiple face shots and one spill while trying to split ski without skins on the exit.

Patagonia Stormstride Jacket Weight

At 580 grams, it is 100 grams lighter than my other minimal 3L Gore-tex shell. The packability of the Stromstride is also an impressive result of its minimalist build. It is generally a lightweight option that doesn’t seem to sacrifice durability or weather-proofing to achieve that status. A lengthier lifespan and more severe weather conditions may take me to task on this.

Who’s This Jacket Built For?

The Stormstride Jacket is for those who stay active in potentially inclement weather conditions and, ideally, those who run colder than hot. It is not a softshell, so it doesn’t breathe well, but the pit zips do their job. The minimal feel of the jacket, in conjunction with the stretch of its material, adequately protects you from the elements without making you feel like you’re wearing a shell at all. I’m not one who generally chooses to wear a shell while climbing on my tours, but in severe conditions, I would undoubtedly choose to don the Stormstride. The minimal nature and stretch fabric also made it shine on the downhill, allowing me to rail carves and catch facefuls without any restricted movement or unwanted moisture.

While I wouldn’t hesitate to wear this jacket in the front country or around town in a squall, the Storm Strider speaks to me most as a ski-touring enthusiast who is weight-conscious in terms of kit.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Treads the line between minimal and substantial well.
• The 3L Pertex 40 Denier material is excellent for general movement and range of motion.

Cons

• Two internal pockets for skins would be excellent but unnecessary.
• It may not hold up to sustained extreme winter conditions as well as a 3L Gore-tex option.

Jenner Haseltine Testing the Stormstride Jacket on East Super Bowl/ Photo Keegan Ewald

Overall Impression

My main takeaway from my day with the Patagonia Stormstride Jacket ($499.99) is that after many years of dealing with sacrifices regarding gear choices, such as lighter versus more durable or allowing for more mobility but less weatherproof, we now live in an era where gear is REALLY good. There may now truly be such a thing as a “one-quiver” item, and the Storm Strider fits the bill. Also, while I am always more concerned with function than form, I found the grey-on-gold colorway sharp and the tapered fit aesthetically pleasing. 

Related Snowboard Jackets We Have Worn for Testing

1. Top 10 Snowboard Jackets for Men
2. Patagonia Untracked Jacket Review
3. Patagonia Triolet Jacket Review

Keep reading for the past Stormstride Jacket we did in 2022

Past Review of the 2022 Version
by Mike Hardaker

Patagonia Blue oh how we love you.  For real though not only does Patagonia make the best fitting, tailored cleanest athletic cuts in the outdoor industry, their color’s over the last few years have been spot on.  I get compliments daily while wearing the Patagonia Stormstride Jacket whether it’s out backcountry skiing, riding lifts of just around town, the Men’s Stromstride Jacket is the type of outerwear everyone secretly wishes they owned.

Fit

Patagonia’s North American market fits and deigns are simply on point.  I wear a Medium at 5’11 (always have) 150lb and Patagonia has never let me down.  Other “Mediums” in the industry as of late are either too big or too small. The damn 3 bears thing, that makes sizing really tough to nail down, and this is what I do for a living.

So when Patagonia gear arrives I always riffle through the box first knowing my “go to” jacket for the season is included within.  When the brand new Patagonia Stormstride Backcountry Ski Jacket was unpacked, I chuckled thinking Patagonia made a jackets specifically for my needs, my body style.  Thanks guys.

The length of this jacket works, at first I thought it might be a little too short since it doesn’t come with a built in powder skirt. But after wearing, riding, touring, bending and contorting I have yet to find an issue with the length.  Plus with it seeming to be a little shorter the Patagonia Men’s Stromstride Jacket looks incredibly clean for wearing around town, to the office and even though it’s a slimmer fit you can easily fit a puffy jacket underneath for layering on cold mornings.

Who’s the Jacket For?

Splitboarders, ski tourers and cross country skiers or snowshoers are going to love this jacket and here’s why: Patagonia managed to make a 3L shell incredibly stretchy.  There’s no crinkly GORE-TEX here to get in the way. Instead Patagonia uses Pertex and Patagonia’s H2No waterproofing membrane.

The jacket feels more like a soft shell construction, light and stretchy which meant I preferred to use the Patagonia Stromstride Jacket when it was not a full on blizzard. For those long days in the mountains I opt for GORE-TEX knowing at some point my gear will get wet and soaked through.  For the fast and light days the Stormstride Backcountry Jacket was a no brainer.

The Patagonia Stormstride Jacket works wonder for touring, especially if you run hot. Or it can also be used with layers at a resort with a nice puffy underneath.

For Touring if your skins pack down small and flat you can toss them inside the deep chest pocket, although I find they always end up in my backpack.  Pro tip: If your skins are not sticking put them inside your jacket for the ride down.

Pertex

Pertex is maybe a word or technology you aren’t familiar.  Think of it this way, Pertex = comfort and durability while staying lightweight. Brands in the UK have been using it for years and now the North American market is figuring it out too. It allows materials to move more freely and rivals the benefits of GORE-TEX laminate with similar breathability and waterproofing ratings.

Helmet Compatible Hood

Like all Patagonia ski and snowboard jackets the Men’s Stromstride has been built with an oversized hood that can easily go over your helmet.  I tend to tour without a helmet on and just a baseball cap.  So when the weather gets windy I can pull up the oversized hood and even when not wearing a helmet stay blocked from the wind and elements keeping my head warm and dry.

Patagonia Men’s Stormstride Jacket Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Flattering, tailored athletic cuts
• Stretchy and lightweight 3L shell
• Pertex technology for comfort and durability

Cons:

• Shorter length may be a concern.
• May not be ideal in blizzard conditions.
• No built-in powder skirt.

Overall Impression

I’m going snowboarding later today at our local ski resort.  Guess which jacket I am going to wear?  Well of course it’s the Patagonia Men’s Stromstride Jacket.  Especially knowing well be going for some hikes with our snowboards from the top of the lift.  From hiking, to biking, skiing, you most likely will be able to do all of your outdoor pursuits in the incredibly well built, well thought out Patagonia Stromstride Jacket ($499).

Related Snowboard Jackets We Have Worn for Testing

1. Top 10 Snowboard Jackets for Men
2. Patagonia Untracked Jacket Review
3. Patagonia Triolet Jacket Review