Preparing for a 4-month stint in New Zealand was an exercise in traveling light. Despite having Patagonia’s Black Hole mega-hauler to cram my life into, I still had to rein in my tendency to overpack.
Gear with multi-functionality — running shoes that work on the road and the trail, a pair of jeans chic enough for a dinner date yet stretchy enough for high-stepping over rocks and roots — earned a place in the go-pile, while single-purpose items stayed home in Colorado.
The waterproof, windproof, and uber-packable Patagonia Storm Racer made the cut. After testing it for 3 months in gale-force winds, sudden storms, and more than one tropical rainforest, I’m glad it did.
Little else in our closets these days can save your bacon like a rain jacket can. And while bulky hardshells serve up protection that’ll outlast weeklong storms, they drag like a boat anchor when packed — and forget about running in them. Svelte rain jackets like the Storm Racer rebalance the scales, and when the forecast takes a turn, the best shell jacket is the one you’ve got with you.
In short: The lightweight Patagonia Storm Racer stands up to the elements. Stuffable into its chest pocket, the jacket is easy to tote along and is ready if — or, in New Zealand, when — the weather turns sour. It isn’t a barely-there layer like Patagonia’s long-loved Houdini, but I’d argue its boost in functionality is well worth the (minimal) weight penalty.
To see how the Storm Racer stacks up to other rain jackets on the market, check out GearJunkie’s Buyer’s Guides for Rain Jackets and Women’s Rain Jackets.
- Waterproof Material: H2No Performance 3L
- Waterproof Rating: 20,000 mm
- Breathability Rating: Unpublished
- Pit Zips: No
- Fit: Trim/active
- Size: XXS-XL
- Pockets: One
- Weight: 6.3 oz.
Pros
- Great just-in-case layer for rain and wind
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Stuffs down small
- Sustainable design
Cons
- Won’t stand up to intense rain
- Small chest pocket
- Loud color options