TESTED: Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm Jacket

Photos: Gerard Lagana

Patagonia are a well-known outdoors brand heralded for their ethical approach to materials and product design. Their new Dirt Roamer series is aimed squarely at mountain bikers, with a wide range of trail kit to suit all the conditions you will find on the trail. The Dirt Roamer Storm Jacket is an essential item for anyone who wants to get out, and stay out, no matter the conditions.

A closer look

First things first, the Storm Jacket isn't a full zip. The half-zip shell is designed to be pulled over your head, and this offers a number of benefits. Firstly, in a full-noise scenario where jacket = life, it can't fail. Assuming you're using the jacket for rides that blow your hair back and not for first attempt alpine climbs in winter, the main benefit is fit and performance. There is no chance to have a bulging jacket that flaps and gets in the way, and far lass chance of water ingress. Less storm flaps over a zip is less weight, less bulk, less fuss. Patagonia use a double-ended waterproof zip, with an internal storm flap. It zips up to a high collar with a fitted hood with visor. The hood can be folded and clipped in place, and has a shockcord to control volume. I found it fitted an XC helmet fine, a trail lid was a little snug.

READ: AMB's Waterproof Jacket Group Test

The Storm Jacket is a proper 3-layer material, which means waterproofing is from a membrane, not just a coating. It is seam-sealed and their own testing shows that the material will have a hydrostatic head of 10k, even after years and years of use. To save you looking it up – that's very, very good. Their own DWR treatment is also said to last years without degrading, while also being free of petroleum products and PFCs.

The sleeves are a generous length and articulated, with a scalloped hem for extar coverage and a velrco cuff. The jacket has a longer back with elasticated hem, but it's not roadie length. What's cool is the long ventilation zips from the lower hem to the armpit on each side. These waterproof zippers can be undone from either end, revealing a long mesh panel about 4cm wide. It's an ideal way to vent on a long climb or in warmer wet weather. I had a small jacket sent for the test, and the fit was spot on for my 178cm, 72kg frame – including the arm length. This jacket weighs 328g and can pack into it's own rear pocket – the only pocket on the jacket.

On the trail

I was wary about not having a full zip, but after my first drizzly ride in the Patagonia Storm Jacket that was changed. The fit really is improved by having less bulk at the base of the jacket. You can get this with a very well-fitted road-style waterproof, but you don't end up with the features and tougher material of the Storm Jacket. I didn't crash, but I can appreciate the tougher material on the forearms for pushing through wet branches, plus the mobility in the cut – things most road-oriented jackets leave out.

While I liked not having the close cut of a road jacket for shoulder mobility, I would have liked to see a way to snug up the hem a little bit more to really seal out the weather. It's a slim cut anyway, but I think it would add to the jacket.

Breathability was good – but like most waterproof jackets you can't expect it to be like not having one on. Most of the wet weather testing I did was in early autumn in Queensland – so still super sticky and humid. And overall it was good, but likely far better when the humidity isn't peak Queensland. Even with plenty of direct testing on the water penetration, the Storm Shell shrugged it all off.

Our take

The Patagonia Storm Shell packs down well but it's far from an emergency only jacket. The materials, cut and smart features mean this understated shell will work in the most horrible conditions, with reliable waterproofness for years to come. A good jacket should be an investment, and this one will go the distance.

RRP: $479.95
From: patagonia.com.au

Hits:

Intelligent fit and features
High quality materials
Ethical design and standards

Misses:

Helmet compatible hood will depend on the helmet
Could use a lower hem cinch.