Patagonia's solution to heavy, breathable soft shells that go soggy in rainy conditions.
Unless you're strictly a fair-weather climber or backpacker, you're probably a little leery of most soft shell outerwear manufacturer claims. When you consider all of the hiking and climbing soft shell outerwear with variable degrees of breathability and weather protection, it's easy to understand the caution. That's one of the reasons Patagonia developed their patent-pending Composite Seam System (CSS) for their Figure 4 Jacket. Many soft shell manufacturers offer designs with exceptional water repellency, but water still seeps in around stitched seams, so most offer taped or glued seams that sometimes chafe, wear or dig--especially beneath a pack. Patagonia's CSS design is just as durable but it's lighter and softer than rigid glue points and compresses easily within your backpack. CSS is a new sonic weld technology that does away with threads and seeping stitch holes. These weld seams have a special soft adhesive mesh tape that beats the width and weight of contemporary taped construction with a folding flex that can in some cases save up to 15% more pack space than compressed soft shells in similar sizes. Construction technology aside, this is a highly functional design with articulated elbows for mobility and a neck gasket closure that helps seal out any repelled rivulets of water that might otherwise run down your spine. The cut is anatomically contoured but still loose enough for all but the heaviest insulating middle layers. Keep in mind that the length hits the hips, making the Figure 4 jacket slightly shorter than conventional alpine outerwear--especially the ski stuff. Distinct Centaur Cuffs with hook-and-loop closures cover the back of your wrists without adding excess bulk in front. If you ever wanted to take a chance on breathable soft shell performance for those long hikes up the ridgeline, Patagonia's Figure 4 is one of the best bets we've seen this season.
Purchase USD$45 or more and get free shipping. The Patagonia Figure 4 Jacket for Men is available through Altrec.com.
Anon. Shopper
- February 27, 2007
Excellent light weight jacket
It is hard to find the right jacket for Hawaii. It is either too hot, or not warm enough. This jacket with its excellent breathability, weight and features is ideal for our sub-tropical climate that can actually get quite cold as you go up. As usual, Patagonia's thoughtful craftsmanship is exceptional, and like all the other Patagonia gear I own, I expect it to last forever. Highly recommended.
Jerry
- August 23, 2006
One of the most flexible soft shell I know of.
I've been doing many many web searches and made several trips to REI to look @ different soft shells offered by various manufacturers but ended up getting this one on a gut feeling that this may be the one best suited for my needs without even actually felt it on my hand. And I was right, the worksmanship is just awsome. U've gotta love their CSS technology which really makes this jacket extremely easy to pack. Its a really light jacket and has good wind+water proof. Perfect for SF Bay Area weather which can get windy and foggy depending on which part of the area you happen to be in. Even though the description says trim fit, the M I got and usually wear still offers me room for a medium weight fleece underneath and not sacrificing on movability. I'm going to keep an eye out on this jacket and get a different color when it comes out. It is definately a sure bet if you are looking for a travel soft shell and strapped for packing space.
Nader Naderi
- August 18, 2006
8/17/2006
Its the perfect weight either playing golf or hiking or climbing.
boomerang_thrower
- March 4, 2006
A jacket you can live in.
Pros: 1. excellent mobility for shoulder/elbow movement 2. wind-proof (unlike many softshells) - I haven't felt winds up to ~25mph - don't know about stronger winds 3. the cuffs are a clever idea - they provide good coverage, yet stay out of the way - adds to the "live-in-it" quality of the jacket 4. the black one is sharp enough to wear around town I haven't tested the water-resistance yet, but the fact that it has almost no stitches is a good sign. Cons: 1. My main complaint is that the fabric rustles when it brushes over itself. (You'd expect "softshells" to not do that.) The feel's pretty good, though, so it's only a minor complaint. 2. The side pockets are meant to be high enough to stay above the harness line, but if you're not climbing, you'd wish they were a bit lower to make them easier to use as handwarmers. Look on pricegrabber for deals; it's an absolute steal for <$150. By the way, it does *not* provide a lot of insulation (nor is it meant too) - use it over a mid-layer for colder temps.
Anon. Shopper
- July 28, 2006
sweet softy
This shell repels water well, and fits comfortably. It breathes well and allows unrestricted movement. Looking forward to testing it on my next trip: 5 days in the Snowmass-Maroon Bells Wilderness.
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Product Specs
5 Reviews
