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Patagonia Triolet Review

A protective and durable hard shell jacket at a great price, but with a boxy fit
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Patagonia Triolet Review (The Triolet is somewhat boxy and untailored compared to the best jackets on the market, but it still feels easy to...)
The Triolet is somewhat boxy and untailored compared to the best jackets on the market, but it still feels easy to wear and unrestricting.
Credit: Sam Willits
Price:  $449 List
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Manufacturer:   Patagonia
By Jeff Dobronyi ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jan 11, 2023
61
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 8
  • Weather Protection - 30% 9.0
  • Weight - 20% 3.2
  • Mobility and Fit - 20% 6.0
  • Venting and Breathability - 20% 4.0
  • Features and Design - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Patagonia Triolet is a protective and durable hard shell jacket that is priced well below the top contenders, and yet it offers nearly the same protection and performance as the most expensive models, making it an excellent value. The face fabric is stiff and durable, and a Gore-Tex membrane keeps water and wind out. There are plenty of pockets for all your storage needs, and the adjustable hood, hem, and wrist cuffs help customize the fit. One downside is that the jacket is heavy, making it less suitable to light-and-fast alpine climbing. Also, the fit is on the boxy and loose side of the spectrum. Still, this jacket is suitable for a wide range of winter activities, from resort skiing to backcountry touring to ice and mixed climbing, or even just wearing around town in bad weather. Our review of the best hardshell jackets shows how it stacks up versus competing products.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Protective
Versatile
Lots of pockets
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Boxy fit
Vents could be longer
Stiff fabric
Editor's Note: We retested this jacket and added it back to our review lineup on January 11, 2023.

Compare to Similar Products

 
patagonia triolet
This Product
Patagonia Triolet
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Hardshell Jacket
Top Pick Award
Best Lightweight Hardshell
  
Price $449.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$649 List
$649.00 at Backcountry
$549 List
Check Price at Backcountry
$600.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$357.00 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This hard shell is easy on the wallet, and provides as much protection as the best jackets, although it lacks refinementA great hard shell for a variety of winter activities, with a steep price tagA quality hardshell that offers great weather protection, with a few minor flawsThis more expensive model comes with the features and build you'd expect of a costly pieceA backcountry skiing jacket that is slim-fitting and stretchy
Rating Categories Patagonia Triolet Norrona Trollveggen... Norrona Falketind G... Arc'teryx Beta AR Ortovox 3L Ortler
Weather Protection (30%)
9.0
10.0
8.0
10.0
6.0
Weight (20%)
3.2
6.3
9.0
7.0
7.4
Mobility and Fit (20%)
6.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
9.0
Venting and Breathability (20%)
4.0
7.0
8.0
5.0
8.0
Features and Design (10%)
8.0
7.0
5.0
5.0
4.0
Specs Patagonia Triolet Norrona Trollveggen... Norrona Falketind G... Arc'teryx Beta AR Ortovox 3L Ortler
Pit Zips Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Measured Weight (size large) 19.8 oz 16.8 oz 14.1 oz 16.1 oz 15.7 oz
Material 100% recycled polyester 75D Gore-Tex 100% recycled 40D Gore-Tex Pro with 160D reinforcements on shoulder, forearm, and hood 30D Gore-Tex with C-Knit backer 40D Gore-Tex Pro with 80D reinforcements 100% Polyamide face fabric, 100% polyester inner face fabric, DERMIZAX NX membrane
Pockets 2 chest, 2 hand, 1 internal mesh 2 front, 1 internal zippered chest, 1 zippered electronics pocket inside front chest pocket 2 hand, 1 internal zippered 2 front, 1 internal zippered 1 front
Helmet Compatible Hood Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hood Draw Cords 3 1 1 4 3
Adjustable Cuffs Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Two-Way Front Zipper No Yes No No Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Triolet is heavier and less refined across the board than the best jackets, but it has high-end weather protection and great features, making it a suitable substitute for much more expensive jackets.

Performance Comparison


patagonia triolet - the patagonia triolet is at home ripping groomers at the resort or...
The Patagonia Triolet is at home ripping groomers at the resort or skinning deep in the backcountry.
Credit: Sam Willits

Weather Protection


The Patagonia Triolet is a waterproof, windproof, winter weather machine. It easily repels liquid water, snow, and wind thanks to its thick outer fabric, waterproof Gore-Tex membrane, and waterproof chest pocket and main zippers. It has a long hem with an elastic drawcord that helps seal out the jacket from below and three pull cords to tighten down the hood.


Patagonia's DWR is excellent, which beads water off the exterior face fabric. One of our testers used the Triolet every winter for six years, and never experienced a problem with its ability to repel winter weather. This jacket is about as waterproof as it gets. The only feature that the Triolet doesn't match up to much more expensive Gore-Tex Pro shells is in the waist pocket and armpit vent zippers, which aren't waterproof. Instead, there's a fabric flap to keep water out.

patagonia triolet - the triolet is a great option for stormy winter days. we have used...
The Triolet is a great option for stormy winter days. We have used it for years in harsh winter storms, and it doesn't have any weak points.
Credit: Sam Willits

Weight


The Patagonia Triolet weighs in at 19.8 ounces (560 grams), which is very heavy for a modern hardshell jacket. This is likely due to the thick, 75-denier fibers used in the external face fabric. The inner lining fabric of the three-layer shell laminate is also thicker than that of Gore-Tex Pro jackets, which adds some weight.


In our lengthy experience with this jacket, the thick face fabric helps the garment last a very long time. It easily fends off sharp objects like sticks and branches, and can take a beating where thinner hardshells would puncture. If you're seeking an all-around hardshell jacket for casual use, resort skiing, and some mountaineering and ski touring, the weight of this jacket isn't a problem. But if you are a technical climber or hardcore backcountry ski enthusiast, you can find significant weight savings with other options.

patagonia triolet - the inner lining and outer face fabric of this gore-tex 3-layer...
The inner lining and outer face fabric of this Gore-Tex 3-layer shell add some weight to the jacket, compared to Gore-Tex Pro models.
Credit: Sam Willits

Mobility and Fit


The Triolet has a wide and boxy fit, which feels loose and straight-cut. There is plenty of extra material, which makes it easy to layer underneath for cold days at the ski resort. That said, the fit is generic and unrefined compared to other high-end jackets on the market.


Still, this jacket's fit isn't horrible. A more articulated fit will cost you a lot more. This jacket is an incredible value, and has plenty of mobility for most users. We noticed, though, that our gloved hands tend to pop out of the sleeve cuffs when we reach our hands far above our heads, like while ice climbing.

Venting and Breathability


The Patagonia Triolet's thick face fabric and inner lining keep it from being as breathable as most Gore-Tex Pro jackets. On aerobic tours in warm winter weather, we sweat quickly in this piece and usually take it off in light snowfall while moving, rather than building up moisture inside the jacket.


The underarm vents help dump heat and moisture from the interior environment, and they are 16 inches (40 centimeters) long, which is plenty. The zipper pulls can be tough to pull, since there is a flap of fabric over the zipper to block water. We sometimes have trouble pulling the vent zippers with one hand and often need a friend to help us zip or unzip all the way.

patagonia triolet - long vents allow heat to escape, but otherwise the triolet isn't the...
Long vents allow heat to escape, but otherwise the Triolet isn't the most breathable.
Credit: Sam Willits

Features and Design


The Triolet has four external pockets, two on the chest and two handwarmer pockets. The handwarmer pockets are placed low enough that a climbing harness will cover them, but the two chest pockets are still accessible while wearing a harness. There is also one internal mesh stash pocket, which is useful for storing skins or other backcountry accessories.


The hood is helmet-compatible, with three drawcords to lock it down during winter storms. The sleeves have hook-and-loop straps to seal the wrist cuffs over hands or gloves, and there is one drawcord on each side of the hem. Other than these standard features, the Triolet is minimalist.

The Patagonia Triolet's two side hand pockets and two front chest...
The Patagonia Triolet's two side hand pockets and two front chest pockets allow plenty of storage.
The Patagonia Triolet offers as much weather protection as the best...
The Patagonia Triolet offers as much weather protection as the best jackets, at a much lower price.

Should You Buy the Patagonia Triolet?


We have used this jacket for years and can attest to its value. With as much weather resistance and durability as the top hardshells, and just a bit less refinement, the Triolet presents a great deal for anyone who needs a strong, durable Gore-Tex shell but who is also shopping on a budget. It is also highly versatile, useful for activities from the ski resort to the city to the deep wilderness.

patagonia triolet - skiing powder in the patagonia triolet.
Skiing powder in the Patagonia Triolet.
Credit: Sam Willits

What Other Hardshell Jackets Should You Consider?


If you have more money to spend, you can get a better jacket, but you'll mostly be paying for a better fit and slightly more refined features. The Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light is our favorite all-around hardshell, and it features a lighter fabric, a more tailored fit, and better breathability. The Mammut Nordwand Advanced is our recommendation for anyone venturing into the harshest weather with a lightweight kit. The Mountain Equipment Lhotse is the best climbing-specific hardshell, and the Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex is our choice for a protective hardshell in the three warmer seasons.

patagonia triolet - the full-coverage hood offers great weather resistance in the triolet.
The full-coverage hood offers great weather resistance in the Triolet.
Credit: Sam Willits

Jeff Dobronyi