Patagonia Storm10 Review

The Patagonia Storm10 is a wonderful option for outdoor recreation like backpacking, hiking, or alpine climbing. While you could get something a little heavier and more stormworthy or a little lighter in weight, few models can match this one's performance for 8.5 ounces. All of our testers loved its helmet-compatible hood, waist belt and harness-friendly pockets, stretchy material, and versatile fit.

Performance Comparison

Water Resistance

The Storm10 uses Patagonia's proprietary H2No waterproof membrane. Its weather protection is provided by its three-layer construction, which increases durability and the longevity of its internal waterproof membrane. H2No is a polyester-based membrane that is durable and longer-lasting than most other proprietary options out there.

While we didn't find its weather protection to last quite as long as models that use Gore-Tex or significantly thicker face fabrics, the Storm10 isn't far off which is impressive when you consider its 8.5-ounce weight. The Storm10 is one of the "lightest" fully-featured jackets, meaning it still has a number of small features that help keep the water out, like a full-length watertight zipper with a storm flap and Velcro cuffs.

This, coupled with a quality DWR and Patagonia's H2No fabric, helped push this model above average for its overall weather resistance and storm protection. This model resisted wetting out the longest among proprietary models, even with heavy packs on a late-season backpacking trip.

Hood Design

The Storm10 fits over most climbing and bike helmets but is a little on the snug side depending on the size and volume of the helmet. The adjustments allow it to accommodate a wide range of headwear, from our bare heads to baseball caps, to most climbing helmets, and moved with us nicely when turning to either side. The hood design was also able to maintain good peripheral vision.

Breathability and Venting

The Storm10's breathability is pretty average overall. It features a 20D exterior face fabric and a tricot back for its inner-most layer. The H2NO membrane doesn't have a ton of material to pass moisture through. We could wear this jacket on cool, wet days and stay fairly dry while out hiking, but if it is warm or our activities are more vigorous, it doesn't breathe as well as other options like the Arc'teryx Zeta SL or the Outdoor Research Microgravity.

Like many weight-focused models, the Storm10 doesn't feature any pit-zips or venting options, leaving it up to the fabric itself to breathe. This means that you have to be pickier about when you wear it and what your intensity levels are while wearing it.

Comfort & Mobility

This model is shockingly comfortable given its low weight. We loved the feeling of the tricot backer on the inside of this jacket which felt notably less clammy than most other models. This model also has a small stretch in its fabric which improves both its mobility but also adds to the jacket's comfort for more casual applications. The Storm10 provides above-average articulation; the stretchy fabric, coupled with above-average articulation, makes this jacket well-suited to any activity that require a high degree of mobility and freedom of movement.

Pocket Design

Our testers loved this model's two, slightly elevated handwarmer pockets on the front of the jacket which are just high enough to remain useable under the waist belt of a pack or a harness. While the pockets are elevated, they were just as comfortable as any other jacket if we were just out walking the dog or on a rainy day visit to the farmers market. The Storm10 also has a third Napoleon style pocket which inverts and doubles as a stuff pocket so that the jacket can be reversed into and clipped and carried.

Weight

The Storm10 weighs an impressively low 8.5 ounces which is lighter than most of the products in this review, other than The North Face Flight Lightriser and Outdoor Research Helium. Compared to these two models, the Storm10 is more versatile and offers similar weather protection and superior breathability to the Lightriser, but is better than the Helium. The Storm10 is still notably lighter and more compact than a number of our other highest-scoring models. While not as stormworthy or breathable as the higher tier models, it weighs less in your pack, which is a positive for those needing it as a just in case layer.

Packed Size

Similar to weight, packed volume is a major reason to buy this jacket. It compresses tightly into a reversible Napoleon-style chest pocket and packs down to one of the smallest in our review. It's ideal for folks looking for a type of emergency shell for backpacking, hiking, or for any activity where space is at a premium.

The Storm10 doesn't pack down quite as small as the Outdoor Research Helium Rain or The North Face Lightriser but it does compress down into a nice little package.

Durability

With only a 20D exterior face fabric, we wouldn't call this model "tough", but it isn't fragile either. Its 3-layer construction helps the internal membrane last longer and the DWR applied to this outermost facing material is better than we have seen in a while (from Patagonia). It's slightly more tear-resistant than the Helium, despite the Helium's 30D construction — which goes to show you it isn't just the numbers. This model is more than adequate for backpacking or hiking, but if you're looking to log a significant amount of time in your rain jacket, we'd likely recommend something a little beefier.

Value

The Storm10 is toward the expensive end of the spectrum when it comes to rain shells, especially for a jacket that features a propriety waterproof membrane rather than a name brand one like Gore-Tex or eVent. It does have several quality attributes such as being a "fully featured" shell that weighs a scant 8.5 ounces. However, it is in line price-wise with its closest competitor, The North Face Flight Lightriser, but it's nearly double the price of the Outdoor Research Helium.

Conclusion

The Patagonia Storm10 is an excellent option for the weight-conscious backpacker who still wants a model with pockets, and the ability to throw it on over a few layers. It also offers more durability than some of the lighter weight models, but is still light and small enough to disappear in your pack. We love this shell for summer backpacking trips, day hikes, or fairweather mountaineering. It's ideal for those who expect to carry their rain jacket in the event of an afternoon thunderstorm or generally short-lived unexpected weather.