Patagonia Dirt Roamer Review

We really enjoyed testing the no-frills Dirt Roamer across mountain bike trails and rock faces in the Sierra. Any extra features that Patagonia deemed unnecessary were removed, keeping this layer lightweight and packable. All that remains is a surprisingly capable jacket that can fight off wind and modest cold or precipitation.

Performance Comparison

Weather Protection

A significant part of our assessment of the Dirt Roamer (and all softshell jackets) is how well it can protect you from the elements. We weigh this at 30% of the jacket's score. To get to the bottom of it, we spend weeks in the field with each softshell, taking detailed notes along the way. We also run each through a shower test. This involves spending one full minute in direct spray while wearing the jacket with a dry layer beneath. At the end of that time, we take a measurement of any wet spots that may have appeared on that underlayer and capture the data for comparison. A second test involves soaking one square foot of the jacket's fabric and then blasting it with a hair dryer on its “no heat” setting. This allows us to see how long it takes to dry under average conditions (assuming some air flow but no additional heat). Lastly, we boiled water and added a bottle full of it inside each jacket. We then waited to see how long it would hold the warmth, tracking the amount of time before it fell below 170 degrees Fahrenheit. The Dirt Roamer did well in this metric, especially considering its weight.

The Dirt Roamer is somewhere in between a beefed-up windshell and an ultralight softshell jacket. Using a 100% nylon stretch fabric coated with a DWR water-resistant treatment, you can rip through all the mud puddles you want and go for long rides in inclement weather. The fabric also does a great job at blocking wind — we really liked throwing this layer on top of a light shirt for wind protection while climbing, and thanks to the soft knit backing, it does not feel clammy or uncomfortable against bare skin at all.

The hood on the Dirt Roamer has a single adjustment point in the back instead of using stretchy elastic along the sides to ensure a good fit around a bike helmet. The wrist cuffs are fitted with a very small amount of elastic but don't have an adjustable closure. The hem in the back is longer than similar lightweight shells, giving you more coverage when tearing through wet trails. For those using this jacket beyond just riding, the extra-long hem provides additional coverage over your shorts or pants, so there is less wetting out when wearing a backpack on a rainy day.

Breathability

This is a crucial metric, so it makes sense that we weigh it at 30% of the Dirt Roamer's score. We tested breathability by spending weeks wearing each softshell in a variety of strenuous activities, whether running or biking. This included running through the same cardio circuit for 45 minutes with each jacket and then documenting the number of sweat spots that showed up on the underlayer. This jacket came in towards the top of the pack.

For those needing to be able to easily dump heat and moisture while on strenuous climbs without having to zip open the front or use pit zips, the Dirt Roamer keeps you from becoming drenched in sweat. The brushed knit backing helps to keep you from feeling like you are wearing a plastic bag, though the water-resistant, slightly more hardshell feel of the exterior made this less breathable than some of the competition.

Mobility

The Dirt Roamer was assessed for mobility as well, weighing in at 25% of its total score. We tested this metric by examining the same set of movements across all jackets, examining points of restriction and the amount of waistline lift. This Patagonia softshell came in towards the front of the pack.

With stretchy nylon material used as the primary fabric in the Dirt Roamer, you can ride, climb, and react without feeling like you are being restricted at all. This is a very mobile softshell jacket, and you'll hardly even notice it on your body — a great thing when you're working hard at your sport. There were only 2.5 inches of waistline lift with our hands overhead, keeping the body well covered regardless of your upper body's position. If mobility is a priority in your shopping, this is an excellent option.

Weight

We gave weight 10% of the total score of the Patagonia Dirt Roamer. After putting each product on the scale, we compare our findings to create the final metric's score. This is an incredibly light option and came in towards the top of the pack in this metric.

With a weight of only eight ounces, to call the Patagonia Dirt Roamer ridiculously light would not be an understatement. There aren't many options in our review that weighed less, and the lighter competition doesn't have the same effective weather resistance.

Versatility

Another 5% of the Dirt Roamer's total score was Versatility. We examined each option's ability to be used in various settings and investigated how well it could be layered under or on top of other garments. Given its sport-specific design, this wasn't the most versatile softshell in the test collection.

The Dirt Roamer can be used for a variety of sports, but as a lightweight hybrid between a windbreaker and softshell, it may be less ideal for more abrasive environments such as rock climbing. Also, the sizes do run a tad small, so consider sizing up if you plan on wearing a base layer or fleece underneath or if you are often in between sizes. We found that a chamois or a sun shirt was just about perfect in terms of interior layering before the jacket started feeling too tight and constricted. If you need a warmer layer, then plan on throwing it on over the Dirt Roamer rather than trying to cram it inside.

Should You Buy the Patagonia Dirt Roamer?

If you're hunting for a layer that offers packable weather protection, keep the Dirt Roamer at the top of your list. This unique softshell focuses on minimal features to keep it light, making it easy to keep with you on your bike or stow in a backpack, regardless of the sport.

What Other Softshell Jackets Should You Consider?

If you're looking for something even lighter than the Dirt Roamer, take a look at the Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody, which isn't as weather resistant but boasts better breathability in a featherweight package. For those who value water resistance more than other features, you will probably want to check out the Rab Kinetic 2.0 for the better protection it offers from storms with only a minimal increase of three extra ounces in weight.