Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover - Women's Review

The Patagonia Airshed Pro is a comfortable, breathable, and simple piece that's sure to impress. It doesn't have a ton of extra features, but if comfort is your priority, this jacket has got you covered.

Performance Comparison

Breathability

Running makes us sweaty. No matter how slow you go or how fit you are, you're exerting a lot of energy, and no matter how cold or wet it is outside, you need to be able to let off some of that steam. Breathability is one of the most important factors for a running jacket, and the Patagonia Airshed Pro is up to the task. The Airshed Pro has two different materials, both of which are breathable and comfortable. The shell, which covers the torso, is nylon, while the sleeves and hood are a knit polyester. Both of these materials allow are super soft and allow for a ton of airflow, making this layer a great choice for cool days when you have a hard workout planned. Furthermore, it is a great layer for the days when you aren't sure how you should dress. Because of its exceptional breathability, the Airshed pro is a great choice for warm days too.

Though this jacket is a pullover, the front zipper is two-way. This means that you can have the hood up and closed at the neck but still keep the front open for ventilation. This feature is unique to the Airshed Pro, and is part of the reason it earned such high marks in the breathability metric.

Weather Resistance

Even in sunny California, not every day is perfect, but we can't let that get in the way of our running. In this review, we looked at three different types of weather you might be looking for protection from: wind, rain, and cold temperatures. To test this, we ran in a wide range of temperatures, from the drizzly Pacific Northwest to the deserts of California.

The Patagonia Airshed Pro is not the most protective jacket we've tested but we love it for reasons beyond its weather resistance. It does decently well in the wind, but this is mostly due to the shell fabric, not the sleeves, which are quite porous. The shell deflects water easily, but the sleeves and hood do not. The hood, since it is made out of the same stretchy polyester as the sleeves, seems to be intended for warmth more than for rain.

We love the snug fit of the hood, and it does help keep some warmth in when you need it. The front zipper zips all the way up towards the face for extra protection as well. This jacket is definitely best used on cool to warm days as an outer layer or on colder days as a mid-layer. It is thin enough to be comfortably worn under a more weather-resistant running jacket, which ups its versatility by a lot.

Comfort and Mobility

If you're used to gnarly backcountry adventures, comfort may seem like a luxury. But we've found that when it comes to running apparel, comfort is a necessity. Poorly fitting, uncomfortable clothing can cause chafing and rubbing; it can also cause distractions and fussing when you need to be focused on the trail or road in front of you. We want to be able to put our layers on and then forget about them, which is precisely what we find with the Airshed Pro.

The shell part of this jacket doesn't have a ton of stretch, but the arms and hood do, which we found to be an awesome balance. We could move freely with this layer, and we often find ourselves keeping it on well after our workout have ended because its so comfortable. The sweat-wicking properties of this jacket are top shelf; yet another reason we forget to take it off after our workouts. The sleeve and hood material is luxuriously soft, and the sleeves are long enough to forgo gloves when it's chilly outside. Additionally, the Airshed has an elastic waistband that helps keep the jacket in place when you're moving.

The Airshed Pro is our Top Pick for Comfort because of its great fit, elastic waist, and soft, stretchy sleeves. When all we need is a basic layer for a brisk morning or evening run, this is one of our top choices.

Portability

You may set out with a certain outfit on, but as conditions change, you may need to shed your shell, add a rainproof jacket, or other change up your clothing. Being able to easily stow your layers is an important feature, especially for backcountry travel or long-distance running. For this metric, we weighed each jacket on a scale, then compared their packing sizes and weight to determine which ones are the most portable.

The Airshed Pro is one of the lightest jackets in this review. At just 4.1 ounces for a size small, this jacket is barely noticeable, whether you have it on or have it stuffed in your running pack. It doesn't have any pockets, which is how most of the jackets in this review pack into themselves. Instead? There is a secret pocket hidden in the hood.

One thing to note is that while other jackets might fold down more easily, that's usually because their pockets are larger, meaning that they take up more room when packed. The Airshed needs to be stuffed into its pocket with a little more oomph, but it's incredibly small when it gets there and takes up less room overall. Once it is been bundled up, you can stash it virtually anywhere without giving it a second thought.

Features

There are a few key things that help elevate a layer to the status of a true running jacket, and in this category, we look for those details. We awarded high points for jackets that include reflective markings, well-positioned pockets, media capabilities, and sun protection. Unfortunately, the simple Patagonia Airshed Pro doesn't have many of these extras.

While we really like how simple the Airshed is, there are a few things that could be added to take it to the next level. First, it has just a small reflective front logo. Our testers agree that reflectivity is more important on the back to increase visibility in darker conditions. If you're mainly running on trails, though, this may not be as important to you.

There are no pockets on this jacket, which we aren't totally sold on, though the secret stuff pocket in the hood is fantastic and functional in its purpose. Because of its comfort, this layer is great for quick runs around town, but then you'll also need something to carry your phone and keys — and the Airshed can't help you there. If you usually run with a pack, this isn't a big deal. If you usually stuff a few things in your pockets and hit the trails, this jacket might not offer the amount of carrying capacity you want.

Value

The Patagonia Airshed Pro is a reasonably affordable jacket with a price that's average for a running jacket. If you're mainly looking for a comfortable and breathable wind layer to help take the chill off, this is a great piece at a nice price. If you're looking for something to wear in more rugged conditions though, we recommend a more weather-resistant running jacket for you.

Conclusion