Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover - Women's Review

The Airshed Pro is a comfortable, breathable, and simple piece that's sure to impress. It doesn't have a ton of features like reflective markings or pockets, but it does have a great design and a cozy feel.

Performance Comparison

The Airshed Pro stretching with us as we get ready for our morning run in Bishop, California.

Photo: Lauren DeLaunay

Breathability

Fact: running makes us sweaty. No matter how slow you go, you're exerting a lot of energy, and no matter how cold or wet it is outside, we 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 Airshed Prois 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 a ton of airflow, making this layer a great choice for cool days when you have a hard workout planned.

The Airshed has a two-way zipper for improved breathability.

Photo: Lauren DeLaunay

Additionally, 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. The Airshed is full of little details that really add to its overall success, and this is one of them.

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 spent a lot of time in the windy desert, sprayed each jacket with a hose to get a more controlled environment, and ran in a wide range of temperatures.

The Airshed Pro is not the most protective jacket in this review. It does decently in the wind, but this is mostly due to the shell fabric, not the sleeves. Additionally, the shell can deflect 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.

The Airshed's hood is stretchy and soft with lots of coverage.

Photo: Lauren DeLaunay

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. That being said, this is not an insulated jacket and is really only appropriate on cool days, not in the middle of winter.

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, it's 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 objective at hand. 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 had ended. 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's dual-material design is perfect: breathable shell on the torso coupled with cozy sleeves.

Photo: Lauren DeLaunay

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 always our first choice.

Portability

You may set out with a certain outfit on, but as conditions change, you may need to shed your shell. Being able to easily carry your layers is an important feature, especially for backcountry travel. For this metric, we weighed each jacket on a scale and then compared their packing sizes.

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 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!

The Airshed Pro (left) packs down small, especially when compared to some of its competitors, like the Brooks Canopy (right)

Photo: Lauren DeLaunay

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.

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 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 help drivers see you at night. If you're mainly running on trails, though, this may not be as important to you.

It's hard to believe that the Airshed Pro packs into this little hidden pouch, but it does!

Photo: Lauren DeLaunay

There are no pockets on this jacket, which we find a little annoying, though the secret stuff pocket in the hood is fantastic. 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 might not be such a big deal, but it does limit its versatility.

Value

The Airshed Pro is a reasonably affordable jacket with a price that's about average for this review. If you're mainly looking for a comfortable wind layer to help take the chill off, this is a great piece at a nice price. If you're looking for something more versatile, though, there are better running jackets for you.

See ya! We're out, Airshed Pro in tow.

Conclusion