If you’re looking for waterproof, windproof, and breathable clothes for outdoor adventuring, you need pieces with GORE-TEX technology. I gear tested the Patagonia Women’s Storm Shift Jacket while in Quebec Province, Canada for a week with Adventure Travel Trade Association. The jacket was put to the test snowshoeing, fat biking, dog sledding, ice fishing, urban exploring, and even walking out on an iced over fjord in Canada’s cold and windy February weather.
Storm Shift Specs
This soft shell jacket is made of 2-layer 100% recycled GORE-TEX fabric without any perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs or PFAs). The waterproofing comes from its durable water repellent (DWR) finish. The inside has a zigzag pattern fleece to wick away moisture. Inside also has an adjustable powder gasket with a snap loop to connect to snow pants if needed. The two-way-adjustable hood is helmet-compatible and has a laminated visor to keep blowing snow or driving rain off your face. It has easy-access pit zips and velcro adjustable sleeve openings at the wrists. There are multiple zippered pockets with two outer hand pockets, outer chest pocket, interior chest pocket, and left wrist pocket. There’s also an interior drop-in pocket. The jacket is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory. It comes in men’s ($519), women’s ($248.99), and kid’s ($299) versions.
Why I Love It
Yes, there’s sticker shock with this jacket with the hefty price tag. But, I’ve tried jackets without GORE-TEX technology and I’m not going back for outer layer protection after this jacket. This is an investment piece to stay warm and dry, even in winter’s worst weather conditions. As I was packing for ATTA’s Adventure Week in Quebec, I was pleasantly surprised how packable the jacket is and easily folded it up in my Gregory Border 30 carry-on backpack. It’s also surprising how breathable this jacket is. Initially, I wasn’t a huge fan of the color, but now love it. It’s a neutral that goes with everything, plus easy to spot in snowy conditions. UPDATE (Dec 2023): sisu brown color is not available in US, but I did find it on a Patagonia Australia site if you really want it. There are currently 2 color options for men’s, 3 for the women’s Storm Shift Jacket, and 2 color options for the kid’s version.
It’s perfect for winter urban exploring in Montreal. Reaching an overlook on Mount Royal, the wind picked up and it started dumping snow. I layered the jacket over a puffy jacket to keep me warm and dry. The jacket was my go-to for adventuring in Quebec Province including fat biking in Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier near Quebec City, touring the Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel), and snowshoeing at Vallée des Fantômes (Valley of the Ghosts) in Monts-Valin.
UPDATE (June 2023)
I also took the Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket to Ireland in April for an 11-day trip I packed for in a carry-on roller and backpack. Space was at a premium but I needed a jacket for the island’s typical breezy and rainy weather. It was perfect for a rainy morning at Dunluce Castle. I also took it to Cody, Wyoming in early June. After a night of heavy rain, I wore the jacket for a side-by-side OHV adventure in some seriously muddy conditions. After getting filthy in Wyoming’s clay mud, all I had to do was hose the jacket off. This jacket is worth the money. This jacket sold me on GORE-TEX technology in clothes.
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