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Patagonia Triolet - Women's Review

This a versatile, durable hardshell offers a lot for a reasonable price
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Patagonia Triolet - Women's Review
Credit: Lyra Pierotti
Price:  $450 List
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Manufacturer:   Patagonia
By Lyra Pierotti ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 16, 2024
75
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#5 of 9
  • Weather Protection - 30% 8.0
  • Mobility and Fit - 20% 8.0
  • Venting and Breathability - 20% 8.0
  • Weight - 20% 5.6
  • Features and Design - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Patagonia Triolet is a durable hardshell jacket that was an easy go-to for many of our favorite wet weather adventures. It is light enough to make it into our alpine climbing kit, tough enough for the ski resort, and nimble enough for technical ascents and descents. As a bonus, the Triolet is made from recycled materials and free of harmful chemicals. It wouldn't be our choice for high mountain use: we would prefer a jacket with a bit more coverage (especially in the back length). Despite shortcomings, this hardshell proved to be a dependable layer that will cost you hundreds of dollars less than some of the premium jackets in our review. Check out how it compares to the competition in our article on the best women's hardshell jacket.
REASONS TO BUY
Durable
Comfortable
Flattering colors and fit
REASONS TO AVOID
Shorter back length limits use in extreme weather
Editor's Note: This review was revised on April 15, 2024, to include our assessment of the latest version of this jacket.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best for Active Wear
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Women's Hardshell Jacket
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
  
Price $450 List
$449.00 at Backcountry
$600.00 at REI
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Bottom Line Though not the most affordable hardshell we've tested, its value is high due to its durability and versatilityBurly and still lightweight, with thoughtful features that make it very versatileThe soft feel for a hardshell jacket, delivering comfort and breathability in a comfortable, athletic layerThis hardshell is rugged and ready for harsh mountain conditionsThis is a tough three-layer shell at an impressively lightweight
Rating Categories Patagonia Triolet -... Arc'teryx Beta AR J... Rab Kinetic Alpine... Mountain Equipment... Outdoor Research Mi...
Weather Protection (30%)
8.0
9.0
6.0
7.0
7.0
Mobility and Fit (20%)
8.0
8.5
9.0
7.0
5.0
Venting and Breathability (20%)
8.0
7.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
Weight (20%)
5.6
6.9
7.3
7.2
7.6
Features and Design (10%)
8.0
8.0
6.0
5.0
5.0
Specs Patagonia Triolet -... Arc'teryx Beta AR J... Rab Kinetic Alpine... Mountain Equipment... Outdoor Research Mi...
Measured Weight 16.4 oz 13.4 oz 12.5 oz 12.9 oz 11.7 oz
Material 3L 75D 100% recycled polyester Gore-Tex shell with a waterproof/breathable barrier and DWR finish N40d 3L Gore-Tex (body)
N80d 3L Gore-Tex Pro (arms)
3L recycled polyester knit face with PU membrane and recycled polyester backer/Proflex 3 layer DRILITE STRETCH 20D fabric with fluorocarbon free DWR AscentShell 3L, 100% nylon 20Dx45D mechanical stretch ripstop with 100% polyester 30D woven backer
Pockets 2 external chest, 2 hand, 1 interior mesh bucket 2 handwarmer, 1 internal chest 1 internal chest, 2 hand 1 internal chest, 2 hand 2 external chest, 2 hand (jacket stuffs into left pocket)
Pit Zips Yes Yes No Yes No
Helmet Compatible Hood Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Category Midweight
regular fit
Midweight
regular fit
Lightweight
regular fit
Lightweight
regular fit
Lightweight
slim fit
Drawcords 3 hood, 2 waist 4 hood, 2 waist 3 hood, 2 waist 3 hood, 4 waist 3 hood, 1 waist
Adjustable Cuffs Yes, Velcro Yes, Velcro Yes, Velcro Yes, Velcro Yes, Velcro
Harness and Hip Belt Compatible Yes, high pockets Yes, high pockets Yes, high pockets Yes, high pockets No
Two-Way Front Zipper No No Yes No No
Length of back, from base of neck to bottom 26 in 26 in 26 in 28 in 27 in
Warranty Policy Ironclad Guarantee Practical lifetime warranty - Material or workmanship defects will be replaced or repaired at Arc'teryx's discretion Guarantee covers the original owner with proof of purchase, for the usable lifetime of the product Fully guaranteed to the original owner against defects in components, materials and workmanship. Infinite Guarantee

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Patagonia Triolet was among our favorite all-around hardshells. No frills, nothing flashy–just great performance. It is smooth and sleek and made of the highest quality, recycled and certified Fair Trade constructed materials, in typical Patagonia fashion.

The Patagonia Triolet was updated for 2024 with proprietary, completely perfluorinated chemical (PFC) free DWR treatment, fabric and membrane. It works just as well as the version we tested, while being better for you and for the environment. Score!

Performance Comparison


patagonia triolet for women - reaching for a hardshell jacket? the patagonia triolet is a great...
Reaching for a hardshell jacket? The Patagonia Triolet is a great choice.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Weather Protection


The Triolet is made of 3L Gore-Tex fabric, the industry standard material for extreme weather protection. This jacket is a lightweight and high-performance alpine-ready layer. The material is certainly burly enough for the most rugged adventures on the planet, though the cut is not as generous as we like for the burliest of expeditions at high elevations and polar locations.


The Triolet is more geared towards movement in the mountains and less towards survival in the harshest environments. It has a slightly shorter back length, and the features are sleeker than they are burly, which allows for improved ease of movement in the jacket. That said, this jacket sealed out the weather and protected us well in our field testing during some rough weather on ski mountaineering adventures and through a variety of complex climbing movements.

patagonia triolet for women - the triolet is highly weatherproof with a great hood that easily...
The Triolet is highly weatherproof with a great hood that easily slides over a helmet, great for those temperamental days up high in the Italian Dolomites, or your local ski hill.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Mobility and Fit


The Triolet is made of a thicker, stiffer Gore-Tex material, which is pretty standard in traditional hardshell jackets. More and more, companies are releasing waterproof/breathable fabrics with a little stretch which allows a closer fit and improved mobility. This jacket still provides an impressive range of motion, however, with care and attention to the panels and stitches in the jacket and the overall cut. Our arms are free to move overhead, the cuffs don't creep too far up our arms when we do, nor does the bottom hem of the jacket reveal our midsection.


We found ourselves grabbing the Triolet day after day, drawn to it for its simplicity and comfort. This jacket inserted itself into many of our favorite activities in the mountains. We knew that whatever the day threw at us, we would be well protected from the elements and comfortable and unimpeded in our varied movements, whether climbing, skiing, or hiking in cooler temperatures.

patagonia triolet for women - a hood can make or break a jacket if it is too restrictive--the...
A hood can make or break a jacket if it is too restrictive--the Triolet nails it with good fit and mobility throughout!
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Venting and Breathability


Three-layer Gore-Tex is made for waterproofing and weather protection, first. This fabric is best suited for colder and stormier conditions. In these colder environments, the breathability is well-calibrated for active pursuits like alpine climbing and ski mountaineering.


In warmer or more humid environments, a three-layer hardshell jacket is not likely the best choice–it becomes much more challenging for your body heat to pump water vapor out of the pores of the jacket when the environment on the other side of the fabric is also humid. This is an important principle in the breathability of waterproof garments–if it is colder and drier outside the jacket, it is easier to pump water vapor from the more humid environment you've created inside the jacket to the less humid one outside. When this becomes challenged, it is helpful to have venting. The Triolet has excellent bi-directional pit zippers which meet in the center and allow you to open a little or a lot, under your arm or next to your core, to perfectly shed the excess heat and moisture when you get a little over-zealous on the skin track, without letting precip in, no matter what direction it is blowing at you.

patagonia triolet for women - the pit zips help shed heat in a hurry when you get a little...
The pit zips help shed heat in a hurry when you get a little overzealous on the uphill.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Weight


The Triolet is a heavier hardshell jacket. The simplicity of features keeps this jacket light and compact, but the burly fabric limits the weight savings.


The Triolet's cut is also a little less generous than the burliest of hardshell jackets with a shorter overall length. While this limits its utility in extreme weather, it is well suited to those with shorter torso lengths and makes it a little lighter and less bulky when packing it in your backpack.

patagonia triolet for women - the triolet isn't the lightest jacket in our test fleet. patagonia...
The Triolet isn't the lightest jacket in our test fleet. Patagonia saves some weight with this jacket's shorter length, but longer torsos and those traveling in the most severe mountain conditions may want a longer hardshell for extra protection.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Features and Design


The Triolet is a relatively simple jacket, but that doesn't mean it's short on features. We appreciated most how the jacket still felt streamlined and supple despite having plenty of pockets and pit zips.


We loved the Napoleon-style chest pockets on this jacket. These are accessed externally and have waterproof zippers. Inside the jacket, there is a single, stretchy mesh bucket-style pocket that is great for keeping gloves warm and dry when you need to take them off for a moment or change to a dry pair and rotate a wet pair through your jacket interior to dry them out. The two hand pockets are high on the sides to allow easy access when wearing a harness, and they have a storm flap. We usually don't like these storm flaps, as they make jackets a bit heavier and stiffer with the extra fabric, but these were placed in such a way that we could keep them open and use them as hand-warming pockets without them filling up with snow when it was snowing. Thoughtful design!

patagonia triolet for women - the triolet is exceedingly well made, inside and out.
The Triolet is exceedingly well made, inside and out.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

The pit zips meet in the middle rather than opening from either end, which we also really liked. This allowed us to vent from the core or the arm and keep them as open or closed as we wished. The hem and hood adjustments are also minimally exposed to the exterior, which helps to reduce icing and improve functionality. And last but certainly not least, the microfleece at the collar and back of the neck is a winning touch.

patagonia triolet for women - we loved the tucked-away cinches and napoleon chest pockets on the...
We loved the tucked-away cinches and Napoleon chest pockets on the Triolet.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Should You Buy the Patagonia Triolet?


The Patagonia Triolet is a remarkable jacket, especially for the price point. It is a high-performance, durable hardshell designed for technical mountain pursuits and keeps a relatively low profile both in terms of weight and in that it is cut well to allow excellent range of motion without feeling bulky or cumbersome.

patagonia triolet for women - we loved the triolet primarily for snowsports, but it was...
We loved the Triolet primarily for snowsports, but it was comfortable enough for alpine climbs and trekking, too.
Credit: Patrick English

What Other Hardshell Jackets Should You Consider?


If you're headed on an expedition, you might consider a jacket with more coverage, like the Mammut Nordwand Pro HS. And if your adventures usually involve higher body heat from faster-paced activities, check out the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0.

patagonia triolet for women - check out the patagonia triolet! we think you'll dig it.
Check out the Patagonia Triolet! We think you'll dig it.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Lyra Pierotti