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Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover - Women's Review

This is a wildly comfortable and breathable jacket that's simple and effective
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Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover - Women's Review (The Airshed Pro is one of our favorite layers because of how comfortable it is.)
The Airshed Pro is one of our favorite layers because of how comfortable it is.
Credit: Ally Meller
Price:  $139 List
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Manufacturer:   Patagonia
By Ally Arcuri & Lauren DeLaunay  ⋅  May 25, 2021
73
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 8
  • Breathability - 30% 9.0
  • Weather Resistance - 20% 5.0
  • Comfort and Mobility - 20% 9.0
  • Portability - 15% 8.0
  • Features - 15% 4.0

Our Verdict

The Patagonia Airshed Pro is a reintroduced version of an old product, and we are super impressed with this latest design. This is one of the most comfortable jackets we've tested. With soft, stretchy sleeves and hood and a breathable shell, the Airshed makes a great wardrobe addition for cool morning runs. It doesn't offer a ton of weather protection other than from the wind, and there are definitely better choices for truly stormy days. It also doesn't have a ton of flashy features: no media port or cool pockets here. But, the reason we awarded this layer our Top Pick for Comfort is simple: when we needed a simple layer to get us out the door, this was our go-to product. Get the skinny on how it stacks up against other top products in our article on the best women's running jacket.
REASONS TO BUY
Super comfortable
Breathable
REASONS TO AVOID
Less weather protection
No pockets

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best for Lightweight Comfort
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Women's Running Jacket
Top Pick Award
Most Versatile
  
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line The comfortable and breathable design of this jacket makes for a simple, effective running layerAn easy-to-transport and lightweight running jacket that offers just enough protection from inclement weatherA lightweight layer that offers sun protection and prime breathability with plenty of near featuresA wind-resistant and breathable running jacket with a great hood that is almost as good as our top scorersA comfortable and stylish athletic jacket that doesn't hold up to the demands of running in unpredictable weather
Rating Categories Patagonia Airshed P... Patagonia Houdini J... Brooks Canopy - Wom... Salomon Bonatti Cro... C9 Champion Women's...
Breathability (30%)
9.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
5.0
Weather Resistance (20%)
5.0
8.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
Comfort and Mobility (20%)
9.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Portability (15%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
4.0
Features (15%)
4.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
Specs Patagonia Airshed P... Patagonia Houdini J... Brooks Canopy - Wom... Salomon Bonatti Cro... C9 Champion Women's...
Measured Weight (size Small) 4.10 oz 3.10 oz 4.10 oz 4.06 oz
Number of Pockets 0 1 3 1 2
Main Material Capilene Cool Polyester in sleeves and hood, Nylon Stretch Taffeta shell 100% recycled Nylon ripstop Polyester Body: 100% Polyester
Insert: 88% Polyester, 12% Elastane
88% Polyester, 12% Spandex
Unique Features Two-way zipper Chest pocket converts to stuffsack with a reinforced carabiner clip-in loop Media port, hood packs away, UPF 30 Press button keeps jacket in place while vents are open Thumbholes
Vent Type Under arms None None Front snap None
Reflective Material No Yes Yes Yes No
Hood Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Our Analysis and Test Results

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


patagonia airshed pro pullover for women - we love long sleeves for long runs in the cold.
We love long sleeves for long runs in the cold.
Credit: Ally Meller

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.

patagonia airshed pro pullover for women - the airshed has a two-way zipper for improved breathability.
The Airshed has a two-way zipper for improved breathability.
Credit: Lauren DeLaunay

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.

patagonia airshed pro pullover for women - the stretchy hood and wind-resistant body make it great for long...
The stretchy hood and wind-resistant body make it great for long runs in the damp forests of Washington.
Credit: Ally Meller

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.

patagonia airshed pro pullover for women - the accomodating hood is sure to keep your head toasty.
The accomodating hood is sure to keep your head toasty.
Credit: Ally Meller

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 wide elastic waistband of the Airshed Pro helps prevent it from...
The wide elastic waistband of the Airshed Pro helps prevent it from riding up during your runs.
The underarm seams are super comfortable and breathable.
The underarm seams are super comfortable and breathable.

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.

patagonia airshed pro pullover for women - when worn unzipped, the airflow is exceptional.
When worn unzipped, the airflow is exceptional.
Credit: Ally Meller

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.

patagonia airshed pro pullover for women - the airshed pro (left) packs down small, especially when compared to...
The Airshed Pro (left) packs down small, especially when compared to some of its competitors, like the Brooks Canopy (right).
Credit: 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. 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.

patagonia airshed pro pullover for women - it's hard to believe that the airshed pro packs into this little...
It's hard to believe that the Airshed Pro packs into this little hidden pouch, but it does.
Credit: Lauren DeLaunay

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.

patagonia airshed pro pullover for women - we're out, airshed pro in tow.
We're out, Airshed Pro in tow.

Conclusion


The Patagonia Airshed Pro takes home a Top Pick Award for two very simple reasons: it's incredibly comfortable and super breathable. If simple is what you're after, look no further. This svelte and attractive running jacket can be your outer layer or under-layer in moderate temps. If you want an all-around piece to carry you anywhere, there might be a better burlier option for you.

Ally Arcuri & Lauren DeLaunay