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When Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard started selling climbing gear in the early ‘70s, he couldn't have imagined the influence his brand would have on the fashion industry decades down the line. Today, the house that Yvon built hawks everything from Baggies to Black Hole bags, and the Monte Fitz Roy logo that adorns them all is one of the most recognizable in menswear. Patagonia might not bill itself as a capital-F Fashion brand, but its wares increasingly appear next to their designer counterparts—on store shelves, in closets, and our carry-ons.
So when the brand introduced the Stormshadow Parka, the warmest-ever Patagonia jacket and the first made with Gore-Tex protection, it seemed like a big deal. Despite its newfound style-world bona fides, Patagonia still emphasizes performance above all else, and the Stormshadow felt like an ambitious leap forward; at a shade under $1,000, it's Patagonia's most expensive jacket to date. All of which begs the question: How warm is it, exactly—and what makes it worth the price?
To find out, I subjected the Stormshadow to the very worst experience any jacket can encounter: a truly miserable New York City winter. Here's how it held up.
How does it fit?
Patagonia cuts its jackets pretty generously, and the Stormshadow is no exception. I'm 5'9" on a good day and weigh about 140 pounds, and a size small afforded me plenty of wiggle room. I had a feeling the jacket would fit on the larger size, because it's designed to be layered over heavy-duty winter clothes—sweaters, overshirts, even other, lightweight jackets. Another detail I appreciated: The Stormshadow is long enough to cover my ass, though I did notice a 6'3" model on Patagonia's website looking a little exposed in a size medium. (Average-height kings win out here.) In terms of sheer puffiness, the Stormshadow sits somewhere between the Michelin-Man heft of the The North Face Nuptse and one of Canada Goose's streamlined Chateau parkas.
Another nifty detail I dug? The two-way zippers, which help prevent unsightly bulges when you're stationary or sitting. Unfortunately, the bottom zipper on the Stormshadow would occasionally get stuck when I tried taking it off—a small issue, but one that left me fumbling awkwardly to free myself from this mobile sleeping bag.
What's it made out of?
It's impossible for me to wear anything made with Gore-Tex and not linger on George Constanza's big, puffy coat. The fabric is famous for its near-magical combination of weatherproofing and breathability; water can't go in, but water vapor, i.e. your body's own sweat, can go out. The Stormshadow's exterior is made from fully recycled Gore-Tex coated in a PFC- and PFA-free membrane, an eco-conscious flourish in-line with Patagonia's broader ethos. (Patagonia is also quick to tout its partnership with Bionic, which provided some of the recycled marine plastic used to make the shell's exterior.) Factor in the 100 percent recycled 700-fill power down, and Mother Earth will thank you—while ol' Jack Frost shivers in his boots.
The Gore-Tex membrane was expectedly aces at blocking rain and snow, but I was particularly grateful for its windproofing, which protected my torso from wind and errant glass-like ice shards, while the hood did the same for my face.
How warm is it, actually?
Enough with the pleasantries: let's get down to business. How warm, exactly, is Patagonia's warmest-ever parka? Exceedingly warm, folks. The first time I tried this on in the comfort of my home, as one does, I almost broke out in a sweat. I could tell from the outset this beauty meant business.
The little details add up, too. That includes the fleece-like lining in the sleeves, which I promptly subjected to the 30-degree New York weather with nothing but a T-shirt on beneath. The Stormshadow employs that same material in its side slant pockets, which promise to keep your bare hands toasty if you forget your gloves at home.
As a steadfast non-scarf wearer, my neck is always one of the first places that feels winter's sting. With the jacket fully zipped, the collar stretches past my chin, and with the hood on, I'm about 90 percent of the way to a balaclava. Don't sleep on the elastic cuffs, either, which ensure a snug fit and prevent drafts from sneaking in.
Is it worth it?
Blizzard-busting prowess aside, how hot is the Stormshadow parka? Don't expect it to make any surprise cameos at Fashion Week. Sure, it's handsome enough in a gorp-leaning kind of way, but otherwise pretty nondescript. Remember: Patagonia's newfound fashion pedigree is incidental to its true mission—selling gear designed to weather the great outdoors. If looks are your secondary concern when the temperature dips to arctic levels, the Stormshadow is best-in-class—and a serious upgrade from the luxury counterparts its price tag puts it into competition with. Patagonia makes other jackets using 700-fill power down, but the Stormshadow is the only one that also boasts a Gore-Tex exterior, which makes it the brand's first truly weatherproof coat.
As a chronic cold-weather under-dresser, the Stormshadow kept me ridiculously cozy regardless of what I was wearing beneath it. Snowy walks to the train station barely fazed me, and on longer (okay, long-ish) treks elsewhere, my torso hardly shivered. Hell, the jacket's so good at its job that when you dip inside you might need to fully unzip—or ditch a layer entirely—to avoid overheating. As long as it's “mad brick” outside, I won't be taking it off.
This article was originally published on GQ.
