Best Mid-Range Step-Up
Patagonia Granite Crest Rain Jacket
$279-$289Patagonia's sustainability flagship — made from recycled fishing nets with watertight zippers and a softer, stretchier feel than the Torrentshell. A compelling middle ground between the Torrentshell and premium Gore-Tex shells.
what experts say
- >“The Granite Crest strikes a nice middle ground for many hikers and other outdoor-goers, with quality 3-layer protection, a well-executed feature set, and a strong focus on sustainability.”— Switchback Travel
- >“The construction quality is tough to beat... From the 3-layer construction to the watertight zippers to the velcro cuffs, the construction quality is tough to beat.”— OutdoorGearLab
- >“One of the primary concerns with sustainable materials is that they might underperform compared to more standard fare, but the Granite Crest proved to offer uncompromised protection in trying conditions.”— Switchback Travel (Women's)
- >“One of our favorite jackets is Patagonia's Torrentshell 3L, which is more affordable and has better water resistance. If the Granite Crest design piques your interest but you want more water resistance, check out the Arc'teryx Beta SL.”— OutdoorGearLab tester
pros & cons
[+] what's great
- +Watertight zippers — a meaningful upgrade over the Torrentshell's storm flaps
- +Softer, stretchier 30D NetPlus shell (made from recycled fishing nets) for better comfort and mobility
- +PFC-free DWR and Fair Trade Certified — Patagonia's most sustainable rain jacket
- +Helmet-compatible hood with easy one-handed adjustments
- +Pit zips with two-way zippers for ventilation
[-] what's not
- -$279-$289 — significantly pricier than the Torrentshell for incremental gains
- -Thinner 30D shell is less durable than the Torrentshell's 50D construction
- -Some wetting out reported along the back in torrential downpours
- -Pit zips can be difficult to open with one hand
- -No internal pocket
