Is Patagonia worth it? We review 15 of its best jackets, pants, and gear for outdoor adventuring

The Micro Puff Hoody is quite honestly the most versatile jacket I own, and a top vegan option for the best men's puffer jackets. What makes the it so special is its  insulation — it's the brand's best warmth-for-weight jacket. Instead of using thick materials stuffed with down feathers, the Micro Puff uses an ultra-light, water-resistant nylon ripstop Pertex Quantum shell and is filled with PlumaFill, a new synthetic insulation. The jacket is so lightweight, it neatly packs into its own front pocket. — Amir Ismael, Insider Reviews style editor

Read our full Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody review. 

Living in New York's Hudson Valley I'm lucky enough to get out in nature a lot and have tested tons of outdoor gear over nearly a decade writing product reviews. Whether it's hiking in the Catskill Mountains in the warmer months or cross-country skiing in winter, I rely on my gear to help me have the best, most enjoyable experience possible, whether it's a down vest or a duffel bag. For this review, I tested out Patagonia's Black Hole Duffel 40L to see how it holds up both in the wild and for regular travel.

Although this was the smallest of the four sizes the brand offers in its line of Black Hole Duffels, it fits a surprising amount of clothes. I was able to easily pack six days worth of clothing, including two pairs of shoes, six different summer outfits, underwear, socks, and my Dopp kit. It also easily transitions from duffel to backpack. All you have to do is match the straps — clearly labeled left and right — to the matching labels on the bag. When using it as a backpack, I found it comfortable to wear for short hikes. Because it's actually a duffel, it's obviously not going to have the same level of comfort as a backpack specifically made for hiking, like some from Granite Gear or Osprey. Still, I was pretty impressed and would definitely use it as a backpack while navigating an airport and for travel in general.

Patagonia makes the Black Hole Duffel from a 100% recycled polyester ripstop fabric. According to the brand, the bag is both weather and abrasion-resistant. In order to see if this was true, I poured a cup of water onto the top of the bag. The water immediately beaded up, ran off, and the bag dried quickly. No moisture made it through the material into the inside the bag. I also dragged the full duffel across the pavement multiple times to see how it stood up to real-world activity. This left no visible marks on the bottom of the bag.

This duffel bag can be zipped up into itself for storing when not in use, but it wasn't very easy to figure out how to do that. In fact, I ended up relying on a YouTube video. Based on the number of related instruction videos out there, I'm guessing it's a common issue. Given all of the other positives of the Black Hole Duffel, this is a relatively small quibble and the only one I had. — Andrew Amelinckx, freelance author

This coat is Lonesome Mesa Long Coat simply made for winter weddings. I wear mine when I want to stay warm and still look dressed up, it feels like wearing a big cozy blanket. The high-pile fleece material feels synthetic to the touch and sheds a bit, but it does its job of keeping me insulated.

The elasticated wrist cuffs and high collar also help block cool air from coming in. The waist pockets are lined with a hand-warming fabric and have plenty of room to carry your essentials if you rather forgo a handbag. Plus, there's a zippered interior chest pocket so you can keep your valuables secure and close. — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor

The Jackson Glacier Rain Jacket is a fully waterproof, casually stylish, hooded jacket with straightforward design elements. It's also made using recycled materials, which is important considering the clothing industry's poor sustainability record. I tested this jacket both in town as well as on hikes in the Catskill Mountains and found it to be both durable enough for outdoor activities and handsome enough for everyday use. The jacket has a soft handfeel, a great range of motion, and is lightweight, yet surprisingly warm. It performs well in cold, windy, and rainy conditions.

In the rain, water beaded up and didn't penetrate the durable water repellent (DWR) finish made without PFAS (AKA forever chemicals). I also stood under the shower at full blast with the jacket on with the hood up and my clothes stayed dry underneath (the things I do for this job). The hood provides good coverage, and you can easily adjust how it fits with a single pull on the drawcord on the right side, making things easy if it's especially windy and you're carrying something. There are also two drawcords at the waist and adjustable wrist cuffs to better keep the cold and wet out that are easy to work.

The Jackson has a flattering silhouette and comes in four colorways, with the Tidepool Blue being a standout. I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 175, and the size medium fits well. Because the Glacier is lined, it can be a little warm for summer. I wore it on a very muggy day in August and found it to be a bit too hot. The jacket excels in transitional fall weather and would also be fine for mild winter days and spring as well. — Andrew Amelinckx, freelance author

Cashmere is already a renewable material, but Patagonia further improves the sustainability of its Recycled Cashmere Crewneck Sweaters by using pre-consumer cashmere waste that's broken down and spun into new yarn. 

Aside from the sustainability, I consider this to be one of the best men's cashmere sweaters because it's soft enough to wear directly on my skin. Some cashmere can be incredibly itchy, meaning they can only be worn when it's cold enough to wear another long sleeve layer underneath. — Amir Ismael, Insider Reviews style editor

The Downdrift Vest has a retro look but some great modern additions like an outer shell made from recycled nylon with a DWR finish, similar to the other products in the review. Some of the thoughtful design elements include the deep double-entry patch pockets on the front and an internal zippered pocket.

I wore the Downdrift Vest during a rainstorm and found the water-resistant finish kept the water from penetrating its surface. Rain beaded up well on the material's surface and slid off. I also gave the vest a hosing down in the sink for five minutes and, like my real world experience, the water didn't penetrate the jacket. The vest dried in about 15 minutes. I found that the front pocket design also helps keep moisture out of the pockets.

Inside the vest is recycled duck and goose down rated with 600-fill power, which means the down has good loft and one ounce can cover 600 cubic inches of space. This is on the higher end — 550 and above is considered very good — but not the highest level available. Still, the Patagonia vest did keep me warmer than my L.L. Bean down vest. Because it does such a good job insulating your body, this vest will get you from crisp fall mornings and well into the winter. A size medium fit me perfectly and was extremely comfortable for all-day wear. — Andrew Amelinckx, freelance author

This hoody is made for rock climbers and bicyclists. It has nice arm flexibility for easy overhead reach and a close-fitting hood that fits under a helmet. I use the thumbholes when I'm biking because they keep my hands warm and protected against the breeze. The zippered pockets are on the chest instead of at the waist, so you still have access to them while wearing a harness (though this proved to be a disadvantage in my case since I'm not a climber).

I totally underestimated how warm this hoody would feel when I first put it on. It feels nearly weightless when I tie it around my waist, but at the first hint of a chill in the air, I put it on, and the thermal microgrid fleece lining effectively blocks the cold. It's not quite thick enough to wear as a jacket on its own, but it's much more practical to layer with than a regular fleece hoody. — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor

My first impression when slipping on the Terravia Trail Pants was how surprisingly light and stretchy they are. Patagonia makes these slim-fitting pants from recycled polyester and Spandex that provide a huge range of motion through the pants' design. It features gusseting at the inseam and articulation at the legs. I tested them out hiking in the Catskill Mountains on a moderately strenuous trail and found scrambling over rocks in these to be really easy.

So far, I've worn them in temperatures ranging from 50° F to 75°F and have been comfortable. They are on the thin side so for colder weather, wearing thermals underneath would probably make sense. According to Patagonia, the Terravia pants can shed "light moisture" because of the material's DWR finish. I put this to the test by pouring water on the pant legs while I wore them. I was happily surprised that the pants were dry in a little more than 10 minutes. That means you'll be OK if you get stuck out in the rain on-trail. Sweat will also dry quickly on hot days. Relatedly, all five pockets are zippered to keep water out and your personal items secured.

Aesthetically, they aren't the most versatile pants, especially compared to the Walter Sky WS-B01, which I've worn both hiking and out to dinner with friends. You'll probably not want to wear the Terravia pants out on a date. A friend thought they looked a bit like scrubs. But on the trail, I found them hard to beat. I especially liked the zippered cuffs at the ankles that keep the pants from bunching up at the legs while wearing hiking boots. It should be noted that these pants only come in either a 29 or 31-inch inseam. I typically take a 32-inch inseam, but I found these to fit well. Patagonia's dedication to sustainability is another huge bonus, especially when compared to other brands like Columbia and Kühl that don't always offer recycled fabrics or the same level of earth-friendly production. After two washes, these pants remain looking exactly as they did when I received them, with no fading, shrinking, or loose threads. — Andrew Amelinckx, freelance author

If you have a gig that requires you to have a free range of motion, I wholly recommend Patagonia's Utility Pants. My favorite part is their deep pockets, and considering how easy they are to move in, people who dabble in both front-of-house operations and hands-on work will get solid use out of these. I consider them some of the best stretchy work pants for women. They're totally squat-proof and flexible throughout the legs and easy to dress up or down. As for their durability, the mid-weight fabric feels sturdy while still soft to the touch.

I'm 5'9" and wear a size 4, and though they're a bit cropped on me, the fit is otherwise true to size. Plus, the stretchy waistband is extremely comfortable for standing and sitting all day. — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor

I've wanted a lightweight Patagonia jacket ever since Amir's Patagonia Micro Puff review. I recently got my hands on the similarly designed Nano Puff Hoody, and I have to agree — it's extremely versatile! The ultra-lightweight design is easy to pack and surprisingly warm given its paper-thin feel.

Personally, I've found it comfortable to wear down to temperatures in the mid-50s before needing to switch to something more substantial. Unlike Patagonia's pullovers, the Nano Puff Hoody runs true to size, if not a little big, and leaves just enough room for layering thicker sweaters underneath. — Ashley Phillips, former Insider Reviews style and beauty editor

All of Patagonia's Synchilla Fleeces are a great choice, but if you're looking for a bit more utility and storage, the Anorak is an even better choice. 

Instead of the snap T button on most Synchilla Fleeces, the Anorak features a quarter zip, two zippered side pockets, and a top-loading kangaroo pouch. I've used the side pockets for keeping my hands warm or added storage. The zippered kangaroo pouch is perfect for keys, wallets, or other small items that you want easy access to.  — Amir Ismael, Insider Reviews style editor

The Better Sweater is a Patagonia classic and I'm so glad to finally own one. The style feels a bit more sporty than the Snap-T, so it's not as versatile for everyday wear, but I still reach for it fairly often. The material is also thinner yet it's much warmer because of a fleece-lined interior.

There's also a convenient zip pocket on the sleeve where I slip my credit card and keys when I go for walks. The Better Sweater runs a bit small, so you'll want to size up if you prefer a looser fit or plan to do any layering. — Ashley Phillips, former Insider Reviews style and beauty editor

Referred to as "Life's Shorts" by the brand, Patagonia Baggies are designed to be versatile and comfortable. They're one of our favorite pairs of the best hybrid swim shorts, made from a 100% recycled nylon material that's both lightweight and super-fast drying. Baggies are available in a variety of lengths, so you can choose based on your personal style. — Amir Ismael, Insider Reviews style editor

Read our full Patagonia Baggies shorts review.

The R1 Air Zip-neck is my favorite everyday fleece from our Patagonia clothing review by far. Prior to the R1 Air Zip-Neck, I owned the Snap-T fleece, which offers extreme comfort and warmth. However, the R1 Zip-Neck Air is a better layering and transitional piece thanks to its lightweight and snug fit. It is also a technical fleece that is moisture-wicking and breathable for high-exertion activities whether it's exercise or running errands.

I also like how the zig-zag pattern adds a stylish touch. The only disadvantage is that the fleece does not feature easily accessible pockets on the outside. Instead, there is only an internal chest pocket meant for small items. — Taylor Jeffries, former Insider Reviews lifestyle fellow

Drawing inspiration from the iconic Patagonia Regulator Fleece, the R1 TechFace Hoody manages to be a lot more than a hooded version of that classic design. It is designed to be warm, stretchy, breathable, water-resistant, wind-resistant, and abrasion-resistant. 

Depending on the weather, you can wear it as a middle or outer layer. The jacket is thin enough to wear under a heavier coat, while its water resistance and warmth are more than enough to protect you on its own in milder temperatures. I personally prefer the R1 TechFace over the original R1 Fleece because it's a full-zip, as opposed to a pullover half-zip.  — Amir Ismael, Insider Reviews style editor