Patagonia material developer Kristin Umscheid studies PlumaFill’s potential at the Patagonia headquarters in Ventura, California. Kyle Sparks
IT ALL ADDS UP TO NOTHING FORGING THE MICRO PUFF At Patagonia, our best ideas come from being in the field. But sometimes simple problems inspire complex solutions. That’s been the case with the development of insulation. Down gets wet and loses its heat-trapping loft, and synthetics never quite achieve the same warmth, lightness or compressibility as down plumes. We’ve tried everything from treated down to synthetic fills that relied on various quilting constructions to prevent clumping. Yet none of these methods ever quite captured the best qualities of both, while successfully solving for the shortcomings of each. Then, in 2007, our materials research and development manager discovered an interesting synthetic insulation made of microfilaments spiraling a central fiber 02
that looked, felt and behaved like down, and tested out with better warmth for its weight than anything we’d previously worked with. Through extensive lab trials over a seven-year period, we found that this insulation, which we later named PlumaFill, proved to be highly compressible as well as 40 percent warmer for its weight than other leading synthetic insulations. Our Killer Wash testing standards demonstrated that after a simulated lifetime of use, PlumaFill suffered almost no loss in loft. This was impressive. Most synthetics we’ve tested or observed in the past either deteriorated or clumped into balls after washing, which causes cold spots, but this new fiber held up to every abuse we put it through. “Three years ago,
I did a study of the synthetic insulations on the market that were supposed to mimic down,” says material developer Kristin Umscheid. “I found PlumaFill to be the only insulation that passed our durability standards and, in fact, surpassed other synthetic insulations.” Still, our designers were stymied by how to use it. Various shell fabrics prevented the insulation from lofting to its full capacity, and, when paired with a shell, different patterning constructions caused the strands to wrap around each other or lose loft. It took another year of work for our senior product designer Christian Regester to develop a structure that locked each strand of insulation into place to maintain the maximum warmth-to-weight
PlumaFill’s spiral blasted filaments. Kyle Sparks
03
Senior product designer Christian Regester developing an early prototype. Kyle Sparks 04
“What exists now is a jacket that speaks to our ethos of design. We set out to solve a problem, and after 10 years of dedicated tinkering and serious refinement, we succeeded . . .” combination possible while using the least amount of insulation. The perpendicular, discontinuous stitching pattern prevents shifting and reduces both weight and the potential for cold spots. The team then developed a pattern to make fewer but larger pattern pieces, which allows heat to move more freely inside the jacket. “The quilting pattern was developed through a process of testing the weight, loft and durability at varying intervals,” says Regester. “After determining the best quilt dimension, we worked to construct it in a way that maintained airflow within the garment and used only the minimum amount of thread needed.” We paired this construction method with the lightest woven shell fabric we’ve ever used, and when we tested it again, the numbers were astonishing. “It was the lightest fabric we found that passed our testing standards and that we could execute in production,” says Umscheid. The Micro Puff™ Jacket was lighter and warmer for its weight than any of our down products, and the compressibility propelled it into a category of its own. The pattern also incorporates learnings from our styles with the highest-efficiency fabric yields, allowing us to create less scrap and keep fabric out of the landfill. Alongside this in-house refinement, we tested it in the field, mocking up prototypes to refine the design and asking our athletes to climb, run, ski, plan multiday expeditions and generally beat the heck out of the early models. Many testers thought the jacket actually was down and were surprised to learn it wasn’t. “We got a good idea through our lab testing that we had something special, but then we needed to build prototypes and test them in the field,” says Regester. “Everyone that got their hands on one didn’t want to give it back.” Consistent feedback also spoke to the weight for warmth. “I realized pretty quickly we were onto something,” says Kelly Cordes, climbing ambassador. Three years on, it’s still at the top of the rotation for many of our testers. What exists now is a jacket that speaks to our ethos of design. We set out to solve a problem, and after 10 years of dedicated tinkering and serious refinement, we succeeded—all the way down to the number of quilt points. “Building a durable product that’s also as light and warm as possible while maintaining loft when wet has been the goal of mountaineers since climbing mountains began,” says Regester. “Sometimes the best ideas take time.”
Right: A prototype being tested in the lab for warmth. Kyle Sparks Below: Colin Haley testing the Micro Puff’s warmth in the field. Alaska Range. Mikey Schaefer
REPORTS FROM THE FIELD: “What’s not to love about this? Lighter,
“Feels like down. In testing, I remember it
softer and seems warmer. Goes straight to
being as warm as a Nano, but it’s about
the top of the rotation.” — Steve House
20 percent lighter, so much greater warmth-to-weight ratio.” — Kelly Cordes
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THE MICRO PUFF TH E B E ST WAR M T H FO R IT S W EIG HT IN SU L ATION WE’VE EVER B U ILT The unprecedented combination of ultralight warmth—even when wet—and compressibility offers the versatility of synthetic without compromising the benefits of down. The revolutionary PlumaFill insulation (65-g 100% polyester) is featherlight and compressible, offering down-level warmth that still traps your heat when it’s wet. A nylon ripstop Pertex Quantum® shell, with a DWR (durable waterproof repellent) finish, blocks wind and snow. The garment’s design maximizes performance and minimizes useless fluff. Imported.
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Men’s Micro Puff ™ Vest $199.00
Men’s Micro Puff ™ Jacket $249.00
Men’s Micro Puff ™ Hoody $299.00
84075 I XS-XXL I Regular fit I 162 g (5.7 oz)
84065 I XS-XXL I Regular fit I 235 g (8.3 oz)
84030 I XS-XXL I Regular fit I 264 g (9.3 oz)
F E AT U R E S : Center-front zipper has wicking interior storm flap and zipper garage at chin for next-to-skin comfort. Innovative quilting construction complements the insulation by stabilizing and maximizing the loft of the PlumaFill strands with minimal stitching. Two welted zippered handwarmer pockets; left pocket doubles as a stuffsack with a reinforced carabiner clip-in loop.
Women’s Micro Puff ™ Vest $199.00
Women’s Micro Puff ™ Jacket $249.00
Women’s Micro Puff ™ Hoody $299.00
84090 I XXS-XL I Regular fit I 142 g (5 oz)
84070 I XXS-XL I Regular fit I 207 g (7.3 oz)
84040 I XXS-XL I Regular fit I 227 g (8 oz)
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UNSTUCK IN BAFFIN ISLAND’S STEWART VALLEY
Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll and Nico Favresse guide Maewan IV in the middle of the Northwest Passage, Canadian Arctic. Christophe Stramba-Badiali
“We are completely stuck in what is probably one of the most remote places on earth. No one even knows where we are.” 08
Pain pulses in my right foot to the rhythm of my heartbeats. I know something’s wrong, but the only option is to ignore it. The swelling presses against my shoe, but I’m afraid if I take it off, I’ll never get it back on. Still, I feel like I can’t complain. My foot is still functional. I realize that when I slipped off the wet chimney on the previous pitch and landed on a ledge 5 meters below, I could have hurt myself much more seriously. To my left, I see the enormous granite walls of the Stewart Valley. Deeper inside the chimney the rock turns from frost-covered to compact ice, filling the void and preventing us from going any further inside. I’ve been here for 30 minutes and nothing has happened. The spot on the rope is still at eye level. Only the sounds above me seem to be changing. An incisive crescendo. “Stay positive,” I think to myself. But it doesn’t work. Reality quickly replaces my pathetic affirmations. We are completely stuck in what is probably one of the most remote places on earth. No one even knows where we are. We’ve been in this pocket of Baffin Island for almost two months, and a boat is supposed to pick us up when the sea ice melts, but that could be anywhere from later this week to anytime this month. This climb is notably different from any route we’ve been on before. Dark, wet and mossy, it feels more like caving. It’s relentlessly slow and strenuous, with nothing but wide cracks that we squeeze our entire bodies into with very few opportunities for protection. Right now, Sean is wedged in one of these cracks, and from the movements of the rope hanging above I can tell that he’s stuck. When he started the pitch the chimney became very narrow, and he’d had to choose between committing to very insecure moves with no protection along the face or trying to squeeze his body up a tight crack just wide enough to fit in order to get to an opening about 20 meters higher. He chose the second option but became impossibly wedged between the narrow walls, only half a meter from where he would have exited the chimney. I consider the options, but there’s nothing I can do. Even with rescuers and fixed ropes, I can’t think of a way to free Sean.
Breakfast on Baffin Island with Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll. Nicolas Favresse
I remember reading about climbers getting their knees stuck in cracks and using olive oil to free them, but this would probably just sink Sean deeper. And anyway, where the hell am I going to get olive oil up here? I feel completely useless. It’s a moment of desperation that sends me back to our original approach to Stewart Valley over the sea ice on skis. The landscape was so beautiful that I remember thinking, “If we have to die, this is at least worth dying for.” I can hear Sean’s breathing accelerating as he gets increasingly desperate. The only way to extricate him would be for him to retreat from his position exactly the way he got in. Suddenly the rope starts to move back toward the inside of the chimney, and 15 minutes later Sean is
liberated. Witho ut hesitation, he works his way around the outside of the narrows, committing delicate moves without any protection. Finally, we are back on track.
After two months on Baffin Island, Nicolas Favresse and Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll ventured south to the big walls of Patagonia. There they spent 19 days stuck on a wall before safely making it back to Europe to plan their next foray into the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
Left: Nico Favresse makes a delicate traverse while opening Down the Slope without a Ski on the Walker Citadel’s northwest face in the Walker Arm, Baffin Island. Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll Next page: Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll works a tricky dihedral on the first ascent of El Regalo de Mwono in Torres del Paine, Patagonia. Nicolas Favresse
09
12
A LP I N E
J AC K E T F E AT U R E S : Insulated with 800-fill-power Advanced Global Traceable Down (goose down certified by NSF International from parent farm to apparel factory to help ensure the birds that supply it are not force-fed or live-plucked). The internally glued baffles on the shoulders, arms and front of parka help eliminate the need for exterior stitching, improving the shell’s wind and water resistance and keeping the down insulation dry.
GRADE VII DOWN PA R KA A N D H Y B R I D SLEEPING BAG SYSTEM An “elephant’s foot” bag built to integrate with a belay parka. Our Grade VII Down Parka represents everything we’ve learned in 40 years of down construction, filtered through visionary alpinists, refined for the realities of extreme alpine environments and meticulously executed. Paired with a Hybrid Sleeping Bag with 800-fill-power Advanced Global Traceable Down encased in an ultralightweight Pertex Quantum® shell fabric, it delivers the warmth you need for the spartan bivies of alpine climbing. Imported.
S L E E P I N G B AG F E AT U R E S : The half-zip saves precious weight, and drawcords atop the insulated portion and at the hood help seal in warmth, preserving your energy for the summit push.
Men’s Grade VII Down Parka
Hybrid Sleeping Bag
Our custom foot-box
$899.00 I 84845 I XS-XXL
$299.00 I 70070 I 490 g (17.3 oz)
pattern eliminates
Regular fit I 675 g (23.8 oz)
short and long available online
dead space and bulk, maximizes warmth, and affords ample room for “splay” and movement.
Chris Mutzel starts up the first pitch of Exocet on Aguja Standhardt, Patagonia. Austin Siadak
13
A LP I NE
PLUMA JACKET Premium refinement for every mission in the alpine. Pitch after pitch of perfect névé—it’s like paradise, except for the spindrift, screaming barfies, wind and storms. No matter. Embrace them with our new Pluma Jacket. An unfailing companion on any mountain adventure, the Pluma Jacket uses lightweight, durably waterproof/breathable and windproof 3-layer GORE-TEX® Pro shell fabric (100% recycled nylon) with GORE™ Microgrid Backer Technology in a simple yet fully featured, packable hard shell. Imported.
F E AT U R E S : Minimal seams are reinforced with narrow seam tape for low bulk. 2-way pit zips vent and are watertight. Two high handwarmer pockets with watertight zippers stay clear of a harness or pack waistbelt. One exterior left-chest pocket with watertight zipper and one interior right-chest pocket.
Men’s Pluma Jacket $549.00 I 83755 I XS-XL Regular fit I 414 g (14.6 oz)
Shown with Men’s R1® Pullover I 40109
Women’s Pluma Jacket $549.00 I 83775 I XS-XL Regular fit I 366 g (12.9 oz)
Shown with Women’s R1® Pullover I 40118
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A LP I NE
G A LVA N I Z E D JACKET A N D PA N T S
Our 3-layer H2No® Performance Standard polyester/spandex stretch-woven shell for the alpine’s boldest terrain. An uncompromised combination of unrestricted movement and protection for the worst conditions, the waterproof/breathable Galvanized Jacket stretches, breathes and shrugs off heavy weather. Our Galvanized Pants offer dynamic performance and protection. Both utilize a soft jersey-knit backer that wicks moisture. Imported. Men’s Galvanized Jacket $379.00 I 83145 I XS-XXL I Slim fit I 584 g (20.6 oz)
J AC K E T F E AT U R E S :
PA N T S F E AT U R E S :
Engineered pattern eliminates all seaming
Minimal, articulated pattern complements
across the shoulders and back, reducing
stretch fabric to enhance ease of movement.
potential leakage points and enhancing stretch where you need it. Optimal Visibility Hood adjusts with singlepull Cohaesive® embedded cord-lock system to work equally well with any type of helmet or a bare head. Cuffs feature minimal self-fabric hook-andloop closure and textured polyurethane inner cuffs that grip gloves when secured, keeping sleeves in place when you’re swinging a tool.
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Low bib with adjustable, elasticized suspenders and separating zip fly with snap-tab closure. Front-to-back zip-through crotch for easy pit stops without stripping down.
women’s available online
Shown with Men’s Nano-Air® Light Hoody I 84280
Men’s Galvanized Pants $299.00 I 83155 I XS-XL I Slim fit I 380 g (13.4 oz) women’s available online
Narrow lower legs and ultraminimal cuffs with shock-cord adjustments and tie-down loops reduce bulk around alpine boots. Chris Mutzel takes a short break to soak in the first rays of dawn after 24 hours on the move and bailing off Exocet on Aguja Standhardt, Patagonia. Austin Siadak
17
A LP I NE
TRIOLET JACKET A N D PA N T S
Our jack-of-all-things-alpine shell delivers versatile, durable performance. Born from tradition and infused with modernity, our Triolet Jacket maintains its mountain focus the way a hard shell should: through heavy snow, driving wind and pouring rain. The agile, do-it-all Triolet features a waterproof/breathable membrane bonded between a robust inner lining and a durable and trusted GORE-TEX® 3-layer polyester outer shell. Imported. Women’s Triolet Jacket $399.00 I 83406 I XXS-XL I Regular fit I 519 g (18.3 oz)
J AC K E T F E AT U R E S :
PA N T S F E AT U R E S :
Low-bulk, watertight pit zips and full-
Full side-zip pants for venting or
reach gusseted underarm panels provide
layering in changing conditions.
total mobility.
Articulated pattern and gusseted
men’s available online
Shown with Women’s R2® Jacket I 25148
Low-profile cuffs use a tapered tab hook-
crotch for ease of movement and
and-loop closure for a tight wrist seal.
comfort under a harness.
Optimal Visibility Hood with laminated visor
Separating waist has 2-snap closure
$349.00 I 83220 I XXS-XL I Regular fit I 593 g (20.9 oz)
is helmet-compatible and 2-way-adjustable to
and zip fly; belt loops and jacket
men’s available online
provide good visibility in poor conditions.
attachment loop at rear; interior
Women’s Triolet Pants
adjustable elastic tabs customize fit.
Toby Grohne takes cover as Lindsay Fixmer takes off into steep ice above. Canmore, Alberta. Drew Smith
18
A LP I NE
STRETCH NANO S T O R M® J A C K E T A N D G A LVA N I Z E D PA N T S An H2No® Performance Standard jacket with easily mobile pants for stretching your limits in the alpine. Built to buffer the start-stop cycle of alpine climbing in blowing, wet, cold conditions, the Stretch Nano Storm® Jacket combines a layer of stretchy, breathable 60-g FullRange® insulation (think Nano-Air ® Jacket) with a supple, stretchy, waterproof/breathable H2No Performance Standard 2-layer shell fabric to create a belay parka plus storm shell, all in one. The Galvanized Pants stretch, breathe and shrug off heavy conditions, of fering an uncompromised vision of dynamic performance and protection. Imported.
J AC K E T F E AT U R E S : Revolutionary 60-g FullRange® insulation warms and stretches; combined with a highly breathable liner that allows unwanted heat to easily move away from the body. Articulated pattern and seamless shoulder design complement the fabric stretch for enhanced ease of movement.
Men’s Stretch Nano Storm® Jacket $449.00 I 84330 I XS-XXL I Regular fit I 581 g (20.5 oz) women’s available online
Shown with Men’s Capilene® Thermal Weight Zip-Neck I 43657
Men’s Galvanized Pants $299.00 I 83155 I XS-XL I Slim fit I 380 g (13.4 oz)
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PA N T S F E AT U R E S : Stretchy, 3-layer polyester/spandex fabric offers full mobility and exceptional waterproof protection; soft jersey-knit backer wicks moisture. Minimal, articulated pattern complements stretch fabric to enhance ease of movement.
PAC K F E AT U R E S : Minimalist hipbelt and low-profile sternum strap. Daisy chains on front and side panels provide lashing options; zippered pocket on lid offers easy access to small items.
ASC ENSI O NI ST This versatile backpack is built to go light on routes from Fitz Roy to Chamonix, but willingly expands when you need to overstuff. Built with lightweight, bomber, tear- and abrasion-resistant CorduraÂŽ nylon/polyester ripstop. Imported. Ascensionist 30L $149.00 I 47997 I S/M, L/XL I 700 g (1 lb 8.7 oz)
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TECHNICAL I N S U L AT I O N
N A N O -AI R ® FAM I LY ACT IVE: HIG H EXERTION Go hard all day with perfect warmth and zero swamp factor. Warmth+stretch+breathability: Nano-Air ® styles combine a plainweave liner with breathable, stretchy, warm-when-wet synthetic FullRange® insulation and a weather-shedding 100% nylon ripstop shell with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish. Imported.
Women’s Nano-Air® Light Hybrid Jacket
Women’s Nano-Air® Light Hoody
Men’s Nano-Air® Hoody
$199.00 I 84351 I XXS-XL
$249.00 I 84290 I XXS-XL
$299.00 I 84365 I XS-XXL
Slim fit I 261 g (9.2 oz)
Slim fit I 261 g (9.2 oz)
Slim fit I 397 g (14 oz)
men’s available online
men’s available online
women’s available online
40-g warm, stretchy, breathable
40-g warm, stretchy, breathable
60-g warm, stretchy, breathable
FullRange® insulation.
FullRange® insulation.
FullRange® insulation.
Airy, wicking waffle knit on the back
75% more breathable, with 33%
Unprecedented air permeability
of arms, side and back panels manages
less insulation, than our regular
(40CFM).
excess heat and moisture.
Nano-Air® styles.
F E AT U R E S :
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NA NO P UF F ® JAC K E T
D O W N SW E ATE R
SY N T H E T IC: WAR M W HEN W ET
D OWN : WA RM , SOF T A N D COM PRESSIBL E
Lightweight, toasty and windproof. All Nano Puff ® styles use PrimaLoft ® Gold Insulation Eco (55% postconsumer recycled content) wrapped in a 100% recycled polyester shell and lining. Ideal for light belay parka duty. Imported.
Down is nature’s undisputed insulating hero. Lightweight and highly compressible, down provides deep “at-rest” warmth in cold, dry conditions. Imported.
Men’s Nano Puff® Jacket
Women’s Down Sweater
$199.00 I 84212 I XS-XXL
$229.00 I 84683 I XXS-XL
Regular fit I 337 g (11.9 oz)
Regular fit I 346 g (12.2 oz)
women’s available online
men’s available online
60-g PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation
800-fill-power Advanced Global
Eco, with 55% postconsumer recycled
Traceable Down (goose down certified
content, is water-repellent, highly
by NSF International from parent farm
compressible and maintains 98% of
to apparel factory to help ensure the
warmth, even when wet.
birds that supply it are not force-fed or
Lightweight, 100% recycled polyester
live-plucked).
ripstop shell and lining with a DWR
100% recycled polyester ripstop shell
(durable water repellent) finish.
and lining with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish.
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B A S E L AY E R S A N D M I D L AY E R S
Every kit needs a solid foundation. Missions in the mountains can be frigid, but the exertion that gets us to the top can often make the body hot. How to battle the constant push-and-pull nature of getting after it? You’ve heard it time and again: Layers build the foundation for staying comfortable in the mountains. Imported.
Women’s Capilene® Midweight Crew
Women’s Capilene® Thermal Weight Zip-Neck
Women’s Crosstrek 1/4-Zip
$59.00 I 44436 I XXS-XL
$99.00 I 43662 I XXS-XL
$119.00 I 23835 I XS-XL
Slim fit I 162 g (5.7 oz)
Slim fit I 138 g (4.9 oz)
Regular fit I 272 g (9.6 oz)
men’s available online
men’s available online
men’s available online
F E AT U R E S : Our most versatile Capilene® baselayer with
Our warmest, most breathable Capilene®
The most versatile fleece for all activities,
the greatest comfort range is made with
baselayer is made with low-bulk Polartec® Power
whether you’re getting on the trails, layering
Polartec® Power Grid® 100% polyester (93%
Grid® fabric (30–92% recycled) with Polygiene®
up for the mountain or just simply on the go.
recycled) fabric with Polygiene® permanent odor
permanent odor control and is Fair Trade
Polartec® Power Stretch® fleece fabric provides
control and is Fair Trade Certified™ sewn.
Certified™ sewn.
next-to-skin comfort during movement, durability and stretch for full range of motion.
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Men’s R1® Pullover
Men’s R1® TechFace Hoody
Men’s R2® Jacket
$129.00 I 40109 I XS-XXL
$169.00 I 83575 I XS-XXL
$169.00 I 25138 I XS-XXL
Slim fit I 337 g (11.9 oz)
Slim fit I 400 g (14.1 oz)
Slim fit I 405 g (14.3 oz)
women’s available online
women’s available online
women’s available online
The multisport versatility of our iconic R1®
Warm, stretchy and breathable like you’d
Pullover stems from its minimal design and
expect from Regulator® fleece, but with the
hybrid-design R2® Jacket provides exceptionally
Regulator® fabric with Polygiene® permanent
added benefits of abrasion and weather
breathable, quick-drying warmth in our most
odor control—a light and breathable fleece
resistance for extended versatility in shifting
compressible Regulator® style. Directionally
made from Polartec® Power Grid® fabric with
mountain conditions.
knit Polartec® Thermal Pro® fabric is breathable,
outstanding stretch and durability.
The ultimate cold-weather midlayer, our
compressible, wicks moisture and dries quickly, while Polartec Power Grid® on side panels, sleeves and cuffs improves fit and durability.
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26
FIXATION WELCO ME TO PATAG ONIA’S REPAIR CENTER, WHERE WE’LL D O JUST ABOUT ANYTHING TO KEEP YOUR GEAR IN PLAY At Patagonia, we love fixing gear that’s been worn into near oblivion by our customers. It means we did our job (build beautiful product for years of hard use) and you did yours (play like hell). In our 40 years of business, we’ve learned that, on average, people keep a piece of clothing for just three years, yet the materials and processes of making any new garment— including ours, which are made with the strictest sustainability considerations in the apparel industry—are very costly to the planet. The best way to reduce the
environmental footprint of your clothes is to keep them in use longer, by you or by someone else. Repairing clothes is hardly a new idea—go back just a couple of generations, when getting more life out of what you owned was the necessary norm for most of the world. In much of today’s world, however, clothing is seen as disposable. The average adult disposes of 70 pounds of apparel into the landfill each year—an appalling number by any standard, especially when you consider that keeping a
piece of clothing for just nine more months can reduce that product’s associated CO2 emissions by 27 percent, its water use by 33 percent and its waste by 22 percent.* Simply put, the longer we use our stuff, the smaller the impacts become. At Patagonia, we want to keep the clothes we make in circulation for as long as possible. Not only is durability built into the design of every product, we’re prepared to help extend the life of your gear. Our Repair Center is housed in our Distribution Center in Reno, Nevada. It’s 27
PATAGONIA REPAIR CENTER
RENO
CARSON CITY
LAKE TAHOE
NEVADA
TOPAZ LAKE
395
PINECREST LAKE BRIDGEPORT
YOSEMITE
Susan Baker repairs a jacket that might just belong to her daughter, whom she raised skiing in the nearby Sierra. Ken Etzel
167 MONO LAKE
NATIONAL
120
PARK
“. . . the Repair Center currently keeps
JUNE LAKE LOOP MAMMOTH LAKES
CROWLEY LAKE
49 395
W E LCOM E TO PATAG O NIA’ S R EPA IR CENT ER Our Reno Repair Center is 34.3 miles from the Mount Rose summit in the Sierra. Truckee, California, sits 27.4 miles from any of the employees’ workspace. And South Lake Tahoe is merely 67.6 miles away. Working at the Repair Center means mountains (or access to them) are in your backyard. And dawn patrol, or any kind of schussing in the elements, is strongly encouraged. There’s a good chance that the technician involved in the process of fixing your snow gear is also out there putting their own to the test, after hours, before heading back to the Repair Center (an entirely LEED-certified facility) to mend other snow lovers’ cherished pieces.
upward of 50,000 well-loved, hard-worn pieces out of the landfill, putting them back out into circulation for more use. Each one receives personalized attention, because while every repair may be different, the sentiment of our customers is largely the same: ‘Please fix this. I can’t go on without it.’”
Previous spread, left: Susan Baker mends a wellloved garment sent to the Reno Repair Center. Susan was base camp support for a 1987 Cho Oyu expedition (her children’s father was on the climbing team from Nevada) and still has her original Chouinard Expedition Sewing Kit, which she used to repair a tent flap that was ripped to shreds in a windstorm and to fix gaiters for one of the team members. Ken Etzel Previous spread, right: A glimpse into where the Repair Center magic happens. Reno, Nevada. Ken Etzel (except bottom left, Tim Davis)
The Reno repair crew. Ken Etzel
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Fan mail and love notes for the Reno Repair Center technicians. Ken Etzel
one of the largest apparel repair facilities in the United States, with 42 full-time repair technicians. According to repairs manager Josh Schill, the Repair Center currently keeps upward of 50,000 well-loved, hard-worn pieces out of the landfill, putting them back out into circulation for more use. Each one receives personalized attention, because while every repair may be different, the sentiment of our customers is largely the same: “Please fix this. I can’t go on without it.” The average repair takes about an hour and a half. Some take far longer, and complicated repairs take longer still. Patagonia repair technicians are skilled sewers from diverse backgrounds: Many have worked in factories in other countries or in the apparel industry in Los Angeles, some have learned their craft on their home sewing machine. Repair techs start on simpler repairs and progress to more involved jobs. “It’s a four- to six-month learning curve for
a technician to be solid on 70 percent of what we do here,” says Schill. “The hardest repairs tend to be on specialty stuff like wheeled luggage or bootie alterations on fishing waders, and not everyone takes those repairs on.” But whatever the scale, techs make it a personal mission to get a piece fixed and back to its owner within about 10 business days. Used pieces may also be traded for credit into the Worn Wear program (sometimes after being repaired). All eligible Worn Wear items are laundered in a waterless, liquid CO2 washing machine—an ingenious closed-loop system that captures plastics that would otherwise end up in the ocean—and require no drying.** They’re then photographed and put on wornwear.com, where someone can purchase a pre-loved piece of Patagonia gear. And then, there are the items that are simply beyond repair. With the customer’s permission, we’ll bale and prep those for
recycling. Of course, if the customer can’t bear to see it go, we’ll send the piece back to them. (We get it.) “Ultimately, Patagonia’s goal is to keep as much as we can out of the landfill,” says Stacy Weaver, Worn Wear operations coordinator in Reno. “We’ll do that any way that we can: repair, repurpose, upcycle, recycle. Patagonia’s quality standards are so high that even the stuff that’s been worn has so much life left in it. There are so many ways a garment can live on, why waste it?” *Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), Design for Longevity, May 2013 **tersussolutions.com
Next page: Kye Petersen finds the line less traveled at Chatter Creek, British Columbia. Nicolas Teichrob
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SN O W
P O W S L AY E R JACKET AND BIBS
Our pinnacle stormproof hard shell. Now made with 100% recycled nylon GORE-TEX® Pro face fabric, this season’s PowSlayer not only delivers the highest level of durable waterproof/ breathable and windproof protection, but also reduces our reliance on petroleum to make new products. Our premium 3-layer hard shell delivers complete storm protection in a full range of kick-ass (or not) conditions in the backcountry. Imported. Men’s PowSlayer Jacket $699.00 I 30305 I XS-XL I Regular fit I 547 g (19.3 oz)
J AC K E T F E AT U R E S :
B I B S F E AT U R E S :
Watertight, coated zippers with slim
Low-profile bibs have a drop-seat
zip installation reduce bulk and weight;
configuration with 2-way slider side zips for
Vislon® watertight, center-front zip is
venting, a zip fly with a single-snap closure
durable and easy to use.
for convenient relief and grown-on belt loops
Pit zips quickly release heat;
Shown with Men’s Nano-Air® Jacket I 84251
at the waist for convertibility when hiking. Men’s PowSlayer Bibs
adjustable, low-profile cuffs secure
Vislon zippers on side zips and cargo
$599.00 I 30324 I XS-XL I Regular fit I 584 g (20.6 oz)
over or under gloves.
pockets are watertight and easy to use;
women’s available online
Helmet-compatible, 2-way adjustable fixed hood with laminated visor for optimal visibility in bad conditions;
slim zip installation on midtorso pockets with watertight, coated zippers reduce bulk and weight.
Cohaesive® embedded cord-lock system
Stretch-mesh fabric at lower back for
in hood and hem provides quick and
increased breathability and comfort.
easy adjustment.
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women’s available online
Eric Balken and Carston Oliver peer into a straight line they’ve been eyeing for years on Cardiac Ridge, Alta, Utah. Jay Beyer
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DESCENSIONIST JAC K E T A N D PA N T S Our most breathable weatherproof hard shell with stretch; perfect for the up and down. This kit hits the sweet spot of moisture management and breathability in a lightweight, 3-layer hard-shell jacket and pants that will keep you dry from the inside out and outside in, so you can leave them on for both the ascent and the descent. Imported.
Men’s Descensionist Jacket $449.00 I 30105 I XS-XL Regular fit I 627 g (22.1 oz) women’s available online
Shown with Men’s Nano-Air® Light Hybrid Jacket I 84345
Men’s Descensionist Pants $379.00 I 30190 I XS-XL Regular fit I 516 g (18.2 oz) women’s available online
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J AC K E T F E AT U R E S : Helmet-compatible, 2-way-adjustable fixed hood with laminated visor for optimal visibility in bad conditions; CohaesiveŽ embedded cord-lock system in hood and hem provides quick and easy adjustment. Adjustable powder skirt can be cinched for a tight seal or lies flat when not in use. A webbing loop at center back connects to any Patagonia Snow pants. Two mesh-backed front pockets double as vents and are positioned for easy access while wearing a backpack.
PA N T S F E AT U R E S : Soft fabric lining repels moisture; grown-on belt loops and built-in belt; 2-snap closure and zip fly; webbing loop on rear yoke attaches pants to the powder skirt on any Patagonia Snow jacket. Vents at backs of thighs have watertight, coated zippers with slim zip installation to reduce bulk and weight. Gaiters seal out snow; tough scuff guards protect inside of legs and bottom hems.
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REFUGITIVE JACKET AND SNOWDRIFTER PA N T S
Lightweight, waterproof, superpackable protection against the burliest weather. The Refugitive Jacket is built for the optimal balance of stretch and light weight; durably waterproof and windproof 3-layer GORE-TEX® fabric with a GORE® C-KNIT ™ backer is softer, lighter and more breathable than regular 3-layer GORE-TEX® fabric. The SnowDrifter Pants are built with a soft-shell fabric that’s coated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish to balance heat, comfort and protection. For off-piste purists, guiding professionals and extended backcountry tours. Imported. Women’s Refugitive Jacket $499.00 I 83620 I XS-XL I Regular fit I 374 g (13.2 oz)
J AC K E T F E AT U R E S :
PA N T S F E AT U R E S :
Specially engineered Optimal Visibility
Removable, elasticized suspenders
Hood adjusts with single-pull Cohaesive®
increase mobility without pants riding up.
embedded cord-lock system to fit equally well over all helmet types or a bare head. Elasticized strap at low back connects to any Patagonia Snow pants and select Alpine pants to prevent jacket from riding up. Concealed RECCO® reflector.
Single-cuff design adjusts snug around boots with a webbing metal buckle that works easily with gloved hands. Articulated patterning complements generous stretch for exceptional mobility
men’s available online
Shown with Women’s R1® TechFace Hoody I 83590
Women’s SnowDrifter Pants $229.00 I 30280 I XS-XL I Regular fit I 541 g (19.1 oz) men’s available online
while stepping or sliding.
Caroline Gleich checking off another Chuting Gallery line on the Great White Icicle in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. Adam Clark
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UNTRACKED JACKET A N D PA N T S
Warm, low-bulk and supple 3-layer GORE-TEX® shell built for comfort and protection. Crafted with unwavering attention to descent-oriented details, our Untracked kit features GORE-TEX® nylon fabric for durably waterproof/breathable and windproof protection. The jacket is soft and comfortable with an intuitive embedded cord-lock system. The low-bulk Untracked Pants provide lower-body warmth for powdery freeride descents. Imported. Men’s Untracked Jacket $599.00 I 29867 I XS-XL I Regular fit I 726 g (25.6 oz)
J AC K E T F E AT U R E S :
PA N T S F E AT U R E S :
Low-profile powder skirt with webbing loop
Mesh-lined vents at inner thighs
at center back connects to any Patagonia
to quickly release heat.
Snow pants. Pit zips quickly release heat; articulated arms for mobility.
protect inside of legs and bottom hems. Webbing loop on rear yoke securely
Zippered pockets: two handwarmers, one
attaches pants to the powder skirt on any
chest with cable routing, one internal stash.
Patagonia Snow jacket.
One internal drop-in for goggles or gloves.
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Gaiters seal out snow; tough scuff guards
women’s available online
Shown with Men’s R1® Jacket I 40128
Men’s Untracked Pants $449.00 I 29902 I XS-XL I Regular fit I 697 g (24.6 oz) women’s available online
POWDER BOWL JACKET A N D PA N T S
Tough 2-layer GORE-TEX® shell for waterproof/breathable and windproof protection. While we make the Powder Bowl kit for the full range of charac ter-building snow conditions from deep powder to bulletproof ice, it’s impervious to it all. Both jacket and pants include a mesh lining that helps wick away moisture and an articulated fit for freedom of movement. Imported. Women’s Powder Bowl Jacket $399.00 I 31407 I XS-XL I Regular fit I 785 g (27.7 oz)
J AC K E T F E AT U R E S :
PA N T S F E AT U R E S :
Helmet-compatible, 2-way-adjustable hood
Brushed-tricot lining wicks moisture;
with laminated visor for optimal visibility in
adjustable elastic tabs customize fit;
bad conditions.
2-snap closure and zip fly.
Zippered pockets: two handwarmers, one
Watertight, coated zippers with slim
chest with secure media pocket with cable
zip installation reduce bulk and weight;
routing, one forearm, one interior zippered
zippered pockets: two handwarmers,
pocket with key clip, one interior drop-in.
one back, one right thigh.
men’s available online
Shown with Women’s R3® Hoody I 25708
Women’s Powder Bowl Pants $299.00 I 31432 I XS-XL I Regular fit I 641 g (22.6 oz) men’s available online, short inseam available online
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40
BLOCK PARTY A CELEBRATION IN THE LONG OV ERDUE SIERRA SNOW On January 23, it was snowing so hard that the sound, the roaring hiss of snow hitting the ground, woke me up at 3 a.m. I threw on a jacket and walked outside into the certain knowledge that California’s nearly five-year snow drought was over. It was the deepest, most stacked I’d ever seen my neighborhood in Mammoth in 20 years, or any neighborhood. Anywhere. Ever. Four feet had fallen in the last 48 hours, an almost continuous blasting, and now someone had turned the dial up to 11. The trucks we had spent all day digging out were gone, the neighbor’s house was gone. The world was nothing but white, and it was snowing so hard that I could feel the mass of it pressing me down, an urgent new gravity. The next morning, Mammoth Mountain’s ski patrol reported 33 inches in 24 hours, 77 inches out of that four-day cycle on top of 180 inches that had fallen continuously since January 4. We got a break for a week, every day of which was spent shoveling out our town, and then on February 2, it fired back up; we’d get another 160 inches before the storms finally tapered at the end of the month. In less than two months, the town of
Mammoth Lakes got about 400 inches, or 30 feet, of snow. That’s what Vail sees at midmountain in an entire (good) season. But this was no Colorado fluff—a glacier had landed on us. Higher up on the ski area and in the big mountains it snowed far more. And the wind loaded it, and the avalanche debris accumulated. And just like that, the Sierra was alive again. The drought was done (fingers crossed). I probably shoveled more than I skied in January and February, but it didn’t matter because everything made sense again. Get up, dig, change into dry clothes, dig more. On the ski area the staff was doing the same thing, frantically trying to keep up with the storms that eventually swallowed up whole chairlifts—towers, cables and all. When we could finally get into the backcountry, it was a new world, distorted and mutated into a topography that swelled and bulged sensually, all the angles softened and edges sanded away. Huge cliff bands had disappeared, entire slot couloirs transformed into spacious bowls, and new lines and new possibilities made a mockery out of our understanding of the mountains. 41
Previous spread: Andrew Miller (except bottom right, Christian Pondella)
“I probably shoveled more than I skied in January and February, but it didn’t matter because everything made sense again.”
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Everything was in, from ephemeral tightrope walks off the summits of eastside 14ers to obscure lake-level hits in Tahoe. Skiing itself had changed during the drought years, as more and more people have awoken to the possibilities opened up by modern alpine touring gear, and the formerly obscure secrets of the mountains have become available to all via guidebooks and social media. When the skies cleared in March, it wasn’t just your standard post-storm frenzy in the Sierra, it was the release of four years of repressed desire now aided and abetted by ultralight gear and the World Wide Web.
Mammoth photographer Christian Pondella and Tahoe’s Jim Morrison (among many others) went bonkers in the big peaks south of Mammoth, gleefully attacking dozens of king lines, like the Giant Steps on Mount Williamson, perhaps the biggest descent in the range. A 9-year-old skied McConkey’s (Eagle’s Nest) at Squaw Valley. Mammoth guide Mark Shelp put in two solo descents on a heady conceptual line he linked up on a Tioga Pass wall that I could have sworn was 3,000 feet of bare granite. The Mendel Couloir was snowboarded. Jed Porter drove out
from Wyoming and repeated the legendary Redline Traverse, a 125-mile, 80,000vertical-foot ski tour from Mount Whitney to Mammoth first established by the late Allan Bard, Tom Carter and Chris Cox in the early ’80s. Porter skied 25 peaks on his 16-day odyssey. Name a coveted/prominent/long/extrasteep line: It got skied. But the names, the numbers, the angles and dangles, that’s not the point of skiing in the Sierra. The gear is different now, the knowledge so much broader, but we’re still playing the same hedonistic game invented by Bard
and company in the late ’70s and early ’80s—putting wings on our feet and sliding down mountains in John Muir’s vast church of pleasure. There is no scorecard here—everybody wins.
Hans Ludwig is a senior correspondent for Powder magazine, where he writes the Jaded Local column, covers women’s ski racing and attempts to expense enormous bar tabs. A resident of Mammoth, he skied his first Sierra couloir in 1993 on a pair of 208 GS skis. Above: Dane Shannon during an uncommon winter, taking it all the way to the lake. Ryan Salm
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SN O W
SNOWSHOT JACKET A N D PA N T S
Warm, durable 2-layer H2No® Performance Standard 70% recycled polyester shell for seasonlong comfort. Our motion-friendly Snowshot, designed for superior comfort and mobility, lets you slip through the season’s highs and lows. The Snowshot Jacket and Pants are built with a fabric package that creates a burly waterproof/breathable barrier for storm protection. A DWR (durable water repellent) finish increases the fabric’s durability and keeps you dry when you’re flying through mucky weather. Imported. Men’s Snowshot Jacket $299.00 I 30942 I XS-XXL I Regular fit I 831 g (29.3 oz)
J AC K E T F E AT U R E S :
PA N T S F E AT U R E S :
Pit zips quickly release heat; articulated
Mesh-lined vents at inner thighs dump
arms for mobility.
heat and keep out snow.
Low-profile powder skirt with webbing
Zippered pockets: two midthigh
loop at center back connects to any
cargo pockets.
Patagonia Snow pants.
Gaiters seal out snow; tough scuff
Helmet-compatible, 2-way-adjustable
guards protect inside of legs and
hood with visor for optimal visibility in
bottom hems.
Shown with Men’s Crosstrek 1/4-Zip I 23830
Men’s Snowshot Pants $199.00 I 30689 I XS-XXL I Regular fit I 678 g (23.9 oz) short inseam available online
bad conditions.
Only the storm is man-made. Nick Russell gets a blast from the blower in Truckee, California. Andrew Miller
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SNOWBELLE 3-IN-1 JACKET A N D I N S U L AT E D PA N T S
Warm and versatile; wear as a shell, as light insulation or as a waterproof, insulated jacket. The durable H2No® Performance Standard 2-layer (70% recycled) waterproof/breathable shell with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish to slough off moisture and wet snow is your barrier for serious storm protection. The removable, lightweight 60-g Thermogreen® synthetic insulation layer keeps you warm. The Insulated Snowbelle Pants are updated this season to a 70% recycled face fabric. These fully featured H2No Performance Standard 2-layer pants are insulated with 40-g Thermogreen polyester (90% recycled). Imported. Women’s 3-in-1 Snowbelle Jacket $399.00 I 31680 I XXS-XL I Regular fit I 1,154 g (40.7 oz)
J AC K E T F E AT U R E S :
PA N T S F E AT U R E S :
Low-profile powder skirt with webbing loop
Mesh-lined vents at inner thighs
at center back connects to any Patagonia
quickly release heat.
Snow pants.
Gaiters seal out snow; tough scuff
Pit zips quickly release heat; articulated
guards protect inside of legs and
arms for mobility.
bottom hems.
Zippered pockets: two handwarmers, one
Webbing loop on rear yoke securely
chest with cable routing, one internal stash.
attaches pants to the powder skirt on any
One internal drop-in for goggles or gloves.
Patagonia Snow jacket.
Shown with Women’s Capilene® Thermal Weight Crew I 43650
Women’s Insulated Snowbelle Pants $199.00 I 31150 I XXS-XL I Regular fit I 621 g (21.9 oz)
Leah Evans deep in what dreams are made of. Mica Creek, British Columbia. Mattias Fredriksson
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SN O W
I N S U L AT E D SNOW SHELLS
Our protective, insulated outer shells provide deep warmth in deeply cold weather. Built tough to last season after season, they’re our warmest skiing and snowboarding garments with stormproof protection. Imported.
Men’s Insulated Powder Bowl Jacket
Men’s Primo Down Jacket
Men’s Insulated Snowshot Jacket
$479.00 I 31442 I XS-XXL
$699.00 I 30474 I XS-XL
$329.00 I 31080 I XS-XXL
Regular fit I 1,111 g (39.2 oz)
Regular fit I 936 g (33 oz)
Regular fit I 921 g (32.5 oz)
women’s available online
women’s available online
F E AT U R E S :
48
Warm, comfortable 2-layer
Our warmest lightweight 2-layer
GORE-TEX® shell with strategically
GORE-TEX® jacket insulated with
utility, with H2No® Performance
placed 90% recycled synthetic insulation.
Advanced Global Traceable Down.
Standard storm protection.
Fully featured and focused on
Women’s Insulated Snowbelle Jacket
Women’s Pipe Down Jacket
$299.00 I 31090 I XXS-XL
$349.00 I 30565 I XS-XL
Regular fit I 882 g (31.1 oz)
Regular fit I 1,038 g (36.6 oz)
Durable and soft to the touch;
100% Recycled Down insulation with
warm with H2No® Performance
an H2No® Performance Standard shell
Standard storm protection.
and mountain-to-town style.
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TECHNICAL PAC K S
For long days in the backcountry, our snow-specific packs efficiently organize gear, stand tough against punctures and abrasions, and won’t slow you down. The SnowDrifter is sized for a full day that might stretch into an overnight, and the new Descensionist Pack is built to go light on the ascent but has all the features to accommodate safety tools for epic descents. Imported. SnowDrifter 30L $169.00 I 48195 I S/M, L/XL I 1,106 g (2 lbs 7 oz)
S N O W D R I F T E R F E AT U R E S :
D E S C E N S I O N I S T F E AT U R E S :
Front and side compression straps with
Sturdy Cordura fabric with a DWR
locking cam buckles to provide numerous
(durable water repellent) finish.
carry options for skis, boards and ice axes.
Daisy chains on front provide lashing
With a close-fitting, slim-profile design,
options and compression straps on sides
it’s built tough with Cordura® fabrics
help manage different-sized loads.
to resist puncture, abrasion and
20L available online
Descensionist Pack 40L $199.00 I 48175 I S/M, L/XL I 947 g (2 lbs 1.4 oz)
fickle weather.
Josh Dirksen rides the wind lip in the Mount Thielsen Wilderness, Oregon. Tyler Roemer
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Cover: Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll “waterskiing” on Baffin Island, due to the sudden melting of the pack ice. Nicolas Favresse
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This catalog refers to the following trademarks as used, applied for or registered in the U.S.: 1% for the Planet ®, a registered trademark of 1% for the Planet, Inc.; Cohaesive®, a registered trademark of Cohaesive Garment Technology Inc.; C-KNIT ™, GORE®, GORE ™ Microgrid Backer Technology and GORE TEX®, trademarks of W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.; Cordura®, a registered trademark of INVISTA North America S.a.r.l.; Fair Trade Certified™, a trademark of TransFair USA DBA Fair Trade USA; FSC® and the FSC Logo®, registered trademarks of the Forest Stewardship Council, A.C.; Pertex Quantum®, a registered trademark of Mitsui & Co., Ltd.; Polartec ®, Power Grid®, Power Stretch® and Thermal Pro®, registered trademarks of MMI-IPCO, LLC; Polygiene®, a registered trademark of Polygiene AB; PrimaLoft ®, a registered trademark of PrimaLoft, Inc.; RECCO®, a registered trademark of Recco Invest AB; and Vislon®, a registered trademark of YKK Corporation. Patagonia® and the Patagonia and Fitz Roy Skyline® are registered trademarks of Patagonia, Inc. Other Patagonia trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Black Hole™, Capilene®, FullRange®, H2No®, Micro Puff ™, Nano-Air ®, Nano Puff ®, Nano Storm®, R1®, R2®, R3®, Regulator ® and Thermogreen®. Prices are valid through July 31, 2018. © 2018 Patagonia, Inc.
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$329.00 I 49380 I 3,401 g (7 lbs 8 oz) I Imported