Patagonia Calcite Jacket Review (Great in the Wet)
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Patagonia Calcite Jacket
An all-around jacket that keeps your backpack light while giving you ample protection in pretty much every season. From torrential rain in summer to early spring snow showerings, the Calcite has got you covered. Made from durable, ethical materials with a 2.5 layer Gore-Tex Paclite Plus membrane, the Calcite keeps wind and rain at bay so you can focus on your adventure. View Latest DealThe Patagonia Calcite is my go to jacket for hiking, walking in the rain or just about any wet occasion!
Let’s do a deep dive with this Patagonia Calcite Jacket review. An all-around rain jacket that is good for pretty much any outdoor adventure. We’ll take a close look at the materials and features plus see how it stands up to all kinds of weather and if the jacket has the durability to last multiple seasons.
Pros
- Excellent weather protection from both wind and rain
- The 75D polyester outer layer makes it super durable
- Tough build for any sports from climbing to skiing
- Great protecting and coverage from the helmet-compatible hood
- Good looking and packable
- A jacket for life with Patagonia’s Guarantee
Cons
- Not so breathable and you can overheat easily
- Quite a heavy jacket overall
- You need 2 hands to work the pit zips
- If you're trekking, the pockets sit right under the hip belt of your backpack
Product Rating
Product Information
- Best Use: All around
- Material: 75-denier 100% recycled polyester
- Windproof: Yes
- Waterproof: Yes
- Waterproofing: 2.5-layer GORE-TEX PACLITE Plus
- Hood: Yes
- Ventilation: Pit Zips
- Back Length: Hip-length
- Weight: 14.5 ounces
- Eco: Contains recycled materials, Fair Trade Certified™ sewing
Materials & Durability
Materials
The outer shell of the Patagonia Calcite Jacket is made from 100% recycled 75D polyester, following Patagonia’s dedication to sustainability, and the stitching is Fair Trade Certified and holds up well.
The inner layer is made from 2.5-layer GORE-TEX PACLITE Plus which is both breathable, wind, and waterproof, plus it’s all covered in a DWR (durable water repellent coating) for extra protection from any downpours.
The zippers are reliable, smooth, and last. You won’t find yourself struggling to open and close them, nor will they malfunction and leave you with an open jacket on the trail.
The zippers are also sealed and thus are watertight stopping any moisture from seeping in and getting your inner layers damp.
Durability
The Patagonia Calcite is one tough jacket thanks to the 75D polyester outer shell. It’s been designed to deal with the rigors of alpine use and whether you’re skiing or rock climbing, this jacket is going to be tough to tear and scuff.
The DWR is the only part of it that is likely to take a beating but this is the case for most jackets and is easy to reapply after each season of use.
Weight & Packability
Weight
Weighing in at 14.5 ounces for a men’s medium, the Patagonia Clacite Jacket is not a lightweight rain jacket, and it was not designed to be either.
The Calcite is made to be a hardwearing durable jacket that provides all-around weather protection from winter storms to summer downpours, hence its heaviness.
You’re unlikely to find an all-season rain jacket that’s much lighter within the same price range. Plus it’s the heaviness that you’ll thank when you’re met with high winds and driving rain while you’re still warm and dry.
When compared to similar jackets in its class such as the Marmot Minimalist, the Calcite holds its own and offers a great weight to durability and weather protection ratio.
Packability
You’ll always be able to find room in your backpack for the Patagonia Calcite Jacket. It folds up neatly into its own hood and doesn’t take up much space at all or add much extra weight (less than 1lb as per above).
The Calcite doesn’t stuff into its own pocket or have a loop to clip it onto your harness with, it’s a jacket that needs a backpack.
Weather Performance
Rain
The combination of two and a half layers of Gore-Tex Paclite Plus with 75D polyester and a DWR water-repellent coating makes the Patagonia Calcite Jacket fit for any weather that comes your way.
It’ll hold up against extended torrential downpours with ease. You might notice the DWR coating getting damp after an hour or so of consistent rain but the water never makes it through to the inner layers, keeping you dry as a bone.
The zippers are also sealed to stop any moisture from dripping through, and the helmet-compatible hood gives you excellent coverage and full protection from the weather.
The hood also comes with a laminated visor that prevents any rain drips from hitting your face which is especially useful in heavy downpours.
The collar is also high when fully zipped up, and when used with the hood ensures your face stays protected and warm.
Wind
As well as being waterproof, the Patagonia Calcite Jacket is also windproof to ensure that you stay warm when adventuring into the coldest of alpine climates.
You can be in 30mph gusts and Calcite will still stop the cold air from getting inside, keeping you warm and toasty when you need it.
The hem drawcords cinch down quickly and easily along with the cuffs and the hood. When fulling cinched and zipped up, the Calcite gives you full protection from the wind, bar the gap between the collar and the hood, but you have got to be able to see where you’re going.
Breathability & Comfort
Breathability
Being a rain jacket for all seasons, the Patagonia Calcite sacrifices some breathability for weather protection.
The Gore-Tex Paclite Plus and 75D recycled polyester combination leave little room for air to penetrate through, and it’s not overly moisture-wicking either.
This means the Calcite will keep you warm but you are likely to overheat when being active in it, creating a clammy inner lining.
There are, of course, Pit Zips to help you dump heat quickly when needed which is a great feature. When fully opened you will cool down quickly, but they are tough to open and you’ll need two hands and some force to get them open and closed.
Comfort
In terms of fit, the Patagonia Calcite is true to size and is designed for layering. You can easily fit a base layer and down jacket underneath it and still experience unrestricted movement, ideal for being active in bad weather or when setting up camp on a cool evening.
The inner lining is smooth and soft, even if you wear it with nothing underneath. It doesn’t stick or catch on your skin or clothing unless it gets a little clammy due to overheating.
Overall, it’s one of the most comfortable rain jackets out there when it comes to mobility, layering, and texture.
Features
Hood
The helmet-compatible hood on the Patagonia Calcite gives excellent coverage as already mentioned. You can easily fit a skiing or climbing helmet underneath it and it’s adjustable with one hand making it easy to cinch down when you only have one hand free.
There’s a laminated visor on the front that stops any rain from dripping onto your face and when combined with the collar that’ll reach close to your nose, gives excellent protection from driving wind and rain.
Hem, Cuffs, and Pockets
The hem comes down to your hips for adequate weather protection and features two cinch cords, one on each side, so you can batten down the hatches when you need to. They’re easy and quick to use while you’re hiking around.
The cuffs are adjustable via velcro and offer enough room to squeeze gloves underneath in colder months and tighten down over bare wrists too.
There are three pockets on the Calcite, one chest pocket for any valuables like your phone, and two handwarmer pockets.
All the pockets have water-sealed zippers so anything inside them doesn’t get wet. they are easy to access too, but your pack’s hip belt might stop you from using the handwarmer pockets.
Patagonia Calcite Vs Torrentshell
The Patagonia Calcite and Torrentshell jackets are made for different purposes and if you’re looking for a spring to autumn rain jacket, the Torrentshell is both more affordable and more breathable than the Calcite.
You’re less likely to overheat when being active in the Torrentshell and you’re still going to have enough weather protection for any heavy rain or wind on a short day hike to a rainy week of backpacking between late spring and early autumn.
That being said, you’re not going to stay as warm in the Torrentshell compared to the Calcite and it’s not quite as burley either.
The Calcite has a thicker polyester outer layer for increased durability plus it uses a Gore-tex Paclite Plus membrane while the Torrenshell uses Patagonia’s H2NO membrane which water will seep through after extended periods.
Overall we recommend the Calcite for colder, worse weather scenarios, while the Torrentshell is better suited for warmer seasons and as a just-in-case rain jacket.
If you’re on a budget and venture outdoors in the warmer months then the Torrentshell will suit you better. But for those year-round adventurers, we recommend the more durable, warmer weather protection of the Calcite.
Value for Money
The Patagonia Calcite Jacket retails for around $249, so it’s by no means inexpensive when it comes to rain jackets.
But, when it comes to finding an all-season rain jacket that is both comfortable, fit for purpose, and sustainable, this is the price range you’d expect.
Couple these points with Patagonia Iron-Clad Guarantee, we think the Calcite is worth the investment for all-season adventurers looking for a jacket they can rely on.
Rating
With a score of 82, the Patagonia Calcite Jacket has done well in our rating system and overall is an excellent rain jacket for all-season activities.
It dropped points in both the weight and breathability categories and if you’re looking for an all-season jacket that is both lighter and more breathable than the Calcite, you’re going to have to spend quite a bit more.
Verdict
Overall the Patagonia Calcite Jacket will have your back in any weather, from winter storms to summer torrential rains, you’ll be dry and warm in the Calcite.
Plus, for an all-season rain jacket that is comfortable, weatherproof, warm, durable, and sustainably made, we think it’s fairly priced.
It’s true that you’re likely to overheat while being active, but that’s a small sacrifice for the warmth and protection it’ll give you when you need it most.
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