Patagonia Nine Trails Jacket Review

Autumn is about transitions: from summer to winter, warm days to cold chill, daylight to darkness.  Consequently, it’s hard to travel lightly on the trail if you don’t have versatile gear along for the ride.  Patagonia’s Nine Trails jacket is built to ride comfortably and see you through all of autumn’s variability.

Patagonia Nine Trails Jacket Features:

• Ultralight 50-denier triple-ripstop nylon soft shell on torso and arms
• Breathable, 75-denier 91% recycled polyester stretch fabric on back
• Deluge® DWR (durable water repellent) finish for weather protection
• Zip through collar with full wind flap
• Jacket stuffs into internal chest pocket
• Single pull drawcord at hem
• Weight 130 g (4.6 oz)
• MSRP $99

We’ve got a runner here

Named after a beloved Santa Barbara ultramarathon, the Nine Trails running apparel offered by Patagonia is somewhat limited in scope – to date, it only includes shorts and a jacket – but demonstrates the company’s strength: providing comfortable high-performance gear with environmentally friendly manufacturing.

Patagonia’s green side is prominent with the Nine Trails jacket, which features a very breathable stretch fabric made from recycled soda bottles, second quality fabrics, and worn-out garments.  This material comprises the back and underarm panels, and provides excellent moisture transfer and ventilation so you can stay cool even while pushing the pace.

Nine trails at daybreak.

The rest of the jacket is triple-ripstop nylon that is very effective at trapping body heat for lightweight warmth on chilly mornings.   The material feels comfortable directly against the skin, and the sleeves have a wide opening that makes them easy to push up your forearms for spot cooling.  However, since the whole jacket is so light and thin, it’s very easy to tie the whole thing around your waist without feeling bulky, which is a nice option for the end of a long run once the sun has come up.  From my experience, the temperature “sweet spot” for this shell is probably mid 30s (with a long sleeve baselayer) to low 50s (with short sleeves underneath).

Large back panel for ventilation

Patagonia classifies the Nine Trails as a slim fit garment, but I found it to be fairly roomy through the trunk and sleeves.  I actually prefer the looser fit, but if you like something more snug, consider sizing down one size.

The Good

• Extremely lightweight and comfortable
• Great insulation for cool conditions
• DWR provides some protection from unexpected rainfall

The Bad

• Seems roomier than advertised
• Limited color selection: fog and light fire

Bottom Line: Patagonia Nine Trails Jacket

Lightweight, comfortable, and perfectly functional, Patagonia’s Nine Trails jacket is a great gear option for a variety of fall trail conditions.

Buy Now: Search for Patagonia Nine Trails