Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover – Super Cool Windshirt for High Output Activities

The new Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover $129 is part of the High Endurance line and made for high output activities like trail running in variable conditions. I first saw this kit at the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show 2020, and my first thought was – “This would make a great base layer for warm spring splitboard mission!” Although it is more aimed at trail running and ultra-endurance events.

 

Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover – Your Trail Running Partner

We have several trail runners over here at Engearment, and they will be doing deep testing on the High Endurance Kit from that angle.  So, all you runners and ultra crazy people will have that too look forward too.  The High Endurance kit is made to go together in a very useful and lightweight way.  I am impressed with the amount of thought that went into this kit and can not wait to see how the other testers like it. Here is a video of Corey from Patagonia going over the kit (and lots of other upcoming stuff!)

How I tested the Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover – Splitboarding!

Yes, I know, almost everything I review has to do with either splitboarding, fitness or camping.  Well, those are things I love and those are things I can honestly talk about.  So, let us get right into how I tested this shirt jacket thing and what I like about it!

Superlight and breathable

This pullover is made with ultralight and stretchy 100% nylon (54% recycled).  The material is also treated with a new HeiQ Fresh odor control treatment.  This is the first time I have tested this odor control treatment from Europe and it seems to do as good, if not better job, than other odor control treatments.  Time will tell if it keeps working after repeated washes.  If it does not, I will update this review to reflect that.  I will let my wife tell me if it stops working LOL

The fabric is very thin and breathable.  The XL came in under 5 oz and packs up into a small opening in the hood. Very nice to be able to pack it up so small for travel in your kit. The whole thing is Fair Trade sewn, so you can feel good about that as well.





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fit – Very snug!

I am on the fence with Patagonia as far as top size. Almost all the jackets I test are large.  Patagonia wisely suggested I size up on this kit and I am glad I did!  The Xl fits snugger than any large I have tested.  This is on purpose as they are making this kit for high-level athletes that can benefit from this slim fit. If you are more…. athletic, average or dad body, I would size up.

I really appreciated the deep chest zipper.  This allowed me to dump even more heat on skintracks.   The entire Airshed Pro is very well designed for ease of use, and minimal design. I can appreciate that.

Wind resistant when you need it, breathable when you need that too

I think the most remarkable component of this pullover is that it does such a great job of blocking the wind and still being breathable.  A perfect example of when this is useful is on an alpine approach and it is warm out, yet the wind is picking up and you need protection.  I found this to be the case for many backcountry ski and splitboard tours.

For example – I was on a tour on a glorious sunny day here in Colorado.  Temps were quite warm – in the 30s and rising. We had just left the tree line and the winds picked up.  It was still too warm to put on the jacket I brought. If I was wearing the usual baselayer (merino wool) I would have been ok for temps, when the wind was not blowing.  But it would have been too chilly once the wind picked up and cut through the merino baselayer.

When I was wearing the Airshed Pro, this was not an issue.  The pullover cut the wind, so that was not a factor.  It also allowed for the dumping of heat, as well if not better, than the wool would have. I was sold after that first lap!

I imagine this would be a similar case for mountain trail runners. This pullover fixes two opportunities at once. Wind resistance and breathability.  Add in the ultralight and packable design, and you have a very useful baselayer/jacket.

If you are a high output outdoor adventurer, the Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover is a great asset.