Patagonia Stormstride Ski Jacket Review
Updated:
Nov 03, 2025Patagonia’s Stormstride ($499) is a backcountry workhorse. The 3-layer shell is lightweight, breathable, and stretchy—a combination that’s perfect for the skier who spends more time going uphill than down—yet still offers reliable weather protection when you’re chasing powder on a storm day. We found it a bit thin and drafty for resort use and some may prefer more exterior pockets, but the Stormstride is a well-rounded backcountry option for anything from quick tours to multi-day epics.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Best for
Backcountry
Waterproofing
3-layer H2No
Insulation
Uninsulated
Fabric
40D stretch nylon
Pros
Cons
Patagonia Stormstride
For a breakdown of this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Ski Jackets.
For such a light and thin shell, the Patagonia Stormstride offers a surprising degree of water repellency. I took this jacket out for some evening laps at Snoqualmie Pass in classic Pacific Northwest conditions: A wintry mix of rain and snow with temperatures hovering around 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Even after several hours of skiing, Patagonia’s H2No waterproofing was going strong, and I didn’t notice any moisture soaking through the fabric.
On another afternoon early season lunch lap, I wore the jacket for a short tour. The day was clear, cold, and windy, and skiing conditions were terrible, but the Patagonia Stormstride protected me from the elements, while still offering enough mobility for uphill travel. The cuffs have a thin velcro strip for tightening and locking out any wind and snow around the wrists and although the hem is shorter (and thus less protective) than many resort-specific shells, it does have a built-in low-profile powder skirt, which helps seal out wind and snow. That said, this jacket does have its limits, and its thinner construction means it won’t hold up as well as thicker Gore-Tex designs in a wet snowstorm or blocking out biting, cold gusts of wind. For instance, compared to two more resort-oriented shells, the Patagonia Storm Shift and the Trew Stella Primo, the Stormstride is less fortress-like, trading more robust weather protection for increased breathability and less weight.
All in all, this compromise makes the Stormstride one of my favorite jackets for backcountry skiing. It’s waterproof enough to withstand most winter weather (I haven’t noticed a performance difference between the Stormstride’s H2No and the Storm Shift’s Gore-Tex ePE yet), but light enough that you won’t feel weighed down on a long tour.
The Stormstride is not a warm ski jacket—nor is it meant to be. Its thin fabric does a great job blocking out moisture but doesn’t offer much (or anything) in terms of insulation. On colder days, I can fit a few layers underneath, but this jacket really shines as an outer layer for uphill-focused skiers. I found that its breathability actually keeps me warmer at the end of the day by preventing me from getting too sweaty and then freezing on the downhill. But when I wore the Stormstride night skiing at the resort on a cold evening, I could feel the wind through the fabric and realized I’d have to layer up a bit more than usual if I wanted to stay warm. My Patagonia Storm Shift is much thicker amd offers more warmth, but for a true backcountry shell, the Stormstride has all you need.
With its stretchy 3-layer fabric, the Stormstride offers a lot more mobility and breathability than a typical waterproof ski shell, boosting its comfort rating. Compared to thicker, burlier resort-oriented jackets like the Trew Stella Primo, the Stormstride is thin and supple, making it much more comfortable for touring. For instance, when I’m transitioning at the top of the skintrack, the Stormstride’s flexibility allows me to bend over and rip my skins without the jacket constricting or bunching up. You can technically find stretchier shells with a design like the Black Diamond Recon Stretch, which has elastane in its construction, but mobility is a true strength of the Stormstride.
For backcountry skiers, a jacket’s weight has a big impact on comfort: Too heavy and it’ll feel cumbersome on your body or in your pack; too light and it won’t provide the protection you need when a storm hits. At 1 pound 1.6 ounces for the women’s version (the men’s is 1 lb. 4.4 oz.), the Stormstride nails the balance. It’s a full 11.9 ounces lighter than the Trew Stella Primo, and 7.9 ounces lighter than the Patagonia Storm Shift. Overall, the Stormstride is my ideal outer layer on active backcountry tours, but I wouldn’t be comfortable wearing it on a cold and windy day at the resort.
The Stormstride shines in the breathability department—which is not entirely surprising given the jacket’s thinner construction and touring-oriented design. I consistently choose this jacket for backcountry tours around Snoqualmie Pass—Patagonia’s 3-layer H2No waterproof/breathable membrane and easy-to-use pit zips allow me to release excess heat when I’m skinning, keeping my temperature well-regulated when I go from hot on the uphill to colder on the downhill.
The Patagonia Stormstride is the most breathable of the ski jackets I’ve worn, outperforming The North Face Summit Series Stimson Futurelight Jacket, which features the best breathability technology in TNF’s lineup. The Patagonia Storm Shift jacket is also quite breathable, but its thicker Gore-Tex fabric is still no match for the Stormstride’s feathery, supple fabric.
Though the Stormstride is an undeniably lightweight jacket, I’ve noticed remarkably few compromises on long-term durability. So far, I’ve worn this jacket for eight ski days, ranging from rainy afternoon laps at Summit Central to sunny morning tours at Hyak, and though the 40-denier (D) shell fabric feels noticeably thin (many crossover backcountry/touring shells are 70D and up), it’s held up well so far. The zippers are bomber and I’ll be watching how the fabric fares over the next few months as I take it through rougher adventures.
In my experience, ski jackets made with thinner fabric snag more easily. My La Sportiva Evo Chaser shell, for instance, features a similar thin, breathable fabric made for high-output backcountry tours, and I eventually wore a few small holes through the pocket area where I would stash my GoPro. I hope this doesn’t happen with the Stormstride, but jackets this thin inherently require extra care around sharp ski edges and branches. All in all, at $499, the Stormstride is competitively priced for a lightweight ski shell that will last.
Select icon to view details:
Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
PFAS-Free Waterproof Membrane
The membranes used in waterproof products such as rain jackets, ski jackets, and shoes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are valued for their resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product’s waterproof membrane is PFAS-free, while a red X means it contains PFAS.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Pockets
When companies are trying to cut down a jacket’s weight, extra pockets are often the first to go, and the Stormstride is no exception. In line with its streamlined build, the Stormstride has more limited storage options than many ski shells, with no lower hand pockets and no arm pocket for a ski pass. Instead, two zippered chest pockets can each fit an energy bar or two, an internal right-chest zippered pocket accommodates a phone or keys, and one internal left drop-in pocket works well for packing my skins on colder days when I need to re-warm the glue on the downhill.
I was pretty bummed out when I realized the Stormstride does not have lower hand pockets since I like to store a lot of items (iPhone, 1-2 energy bars, tissues or a handkerchief, and my GoPro or Insta360 camera) in my jacket rather than in my pack for easy access while I’m touring. The chest pockets are too small to comfortably fit my GoPro, so I have to put it in my backpack—not a big deal for the uphill portion of a ski day, but on the downhill, I like to have my camera easily accessible in my pocket. Still, for a jacket of this weight, the more limited pockets are not a dealbreaker. Note: The pocket layout is similarly minimalist on the pant variation (for more, read our Stormstride pant review).
Hood
The Stormstride’s hood fits over my current resort skiing helmet—a Smith Allure in women’s size medium— but just barely. With the hood fully zipped up, there isn’t a ton of extra room for movement, which is fine for riding the chairlift or when it’s dumping snow and I’m taking a break on the skin track, but when I’m skiing, it limits the range of motion in my neck/head and cuts off some of my peripheral vision (admittedly, this is fairly typical with any jacket hood). Without a helmet, the Stormstride’s hood feels quite large and floppy, but you can adjust the hood cinch with two little pull tabs right at the base of the collar. In line with the Stormstride’s touring-focused design, the hood fits perfectly over a skimo helmet, which has a more streamlined profile than a normal ski helmet, allowing for a bit more range of motion.
Tester: 5’6” 140 lb.; 37" chest; 32" waist
Size tested: Women’s medium
I normally size up in ski outerwear because I like a roomier fit. On average, I’m a size small for base layers and midlayers, so I opted for a medium in the trim-fitting Patagonia Stormstride. I’m glad I went with the medium, as it gives me the option of wearing more layers when it’s cold—especially valuable given the jacket’s thin and air-permeable fabric. For my backcountry days in the Stormstride, I like to wear one or two layers underneath, depending on the weather and the pace we’re going—either just a thin base layer, or, if it’s windy and chilly, I’ll add in on a fleece hoodie or my Arcteryx Atom LT. The jacket’s trim cut does make it too tight for me to comfortably wear a down puffy.
For length, the Stormstride is shorter than some of my bulkier, resort-specific ski jackets like the Trew Stella Primo or The North Face Stimson Futurelight. It lands several inches shorter than the tips of my fingers at my side. The arm length is about average and provides enough coverage—I did not notice my wrists being exposed when I was moving in this jacket even when wearing under-cuff gloves.
Patagonia SnowDrifter ($449): Stretchy and Versatile
Patagonia’s Stormstride is purpose-built for backcountry missions, but those who split time between touring and resort laps may want a more well-rounded option. Enter the SnowDrifter. With a thicker 50-denier face fabric, a knit backer, a more substantial powder skirt, and additional storage, it offers better durability and functionality for chairlift use. That said, it’s a master of none: The SnowDrifter isn’t any more protective than the Stormstride—and quite a bit less so than many resort-focused shells—and is arguably overbuilt for serious touring. But if you’ll value its softshell-like feel for mild-weather and high-output uses, the SnowDrifter is worth considering. To read more, see our review of the SnowDrifter jacket.
Outdoor Research Cloudchaser 3L ($385): More Coverage for Casual Tours
Make no mistake: the Stormstride is a minimalist shell built for tourers who prioritize moving light and fast. If your backcountry days are more casual, a thicker shell with added coverage may be the better fit. Outdoor Research’s Cloudchaser 3L, with its 100-denier face fabric, feels much more substantial than the Stormstride and comes with a fuller feature set, including a powder skirt and generous pocket layout. At the same time, its subtle stretch, soft hand, and breathable membrane keep it plenty capable for uphill travel. And at over $100 less, the Cloudchaser is an appealing option for skiers who don’t mind a little extra weight and bulk. For more, read our in-depth Cloudchaser 3L review.
Arc’teryx Sentinel ($750): Backcountry/Resort Standout
The Patagonia Stormstride excels as a backcountry-focused shell, but folks looking for resort protection and durability will need to either pick up a second jacket or look for a do-it-all model like the Arc’teryx Sentinel. The Sentinel is made for mixed resort and backcountry skiing and sports a 3-layer Gore-Tex build and thicker 80-denier (D) face fabric (compared with the Stormstride’s 40D), giving it a bomber feel on nasty-weather days. In addition, the Sentinel’s interior has a more substantial backer that boosts comfort and gives it slightly more insulation. For touring, you’ll heat up faster in the Sentinel and it’s less packable, too. But as a single-shell solution, the premium Sentinel is hard to beat. For more, read our review of the men's Arc'teryx Sabre.
The Stormstride shell is fully backcountry-ready with a stretchy, light, and breathable construction. Its thin build exceeds expectations in wet conditions, but it's too drafty and delicate to rely on for heavy resort use.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
The SnowDrifter’s pliable shell and knit liner make this jacket a comfortable and breathable choice for backcountry travel, especially on warm and dry days. In wet conditions, however, Patagonia’s in-house H2No waterproofing falls short of Gore-Tex. Some skiers might also be disappointed with the pared-down feature set.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Built for backcountry skiing, the Cloudchaser is highly breathable and offers excellent freedom of movement. However, the stretchy face fabric will get overwhelmed in wet and/or windy conditions, and the jacket could be more streamlined for weight- and space-conscious days out.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Patagonia Stormstride for You?
We think the Patagonia Stormstride lands in a desirable sweet spot in the backcountry ski shell market. It’s the full package of breathability, mobility, and weather protection, and the price is competitive at $499. There are compromises or potential issues of note—the trim fit won’t be for everyone, and the lack of hand pockets and a sleeve pocket takes away some versatility. But it’s clear some real thought went into this build, and we appreciate the dialed and focused feature set. For ski tourers of nearly all types that want the reassurance of a waterproof build, we think the Stormstride is worthy of consideration.
pray for snow
Skiing Gear Guides
Gear Guide
Best Ski Boots of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Base Layers of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Ski Goggles of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Ski Helmets of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Ski Bibs of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Ski Pants of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Ski Gloves of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Ski Mittens of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Ski Backpacks of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Midlayers of 2026
curated for you