Patagonia Granite Crest Rain Jacket Review

There’s no shortage of rain jackets to choose from, but Patagonia’s new Granite Crest stands out with its sustainably built design. Made from recycled fishing nets and featuring a perfluorocarbon (PFC)-free durable water repellent (DWR) finish, this jacket reflects the industry’s push towards higher levels of environmental consciousness. And as we’ve come to expect from Patagonia, the jacket is a top-notch performer too, with waterproof/breathable protection alongside a great fit and finish. Below we break down how the Patagonia Granite Crest performs; to see how it stacks up, check out our articles on the best rain jackets and the best women’s rain jackets.
 

Table of Contents

• Sustainability
• Weather Protection
• Breathability
• Comfort
• Weight and Packability
• Durability and Build Quality
• Features
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Sustainability

Patagonia has a stacked lineup of rain jackets, from the all-rounder Torrentshell 3L to the durable Gore-Tex Calcite and ultralight Storm10. So when word started spreading about the new Granite Crest, our first question was, “Why another rain jacket?” The answer: The Granite Crest represents a few of Patagonia’s most cutting-edge advancements in sustainable design. It features a 100-percent recycled nylon NetPlus shell—made from recycled fishing nets—and a PFC-free DWR finish, which is produced without the use of harmful chemicals (the company has been working on this for years). And like most of Patagonia’s products, the Granite Crest is also Fair Trade Certified sewn, which ensures that factory workers are treated ethically and fairly. Added up, Patagonia’s newest rain jacket is a pretty impressive feat in terms of sustainable outerwear, and hopefully a sign of where the market is headed. 

Weather Protection

Known for having some of the world’s worst weather, Southern Patagonia was a great testing ground for the new Granite Crest rain jacket. I wore it on multiple day hikes and during rainy days around town, where it provided top-notch protection against both wind and moisture. To keep water out, Patagonia uses their time-tested H2No Performance Standard membrane—we’ve tested this technology a number of times throughout the years, and have found it to be on par with premium Gore-Tex designs. The Granite Crest also features Patagonia’s new PFC-free DWR finish, which effectively pooled water on the surface of the jacket, allowing it to roll off rather than soak through. One of the primary concerns with sustainable materials is that they might underperform compared to more standard fare, but the Granite Crest proved to offer uncompromised protection in trying conditions.

In addition to high-quality waterproofing, the Granite Crest has a few other features that provide a solid defense against the elements. I particularly liked the hood, which has one-handed adjustments at each side and at the rear, along with a generous laminated visor. It’s large enough to fit over a climbing helmet or bike helmet, but effectively tightens securely over my bare head. You also get an adjustable hem drawcord that cinches at the right hip and routes the extra cord cleanly through the handwarmer pocket. I prefer waist cinches at each side for a more balanced look, but with a little persuasion I’m able to spread out the gather that forms at the right hip to the rest of the hem.

Breathability

No rain jacket will be completely breathable due to the impenetrable nature of the waterproof membrane, but the Granite Crest has a few features that help keep air flowing. First, it uses 3-layer construction, which means that the waterproof membrane is covered on the inside with a thin “jersey” fabric. This backer is nicely soft and supple, wicking the body’s moisture rather than trapping it next to the skin. Many rain jackets use 2 or 2.5-layer constructions instead, which can result in a really clammy feel. And second, Patagonia designed the Granite Crest with pit zips so you can dump heat in a hurry—with two-way zippers and rain flaps, they’re easy to open and close and don’t compromise the jacket’s weather protection.

Comfort

As far as rain jackets go, the Granite Crest is a very comfortable design. The jersey backer is soft next to skin, and the supple and relatively thin (30D) fabric lends both comfort and freedom of movement. Compared to a thicker and more rigid shell like the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L, the Granite Crest is lightweight and easy-wearing, and it helps that the relaxed fit leaves a good bit of room for moving around. Finally, Patagonia added a soft patch of fleece at the back of the neck, which is a nice touch when you’re wearing the jacket with a hoodless baselayer or midlayer.

Weight and Packability

At 12.6 ounces for the women’s model, the Granite Crest falls about mid-pack among rain jackets in terms of weight. Looking at Patagonia’s other designs, it’s slightly lighter than the Torrentshell 3L (12.5 oz.) and Calcite (13.1 oz.) and significantly heavier than the Storm10 (7.4 oz.). Most hikers and backpackers will have no need for a lighter jacket, but if you do choose to streamline your load, expect tradeoffs in terms of durability and performance (the Storm10, for example, forgoes pit zips and features a more delicate 20D shell). Finally, the Granite Crest stuffs into its chest pocket, which includes a small tab for attaching to a carabiner. 

Durability and Build Quality

Patagonia’s offerings consistently impress us with their quality of materials and craftsmanship, and the Granite Crest is no exception. From top to bottom, the jacket is well constructed: The cords are cleanly routed, the zippers run smoothly, and each seam is sealed on the inside. The 30-denier nylon is relatively thin for a rain jacket (for reference, the Torrentshell 3L has a 50D shell, while the Calcite’s is 75D), but the added stretch lends a good bit of abrasion resistance, and I have yet to see any signs of wear. Finally, initial impressions of Patagonia’s NetPlus technology are great, although I am curious to see how the recycled fishing net material fares over time (we’ll update this review with any relevant information that might arise).

Features: Hood and Pockets

The Granite Crest has a fairly standard feature set, making it a versatile jacket for everything from around-town use to hiking, climbing, and bike commuting. The hood is generously sized to fit a helmet, yet effectively cinches down with adjustments at both the rear and the sides. (A small gripe: while the side adjustments are easy to tighten with one hand, it’s taken me a lot of practice—and two hands—to learn how to loosen them.) It also features a laminated visor to protect your face from drips. I’ve donned this hood many times in rainy and windy conditions, and have been impressed with its sung fit (even Patagonian winds couldn’t blow it off my head) that still offers great visibility and protection. 

In terms of pockets, the Granite Crest features two handwarmer pockets and an external chest pocket, which also doubles as a stuff sack. The chest pocket uses a water-tight zipper, while the two hand pockets are nicely seated inside a covered flap for ample protection against moisture. The hand pockets aren’t as high as I often see on more performance-oriented hardshells, but I’m nevertheless able to access them while wearing a climbing harness or backpack. Finally, the Granite Crest’s cuffs use fabric cuff-and-loop closures (I used these a lot as I found the arms to be quite long), and you get a one-handed cinch at the right hip to adjust the hem.

Fit and Sizing

I consistently wear a women’s size small in jackets, and the small Granite Crest fits true to size, with a relaxed fit that allows ample room for layering underneath. Compared to a trim hardshell or a slim-fitting design like the Storm10, the Granite Crest has a very roomy, casual feel. As I mentioned above, the arms are a bit long, but the cuff cinches are easy to use and the extra length is helpful for activities like climbing. Further, with thoughtful patterning and great mobility, the jacket stays relatively in place when I raise my arms over my head and when bending over. For comparison’s sake, the Granite Crest’s center back length (for the women’s medium) is 29 inches, which is just slightly shorter than the Storm10 (29.25 in.), Torrentshell 3L (29.5 in.), and Calcite (30.75 in.). 

Other Versions

I tested the women’s version of the Granite Crest for this review, but the rain jacket also comes in a men’s version. The men’s Granite Crest uses the same design and materials, but comes in different colorways and features a men’s-specific fit. Both jackets retail for $279.

What We Like

• A cutting-edge sustainable design, featuring 100-percent recycled ripstop nylon made out of recycled fishing nets and a PFC-free DWR finish.
• Patagonia’s H2No Performance Standard waterproof membrane is well executed and competitive with premium technologies like Gore-Tex.
• A soft and supple jersey backer lends breathability, comfort, and a bit of extra mobility.
• Versatile feature set and fit, great for everything from around-town use to hiking, climbing, bike commuting, and more.

What We Don’t

• At $279, the Granite Crest is very pricy due to the extra cost associated with creating fabric out of recycled fishing nets.
• Hood adjustments are difficult to loosen once tight.
• Compared to rain jackets of similar weight, the Granite Crest’s shell is relatively thin at just 30-denier.

Comparison Table

The Competition

In terms of sustainable design, the Granite Crest is without rival. True, many other rain jackets are built with recycled materials—and PFC-free DWR is becoming more and more common—but we’ve yet to see another company turn ocean plastic into a high-performance garment. It’s an exciting moment in outdoor apparel, but it’s also worth celebrating other designs that are making efforts toward the same ends. One of the top rain jackets in this field is the Black Diamond Highline Stretch, a 3-layer design that was one of the first to feature Green Theme Technologies’ PFC-free DWR finish. Not only is this finish manufactured without the use of harmful chemicals, but it’s also incredibly durable and high performing. Compared to the Granite Crest, the Highline jacket has a more performance bent with a 10.7-ounce build and a coated front zip and pit zips, making it a more appealing choice for climbers and other mountain athletes. But at $300, it’s a fairly pricey design, and you don’t get the added benefit of Patagonia’s NetPlus material.

It’s common to see price increases accompany sustainable design features, as these technologies take time and resources to develop. That said, there are a few rain jackets that can keep your conscience happy without breaking the bank, including the Marmot Minimalist. For just $189, the Minimalist features a 2.5-layer Gore-Tex Paclite construction, 100-percent recycled polyester, and a PFC-free DWR finish. Unlike the all-around Granite Crest, it’s decidedly casual—featuring a flap over the front zip, a relatively boxy fit, and handwarmer pockets that sit low on the hip—but is nevertheless a great choice for those looking for an everyday rain jacket with a sustainable design. 

Next we turn to Patagonia’s lineup of rain shells, headlined by the Torrentshell 3L. At just $149, the Torrentshell is one of our favorite rain jackets of the year thanks to its versatile design, great performance, fun colorways (13 at the time of writing), and low price point. It has a very similar feature set compared to the Granite Crest (including an H2No Performance Standard waterproof membrane), but the main difference comes in terms of face fabrics: The Torrentshell’s 50-denier nylon is markedly stiffer than the Granite Crest’s supple 30-denier NetPlus, despite the two jackets clocking in at virtually the same weight. It’s also worth noting that while the Torrentshell is built with 100-percent recycled nylon, it does not (yet) feature Patagonia’s PFC-free DWR finish. But for $130 less than the Granite Crest, the Torrentshell 3L is an attractive all-rounder from a company that’s taking great strides to care for our home planet.

One step up in terms of performance and price is the Patagonia Calcite, a 2.5-layer rain shell that employs Gore-Tex’s Paclite Plus waterproof membrane. Built with 100-percent recycled 75-denier nylon, the Calcite ($299) is decidedly durable and weather protective, making it a great jacket for especially wet and wintry conditions. Unlike the Granite Crest, you also get coated, watertight pit zips, which improves moisture resistance and gives the jacket a bit more technical appeal. Comparing the two, we consider the Calcite to be the better multi-sport option due to its tougher construction and upgraded feature set, but it’s a bit overkill for daily use and lacks the Granite Crest’s class-leading sustainability. 

Rounding out Patagonia’s rain jacket lineup is the Storm10, an ultralight shell built for fast-and-light mountain endeavors. At just 7.4 ounces for the women’s jacket, the Patagonia Storm10 shaves weight with a thin 20-denier nylon shell (100% recycled) and a minimalist design that features just one rear hood adjustment and no pit zips. Similar to the Granite Crest, the Storm10 uses Patagonia’s H2No Performance Standard membrane, along with a soft and supple backer that adds a bit of give to the jacket. At $299, the price is steep for such a streamlined design, but the Storm10 is the better option for weight-conscious pursuits like mountain running or climbing. For everyday wear and more casual hiking and backpacking, we’d stick with the Granite Crest.