Aidan Whitelaw questing out (and drawn out) in the Airshed Pro. A great light piece for a dual-north ridge day in the Tetons. Photo: Ben Farrar
It’s a bird, it’s a plane. Nope. Just some cat charging along in the versatile, functional, and made to be taken along Patagonia Airshed Pro.
Patagonia’s Airshed Pro Pullover is hard to categorize but easy to judge: it’s become an essential piece of the warmish-day ski kit. Call the Airshed Pro a utility piece when you experience mild winds, engage in high-output activities, and the temps range from a bit below freezing to the 50s. I’ll get to how I use the Airshed Pro, but first, what exactly is it?
It is a pullover. The front zipper is two-way and extends two-thirds down from the chin to the waist. The body’s main fabric is called Airshed fabric, with a face that feels “technical,” meaning less like plush cotton and more like a hybrid nylon windbreaker-thin base layer combo. The Goldilox range of the Airshed Pro has much to do with its rated 50-60 CFM. While a lightweight windbreaker like the Patagonia Houdini and Black Diamond Distance Windshell (both ~4 CFM) effectively shuts down wind, the Airshed Pro is legit breathable.
(Positioned between the Airshed Pro and Houdini in terms of CFM is the Houdini Air which is rated ~20CFM.)
If I expect sustained blustery winds, the Airshed Pro will be too air permeable, especially in colder temps. I prefer a piece like ~4 CFM jackets cited above to prevent a chill and effectively block the wind. That said, the Airshed Pro shines in mild winds up to 15 MPH, particularly if it’s sunny and above freezing. It allows just enough air permeability to stay comfortable and prevent having to put on a hardshell/windbreaker. If I’m in start-and-stop mode and expect a more extended rest period, I have a puffy available to prevent a chill.
The Airshed Pro also features a second type of fabric on the sleeves and hood that is stretchy, lightweight, and breathable. Patagonia calls this Capilene Cool Lightweight fabric, with a face much like a thin, stretchy baselayer designed for high-output activities. The hood fits snugly and secures nicely over a ball cap or under a ski or climbing helmet, which brings up a category discussion. Patagonia markets the Airshed Pro Pullover as a trail running piece. It is that. But it also shape-shifts and is spot on as a climbing or backcountry skiing piece. Versatility must be a synonym for Airshed. Don’t be boxed in by the marketing; many will, and do, use this piece outside of deep winter.
The svelte hood in action. It provides a bit of warmth and sun protection to boot. Photo: Kelly Cordes
The Basics
Cost: $139.00
Fit: Patagonia calls this a slim fit piece. We agree with that designation.
CFM: ~50-60CFM is Airshed fabric zones, ~200 in Capilene Cool Lightweight zones.
Features: 17.5” two-way chest zipper, and single zippered chest pocket, hood, thoughtful design for high output activities in potentially windy zones. Comes in a women’s specific model, and is fitted.
Weight Men’s M: 106g confirmed
The two-way chest zip with both pulls up towards the chin which exposes the mid-section but allows for a snug fit if the hood is deployed.
The two way zip with the pulls towards the belly button zone. The most effective method of dumping heat from the core.
The two-way zip with the pulls snugged up to the chin. This zipper orientation provides maximum wind protection and helps retain body heat.
Versatility-Dumping Heat
The Airshed Pro excels at dumping heat. The sleeve’s stretchy fabric is easily pulled up, effectively making the pullover short-sleeved. While skinning at high exertions, exposing the arms to cooler air is a huge asset. You can also pull the hood down, off the head. And, thank you lovers of the two-way zipper at the Patagonia design department; the extra-long two-way zipper is an excellent heat dumping tool. More on that below.
You can wear the Airshed Pro next to skin. We have, and we do. With the two-way zip, you have some versatility: I often keep the hood deployed in cooler temps, pull the top zip snug to the chin (it allows the hood to be more fitted), and yank the bottom zip to the base. I’m left with a 17.5-inch gap allowing air to cool my chest/core. This relatively large opening is perfect on early morning runs when the core begins to heat up or early spring tours as the sun crests the horizon. Again, it all means effective heat dumping. If you want max heat dumping, shed the hood and pull both zips to the bottom. You’ll be left with an airy fabric void and the end goal of dumping heat and your bare chest at the mercy of the elements.
Versatility-Retaining Heat
All the features that make the Airshed Pro Pullover effective at dumping heat make it capable of retaining heat to a point. Feeling too cold, pull the sleeves down, extend the zippers to seal the chest, and don the hood. If there’s a kiss of wind, the Airshed fabric does a modest but capable job of diminishing the bite. In the right conditions, I wear this piece next to skin instead of a base layer, as the wind-blocking capacity allows me to wear the piece on the ascent in heat dump mode and quickly transition to heat retention mode as I approach a high point or a rip-skin- zone. Often, I find the Airshed Pro capable of protecting me like a base layer and a semi-permeable windbreaker.
One perceived downside of the Airshed fabric is that, although breathable, when I wear a pack in the backcountry (which is always), the pullover’s back panel tends to wet out. It’s not as breathable as a traditional base layer. When I take off my pack atop a pass, and there’s a breeze, the combo of wind and the damp fabric gets my attention. Yet, the Airshed Pro fabric dries quite quickly. When I wear a thin base layer under the Airshed Pro, there’s no discernible sweat absorbed by the fabric.
A Wide Range of Uses
If I suspect a quick warm-up post-sunrise, I wear the pullover next to skin. If the weather looks cool and the air temps slow to rise (or there’s some bite in the wind), I wear a thin short sleeved base layer under the Airshed Pro. And on spring traverses, throwing a thin fleece hoody (I prefer the TNF Futurefleece full-zip hoody as it is relatively thin and breathable) over this layering system affords me a bit more warmth when skinning and temps drop, or clouds hide the sun.
The Airshed Pro Pullover tags along on mountain runs, where its functionality is spot on. The Airshed Pro slays on a run/walk for something like the Teton Crest Trail in a day. Not uncommon in the summer months; seeing climbers/alpinist questing in this piece. It stashes away quite nicely in the pack: it nests in an internal pocket on the back neck for compact storage. It becomes an apple sized low volume package and provides just enough wind protection on those warmer day in the high alpine.
I’m also fond of wearing the Airshed Pro when nordic skiing, and what my friend Barry refers to as “adventure skating”, which we think could become the skiing equivalent of gravel while still retaining its soul sports roots. Unlike gravel, it won’t appeal to many folks, and its marketability is limited — Lifetime Sports won’t contact us anytime soon. But here’s the gist: Use lightweight skimo boots/skis/bindings and head out on groomed snowmobile trails for the skate ski workout. The Airshed Pro over the base layer (in mid-winter) is my go-to. It’s light with the perfect amount of wind block and air permeability.
One. More. Time. Although Patagonia markets the Airshed Pro as a trail running piece, think of it as an essential go-to for pretty much any high output activity in semi-mild conditions. The sizing is fitted, so go larger if you plan on layering more substantial layers underneath. Our advice, stick with your regular sizing, and layer items over the Airshed Pro.
A moment along the Teton Crest Trail where a pivot back to the car is contemplated yet not actualized. Sleeves pushed up for a more airy feel. Photo: Jason Hamm
In Agreement about the Airshed Pro Pullover
While on an extended ski traverse in Wyoming, there was some general agreement in our overall kits. But we all run a bit differently, considering temperature regulation. Most of the time, however, when there was a lack of precipitation, we all wore the Airshed Pro Pullover as our outermost active layer. The Airshed Pro will do if cruising around in light precip, like fog/mist. In measurable precip, layer with something more weatherproof, as both fabrics used in the pullover’s construction will wet out, despite the DWR treatment.
This piece also serves as excellent sun protection in snowy environments.
Closing Thoughts
The Airshed Pro Pullover costs $139.00, which is a bit eye-catching considering its minimalist origins. So far, the sleeve and body fabric are durable. For those keen on light and fast, and minimalist, I see many rock climbers incorporating this piece into their alpine-oriented summer adventures. For backcountry skiers and snowboarders, although Patagonia isn’t marketing this piece explicitly towards that segment, they should.
The sizing of the latest model of Airshed Pro Pullover runs fitted but in line with other garments in their line. A medium fits well on me (5’10”, 160lbs), whereas the large is baggier and less fitted. If you’ve got a broad chest and usually opt for a medium, you may have to experiment with proper sizing.
