Our Patagonia M10 Anorak review explores innovative hard shells designed for Alpinism. We hope you find it useful.
introduce
The Patagonia M10 Anorak is part of a new collection of what Patagonia calls the “Mobility-first Shell’s Most Demanding Alpine Target.” The collection includes Anorak, Jacket, Storm Trousers reviewed here (we commented on this here) and storm bib.
The series is designed to provide unlimited mobility with full protection. With this, the features will be minimally paired, and the fabric exceeds Patagonia’s waterproof shielding standard. All products within this range are free of perfluorinated chemicals (PFC/PFA).
It’s a very interesting product line, with Paul and Ben testing Anorak and Pants all the time, while Cal has been testing women’s specific fit coats. This Patagonia M10 Anorak review highlights M10 Anorak and Paul’s review of M10 Storm Pants here. We really hope you find it useful.
feature
Patagonia M10 Anorak is made from 3 layers of 20 powder 100% recycled nylon ripstop Face Face and Xpore Nanoporormbrane and Jersey Backer. It also has a DWR (durable water) finish without perfluorochemicals (PFCS/PFAS).
Anorak is specially cut to maximize freedom of movement. It is patterned on the wide shoulders with a tapered torso so that it can sit comfortably under a seat belt or backpack without any excess fabric. Seams are ultrasonic welded with narrow seam tape to reduce large capacity and weight. The pattern eliminates shoulder and back seams. Depth two waterproof front zippers are ventilated and easy to switch. There is a zippered garage around the chin.
Anorak has a stiff helmet-compatible hood with single pull adjustment. The material is deliberately placed at the back of the head for comfort on Bivvies and Bise. There is a waterproof zippered chest bag for storage. The pocket also allows Anorak to be tucked inside for storage and carrying. There is a carabiner in the pocket that can be easily cut to the seat belt.
Simple elastic cuffs seal the wrist, allowing the gloves to be pulled to the top or stuffed inside. The hem can also be adjusted. There is a hidden Recco reflector on the hood. Anorak weighs 300g, size medium, available in blue (endless blue) or grey (Forge Gray). It only fits men (the jacket is available in a figure suitable for women). Retail price is £400. The M10 product range is produced in fair trade certified factories.
In use
I really rate the climb for Anoraks. You can let them comfortably fit into your seat belts while lacking zippers in the lower half to make them sit comfortably. In the case of the M10 Anorak, it pairs perfectly with my 5’8-inch-tall seat belt. With the help of a long front zipper, the switch is easy. The zipper also allows for excellent ventilation. A very useful addition is to have 2 zippers as this allows you to secure the zipper to the upper body and face while still providing a way to ventilate the lower chest. It can produce some gentle wind tunnel effect to allow good circulating air flow. Adjusting in the zipper also allows the gloves to easily hide on the top without losing protection on the face.
fit
The fit is great. I tried a small one (usually I find small ones suitable for Patagonia) but it was too tight. In this case, the culture medium is ideal. It has room around its shoulders and tapers comfortably along the bottom. This makes the hips very suitable, but there is no fabric to slap. Patagonia describes it as a slim fit, which is right.
Mobility first design
It’s not the only key to fit. As stated in the introduction, Patagonia describes the M10 range as a first design with mobility. This means it is a series of products that provide freedom of movement. For rock climbing jackets, this is mainly above the head, but should also allow all other body movements required for effective climbing. My findings are that the M10 Anorak is underused. I just mean you will forget you’re wearing it. You can perform any movement without obstruction and there is no riding on the top when reaching above your head. It can do the work of Patagonia design.
hood
The hood is sponge-like and can comfortably fit into a climbing helmet. There is also a one-hand operation quantity regulator to adjust the fit. Patagonia designed this as a barrier to getting Alpineists to sleep on top. It is crucial that it allows for all-around vision even if the hood is lifted. The stiff peaks provide good protection against rain or snow and are easily wrapped tightly around the face. The hood is a great design.
Cuffs and hem
The cuffs are stripped and effective. They are a simple elastic design with a furry elastic band inside. This will make them stick to your wrist, but it’s also easy to pull them onto your gloves or gloves to prevent rain or snow from slipping into your gloves. Likewise, the low hem adjuster allows the top to be secured to the waist. Adjusters are placed intentionally so that the wearer can sleep next to them without digging.
Storage
The chest pocket is simple, but very useful. It will easily store items like spare hats, mobiles, or snacks. It can also be used as a store for coats if you want to carry it on a seat belt.
Weatherproof and breathable
Patagonia says the fabric used exceeds its waterproof/breathable performance standards (this is detailed here). On site, this should provide a high level of water resistance as well as excellent breathability. During weeks of Norway ice climbing, I’ve been testing the M10 Anorak, and it can be said that any fabric will lead a tough life under these conditions. Walking in and climbing may sweat, then pass the waterproof test that snow, ice crystals, and sometimes drips from a less frozen waterfall. It performed effortlessly in all these conditions and I was impressed. It breathes very well, but provides weatherproof cocoons when needed.
Sustainability
Anyone who is familiar with Patagonia will know that they are the leading lights in terms of sustainable manufacturing. It is worth mentioning that they understand their environmental contributions to outdoor clothing manufacturing. There is a lot of great information on their website here. Plus, the book by legendary Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard is fascinating. “Let My People Surf” and “Responsible for the Future of the Company” are great for beginners, but there are others. Detailed information about their book collection can be found here.
Summary
As mentioned, I am a big fan of Anorak-style climbing shell and now I am a big fan of this version. As my Patagonia M10 Anorak review highlights, this is a stripped and high-performance ultralight shell layer. It implements its design to be perfectly done and excel in various ways. Patagonia said that when they took everything away, their design was right. I totally agree.
Of course, if you are familiar with Patagonia, you will know that they are a brand focused on industry-leading sustainable manufacturers, all of which are backed by their superb service. Iron parcel guarantee. Full details on the M10 Anorak are available from the Patagonia website here. You can also find complete details about the entire M10 range here. Finally, the first video below gives you an in-depth look at Anorak’s design, and the second is an interesting look at the design process throughout the range. Both are worth a look.
We hope you found this Patagonia M10 Anorak review useful. Please read our Patagonia M10 Storm Pants Review here. Again, we regularly review products and you can find them on our blog here. You can also find some inspiration and suggestions articles on our blog.
