GET OUT
Patagonia is synonymous with sustainability and quality in the outdoor industry. From their 1% for the Planet pledge to their Fair Trade Certified manufacturing facilities, they’re always on the cutting edge of ethical outdoor apparel. They stand by their products and offer gear repairs and a Worn Wear store for gently used items. You get it– they talk the talk and walk the walk.
While Patagonia is the quintessential gorpcore vibe, campy through and through, runners should know that their performance run gear is just as solid as their outdoor goods. So we’re here to walk you through our favorite Patagonia pieces for running. From shorts to joggers to hydration vests and duffel bags, this is gear that will stay with you for many miles to come.
OUR FAVORITE PATAGONIA RUNNING GEAR FOR FALL
ROAD OR TRAIL
Strider Pro 5″ Shorts ($85)
We get in a lot of shorts to review at Believe in the Run, because they’re basically the only thing that’s a requirement for every runner. And I’ll be honest, a lot of brands just throw in the towel when it comes to shorts, or, alternatively– overthink and over engineer them. The Strider Pro 5” shorts strike a perfect balance between simplicity and good design.
A quick-drying recycled polyester made from 90% ocean plastic is incredibly lightweight and comfortable with a slight stretch for movement. Four envelope pockets provide plenty of storage for gels, while a center back pocket can hold more. The brief liner is comfortable and the whole thing comes together to make one of the best running shorts out there, rivaling my all-time favorite short, The North Face Better Than Naked (rest in peace).
OUTERWEAR
Houdini Air ($179)
When you talk about lightweight running shells, there are few that have the same legendary status as the Patagonia Houdini, a packable and simple shell that provides an extra layer of warmth and protection when needed. That’s great and all, but we’re here to talk about the elevated version of that jacket, the Houdini Air.
This shell adds extra weather protection with a DWR finish to keep out light rain (it’s not fully waterproof), while blocking out the wind and keeping in the warmth. We love it because it packs down to basically nothing and looks great, and is technically superior to every other wind shell out there. As such, it’s a great travel companion because it has immense versatility, from running to climbing to exploring to throwing on when the in-flight A/C is too cold.
Additional features include low-light visibility, and adjustable hood, and, like all Patagonia products, is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory.
HEADWEAR
Duckbill Cap ($35)
Another icon in the trail running/outdoor scene, the Duckbill cap is the standard for short-brim caps. With full perforations on the sides and top, it’s as breathable as a cap you can get. It’s ultra comfortable thanks to the soft, quick-wicking sweatband and the foldable design is perfect for on-the-go. It’s really one of the best running caps that money can buy and beats all the imitators out there.
COLD WEATHER GEAR
Capilene Midweight Baselayer ($79)
Cooler temps are coming, and a good base layer is always a key essential in any runner’s wardrobe. The Capilene midweight works great in that 25F-40F range, as the 100% recycled, hollo-core yarns trap warm air, while wicking moisture away from the body and drying fast. It’s also incredibly comfortable, so can work well as a casual long sleeve or base layer for all your winter activities, whether that’s hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, or more.
We also appreciate the small details like the thumb loops for keeping the sleeves down on the hands, as well as a slight stretch that allows for a good range of motion on the run.
TRAIL RUNNING
Slope Runner Endurance Vest ($159)
I ran with this vest throughout the summer and I love that it’s simple and straightforward, with just the right amount of details to keep you comfortable on the run. Hydration vests are oftentimes overbuilt, but this one is stripped down to just the essentials and that’s a good thing. Patagonia says it fits like a shirt and they’re not wrong.
Though the vest is minimal, it offers a surprising amount of storage in the form of a large back compartment that’s bladder-compatible, as well as a smaller zipper pocket. The large pocket also has a side zipper so you can pull stuff out while on the go. It comes with two HydraPak soft flasks that are basically my favorite soft flasks and used on a weekly basis. Bungee-style sternum straps are the only weakness in my opinion, I question their durability and felt like there was some bounce when loaded up, in part due to their flexible design. Overall, a pretty great vest.
OUTERWEAR
Airshed Pro Pullover ($139)
If you’re wearing the Airshed for running, it’s probably pretty cold outside. And everyone knows that the worst parts of winter running are the windy days, and that wind shells can sometimes get too hot, but the Airshed bridges the divide. The core area is made from a water-repellent, ultra lightweight Pertex body fabric that’s both stretchy and windproof.
So while the pullover is a bit more substantial than your average running top and sits somewhere between a base layer and a light jacket, it does a great job of settling into that in-between area of winter run layers and accomplishing more than one goal at once.
Bonus points for the Capilene sleeves– long enough to cover the hands– and fitted hood (no winter cap needed here).
BOTTOMS
Terrebone Joggers ($99)
If you’re not at the “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” phase of your running journey yet, but still want to get outside when it’s below freezing, then the Terrebone Joggers can be a nice companion. Or, just wear them casually, that works too.
The slim cut adheres to the standard jogger silhouette and the 100% recycled polyester stretch ripstop is super comfortable. Plus, it comes with a PFC-free DWR finish to ward off light rain. Storage is still important, so two hand pockets and a right rear pocket take care of that issue (though it would be nice to have zippers on the hand pockets, just saying). A versatile pant for travel, activity, and relaxing.
TRAVEL
Black Hole Duffel 55L ($169)
We actually received the newest version of the Black Hole Duffel for review (coming spring ‘24), but since it’s not for sale yet, we’re going to highlight our favorite Patagonia duffel, going on four years strong. I personally own a ton of packs and duffels, ranging from The North Face Base Camp 90L to the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L to the Ortlieb Metrosphere Daypack. I use them all and they all have great features, but there’s nothing as versatile, durable, and useful as the 55L version of the Black Hole Duffel.
We travel a lot here at Believe in the Run and for anything less than four days, it’s my go-to bag every time. Duffels can tend to be too small or too unwieldy, this is neither. It also still fits under the carry-on dimensions for all airlines, but if you choose to check it, it can take everything and more that the bowels of the TSA underground can throw at it. While it’s not fully waterproof, the TPU-film laminate can handle a good dose of the elements before giving in. Oh also, this packs into its own side pocket if you want to transport it on its own.
Not sure how else to sell you on it, it’s one of the best pieces of gear I’ve ever owned.
Pro tip: Pair it with the Black Hole packing cubes for ultimate organization and packing adaptability.
