Great jacket providing protection in rain, snow and cold. My go-to shell for winter ultras, I appreciate the pit zips for ventilation and the adjustability of the hood to fit my head, hats and not block my field of vision. Decent room for layers and even running vest underneath. Staying warm and dry and able to regulate body temps. Zippers are a li... Read Morettle small to work with gloves - longer zip pills added for convenience but otherwise a pretty flawless coat.
I can't believe not a soul has reviewed this jacket, so here I sit. I'm a climber, adventurer, and trade worker. I wear this jacket when the conditions suck for all three. Durable face fabric (though my hound found its limits one day..), smooth on the skin inside, no snagging on the outside, lightweight and packs into its own hood very ni... Read Morecely. Helmet compatible hood helps on miserable bike rides, chilly days at the crag, or working at height. Harness compatible pockets are slick for any and all needs. Velcro on the wrists has lasted me two years so far, and it really makes working around gloves so much easier. Open them up, shove through, cinch down. Length is great on arms and torso. And yeah, it is waterproof. I've given it a go. Good job Patagonia.
We appreciate your thoroughly detailed feedback on all aspects of our Pluma Jacket! If you can part with it for a couple of months, we'd love to evaluate it for a free [repair](https://help.patagonia.com/s/article/Repair-Process) in our service center. Reach out to our Customer Service team if you have any questions about repairs or anything else. We're here to help!
August 30, 2022
Great jacket,
So I got this jacket and I really like it but for 1 thing.
The jacket is great and fits really good. I've been out in heavy rain and I stayed nice and dry. Used for climbing and mountain hiking
1 problem is zips are to small to grap with gloves on. Hopefully I'll get used to it but it could be easily fixed
I got this because I spend more time than I'd prefer in the open seat of a large tractor, blowing snow in Central NY near Ithaca. I have Patagonia insulated bib overalls, lots of good insulation, etc. etc. The Pluma jacket absolutely does its job keeping out snow and sleet and wind, and the fit is good. The zips, on the other hand are not. Too... Read More small by far -- and I don't just mean the pulls themselves. The entire zipper is not heavy-duty. Hard to get started, hard to pull, easy to snag. And I'm talking about bare hands. With heavy gloves, forget it. I'm very sad about this because I love Patagonia products (this is hardly my first) and I was counting on this to be what I wanted. I delayed sending it back, which was my mistake. Apart from the zips, it's very well made and will probably last a long time. I can't drop an equivalent sum of money on another jacket, so I'll be stuck with this one for a while. Again -- zips are the only problem. Everything else is great.
Hi Don! Thank you for taking the time to write us this review. We truly appreciate all of your feedback. We're sorry to hear about the disappointment with the zipper. We rely on comments like this to improve design features for future seasons, so we'll share this with our team. Please note that your satisfaction is always guaranteed so you're welcome to [return](https://www.patagonia.com/returns.html).
January 25, 2022
High quality, light, breathable
This is my first Goretex Pro Jacket. I find it pretty comfortable despite the crunchy sound to the material. I used it for backcountry skiing and really didn't get overheated on the uphill, it breathes well enough for me. My biggest complaint is the length, I find it longer than preferred, but that seems to be the pattern with all of the newer... Read More Patagonia jackets I tried on. This one was a little slimmer that some of the others, so it seems to fit well with a harness and doesn't bulge in the stomach area like some others. Still has enough room for midweight puffy underneath if needed. Overall happy with it.
Almost everything is great about this jacket: the fit is appropriately close, the material is durable and keeps out the wet, pockets are where they need to be. But when you're experiencing full conditions in the PNW (32, nuking snow, 35 mph winds, inside the ping pong ball), it can really be a challenge to find the pulls for all the zippers si... Read Morence they are exactly the same color as the jacket. I appreciate the minimal aesthetic but FFS, please use contrasting color zipper pulls! In the interim, I have swapped zipper pulls from different colored jackets but it would be great if your customers didn't have to do this hack.
Great fit. Water proof, wind proof. Makes for way less layers in cold wet weather when active.
Also super customer service at Patagonia store in downtown Seattle.
There are many hard shells out there, but the Pluma is a gold standard. This shell is tough enough, well-tailored, has well-placed pockets (and not too many), is long enough, has a hood large enough for a climbing helmet, wears well with a harness, has a great zipper, and weighs in at under a pound. The large pit-zips also extend it's range of... Read More use.
I primarily use this shell backcountry skiing and glacier mountaineering. With it in my pack, I feel confident that I will be able to endure foul weather and high winds. It's modern design has welded seams and the integrated cord-locks are convenient to use. It is an expensive shell, but has exactly all the best hallmark features without any fuss, and the weight is just right. If you are looking for a shell for skiing, ice climbing, or mountaineering, look no further.
I upgraded to this jacket in 2019, after the neckline of my previous rainjacket delaminated. The Pluma is great! It's been very durable for backpacking, bushwhacking off-trail through thick underbrush, creek-crawling, biking... I highly recommend it. I've used it primarily in the mountains of East Tennessee, which receive up to 100"+... Read More of rain per year in the higher elevations. It's held strong in all types of precipitation, ranging from steady drizzles in March, to torrential downpours in the heat of July, to driving snow in January.
I was in need of a new alpine hard shell to replace my 10 year old RAB goretex shell. The Patagonia Pluma Alpine Jacket was the piece of gear I chose after extensive research on many other jackets... RAB, OR, Arkteryx, North Face, etc... Lightweight, breathability, wind/snow/rain protection, fit, comfort, etc... brought me to the Pluma jacket. The ... Read Moreaddition of pit zips was a strong reason I purchased the Pluma. I have used so many goretex or equivalent laminate shells of multiple brands, over the last 40 years This is the first Patagonia shell I have purchased. Based on what I need in a jacket, the Pluma fits the bill. My experience with Patagonia products has always been positive. Design and quality are generally speaking... THERE!
I was debating to buy this vs. Powslay for skiing. It fits better than Powslay and I like the color schemes and zippers also better, however it's lack some of the details including snow shield at bottom for skiing and the jacket appears to be thinner. If you don't care about that it's a better shell
I finally got around to using this Pluma jacket. The zippered arm pits really help when I finally warm up. They keep the internal temp cooler so I dont sweat. The hood and internal adjustment mechanism is perfect. This is the first jacket an hood that fits well on my head without the visor sticking down over my forehead and eyes. The jacket itself ... Read Moredoesnt make all that crinkle noise that some other waterproof jackets do. This jacket kept me completely dry on my last walk in the rain. And I really like the bright color Chartreuse. People can see me walking.
This is a well made jacket that will protect one in a rainstorm or keep you dry on the slopes! My only complaint is that the feel of the material is kind of plastic like and makes a lot of Kringle sounds when youre wearing and moving about.
Feels bombproof so ideal for Scottish winter. Good fit with easily adjustable hood. Chest pocket is handy for small items. Not the lightest waterproof but I’d hope this last a few winter seasons
Jacket fits well for me, I have longer arms than the usual (Ape Index +3.5) and it fits perfectly on my wrists. Its not tight in the chest like I have had with other jackets from other brands. Ive only had this jacket for a few months, but it has taken a beating from rain, snow, and the average wear. Super versatile in terms of layering or wearing ... Read Moreby itself. Looking forward to summer wear coming up. The tail of the jacket is a little long for my taste, but it does the job and does it well. No huge gripes or anything like that, and doesnt seem like there will be in the future.
I am addicted to your products! Top quality products, exemplary company. I dream about working for you company some day!! Great job to the entire team!
Overall happy with the product; waist cord design would have been more preferable. Runs small will have to limit my layering with thinner layers. Do have a down vest that works great for now. As a ski jacket might be limited by mobility with thicker layers.
This is my third Pluma/Super Pluma jacket since the mid nineties. Feather weight; full featured, the jacket lets you move and looks very nice on the mountain and in the city.
Durability: in my previous versions my skin underneath the jacket has occasionally been scraped off but Ive never experienced any damage to the fabric which is nylon rather ... Read Morethan Kevlar.
This is a very fancy jacket and it is a pleasure to wear.
Just a little tight in the shoulders. I wish I was a Patagonia model but I am a little thicker than your average Alpine Climber. I am making it work though, and I love the light weight, bright color and quality construction.
Most comfortable and most versatile... I always want to wear this jacket!
I bought this jacket as a layer for climbing Mt. Rainier, which was amazing, but it's also perfect for wearing around my hometown of NYC... it's beyond comfortable and very light, but effective against weather. Very breathable... this is perhaps my favorite jacket of all time.
I bought my Pluma last March but didn't use it until this winter. I've used it exclusively for skiing and have only put about 20 days on it. At first I was quite happy with the jacket, but I've noticed some of the same tiny holes mentioned in one of the other reviews. If that's not enough, the fabric is starting to get small bli... Read Moresters, and the DWR was gone from the shoulders and sleeves and began wetting out in this areas after only a handful of uses. I'm really disappointed with the quality of this jacket. I have an Arc'teryx BLT, (also Gore-tex Pro,) that I've put through the paces over the years and have no complaints whatsoever. The Pluma couldn't even make it through one ski season.
Hi Tristan, we're very sorry to hear that your Pluma Alpine didn't make it through the season. This may be a manufacturer defect and we'd be happy to return or exchange that for you under our Ironclad Guarantee. You can begin your warranty return here, https://www.patagonia.com/returns.html.
I took this jacket to Rainier this summer. It fits well and leaves plenty of space for layers higher up the mountain, but was light and breathed well to keep the mist out at lower elevation. Since we were on a 10 training & rescue session we spent plenty of days in poor weather, from mist, to pour rain, freezing rain, and 50mph winds. Through o... Read Moreut all of it it continued to bead and shed water. It stopped the wind very well and allowed my lower layers to keep me warm.
I'd recommend this jacket to anyone and encourage people to feel comfortable using it in the limits of your sport.
Who would have thought that I was anxiously waiting for the rain after I bought this jacket. And when it finally arrived I had so much fun hiking a half day in pouring rain. The performance of protecting against rain is truly amazing. If you don’t want to get wet, want a very light weight jacket and actually enjoy being outside in the rain, then lo... Read Moreok no further than this jacket. The zippers are a bit harder to use but I would imagine that it has to do with the fact that they don’t let moisture get through.
I bought this jacket as good lightweight option without sacrificing too much in the fabric realm. I was allured by the Gore-tex Pro. Overall, this jacket is a fortress. I wore it many days on a glacier, and it protected me from heavy wet snow flurries all the way to the most torrential downpours I've experienced. The Gore-tex Pro offers unmatc... Read Morehed protection and I never had problems with water (excessively) seeping through the jacket. The DWR was very effective when it was new, but over time it wore off like all jackets. I am not too much of a hardshell person, so I wait until the very last minute I cant get away with out throwing a jacket over, sooo most of the time this jacket lived in my pack. That is why I was surprised I discovered a small hole on the shoulder of the Jacket. I was (and still am) perplexed about how this hole developed in my relatively new jacket without too much use. Upon returning from this trip I just threw a patch on it, then went back out onto the glacier for another trip. To keep with the theme, by the end of this trip , I had two more new (small) holes in the face of this jacket. Again, with no obvious explanation of how these holes developed, I am left feeling a little disappointed in the durability of this product. Otherwise, this jacket has performed very well as a hard shell. I just wish my high end jacket didn't have any holes in it...
Thank you for your feedback! We are sorry to hear about those holes in your Pluma Jacket. Please note that your satisfaction is guaranteed. If you would like to initiate a return or complimentary repair, you may do so [HERE](https://www.patagonia.com/returns.html#searchterm=returns).
September 28, 2019
REAL mountain hardshell
This is what a mountain hardshell is supposed to be. Ultra-waterproof Gore-tex Pro, with good DWR to keep the water beading up, with pit zips to keep you from getting drenched. Yes, it's a little crinkly, without stretch. Lightweight but durable fabric. All the right pockets, where they should be. Lightweight, high-quality, waterproof zippers ... Read Moreeverywhere. No ridiculous bells or whistles. Old school slim fit, to fit under a harness, for folks without a spare tire. Long waisted, as it should be, and arms are long enough to reach way up ice climbing without baring your wrists. I'm 6' 165# and bought large, so it would fit over a medium puffy. Only negatives are that the main zipper garage under the chin is a little sharp on your neck (fixed with some sandpaper), and the main zipper won't open from the bottom up, for pit stops with a harness. Otherwise perfect.
It is an amazing jacket. I recently used it the Cirque of the Unclimbables in the Northwest Territorries, the Talkeetna Mountains in AK, and deep in the Chugach Mountains AK. I took this jacket through torrential rain, sleet, hail, and snow and stayed dry. It fit well over a mid-layer but have not yet attempted to wear the super puffy under it. My ... Read Moreonly beef with the jacket is that it is so expensive and there are other similar jackets of the same quality for much cheaper. Note I said similar quality...
Incredible. A true hard shell to put through its paces.
There’s something to be said about a jacket that fits perfectly. The arms are just long enough, the hem is perfect, and the cut is closer to what I feel like Patagonia used to call the slim fit. A technical piece that I can’t wait to take into an alpine storm.
I’m about 5’8” and 140 lbs, and this piece fits like a dream. Those looking for a rain j... Read Moreacket probably will be confused at its length, but those looking for an actual hard shell will immediately recognize all the thoughtful design in this jacket. As another reviewer said, it’s honestly closer to something a certain brand starting with A would make, but about 10 times better with the Iron Clad Guarantee and the knowledge such a bomber jacket’s face fabric is 100% recycled.
Quality is top notch, a little crinkly with the feel
I purchased this pluma jacket, as I live in the Pacific NW, so rain is the usually one of the challenges to getting outdoors. I also loved the fact that it was Gore-Tex waterproofing, actually Gore-Tex Pro. I had purchased a Gore-Tex rain jacket from Patagonia previously and loved it. So, when it came time to by another, it was a no brainer. The qu... Read Moreality on this jacket is very, very nice and I have no concerns staying dry. The only downside I found was that the feel of the coat is pretty rigid, even though it is a shell, but I chalk this up to the high quality and thickness of the Gore-Tex Pro. I am very happy with the purchase.
It fits well. 5’11”s with a long torso and arms. I sized up to make it work. Works great alone or layered with my rain jacket. Replaces a blown out down sweater I finally put to rest after 8 years of abuse/use.
This jacket is a bit more lightweight than I originally planned on buying. I didn't know that that's exactly what I needed! It is durable and small enough to bring just about anywhere.
Good. Not great...but worth it if you can find it at a good price.
I've had this jacket for a few weeks now. At first I was on the fence as I had been comparing it to a number of other styles from another manufacturer that starts with the first letter of the alphabet. I was set on finding one from them but this Pluma actually grew on me. Here's the list of highlights:
-Gore-tex Pro. Period. This is a mu... Read Morest have.
-Weight...under a pound. That's huge.
-Pit zips are a must have and this jacket covers this.
-Helmet compatible hood - I don't climb or alpine ski (well maybe some) or anything but in case I do I can wear a helmet. At the same time, the hood is fairly adjustable so I can cinch it down in inclement weather and it sits fairly closely to my face/ head.
-Rubber backing on inside of cuffs help keep the sleeves from slipping around.
-Sleeve are perfect length.
-Cordlock system is great.
-I thought the pockets were going to be too much but I actually use all of them. Outside breast pocket is perfect for an iPhone Xs Max.
-Fairly packable - down to about the size of a Nalgene bottle...maybe a bit bigger.
-Fully waterproof...as you'd expect from Gore-tex Pro.
-I'm 5'11" 165lb - this jacket has plenty of room for a good mid layer like an ultralight down or thick sherpa but is also not too baggy to wear with just a t-shirt.
Wish they would fix/ improve:
-Neck area doesn't draw in very tight when hood is cinched down. Initially I thought this was going to be really drafty but it hasn't been that bad. Still could improve some.
-No felt lining on inside of zipper around face - can get pretty wet in this area due to breath.
-Zipper garage on main zipper is basically useless. Takes a lot of effort to get it completely closed.
-Brim on hood doesn't have a wire reinforcement.
-Brim could be a bit larger. Good for without a hat on but a bit small with a hat. Others have figured this out.
-Gray zipper should be black. Doesn't make sense.
Full price without some of the improvement areas would probably steer me away from this jacket but because I was able to get it on sale I am all in on this jacket for what I need.
I wore this in the recent extreme weather in Ohio (15" of snow one weekend and -5 temps the next) and this thing kept me plenty warm and dry with the appropriate layering (both during minimal activity and medium output). I've also had it on with a mid layer inside a few stores and noticed that I did not sweat or warm up at all as compared to the same mid layer and other hard shells I've tried. Definitely attributable to the pit zips and Gore-tex Pro.
This jacket is overall good...not great, but good. I’ll explain later how it could be great.
Gore-Tex Pro is nice.
Pit zips
3-way adjustable hood
Perfect length
Nice pockets
Fit is nearly perfect...I can wear an ultra light down with a pullover and this jacket fits perfectly over those.
Sleeves are the right length and allow range of motion wi... Read Morethout pulling...and the sleeves have some rubber material on the inside to help keep them in place. Nice touch.
Range of motion is good.
I wear a medium and am 5’11” 165lbs. 34 waits 39 hips, 39 chest, 34 sleeve.
Now...this would be great and a 5-star review if:
The zipper should be black, not gray.
The main zipper garage is worthless...not sure why it is on this jacket. It takes an act of congress to stow the zipper all the way in. Forget about stowing the zipper if you have gloves on. You’ll need to take them off.
The hood does not close down nicely over the face and seal the neck. Other brand, maybe one well known one that starts with an A, have this figured out. This jacket’s hood allows in a huge draft and doesn’t have a wire support in the brim.
Only reason why I’m keeping this jacket is becuase I was able to find it elsewhere at a significant discount. If I hadn’t, it would be going back.
I would recommend this to someone at the price I paid but not full price.
This beautifully designed jacket is outstanding! It provides superior storm protection,a comfortable non-restrictive fit and it strikes the right balance between simplicity and full featured. Hood works equally well with a beanie,ball cap or helmet and in rain or snow. Well tailored,it fits comfortably over baselayer and midlayer - I've used i... Read Moret over Nano Air Hoody,Micro Puff Hoody and Down Sweater Hoody. Sleeves are plenty long. Perfect sized pockets are easily accessible with harness and pack. Standout features include the Cohaesive cord lock system(!),long torso length and polyurethane sleeves in a feather weight package.
If pressed to recommend suggestions,they are very minor:
1) Being right-handed,I would prefer the inside pocket to be on the opposite side
2) Include an integrated Recco reflector
3) Add an elasticized strap at low back to connect to Patagonia snow pants
Fit runs small. I wear a medium in all things Patagonia,but I needed a large in this. For reference,I'm 6'2",34 sleeve,42 chest,32 waist,162 lbs.
Love this jacket,great features in a light design; I'm 5' 10" and 165 lbs,40" chest,32" waist and the Medium size is just big enough - with an insulated layer underneath there's not really room for anything in the pockets without having the jacket be too snug.
So I searched the entire internet about this "appeared like a good idea jacket" and found nothing,so I figured I do my internet friends a solid and write up something. This is a review purely based on the fit and features of the jacket. It's Goretex,it won't breath no matter what they say but will shield you from wind,snow,rain,... Read Moreetc. I treat this as a super durable trash bag to wear when mother nature is trying to kill me and really in case of emergencies. With that said...
It's definitely an alpine fit,which is WAY different than their snow sports fit. I'm swimming in a Medium Pata snow jacket,but a Medium in this was way trim wit. I sent it back after a try on and got a Large,which fits pretty well for my 6'0" 145lbs tall skinny frame. All I want in a jacket is something that won't take up space or weight in my pack while I skin and climb up,and be there ready to go for extra windy ridges or to tame some of mother nature's fury. The problem with most jackets are pass pockets,powder skirts,sleeve zippers,and a million pockets. This has two high above harness/hip belt pockets that fit my skins,one chest pocket just because all jackets need a chest pocket,and one inside pocket sized for a phone,which I can't complain about. I'd chuck the pit zips if I could.
Another note on fit: I tried it on with a big (non Pata,DAS style) belay jacket. It has enough girth to handle a huge puffy underneath,but with such minimal material on the jacket,it collapses down small enough while wearing to throw the puffy over the top. Big time versatility.
Again,a burly,bright colored (the red is awesome and gets a lot of distorting color noise on the computer screen' think super bright fall leaf color) Goretex cover up that I would never hike in but am happy to tow in my pack or wear. Size up a step and it's still gonna be one inch shorter than you'd like to shred in. I'm sure ice climbing or non-snowboarding mountaineering may be just the ticket with this. And don't forget,if the mirror isn't doing what you'd like,it's you that looks weird,not the jacket.
One more FYI: super crinkly and it has a mondo hood. Not the wear around town on a rainy day kinda shell.
So in the end: 4.7 stars. I wanted a stripped down POWslayer,but got this,and am still happy.
So I purchased this a week ago,and haven't had much of a chance to put it through its paces,yet. I can tell however,that its going to be an awesome all around hard shell. Super light weight,zippers seem really smooth,pockets in all the right places. Length is hip,but not so long that you feel like you're swimming in it. Just the right amo... Read Moreunt of room to layer. I've had it on with a nano air,down sweater,R1,and it never felt constricted. I'm 6' 175 lbs and a large is right on the money. I do disagree with another reviewer re warmth. This jacket is super thin and light weight. I don't feel that it adds any significant warmth to my base layers. That being said,that's not its intended purpose. It's a breathable,light weight hard shell. I expect it to keep me dry and to keep the wind from blowing through me. To that end,I expect this coat will excel. I plan on wearing this snowboarding,hiking/camping,to around town in heavier than average rainstorms. Very impressed. It's pricey,but I can tell I'll have this coat for years to come. Great investment.
I bought this jacket a few weeks ago with the intention of it being a multi use alpine jacket. Mainly for skiing / touring,but also for mountaineering and climbing. Today I took it out on one of the ski hills in about 0c temperatures with strong winds and snow showers wearing just a cotton t shirt underneath. I wanted to see how it performed in the... Read Morese conditions with only a thing layer on. The result? I was toast the entire time! The wind didn't get in and the jacket kept me dry. Granted,I was skiing which kept my heart rate up and my body warm,but on the lifts and just hanging around I was absolutely fine. Which ultimately reassured me that if it was any colder,I could easily have put my puffy jacket on underneath and some more layers and I'd have been spot on!!
My ONLY con to this jacket,which I can live with,is the length. It's so far been totally fine,but I'm concerned that when I ski some heavier powder it's going to let some snow up. However... I think I may invest in the Patagonia pow slayer pants,which have a much higher waist and that should fix the issue. All in all,solid jacket.
Reason I didn't buy the pow slayer jacket was because it was a little overkill for the other activities I do. Perfect for skiing,but when it came to mountaineering it could've been a bit long and possibly too heavy.
I'm reviewing this in the context of guiding in SE Alaska. The jacket wins in terms of a long length and two big pockets,large enough for bear spray / Nalgene / pro camera. However,it then includes two redundant smaller pockets,which add zippers and fabric and seams that compromise packability. You're already carrying a big pack full of e... Read Morextra stuff for clients,and mid layers with pockets,and probably pockets on your hip belt,radio harness,whatever,so the shell just needs to be very tough and very packable,not a storage / organization system . Relative to other options at the same price,the overly complicated design is a step in the wrong direction.