Patagonia Store: How to Choose Between Shells, Down Jackets and Fleeces at Ski Sises
If you're looking for a Patagonia store, you've already picked the brand. What you need is a place to compare models, understand how they differ and get to the right size without trial and error. At Ski Sises the Patagonia selection can be browsed online and is tied to the Biella shop. It includes shells like the Torrentshell 3L Rain and the GORE-TEX Triolet, Down Sweater jackets, Nano Puff insulation, Better Sweater, Retro Pile and R1 Air fleeces, plus pants, kids' clothing, backpacks and duffels. Before you look at colors, ask yourself what the piece has to do. It can keep you dry in the rain, keep you warm when you're standing still, or let you move while you sweat. Those are three different jobs, and Patagonia has distinct lines for each.
What you'll find in the Patagonia selection at Ski Sises
The selection covers men, women, girls and boys, and the pieces are also sorted by season. Alongside winter down jackets there are pieces for spring, autumn and summer, as well as T-shirts, shirts and duffels like the Black Hole 55L.
Polyester, nylon, cotton, recycled down and Gore-Tex appear again and again in the product pages. Always read the page for the individual item, because materials change even within the same line. The men's Down Sweater jacket, for example, uses recycled down with 800 fill power. The men's Down Sweater Hoody, on the other hand, states Responsible Down certified down.
The family's artisan story began in the Biella area in 1920, and the shift from workshop to sports shop came in 1973-74. For anyone buying Patagonia today, this translates into a real possibility. You can try a piece on over the layer you usually wear, or order online and ask for advice on sizing before or after you buy.
Dry, warm or free to move: start from here
Patagonia product names are so recognizable that people sometimes ask for a Nano Puff when what they need is a rain jacket. Or they look for a down jacket when a fleece under the shell already hanging in the wardrobe would do.
Three facts are enough to point you in the right direction: how many hours you stay outside, in what weather and how much you move. The walk to work in January, the Saturday hike and the skinning climb call for different pieces, even if they come from the same catalog.
Rain and snow: when a Patagonia piece is waterproof
In the product pages the words water-repellent and waterproof often appear close together, but they don't mean the same protection.
The men's Triolet is described as a three-layer GORE-TEX jacket, fully waterproof, breathable and windproof. It has a helmet-compatible hood, underarm vents and pockets you can reach even with a harness on. It's designed for mountaineering and mountain use in harsh weather. In town, or for a few days on the slopes each year, most of these details would go unused. For everyday rain it makes more sense to look at the Torrentshell 3L Rain, the line's waterproof jacket.
Other pieces resist water without being waterproof. The Nano Puff has a PFC-free DWR finish that resists wind and water. The Isthmus parka combines recycled nylon with a PU coating and a DWR finish. The Down Sweater vest is stated to be suitable for light rain. They work well for damp and drizzle. If you stay out for hours in the rain, you need a shell over them.
If you're looking for Patagonia for skiing, you'll find clothing, backpacks and duffel bags, not equipment. The men's Powder Town pants are made of waterproof polyester, with an inner lining, an adjustable elastic waist with belt loops and vents on the outer thigh. When trying them on, bend your knees as you would on the slopes and check the hem, which should cover your ski boot even with your knees flexed. If you're considering discounted snow clothing, our guide on what to check before buying at a ski outlet store.
Down, synthetic or fleece: which warm layer Patagonia should you choose
Hanging side by side, they look like similar garments. Once you're wearing them, they do different jobs. The table lines up what the product listings state.
| Garment | What the listing says | When it makes sense | Limitation to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down Sweater (jacket, Hoody, vest) | Recycled nylon shell and down. 800 fill power on the men's jacket and vest and on the women's Hoody | Dry cold, city, stops outdoors | In persistent rain you need a shell over it |
| Nano Puff | PrimaLoft Gold Eco insulation in recycled polyester, keeps you warm even when wet | Damp climates, layer under a shell, travel | Water-resistant but not a rain jacket |
| R1 Air Hoodie with Full Zip | Lightweight technical fleece, breathable, quick-drying, 366 g | Intense activity in the cold, under a helmet and backpack | Built for movement; when standing still for long you need an extra layer |
| Better Sweater | Recycled polyester, full zip, chest pocket and zippered handwarmer pockets | Everyday use, office, relaxed weekends | For demanding climbs, technical fleece is a better fit |
Among the versions of the men's Down Sweater, the practical difference lies in the hood and sleeves. The Hoody also covers your head and neck. The vest leaves your arms free, and comes in handy if you drive a lot or want to warm your torso under a jacket without bulky sleeves. The men's Nano Puff makes more sense if you live in a damp area or if the garment is likely to get wet often, since its synthetic insulation is stated to keep you warm even when wet. An inner pocket doubles as a stuff sack for packing it in a suitcase.
Products mentioned in this article
If you wear fleece more in the city than in the mountains
Better Sweater and Retro Pile are the fleeces in the selection also described for everyday use. The Better Sweater also comes as a vest, with the look of a knitted sweater. The women's Retro Pile uses a Polartec double-faced fleece that recalls the brand's heritage pieces. It weighs 431 g, so it's a substantial garment. If you plan to wear it under a coat, try the coat on over the fleece, not over a T-shirt.
If you use it for climbing and sweating
The R1 Air Hoodie with Full Zip starts from a different need. The shoulder seams are shifted so they don't end up under your pack straps. The close-fitting hood fits under a helmet and over hoods, and the full zip helps you vent heat on the climb. If you can, try it on with the pack you actually use. In the office, the zigzag texture of the fabric may feel too technical to you, and there the Better Sweater is a more fitting choice.
Products mentioned in this article
Patagonia for kids: besides warmth, practicality matters
With the little ones, how easy it is to dress and undress them matters too. The Infant Hi-Loft Down Sweater Bunting has two full-length zips, designed for getting it on and for diaper changes. It has fold-over mitts and foot covers. Sleeves and legs are a bit longer than usual, so hands and feet stay covered whether the baby is crawling or sitting. It's insulated with recycled 700 fill power down and weighs 303 g.
The Baby Hi-Loft Down Sweater Hoody also uses recycled 700 fill power down, with an insulated hood and stretchy inner cuffs. For everyday wear there's the Furry Friends Hoody in recycled fleece, with little bear ears on the hood. Before you buy, check how much room is left for a layer underneath. A piece that fits just right today leaves little room for growth.
Patagonia men's sizes: the measurements to compare before ordering
For men there are two size guides in centimeters, from XXS to 3XL. For the upper body, the M corresponds to a chest of 96-101 cm with a sleeve of 86 cm. The L corresponds to 106-111 cm with a sleeve of 89 cm, the XL to 117-122 cm with a sleeve of 91 cm. For pants, the M means a waist of 79-84 cm and an inseam of 81 cm, the L a waist of 86-91 cm and an inseam of 84 cm.
Between one size and the next, the chart leaves a few centimeters uncovered. If your chest falls between the M range and the L range, you don't fully fit either one. In that case, use is what counts. A shell that will go over fleece and a down jacket needs more room than a fleece worn over a shirt. Measure your chest at its widest point over a thin shirt, and your waist where you actually wear your pants. For women's and kids' sizes, refer to the individual product page.
In store or online: when it's worth trying on in person
Trying on in person matters most for shells and snow pants. Wear the layer you'll use underneath and raise your arms: the jacket shouldn't leave your back exposed. Stretch your hands forward as if holding a steering wheel and check whether the sleeve rides up your wrist. With pants, sit down and bend your knees. Online, you can request a return within 14 days of receiving your order, but asking a size question beforehand saves you the trouble.
One rule is enough to decide where to start. If you often get wet, start with the shell. If you feel the cold when standing still, start with the down jacket. If you move and sweat, start with technical fleece. The rest comes later, looking at what you already own. Once you're clear on each piece's role, open the Patagonia selection at Ski Sises and compare the product pages of the models that interest you.
FAQ
Where can I see and try on Patagonia gear in the Biella area?
Ski Sises is a sports shop in Biella with a Patagonia selection of jackets, down jackets, fleeces, pants and kids' clothing, which you can also browse on the skisises.com online shop. If you want to try a specific model or size, contact the shop first to find out what is available at that moment.
Can you wear the Patagonia Nano Puff jacket in the rain?
In light rain and damp conditions, yes. The Nano Puff has a recycled polyester fabric with a PFC-free DWR finish that resists water and wind, and the PrimaLoft Gold Eco insulation keeps you warm even when wet. However, it is not a waterproof jacket. To stay out in the rain for hours, wear it under a waterproof shell such as the Torrentshell 3L Rain.
Are Patagonia down jackets insulated with recycled down?
It depends on the model. The men's Down Sweater jacket uses 800 fill power recycled down, and the kids' Hi-Loft Down Sweater pieces use 700 fill power recycled down. The men's Down Sweater Hoody, instead, uses down certified to the Responsible Down Standard, verified by Control Union. Before buying, check the page for the individual item.
Where are the Patagonia products sold by Ski Sises made?
According to the product pages, the Patagonia items in the Ski Sises selection are made in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Mexico and Thailand. The Isthmus parka, for example, is made in Vietnam, the R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody in Sri Lanka and the men's Down Sweater Hoody in Bangladesh. Many models also list Fair Trade certification for the factory or the sewing.
If my chest falls between a men's Patagonia M and L, which size should I get?
In the men's Patagonia size guide, the M corresponds to a chest of 96-101 cm and the L to 106-111 cm, so there is a gap between the two. For a shell to wear over a fleece and down jacket, go for the L, which leaves room for layers. For a fleece worn over a t-shirt, consider the M. Also check the sleeve, which measures 86 cm in the M and 89 cm in the L. If you can, try on both.
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