Patagonia: a buying guide
The name on a Patagonia label shows what kind of garment it is. What Synchilla, Snap-T, Retro-X, Nano Puff and Torrentshell mean and what to check on each.
In this guide
The name on a Patagonia label shows what kind of garment it is. Synchilla and Snap-T are fleece, Retro-X is a high-pile fleece with a windproof layer, Nano Puff is synthetic insulation and Torrentshell is a waterproof shell, and each of them is judged in a different way.
A short history
Patagonia was founded in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard, a climber who had started out forging climbing hardware. Synchilla fleece followed in 1985, made with the textile mill Malden Mills. The name combines synthetic and chinchilla. The Snap-T pullover appeared the same year.
The names on the label
| Name | What it is | How it is judged |
|---|---|---|
| Synchilla | Soft synthetic fleece | Pilling and the surface of the pile |
| Snap-T | Pullover with a snap placket and a chest pocket, usually in Synchilla | Pilling, the snaps and the elastic |
| Retro-X | High-pile fleece with a windproof layer inside | The pile and the zip |
| Micro D | Lighter, thinner fleece | Pilling |
| Regulator, R1, R2 | Technical fleece made for layering | Pilling and the stretch of the fabric |
| Nano Puff | Jacket with synthetic insulation | Loft across the quilted panels |
| Down Sweater | Light down jacket | Loft and down coming through the shell |
| Torrentshell | Waterproof shell | Seam tape and lining |
Synchilla and Snap-T
Synchilla is the soft, dense fleece used for the Snap-T and for many of the classic fleece jackets. A hand run across the body and under the arms shows the state of the surface. Light pilling is normal on an older fleece. Heavy, matted pilling at the underarms and along the sides means the pile has broken down. On a Snap-T, the snaps on the placket and the elastic at the cuffs and the hem are checked next.
Retro-X
The Retro-X is a high-pile fleece with a windproof layer between the outer pile and the lining. It keeps wind out better than a standard fleece. The pile is checked for flat or matted areas, and the zip for an easy, even run.
Insulated jackets and shells
The Nano Puff and the Down Sweater are judged by their loft. Held to the light, the insulation should be evenly distributed across the quilted panels, without flat or thin areas. A Torrentshell is judged on the inside: the seam tape at the shoulders and the hood is flat and bonded, and the lining is smooth. How a membrane and insulation age is explained in Gore-Tex, DWR and down.
Colour
Older Patagonia fleece often comes in strong colours. A faded fleece is compared sleeve against body in daylight, because uneven fading is easier to see on bright colours than on navy or black.
Each item is inspected, authenticated, cleaned and measured before it is added to the store. Each step is described in How leverene works.
Sizing
Patagonia clothing is cut to be worn with layers underneath, so it can sit roomier than the size suggests. A fleece made as a mid layer, such as an R1, is cut closer than a Synchilla jacket made to be worn on the outside, even with the same size on the label. Each item is measured flat at four points: chest, shoulders, length and sleeve. With raglan sleeves there is no shoulder seam, so there are three measurements instead of four. Items shown on a model state the model's height and usual size instead of the four measurements. The method is in the guide to measuring clothing.
Questions
What is Patagonia Synchilla?
Synchilla is the soft synthetic fleece that Patagonia introduced in 1985. The name combines synthetic and chinchilla, and it is the fabric of the Snap-T pullover.
What is the difference between Synchilla and Retro-X?
Synchilla is a soft, dense fleece. Retro-X has a longer pile on the outside and a windproof layer inside, so it blocks more wind.
Does Patagonia run large?
Most Patagonia clothing is cut with room for layers. The measurements of the item are a more reliable guide than the size on the label.
Where to go next
The available items are collected under Patagonia, with separate pages for men and women, and in the wider outdoor and jackets and vests collections. The category overview is in the outdoor clothing guide, and other outdoor brands are covered in the The North Face guide and the Canada Goose guide. Items can be returned within 30 days.
