Gear Review:
Patagonia Boulder Fork Rain Jacket
by Chris King

I have a jacket problem..

My wife is always telling me that I don’t need another jacket and even though I live in a place that sees an average of 6 weeks over 100 degrees, I can’t help myself.

At the beginning of the year I picked up a Patagonia Boulder Fork Rain Jacket. I had originally bought this to replace an older light weight travel jacket. I took this on my first trip to Christmas Island this year. Although I only needed it one day for the ride out to the flats on a morning filled with brief rain showers, it came in handy the following week for a few hikes on the big island with my wife and son and it was comfortable against bare skin for these tropical environments. 

When I left for Alaska in July for a King Salmon trip to Lava Creek Lodge followed by a trip in Montana to the Bob Marshall Wilderness with Spotted Bear Ranch, (You can read my full trip report HERE) I thought I was making a mistake by only bringing this one jacket with me. With the weight restrictions on gear for both the bush planes in Alaska and the Mule strings into the Bob, I chose to leave the big coat at home.

I was pleasantly surprised at the jacket’s performance. We had days in Alaska with 30 mph gusts and intermittent rain and I never felt cold or wet. This jacket dried out every night in the lodge without fail and was dry and ready for the next day’s fishing.

In Montana it was the perfect size to roll up and stuff in my day pack. I only needed it one time on one of the horse pack days but I was glad I had it.

Some of the reasons I love my new Patagonia Boulder Fork Rain Jacket

    • H2No® Performance Standard 3‑Layer Waterproof Shell
      Built with a 3‑layer, 3.7 oz 30‑denier 100% recycled polyester ripstop face, polyester membrane, and recycled polyester tricot backer, finished with PFC‑free durable water‑repellent. Provides long‑term waterproof and breathable performance. 
    • Minimalist & Packable Design
      Streamlined elements keep the jacket lightweight and highly packable for backcountry or daily carry.
    • Adjustable Hood with Laminated Visor
      Low-profile hood with single‑pull adjustment and laminated visor provides good visibility and sheds water, accommodating varied headwear while laying flat when unused. 
    • Watertight Zippers & Functional Pockets
      Waterproof anti-corrosive center-front zipper, one zippered chest pocket, two high welted handwarmer pockets—big enough for a fly box. 
    • Stormproof Cuffs & Hem
      Hook‑and‑loop cuffs and adjustable drawcord hem (routed through front pockets) seal out weather and reduce bulk under backpack hipbelts.
    • Fair Trade Certified™ Construction
      Made in Fair Trade Certified™ factories, meaning workers earned a labor premium
    • Hip‑Length & Lightweight
      Offers moderate coverage without extra weight and works well over layers. 
    • Comfortable & Quiet Feel
    • Comfortable Against Skin
      Designed with soft tricot lining and supple fabric, it’s much quieter and more comfortable than stiffer Patagonia shells like the Torrentshell. 
    • Practical Pocket Placement
      Pockets sit higher on the torso—particularly good when wearing a backpack or wading, preventing water ingress or interference with pack straps. 
    • PFAS/PFCs Free
      Uses 100% recycled face fabric and DWR without PFAS/PFCs, Which are not outlawed in many states