The Future of Waterproofs: The Patagonia Triolet

Rob puts Patagonia's new Triolet to the test, which signals a major change across the outdoor industry by using Gore-Tex's new ePE membrane.

There's a lot to say about both, but you can't comment on the former without some analysis of the latter. We've been reviewing waterproof jackets and their membranes for years, so what is the difference this time? Well, it may be no exaggeration to say that ePE is one of the biggest changes in the outdoor industry since Gore-Tex was first introduced to the market many decades ago.

#outdoorgear #patagonia #goretex

[cannibalmanimal]

It’s great to see, but the point must be driven in to get one if your current shell’s unusable. Many shell’s life is shortened by infrequent washing, so the new more frequent recommendation would also benefit any old Gore or H2No shells since most aren’t washed/redipped enough.

[stonehouse]

Whilst it’s great that they’ve managed to reduce carbon footprint in the manufacturing, I can’t see how a jacket that I’m going to have to run through my washing machine and tumble dryer every couple of uses is going to do the planet any favours whatsoever. I wash my gore tex pro a couple of times a year, maybe with the odd bonus wash if it gets filthy. I’m now looking at washing a jacket potentially 20+ times a year. That’s something like an extra 60kg of Co2 per year and hundreds (maybe thousands) of litres of clean water. If we then add in the carbon footprint of ordering multiple (plastic) bottles of tech wash per year, these might actually do more harm than good with respect to carbon (unless you’re only auditing the carbon footprint of the company manufacturing them….).

There’s also a glaring practicality issue if it needs washing every couple of uses. Would you just have to accept on a week+ long trip where you can’t wash it that the performance is likely to drop off thus increasing the risk of a dangerous scenario where you wet out in the mountains? The comparison to base layers doesn’t quite work - I can afford to own several base layers, but not so much £400 waterproofs (and that wouldn’t be very sustainable either)…

The most sustainable product is usually the one that lasts, and the practicality issues with this make me suspect I’d be replacing it after a season.

[unclebob]

Great video. I love the Patagonia fit, it allows for plenty of layers underneath, The North Face and Arcteryx are also good. I find that Rab and Mountain Equipment are too tight under the arm pits, it seems like all of their higher end jackets have an apline fit and are made for climbers that don't wear many layers underneath, its a shame because their gear is good. I'm 5ft9 and slim, i'm not a chunky person

[theslightlyhillyrider]

To counteract the grumpy comments i will say i had already been looking at this jacket, and thr review inspires confidence as i was a bit apprehensive of ePE vs ePTFE membranes - i am wondering though how often you would suggest washing and reproofing a jacket like this?

[sentralsix]

Buy a proper goretex jacket whilst you still can folks!

[watchthisspace]

All I agree with except the anti science CO2 footprint mantra. Still the new membrane and the PFC free DWR are things we can all get behind.

[josephsantana]

The Triolet has been around for several years. Is this EPE stuff a new update to the jacket or has it always had this?

[chronometa]

Ill get the pfc version. I don't want to keep reapplying dwr

[lucainthemountains]

The question is: how is durable this jacket in the time, I think this new technology it's very less durable

[dorukbaglan]

You lost me with the "sustainable" gimmick. Pass.