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Boreas, the wind god, looked down upon the measly mortal wearing the Patagonia Men’s Talus Softshell Jacket. He blew a giant gust of wind hoping to send the human shivering back into the lodge, but no, the human stood tall and unmoved thanks to the windproof and warm Talus. Who is this Patagonia, Boreas wondered, and why have they bestowed such a windproof, water-resistant jacket with DWR-coated zippers to this man? And thanks to the articulated arms and low-profile fit, the human looks like he can comfortably move about.
Bottom Line: The Talus amazes and wonders the gods.
After years of the same North Face soft-shell for less intense weather, I decided to retire the North Face jacket and pick up a windproof jacket with a good reputation. Obviously, I decided on the Patagonia Talus jacket and thought I'd throw my initial thoughts out there for anyone anticipating purchasing the Talus.
First, I have to comment on the color of the jacket. I bought the jacket in Rockwall and I was a bit surprised when I opened the package. Every photo on the web makes the jacket appear like a very dark grey or black with lighter napoleon pockets. The color "rockwall" is actually a dark grey. A LOT lighter than the pictures portray! It's no where near as dark as it appears in the pictures of the jacket. The color is like a slate grey. I like it so it's not a huge deal, but buyers be ware!
Initially, I ordered the large because that is usually what I wear in jackets and tops. I'm 5'10'' 170 and the large was like wearing a parachute! I was surprised because I tried on the Guide Jacket at a local outdoor shop and the large fit great. Due to Backcountry.com's exceptional customer service & return policy, I was able to order the medium. They hooked me up with free two day air when I called to order the medium!
When the medium arrived, it definitely fit a lot better, but I noticed an issue with the arm pit area. As others have mentioned, that jacket feels a bit tight in the arm pit area, but not enough to part ways with it. So far, I have put the Talus through a pretty wet and windy ride and it shows no signs of weakness. It is on the heavier side and is lined with fleece, so it may be a bit too warm for some people.
Other websites have the title for this jacket as the "Windproof Talus Jacket." Is there a difference between this jacket and the one with "Windproof" in the title? I'm looking for a windproof piece, so is this the same jacket as the other ones or are there two versions of the Talus...one with windproof technology and one with out?
I'm pretty sure these are the same jacket. In general, softshell materials have come a long way and are almost universally wind and water resistant. You can't really go wrong with a softshell as a do-it-all-even-when-hot-and-sweaty piece for most types of inclement weather. This will certainly keep the wind off, and probably a little rain, too.
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This is a great soft shell but it depends how you want to use it. If you're using your soft shell for more athletic pursuits, the Talus may be too warm. I just use it as a knock-around jacket and it's great in cool/cold weather. Supple, quiet fabric with a comfortable brushed interior. If you're interested in more detail about the Talus, I've just posted a detailed review on my blog, patagoniacommunity.blogspot.com
is there a significant difference in warmth between this and the Guide jacket? i want a soft shell that is reasonably warm on its own. basically looking for just wind resistance, durability and some water repentance. a priority is placed on durability though. any suggestions. if it helps im 5'10 175 and prefer a jacket that isnt form fitting but isnt terribly baggy either. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. (i already have windproof soft shells and water proof soft shells, just looking for something in between basically.
Hey Kris, I've owned both. I got the Guide Jacket first but soon returned it because it was too thin and breezy; cold air went right through. If you're using it for athletic endeavors, then it would be a nice, breathable choice. I needed something warmer, got the Talus and have been very happy with it. It's noticeably thicker than the Guide and the warmer interior keeps that cooler air from freezing me out. As for durability, I've had the Talus for almost a year and while I'm not rock-climbing and using it in horrible conditions, it has held up well. Of course there's a price bump with the Talus so if you don't mind that, then it may just be what you're looking for. Best wishes.
Kris, The Talus is a great jacket, and definitely Patagonia's most durable soft shell in the line-up. It's fully windproof and fleece backed, which sounds like it might be similar to the other jackets in your closet already. The Guide Jacket is great as well in the durability, wind resistance, and water resistance departments. I think yo'd be happy with the fit of a size medium in the Guide. Hope this helps
Very High Quality in terms of construction, materials and great insulation. Only drawback to me was the tight fit in the arms and armpit areas. The tightness of fit makes it hard to put the jacket on when wearing long sleeves underneath.
After years of the same North Face soft-shell for less intense weather, I decided to retire the North Face jacket and pick up a windproof jacket with a more...
This is a great soft shell but it depends how you want to use it. If you're using your soft shell for more athletic pursuits, the Talus may be too more...