Patagonia Primo Down: Best East Coast/Midwest Ski Jacket 2007/08
By Rocky Thompson on October 10th, 2007
The Patagonia Primo Down is the best option for people who ski in consistently frigid weather and need a 3-layer jacket—too bad it doesn’t look a little cooler. These down-insulated 3-layer shells are awesome because you only need to wear a thin, next-to-skin baselayer underneath. You simply open the vents or the chest zipper and cool off in seconds when you’re not swaddled in layers. The Primo Down Jacket sells for $549, but you can look at it like you’re paying for a shell and an insulator at once.
Damn…I love Patagonia but I don’t know why they won’t break down and use Gore-Tex. Their shells, etc. hold up extremely well and are nearly as waterproof but don’t seem to breathe as well. Nearly as good is a hard pill to swallow at $549.