Gear Locker ­ Skanorak Jacket

Winter 2007

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Alex Matthews

Keep saying “sea kayak” and “anorak” fast enough, and you end up with “Skanorak.” That was the idea: to blend the properties of a classic mountain anorak with a sea kayaking shell, creating a hybrid that would do the job of both—a jacket that excels for both paddling and everything else.

Because the Skanorak has been in Patagonia’s line for so long (since the early 90s if not longer) and because it has inspired so many imitators, it’s become something of a classic. Now, after a brief absence of a few years, the venerable Skanorak is back.

The first obvious break from tradition is the change from the older pullover design, to a fully separating 2-way front zippered version.

The jacket is a ¾ length, unlined shell made of supple nylon laminated to Patagonia’s waterproof/breathable H2No® HB barrier. It’s a pretty lightweight package at 652 grams and quite compact when stuffed. All seams are taped.

The overall cut is good, if generous. The anatomically curved elbows provide good ease of movement when paddling, and there’s plenty of room for layering underneath the jacket. You can even pull the shell on overtop of your PFD—an option that I really like on days when conditions are changing rapidly and often. Being able to quickly don or shed a shell with minimal fuss is always a plus. Drawcords at the waist and hem help seal out wind and spray. Paddling jacket style velcro adjustable Stretchcoat® cuffs seal comfortably at the wrists.

Two huge top-loading chest pockets swallow essentials like a hat, gloves and energy bars. Hidden behind the big cargo pockets are wonderfully cozy fleece-lined hand-warmer pockets—a very welcome and functional touch. Finally, a small pocket on the upper left arm is perfect for stashing lip balm.

The excellent hood provides great coverage without compromising peripheral vision, and a fleecy inner collar wraps your neck when the jacket is zipped up.

Reflective piping is strategically positioned on the wrists, arms and hood. In fact, being seen in the Skanorak is not a problem as the jacket is only offered in an “Orange Jolt/Bonfire Orange” color combination. Which is a bit of a shame, as while it’s great for visibility, more conservative consumers may shrink from considering a jolting orange shell for their everyday jackets, regardless of its capabilities.

I used the Skanorak for a lot of different activities, from paddling and camping, to hiking, cycling and even Christmas shopping. Ultimately, I liked the ease of use of the full front zip. While it does introduce a little more bulk when paddling, it brings a lot more versatility and crossover appeal to the jacket for casual use.

On extended paddling trips, I usually bring two different shells: one stripped-down waist-length paddling top used exclusively in the kayak, and a more generalist crossover jacket for everything else. Ideally, this second jacket is a shell that I could happily use in the boat if needed, but which is really ideal for camp use, and suitable for every other side trip that may come up along the way. The Skanorak is truly ideal in this role. It is highly wind and waterproof, performs very well for paddling, and is extremely versatile. Ultimately, if I could bring only one jacket on a kayaking trip, this would likely be it. It’s still a classic.

Patagonia Skanorak
Color: Orange Jolt/Bonfire Orange
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: SRP: $255 US

Patagonia
Tel: 1-800-638-6464
Fax: 1-800-543-5522
Web: www.patagonia.com