Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm waterproof jacket review

The Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm is a lightweight, fully waterproof jacket that has been created specifically for mountain biking.

Designed from the ground up to meet the demands of extended or day-long rides, its pullover style is packed with practical features.

Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm details and specification

Waterproof protection comes courtesy of Patagonia’s own three-layer stretch H2No shell with abrasion-resistant panels on the shoulders, forearms and rear tail. The inner surface’s soft-knit material is claimed to help wick moisture and improve next-to-skin comfort.

The three-quarter length front zip can be opened up from the top and bottom to provide additional venting.

Side zips increase the jacket’s heat-shedding potential and also make it easier to take on and off.

There’s a generous dropped back hem and an easy-to-adjust over-helmet hood, while it neatly packs into its own zipped rear pocket.

Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm performance

The Dirt Roamer has been one of my go-to jackets for rides exceeding three hours through the early days of autumn in the UK.

Mixed weather during the test period, including rain, fog, 20°C heat and drizzle made for demanding conditions and put the Dirt Roamer firmly through its paces.

Underneath the Patagonia, I wore a long-sleeve lightweight Patagonia Capilene Cool Merino baselayer, used as a benchmark for all my jacket testing.

I had not expected to like the overhead styling of the Dirt Roamer Storm because the continuously changing weather would usually mean putting on or taking off my jacket – sometimes multiple times throughout a ride. Then there's the added prospect of having to remove my helmet.

Patagonia has thought about objections such as these and overcome them impressively.

Opening the front zip from the bottom creates effective venting, regulating temperature efficiently, and the side zips can be opened up to supplement that further.

Crucially, those side zips mean the jacket can be removed easily or put on over a mountain bike helmet.

The result is the sort of reduced bulk through the front that a shorter zip affords. When combined with the shaped-for-the-ride sleeves, it makes for a jacket that moves freely with you and you’re less inclined to remove, even as the day warms.

The long-drop tail and over-helmet hood give full protection in heavy rain, and the hood remains put once cinched in tightly. To boot, it doesn’t interfere with your peripheral vision.

Water beads easily off the surface and over the six-week test period I haven't experienced any wetting out. As claimed, the jacket’s inner surface wicks sweat away well, and on the odd occasion I found myself with pushed-up sleeves it was smooth against the skin and truly comfortable in a range of temperatures, cementing its all-day wearability.

How does the Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm compare to the 7Mesh CoPilot?

Both these jackets are designed specifically for mountain bikes, with excellent shaping and articulation, and intended for active use.

The Dirt Roamer has won me over to anorak styling. If it’s really not for you, but you're looking for a similarly dynamic fit, the 7Mesh CoPilot will give you that, but with a full-zip opening, making it a great alternative.

Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm bottom line

Overhead styling isn’t everyone’s first choice, but I'm impressed by it in the Dirt Roamer Storm jacket because, quite simply, it works.

Patagonia has incorporated a host of well-considered features into a jacket that fits well, and delivers comfort and practicality throughout long days on the trails.