Shape, Profile and Sidecut

The Untracked Jacket and Bib Pants are made using the brand new 3-Layer GORE-TEX ePE material, which Patagonia worked closely with the fabric maker to develop. It’s the first GORE-TEX ever to feature a waterproof membrane that’s entirely free from PFCs, harmful chemicals which can leach into water sources when a jacket gets wet or is washed.

With an 80 denier rating, GORE-TEX ePE, made from recycled nylon, is tough, highly waterproof and highly breathable. When Patagonia and GORE-TEX set out the brief, their mission was to eliminate PFCs without compromising on performance at all.

“It’s the first GORE-TEX ever to feature a waterproof membrane that’s entirely free from PFCs—harmful chemicals which can leach into water sources when a jacket gets wet or is washed”

Construction and Materials

There are men’s and women’s versions of this jacket and pants set up available, with slightly different cuts for each. As always, Patagonia has decided to produce these in a limited number of classic colours that won’t go out of fashion. They’re all about making products that will last.

With pit zips for ventilation, watertight zippers, an adjustable powder skirt which fits neatly onto the trousers and a concealed Recco reflector, which helps the wearer be found in an avalanche burial situation, the jacket has everything you’d expect from a high-end backcountry model. There’s also a two-way adjustable hood which fits easily over a helmet, and plenty of pockets, including one on the forearm to hold your lift pass.

The Patagonia Untracked pants feature an above-the-waist half bib, as opposed to one that covers your chest, which helps air and moisture escape. They have a second Recco reflector, gaiters with scuff guards to stop the bottoms of your pants from ripping, and two large pockets, including one with an internal stretch mesh pocket for your phone or GPS nav unit. Patagonia’s fits are never too baggy, but there’s plenty of space for movement, making splitboarding kick turns easy.

“Simply put, if you’re into backcountry riding, these are very hard to beat”

Roundup

There’s no escaping the fact that these are pretty pricey—Patagonia doesn’t get nicknamed Patagucci for nothing—but they’re pricey for a reason. They’re built tough, so they’ll last you for years, if not decades, and Patagonia’s pioneering repair program means you can always take them to any participating shop and have rips stitched up.

They’re also top of the range when it comes to performance. Incredibly waterproof and breathable, they can keep you dry no matter how heavy the snow, or how hard you sweat on the skin track. Add to that the fact that their impact on the planet is minimal, and you can start to see why it’s worth paying a premium. Simply put, if you’re into backcountry riding, these are very hard to beat.

Pros:

• The GORE-TEX ePE fabric is genuinely revolutionary—all the performance of high-end GORE-TEX with the environmental downsides much reduced. In terms of form, these are comfy and good-looking. In terms of function, they’re second-to-none.

Cons:

• They’re pricey—if you’re not going to be venturing off-piste, or using them for high-energy activities like bootpacking or splitboarding into lines, this kind of fabric is arguably overkill.