PATAGONIA TRAIL CRAFT VEST REVIEW

December 5, 2025

In the PNW, the weather can change fast once we get out of the winter months, making ridewear selection tricky. Spring and fall temps can hover right at that point where you overheat in a jacket, but freeze when you take it off. Summer temps can be chilly on morning mountain bike rides, but warm up significantly in the first few hours of the morning.

This is where an item like the Patagonia Trail Craft Vest comes in. It’ll keep you warm on those days that hover just below mild temps, and keep a bit of rain off as you huddle under a tree when caught out in a summer thunderstorm. But crucially, you can open it up and let some air through when temperatures climb, or pack it down small for the times you don’t want to run it at all. I’ve been trusting in the Trail Craft Vest to help to keep me comfortable on the mountain for most of this year, and now it’s time to share my thoughts.

ABOUT THE PATAGONIA TRAIL CRAFT VEST

Packable, windproof, and water-resistant, the new Patagonia Trail Craft Vest is an incredibly versatile piece of mountain bike apparel. At just 108 grams and with the ability to compact into one of three pockets, the Trail Craft Vest is the extra layer that can easily live in your hip pack for emergencies.

The front of the vest is made from 100% recycled nylon ripstop fabric to help block wind while remaining stretchy and breathable. An extra moisture-wicking knit backer is located on the inside chest area. The back and sides are made from 100% recycled stretch-woven ripstop polyester that also wicks moisture, breaks through wind, and allows for maximum mobility. Then, the entire Trail Craft Vest receives a PFAS-free DWR water-resistant finish to help keep moisture out.

Patagonia kept the Trail Craft’s design simple yet practical. The full-zip vest has two zippered front pockets and one rear pocket with a zippered opening on the left side. The front left pocket doubles as the Trail Craft’s storage pocket. Patagonia’s classic logo is located on the left chest.

The Trail Craft Vest comes in two colors – black and “Bundle Green” – stretches seven sizes (XS-3XL), and retails for $119.

THE DIRT

A vest can feel like a silly bit of apparel to have in your mountain bike wardrobe. However, regarding what we would consider MTB “outerwear,” the Patagonia Trail Craft Vest is likely my most-used item.

This is due to the vest’s supreme versatility. On the chilliest of rides, adding the Trail Craft Vest helped take the bite out of the air. But the vest shined most brightly during spring and summer…and I imagine it will do so during the fall weather as well.

As spring bleeds into the early parts of summer, we often have relatively mild weather here in the PNW. Temperatures frequently hover in that space where I’ll be too warm if I ride in a jacket or hoodie, but too chilly for just a t-shirt. I’ve found that replacing the jacket with the Trail Craft Vest is the perfect solution in those situations. The vest cuts through the wind, keeps me dry, and regulates my body temperature well.

I’ve even worn the Trail Craft Vest on many rides this summer. I typically ride early in the morning, when temperatures can be in the low-50s (sometimes even the high-40s). I stay warm in the vest, packing it away and storing it in my hip pack as the temperature rises with the sun.

And, honestly, my hip pack is where the Trail Craft spends most of its time. It is small enough to keep in there for emergencies. Despite the warmest of summer temps, the occasional thunderstorm can happen, one of which caught me off guard a few weeks ago. As temps dropped and a rain/hail mix began to fall, I was thankful to pull out the Trail Craft Vest from my hip pack as I took cover under a tree. Not only did the vest’s DWR coating help my core stay dry, but I was also able to cover my hip pack to help keep my phone, wallet, and keys dry as well.

The Wolf’s Last Word

I was impressed every time I wore the Patagonia Trail Craft Vest as it solved all the “I wish I were just a little more ____ ” problems I had. I certainly slept on vests before the Trail Craft; no more, it was an absolute game-changer.

Price: $119
Website: Patagonia.com

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ABOUT THE WOLF

The local boy — Travis was born and raised in Bend, OR. Skateboarding consumed his life until his high school years (yes, he can still kickflip), but was replaced by mountain biking…then rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and finally back to mountain biking. After a stint in the big city, Travis returned home, trading a teaching career to be an okay mountain biker and above-average journalist. He is an outspoken 90s grunge fan, cornering poor souls in conversations about the meaning behind the lyrics of Alice In Chains’ “Would.” Most days, Travis hopes to be outside, whether that is on an early morning ride or a hike with his family (the best days include both).

Rank: Contributing Writer
Size: 5’8” / 172cm | 195lbs / 88kg
Social: @travis_reill_writes

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