Here’s the Patagonia Gear That’s Thawing Us Out in Spring 2026

What You Need To Know

Havin’ a Spring fling

TAYLOR: Mountains call for more than the typical season’s worth of gear. I know my reality is quite different from the majority, but it’s a good reminder that we can all be prepared for whatever is thrown at us.

Spring and early Summer can be particularly fickle, no matter where you reside. Exhibit A: We had a 74-degree day yesterday, with the potential for a snow dump tomorrow through the weekend. While I often wish to simplify my running gear, it’s just not that easy.

I’ve always focused on maintaining a short list of quality and high-performing pieces. That has apparently morphed my closet into a mini Patagonia gallery, with some other selects. The brand is an easy go-to for its ethos and execution.

Here’s what we’ve received recently, and the many reasons you should look into some Patagonia trail running gear yourself.

SAM: Anyone who knows anything about outdoor gear will tell you that layering with advanced fabrics is the way to approach clothing readiness for fitness and backcountry expeditions. I’ve mostly tried to fight this any way I possibly can. Me, I’m a big fan of the single piece that can cover a broad range of temperatures and scenarios. Simplicity reigns. That, and I just don’t love the bulk of multiple layers.

This was all until I got this year’s Patagonia R1 ultralight hoodie and vest. These two pieces slot perfectly into that single-layer zone but are also ideal for slim, refined layering. They are both wildly thin for the warmth they offer, and fit comfortably either under or over a jacket or baselayer, respectively.

These are the kinds of layers that are so versatile that you might forget you have other options in your closet. With a baselayer, a wind layer, and one of these R1 fleeces, you can attack essentially any weather above 10 degrees and below 50.

The Air Vest is, of course, ideal for layering. But, unless you’re super keen on going vest-only on a day in the low 50s (and believe me, I’ve thought about it because I like this fabric so much), the hoodie is the most versatile of the two.

TAYLOR: Every pair of shorts I have worn from Patagonia has been literally top-notch because of the overall fit and comfortable fabrics. The Traifarer is just the latest to round out the plethora of options they provide.

These felt quite similar to the Patagonia Multi-Trails shorts, except sans liner. These are uber lightweight, flexible, and can easily be worn around town pre- and post-run. I’m fairly particular about liners. So, I appreciate having the experience I would expect from a pair of Patagonia shorts, with the freedom to choose a liner that works for me.

TAYLOR: If I’m honest, a long-sleeve shirt is one of my favorite layers. Make it breathable and protective from the sun’s rays, even better. I’m not one to wear the full-sun hoodie often either.

That’s one of the main reasons I’ve utilized this layer so often as our sunny days continue to grow. The Capilene Cool Sun Shirt features their proprietary blend of soft jersey polyester, knit in a single layer, that provides both sun protection and a breathable layer for temperature regulation while on the run.

A chest pocket brings a stylish flair. Functionally, it could do without it, but I dig the look.

TAYLOR: Say hello to my favorite long-sleeve! It’s the exact same material as my favorite short-sleeved shirt. Imagine that!

What’s to love? Well, it’s the lightest and softest long-sleeve I have worn, made from my favorite material, merino wool. If you need a full rundown on the benefits of merino, check out Robbe’s love letter to the fantastic fiber. In short, it manages everything from temp to stink really well.

Pairing merino wool with Patagonia’s Capilene Cool fibers created a unique blend that is one of the most comfortable and functional pieces of clothing I have ever worn. Even better, the blend completely takes away the potential itch that typically comes with wool.

TAYLOR: Whether running, lounging, or dressing up (mountain business casual to be exact), a little layer action is nice. Because it’s spring but summer is quickly approaching, something lightweight, adaptable, and comfy is ideal. For me, that’s been the Patagonia Nano-Air Light Vest.

Patagonia’s insulated layers (synthetic and natural) are some of the best in the game. They’ve done their homework on body mapping and make precise choices on which filler material is best for certain activities. The Nano-Air Light Vest features a recycled synthetic blend that delivers a punch of warmth while retaining its shape for breathability.

The outer layer is a light, non-abrasive ripstop material that’s finished off with a DWR coating for water repellency. This vest worked equally well for sedentary or highly aerobic activities and packed down inside its pocket when not needed.

This is a layer that travels with me all year because it works so well in both performance and casual settings.

TAYLOR: Like the Nano-Air Light Vest, the Capilene Thermal Hoody is an adaptable garment. While I think it fits best as an “active outdoors” garment, it can still be a solid mid, outer, or even a single layer in cool or truly cold-weather running.

My only gripe with it, specifically for running, was that the front pass-through pocket had a slight bounce if worn as a single layer. Otherwise, it was fantastic!

There are some minor details that make this a power-packed hoody, like the PolarTec fabric it is made out of. Think of an uber-light micro-fleece that breathes fantastically during physical output of any kind. It also plays as a spectacular midlayer for cozying up around the bonfire or late nights of crewing your buds for their audacious ultra goals.

Because spring is such a windshield wiper of a season, this is a layer I’ve worn in all the ways described above, out hiking with the fam, climbing, and a quick, comfy layer to throw on for picking up the kids from school. In all settings, it looks and feels good.

REESE: I can never have enough hoodies or jackets, especially from Patagonia. This hoody isn’t your average, run-of-the-mill hoody from Target. Calling it a hoody doesn’t do it justice. This zip-up with a hood is the perfect companion for springtime, when a chill can linger into the afternoon or creep up early in the evening. The Nano Air hoody felt fitted, but not tight. I was able to move around easily, and a short-sleeve or long-sleeve fit comfortably underneath.

It is on the warmer side if you try to run in it, so it’s perfect for milder activities in cool temps, but if you’re running, you’ll want it to be cold. The R1 Air fleece panels kept me warm without being overly hot. The front of the hoody has DWR coating, providing protection against light rain or wind.

I’ve worn this hoody everywhere. Golfing, horseback riding, dog walks, traveling, and for work. It looks good and polished wherever you wear it.

REESE: Sports bras are tough for me. I have a small chest and need a size small, but for some reason, my rib cage needs a medium. So nothing ever seems to fit right. But the Maipo Mid-Impact Bra is wonderful. I am obsessed with it. The fabric is buttery soft. And I’m talking, butter that has been left on the counter all day soft. I could live in this fabric. If you have a larger chest, this might not be supportive enough for high-impact activities (hence the mid-impact name), but if you have a smaller chest, I found it just fine.

The band around the ribcage didn’t squeeze me, but it didn’t move around. (This is a good thing) I always remove the cups from my bras — I’ve never felt I needed or wanted them. But they are there if you want them, toss ‘em if you don’t. Important to note that if you do remove them, the fabric stretches quite a bit; it’s quite stretchy, so it can be too stretchy after removing the cups. If you want more coverage or less fabric moving around, keep those cups in.

The shape of the bra provides a barely there feel with enough coverage. I felt the underarm fabric was low enough to prevent chafing, and the racerback felt perfect with and without a running pack. No distractions or chafing.

I’ve been using this bra all the time since I received it. Wore it on a four-plus-hour run with a pack and had no problems. I can’t recommend it enough.