The Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece is a widely loved fleece for the style and warmth but not necessarily the optimal backcountry option.
Quick Guide
Category: Fleece
Length: Hip
Pockets: 1
Weight: Men's: 14.3 oz / Women's: 12.8 oz
Fabric: Synchilla® 100% recycled polyester fleece
Pros: Cozy, stylish, and affordable.
Cons: More cabin than backcountry.
Best Suited For: Car Camping, Activewear.
Final Verdict: An extremely warm and comfortable fleece that is great for car camping or lounging by the fire.
Part of any successful outdoor clothing layering system is the perfect hiking jacket.
Having the right jacket for a day spent outside is one of the sure-fire ways to have a comfortable day on the trail.
Depending on the climate, season, and activity, you will have specific jacket needs.
In these short hiking jacket reviews, we cover top-rated hiking jackets of varying styles.
Don’t worry, we don’t pick favorites either. We leave that decision up to you.
We’ll give you our honest review of each jacket, including the things we love and what they could have done better.
So let's take a look at the Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece.
Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Review
A widely loved fleece for the style and warmth, the Patagonia lightweight Synchilla Snap-T is recognizable but not necessarily the optimal backcountry trekking fleece option.
It is extremely warm and comfortable, but it lacks many of the necessary features a backcountry fleece jacket requires.
It tends to be a bulky fleece, which is great for lounging by a fire while car camping, but when backpacking, you want a lightweight layer that you can pack down and fit a rain jacket over if needed.
It is quite warm, but it is not waterproof or very windproof.
This fleece should be seen as a luxury fleece jacket, not a fleece worthy of summiting a mountain or trekking across landscapes.
If you want a backcountry fleece, look for one that packs down smaller, fits better, is easy to layer, and is breathable no matter the activity.
Need something more versatile? Check out our guide to Choosing the Right Hiking Jacket.
What We Like
There's a lot to like about this fleece, including:
Extra Cozy
This fleece jacket makes you want to cuddle up next to a warm fire with a cup of tea and a good book. It is cozy, warm, and beyond comfortable.
Stylish
This is one of Patagonia’s most recognizable designs. It is very stylish for a day out around town or even to lounge around with friends.
Affordable
For style and comfort, the price is right on this fleece! It is an affordable jacket, but recognize that it has limited practical outdoor application.
What We Don’t Like
Not Suited for Backcountry
While this is still a stylish fleece widely worn amongst outdoor enthusiasts, it is not well suited for the backcountry. It is more of a cozy cabin fleece than a climb a mountain fleece.
Final Thoughts
The Patagonia lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece is a wildly loved fleece option that is great for lounging by a fire car camping. However, if you are looking for a fleece for trekking there are better lightweight options available.
Check out more hiking jacket reviews.
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