10 Can’t-Miss, No-Fail Patagonia Must-Haves

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It's been a long time coming, but Patagonia has kind of positioned itself as one of the American brands. Part of that is its broad appeal everyone from car campers and outdoorspeople, to Silicon Valley bros and progressive-leaning Americans pretty much everywhere. But with a catalog so deep, and customers from all over the fashion spectrum, a lot of regular people are left wondering: What should I actually buy from Patagonia? And how the fuck do I wear it?

Let me answer that second question first. The best way to wear it is as outdoor clothing. The worst way to wear it is as office casual wear, à la the Silicon Valley bros with Google stitched into their puffer vests. Pack a bag and go on a real hike in your Patagonia gear. Or at least wear it to your local park. Don't wear it to the office.

As for what to actually buy from Patagonia, I've never found a good tell-it-to-you-straight definitive list. So, I made one. These are the 10 best things to buy from Patagonia, from technical outdoor gear, to ski accessories, and work clothes.

Baggies Shorts

Was I ever going to start with anything else? You don't need me or some menswear podcasters to tell you how good the 5-inch Baggies are. Just try them for yourself.

Black Hole Duffel Bag 55L

Another market Patagonia has a stranglehold on is the affordable duffel. The Black Hole, in all its various sizes, is the best in the industry. It's got all the pockets and handles you need. Plus, that polyester ripstop is nearly indestructible

Classic Retro-X Fleece Jacket

A classic fleece, but one that can easily make you look like a Salesforce employee. Wear it into the ground and never wear it over a polo or dress shirt, and you should be able to avoid looking like a Silicon Valley guy.

Men's Nano Puff Hoody

Speaking of not looking like a VC guy, don't try to casually wear a Nano Puff around town. It's a tough look to pull off. But when it's bitterly cold, it's a perfect mid-layer. When you're going on a hike where the weather might change, it's a perfect packable jacket.

Hemp Canvas Double Knee Pants

Skip the Carhartt double knees for something a bit more subtle, and even more durable.

Retro Pile Fleece Gaiter

A sheisty for people droping $100 at the farmer's market. (It's actually the perfect gaiter for ski season.)

Storm Shift Jacket

Speaking of ski, Patagonia makes a lot of good gear, but the Storm Shift jacket is the best. Pricey, but the combination of a GORE-TEX shell and a great liner are tough to beat.

Recycled Cashmere Sweater

But the real best-kept secret about Patagonia is that the brand makes incredible knitwear. There's not many options, but every single one is a home-run. This cashmere sweater is the obvious standout.

Recycled Wool-Blend Cable-Knit Sweater

But even this cable knit kicks ass.

Recycled Wool-Blend Sweater

And the wool-nylon blend is the most affordable, easiest to care for option.

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