M10™ Patagonia: Freedom of movement and technicality (TEST)

A few weeks ago, we announced that Patagonia was relaunching itsçhas its mythical minimalist M10 jacket14 years after its first release. Designed for the most demanding alpine adventures, the M10™ shells are thought to accompany practitioners on the most technical terrain. The objective? Eliminate the superfluous to favor mobility, while abandoning the use of eternal chemical substances (PFCs) in their manufacture.

In order to test the M10™ full outfit in real-life conditions, we entrusted the equipment to Perrine Freycon. After several hours in the field, here's her verdict.

Hello everyone! I'd like to start this review with a quick look at the features of the two models tested: a lightweight hardshell jacket and dungarees that offer waterproofing and breathability.

True to the motto that "knowledge is more important than material", the M10™ Storm jacket is a minimalist model, specially designed for mountaineering and manufactured without the intentional addition of PFAS. It's focused on movement and offers a new benchmark in terms of waterproof, breathable protection against the elements. The M10™ Storm Bibs, meanwhile, are waterproof, breathable hardshell overalls designed for mountaineering in the toughest conditions with optimum freedom of movement. They are also PFAS-free.

Both products are made in a Fair Trade Certified™ workshop.

I chose to test the outfit in real-life ice climbing conditions. The month of January lent itself well to this, and the low temperatures were just right. As soon as I put on the suit, what struck me was how light it was, probably lighter than my usual shells. The jacket weighs 280 g, and the pants 266 g.

The jacket is comfortable, even in an XS size. I was able to put it on over my heavy waterfall down jacket without any difficulty. It has two chest pockets, which is very practical, as lower pockets would have been less accessible with the harness.

The pants are surprisingly midway between full overalls and classic pants. The high elastic in the lower back adapts well to the waist. I opted for an XS, my usual size. The fabric at tummy level is original: it forms a kind of bustier with stretch fabric straps, which keep the pants firmly in place. There are no zippers or buttons, so you simply slip the overalls on.

The pants also feature well-positioned thigh pockets that don't get in the way when riding. An anti-abrasion reinforcement is placed inside the bottom of the pants to protect the fabric from possible crampon blows. Zippers allow the bottom to be widened to accommodate mountaineering or ski touring boots, which was perfect for putting on my off-road boots. Please note that the men's model is not available in overalls.

The garment is light and comfortable, so much so that you almost tend to forget it when you're climbing. It follows your movements perfectly, and I never felt limited or restricted during my ascent. All flexibility movements are possible. Even when I go for full extension in a distant movement, I don't end up with my wrist in the air, and that's really nice!

During the ascent, I caught snow from a higher roped party and a gust of wind. The outfit protected me effectively from the wind and cold. That day, it was -10°C, and I wasn't bothered at all by the temperature.

After a day of ice climbing, I've found this to be the perfect outfit for waterfall climbing or mountaineering. I love it when you forget what you're wearing, so you can concentrate fully on your movements, unencumbered by the number of layers, especially at these temperatures.

HIGHLIGHTS : lightness, freedom of movement, technicality, protection and comfort! I particularly appreciate the fact that it contains no PFAS in its manufacture. Patagonia's values set it apart from other outdoor brands.

POINTS FOR IMPROVEMENT Regarding the pants, I'd prefer to be able to adjust the waistband at the sides rather than with an elastic band in the back. In case of fondue the night before 😉. Finally, although it would make the outfit slightly heavier, ventilation zips could be useful depending on the duration of the mountain outing. During my run, I didn't feel the need, but to be tested on a mountaineering outing!

Yes !! Personally, I prefer to invest in shell layers and choose an outfit that lasts over time. One of Patagonia's real strengths is that they guarantee their products for life. I was able to verify this personally and was very satisfied with the after-sales service. So I'd recommend the M10 to anyone who wants a lightweight, comfortable and technical outfit for climbing or mountaineering.

After this waterfall outing, I can't wait to try it out in the mountains. Have a look at my Instagram account to follow the rest of this test.