Every year, technical shells get lighter, more breathable, and more tricked-out with clever features. This year鈥檚 bunch represent a banner year in all departments: Designers have come up with stellar options in pretty much every corner of the category, whether you want a superlight, waterproof shell or a fully featured, alpine-ready shield. These ten women鈥檚 technical shells impressed testers enough to rise to the top of the pile.

The Winners at a Glance: Hardshells

Best Backup Rain Shell: Salewa Pedroc 2.5L PTX Light Jacket

Best Lightweight Backpacking Shell: Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket

Best All-Arounder: Norrona Senja Gore-Tex Active Jacket

Most Comfortable: Columbia Mazama Trail Rain Shell

Most Stylish: Cotopaxi Cielo Rain Trench

Most Bombproof: Maloja TolpeiM

The Winners at a Glance: Softshells

Editor鈥檚 Choice: Crazy Jacket Fly

Best For Trail Running: Montane Featherlite

Most Luxurious Softshell: Mountain Equipment Aerotherm

Best Lined Softshell: Patagonia R1 Cross Strata Hoody

How We Test

Number of Testers: 36

Number of Jackets Tested: 40

Number of Miles Hiked, Biked, and Run: 1,117

Highest Elevation Achieved While Testing: 14,158 feet

Most Consecutive Days of Precipitation: 10 days straight in Anchorage, Alaska

Fastest Wind Weathered: 40 mph in Ram Valley, Alaska

To give this season鈥檚 crop of 40 new hardshells and softshells a workout, we tapped 36 backpackers, trail runners, mountain bikers, hunters, and mountain guides across North and South America. These women spent at least six weeks putting their shells through the paces, from cycling in Jackson, Wyoming to trail running in Vermont鈥檚 Green Mountains to building a cabin in continuous rain in Sitka, Alaska. Testers evaluated key criteria like weatherproofness, breathability, durability, fit, and features, then reported back their hard-won performance details.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan

Missoula, Montana-based Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan is the women鈥檚 shells category manager for 国产吃瓜黑料. She鈥檚 been testing and reviewing technical jackets for 11 years, a gig that has taken her from Turkey to Ireland to Colombia and many points between.

Becca Stubbs

Becca Stubbs has been one of her tried-and-true testers almost as long, and Stubbs鈥檚 recent move to rainy Sitka, Alaska bodes well for her gear reviewing future.

Annette McGivney

Southwest Colorado-based Annette McGivney has decades of gear testing experience and no fear of hiking during monsoon season.

The Reviews: The Best 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Hardshells of 2023

Best Backup Rain Shell: Salewa Pedroc 2.5L PTX Light Jacket ($230)

Weight: 5.3 oz. (w鈥檚 M)
Sizes: XS-XXL
Pros: Superlight and packable, yet breathable
Cons: Small hood, especially with hair in a ponytail; tighter-fitting chest means busty women might need to size up

This shell鈥檚 wispy weight was the first thing to draw our attention. But when our Pacific Northwest tester Ciera Shaver reported off-the-charts breathability, we did a double-take. Many shells in the ultralight, just-in-case category can get swampy, but whether she was hiking in humid, 50-degree weather in Washington鈥檚 San Juan Islands or bike commuting on misty Seattle mornings, 鈥淭his shell kept me dry, but enabled me to still exercise without getting overheated,鈥� said The proprietary 2.5-layer fabric amply fended off precipitation, elastic cuffs kept out drips but were stretchy enough to slide up easily, and the adjustable hem was simple to cinch even while on a bike. While it packs down to tennis ball size, you still get two hand pockets and a full zipper. A few dings: The small, elastic-lined hood doesn鈥檛 reach to the hairline when wearing a ponytail, and though it zips up to just under the nose, doing so makes the hood too tight to wear. The streamlined cut accommodates a light midlayer, but a tighter fit around the shoulders and chest combined with the 12-denier nylon face fabric 鈥渕ade me worried I鈥檇 tear it while biking, though it never did,鈥� Shaver said.

Bottom Line: The Salewa Pedroc is a great pick for active pursuits like trail running, hiking, and cycling. Its weight and packability are ideal for precipitation insurance while backpacking, but it鈥檚 not durable enough for extended or rugged wear.

Best Lightweight Backpacking Shell: Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket ($230)

Weight: 7.4 oz. (unisex large)
Sizes: S-XXL
Pros: Lightweight and protective, with body-mapped fabrics to enhance durability and breathability in key zones
Cons: Unisex fit means smaller bodies are out of luck; tight wrists and small hood

If you like your shells light and diminutive鈥攖his one packs down to the size of a small cantaloupe鈥攜et able to handle backpacking in most weather, the Tushar is a worthy contender. The body-mapped construction pairs a more durable, hydrophobic version of Toray鈥檚 Torain 3D membrane on the back and shoulders to prevent pack strap abrasion, with a more breathable, hydrophilic version of the same membrane on the chest and armpits. The result kept sweat manageable when temps were in the 60s and below (breathability suffers in warmer weather, though pit zips help), while also protecting our tester during a downpour in Colorado鈥檚 Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. 鈥淲hen it was raining hard, I appreciated the long sleeves that covered my hands and the long drape that covered my butt,鈥� said tester , 鈥渢hough I wished for some type of visor on the hood to shield my face.鈥� The supple, 20-denier nylon face fabric is quiet, not rustly, a roomy cut allows for layering, and you get one chest pocket big enough for a smartphone. But the elastic-lined hood 鈥渂arely fits over a ball cap鈥� and elastic cuffs 鈥渙ffer no wiggle room, so I couldn鈥檛 pull up the sleeve to look at my watch,鈥� McGivney reported. Fit note: Unisex sizing means women should size down (get a medium if you normally wear women鈥檚 large), and there are no options for women鈥檚 small or extra-small.

Bottom Line: Weight-conscious hikers and backpackers will like the Outdoor Vitals Tushar for mild to moderate weather, but its small hood and moderate breathability aren鈥檛 ideal for extended rainy days.

Best All-Arounder: Norr酶na Senja Gore-Tex Active Jacket ($549)

Weight: 9.7 oz. (w鈥檚 L)
Sizes: XS-L
Pros: Fully featured yet lightweight; highly protective; very breathable
Cons: Pricey; some awkward features

When you don鈥檛 want to compromise on weather protection, breathability, or weight, the Senja lets you have it all. Its three-layer material with a Gore-Tex Active membrane (Gore鈥檚 lightest option) passed the 鈥渟hovel 4,000 pounds of dirt in the heavy rain鈥� trial for tester 鈥淎fter hours of rain, my clothes were perfectly dry.鈥� It performed just as well on a wet, 50-degree hike to Colorado鈥檚 12,979-foot Mt. Toll, keeping sweat down with the help of pit zips and extra vents: one on the back (with mesh) and two zippered side vents. Features are a mixed bag: Some, like a rump-covering hem and helmet-compatible hood with a sturdy brim, drew cheers. But the small wrist pocket and 鈥渂utt pocket that allows you to sit on your phone鈥� felt awkward, and an internal waist strap (meant to make stowing the shell in its own back pocket convenient) poked uncomfortably under a hipbelt. The streamlined cut fit a couple of thinner layers, and the 20-denier nylon face proved durable over several months of testing. Of course, there is one compromise: It costs as much as a cross-country flight.

Bottom Line: The Norr酶na Senja is a great wet-weather shell for those who want features without too much weight.

Most Comfortable: Columbia Mazama Trail Rain Shell ($230)

Weight: 14.1 oz. (w鈥檚 S)
Sizes: XS-XXL
Pros: Excellent wicking and next-to-skin feel
Cons: Bulky

Kiss that muggy feeling goodbye in this uber-comfortable shell. Not only does the honeycomb lining, made from brushed tricot polyester, feel super-cozy, it also works overtime to banish sweat. 鈥淲hen bushwhacking through thick, wet brush over my head in the Quinault Rainforest, I kept the hood up and pit zips closed,鈥� reported tester Kristen Phillips, a field biologist on Washington鈥檚 Olympic Peninsula. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 feel sweaty at all despite the humid, low-70s temperature.鈥� The raised lining wicked moisture and kept the shell off of her skin. 鈥淓ven in a sleeveless baselayer, I was very dry,鈥� said Phillips. The proprietary 2.5-layer fabric works from the outside in too, of course鈥攊t sheltered her in an hours-long rainforest deluge that completely soaked her softshell pants. The 40-denier nylon face shrugged off scrambles through blackberry and devil鈥檚 club, while the two-way stretchy material provided full mobility. The streamlined cut works best with a thin layer or two underneath, and the longer-cut hem and sleeves are better for taller, long-limbed hikers. You also get a standard set of features: adjustable hood and cuffs, two pockets (ding: the hand pockets sit under a hipbelt), and pit zips. Weight and bulk sit in the middle of the pack.

Bottom Line: Hot-natured hikers and humid-weather explorers, the Columbia Mazama is for you.

Most Stylish: Cotopaxi Cielo Rain Trench ($200)

Weight: 14 oz. (w鈥檚 M)
Sizes: XXS-XXL
Pros: Long cut for extra protection; stretchy; nice price
Cons: Bulky; not very breathable

Maybe your waterproof gear gets the most use when you鈥檙e walking to the subway. Does that mean you need to buy a second jacket for drippy dayhikes? Not with this versatile, trench-cut number, which has the style for everyday use plus the chops for leaving the pavement. The stretchy 2.5-layer fabric (100-percent recycled polyester face) stood up to two days of steady rain and 20-mph winds in Colorado鈥檚 Collegiate Peaks, and the long cut adds warmth and protection without impeding mobility. The fit is spacious: 鈥淲hile backpacking in the Buffalo Creek Wilderness, I comfortably wore the coat with just a t-shirt under it during the day, then added a fleece, vest, and puffy,鈥� said tester 鈥淚 was still able to maneuver to build a fire and retrieve water from a creek.鈥� You get a cinchable hood, waist, and cuffs, plus two huge hand pockets and a freestanding collar for extra wind protection. Tradeoff: Testers steamed up hiking even in 45-degree, windy weather, and there are no pit zips.

Bottom Line: A casual shell that can stretch into wet-weather hikes, the Cotopaxi Cielo isn鈥檛 breathable or packable enough for more than that.

Most Bombproof: Maloja TolpeiM ($599)

Weight: 15.6 oz. (w鈥檚 M)
Sizes: XS-XL
Pros: Burly; breathable; fully featured; four-season
Cons: Heavier; spendy

When your objectives include the windiest, snowiest, highest-elevation destinations, reach for the burliest shell in our test. 鈥淚 got stuck in Puerto Montt, Chile, for a week,鈥� said tester and guide 鈥淚t was raining like crazy with tons of wind, but I was the only one who stayed dry day after day.鈥� Thank the proprietary three-layer fabric, plus storm-ready features like a two-way-adjustable hood (which fits over a helmet), super-high collar, and adjustable cuffs. And though it鈥檚 light and packable enough for summer backpacking鈥攊t smushes to Nalgene size鈥� its 50-percent recycled polyester face also handled shouldering skis on a backcountry tour in the Argentinian Andes. But you don鈥檛 sacrifice breathability: 鈥淚 wore this jacket when bootpacking up couloirs and felt like it was very breathable, and I loved the pit zips,鈥� McNeil reports. More four-season features: four pockets (two chest and two hand) that fit skins or gloves and a medium cut that accommodates winter layers. But all that protection comes at a steep price.

Bottom Line: The Maloja TolpeiM is a shell for heavy-duty backpacking, mountaineering, ski touring, and alpine climbing missions.

The Reviews: The Best 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Softshells of 2023

Editor鈥檚 Choice: Crazy Jacket Fly ($220)

Weight: 1.6 oz. (w鈥檚 S)
Sizes: XS-L
笔谤辞蝉:听Class-leading weight and packability; not clammy; excellent wind protection
颁辞苍蝉:听Few features; fragile fabric

It鈥檚 become cliche to describe ultralight windshells as 鈥渂arely there鈥濃�攁nd if we鈥檙e talking weight alone, that鈥檚 fair enough. But in terms of breathability and comfort, you can definitely tell you鈥檙e wearing the average wind jacket. That鈥檚 why the Jacket Fly, from Italian brand Crazy, impressed us. Despite smushing down to baseball size and weighing less than two ballpoint pens (the lightest on the market, as far as we can tell), this shell鈥檚 most laudable quality is how you don鈥檛 notice it when it鈥檚 on鈥攂ut miss it when it鈥檚 not. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the first windshell 滨鈥檝别 found measurably more comfortable and breathable than the ultralight rainshells in my closet,鈥� said tester Ariella Gintzler, who loved it for backpacking in breezy, low-60s conditions in New Mexico鈥檚 Cibola National Forest and sunny, 50-degree runs near Santa Fe. 鈥淎nd the fabric is incredibly soft and stretchy.鈥� An acrylic resin anti-stick coating on the inside also prevents clamminess. None of that means you鈥檒l sacrifice wind protection: 鈥淒uring a blustery bike ride at 8,000 feet, my core stayed extremely warm,鈥� noted Eastern Sierra tester Lara Kaylor. 鈥淚t was like the wind was just whipping around me but not actually cutting through to my skin.鈥� Features are necessarily spare in a jacket this light, but the elastic-lined hood adds welcome warmth, the elastic cuffs stay in place, and the collar is cut wide enough not to rub against your chin when fully zipped. Note: The 7-denier, 鈥渢issue paper鈥� nylon deserves careful treatment, though we didn鈥檛 rip our samples. It all adds up to one more cliche that鈥檚 actually true, said Gintzler: 鈥淭his thing is so light, tiny, and comfortable, there鈥檚 never a reason to leave it at home.鈥�

Bottom Line: The Crazy Jacket Fly is the best, lightest windshell we鈥檝e seen.

Best For Trail Running: Montane Featherlite Windproof Jacket ($109)

Weight: 3.2 oz. (W鈥檚 M)
Sizes: XXS-XL
Pros: Really is featherlight; great breathability; nice price
Cons: Delicate; few features

Do you own a scale specifically for weighing gear? Then this ultralight windshell should make the cut. And even non-ounce-counters will appreciate the comfortable breeze protection this mandarin orange-sized piece provides. 鈥淚 wore this trail running in Salida, Colorado,鈥� reported tester . 鈥淚t was 43 degrees and sunny, so I assumed I鈥檇 have to take it off, but I kept it on for a 90-minute run and never felt hot,鈥� though it effectively blocked mild to moderate winds. At this weight, features are few: a full zipper, chest pocket that fits a smartphone, a hem cinch, and reflective spots on the back. It鈥檚 slightly stretchy, with a trim fit and long sleeves with partially elastic cuffs that stay in place. The 20-denier nylon with a DWR treatment demands TLC, though we didn鈥檛 manage to tear our sample.

Bottom Line: Ultralight trail runners and fastpackers will appreciate this streamlined windshell, especially if they鈥檙e on a budget.

Most Luxurious Softshell: Mountain Equipment Aerotherm ($280)

Weight: 9.5 oz. (w鈥檚 M)
Sizes: XS-XL
Pros: Great weather protection and breathability; full features; comfortable lining
Cons: Expensive for a softshell

This premium softshell does all the things well. Wind protection is dialed, commented tester Miranda Mosis: 鈥淭his has become my go-to for biking to work in Jackson, Wyoming. Temps are in the 40s, wind speed is 20 to 25 mph, and it does a great job of blocking the wind and keeping me warm.鈥� Details like a full-coverage, rollaway hood (it doesn鈥檛 fit a helmet), long-cut sleeves, and effective water resistance to light rain add to the protection factor. As we鈥檇 expect, breathability is excellent, and a soft, micro-waffle polyester lining 鈥渞eally keeps it from sticking to the skin,鈥� Mosis reported. The 20-denier nylon, double-weave fabric stood up to snaggy sagebrush in the Tetons. You also get three spacious pockets, an adjustable hem, and elastic wrists, and the stretchy material fits several layers underneath. And even with those features and durability, it still packs down to honeydew melon size.

Bottom Line: The Aerotherm is the Glenfiddich of this season鈥檚 softshells, with a matching price tag.

Best Lined Softshell: Patagonia R1 Cross Strata Hoody ($189)

Weight: 10.5 oz. (w鈥檚 S)
Sizes: XXS-XXL
Pros: In warm weather, it鈥檚 a midlayer and softshell in one
Cons: Constricting cuffs

Many jackets claim to work as both midlayers and outer layers. This one actually does. As an outer shell, the DWR-coated, 90-percent recycled polyester, 10-percent spandex double-weave fabric provides excellent wind protection. It kept Colorado tester toasty in 30-mph gusts on top of 14,006-foot Huron Peak. 鈥淢y other body parts were chilled, but my core was warm and comfy with just a short-sleeve wool shirt underneath,鈥� she said. And it was breathable enough to wear from windy days in the mid-30s to sunny, 60-degree hikes, though we did have to unzip for venting at the upper end of the range. But the Cross Strata also served as a comfortable midlayer under a hardshell, thanks to a light-yet-cushy, fleecy zigzag pattern on the inside and ample stretchiness. That flexibility makes it a true multitasker. 鈥淚f temps were above 40 degrees, I don鈥檛 think you鈥檇 need anything extra, like a puffy,鈥� said Mino, who took it backpacking in Wyoming鈥檚 Wind River Range. The feature set includes pack-compatible hand pockets, a chest pocket with extra pouch that鈥檚 perfect for sunglasses, and an elasticized hood that fits well over ponytails and ball caps. Cut is slim, with a shorter hem (not ideal for taller people) and frustratingly tight wrist cuffs.

Bottom Line: Truly versatile enough to earn its 鈥渃rosslayer鈥� moniker, the Patagonia R1 Cross Strata will save space in your pack and your gear closet.

How to Buy Shells

Hardshell vs. Softshell

Your first decision: Do you need a fully waterproof jacket, or would you rather have a bit more breathability and a bit less weather protection? If it鈥檚 the former, buy a hardshell; if the latter, a softshell is for you. Though technical hardshells are getting more breathable by the season, their waterproof membranes will still impede body heat from escaping to some degree. Another significant difference between the two is stretch. Softshells traditionally have a lot more flex to them, making them more comfortable to wear, but there are a handful of truly stretchy hardshells on the market these days as well.

What to Look for in a Hardshell

Durability

Think about what activities you鈥檒l be doing most. If you鈥檙e a hardcore mountaineer, you鈥檒l need a durable shell (check the fabric鈥檚 denier; the higher the number, the tougher it is) with high-quality features like a helmet-friendly hood and large pockets.

Weight

These bombproof shells are clutch in mountain weather, but they鈥檙e the heaviest and among the most expensive available. If you鈥檙e a dayhiker or ultralight backpacker (or just live in a dry climate), a much lighter hardshell will save space and weight in your pack.

Feature Set

Climbing? Make sure your shell fits over your helmet, has a harness-compatible hem and pockets, and enough stretch for you to move freely.

Breathability

Breathability is the major X factor in all hardshells. Different people prefer different technologies, but air-permeable membranes (like NeoShell, Outdoor Research鈥檚 AscentShell, and Pertex Shield Air) and the Gore-Tex family of fabrics are all good bets. Pit zips and long side zips or vents allow you to cool down quickly, no matter the membrane.

What to Look for in a Softshell

Softies are further divided into 鈥渞egular鈥� softshells and windshells. Windshells are the lightest of the light, meant to block wind and add a touch of warmth, and ideal for trail running and dayhiking. More traditional softshells weigh a bit more and often have the same features hardshells do, such as hoods, adjustability, and pockets. They usually provide a decent amount of water resistance, but won鈥檛 save you in a downpour.

When it鈥檚 time to upgrade your gear, don鈥檛 let the old stuff go to waste鈥揹onate it for a good cause and divert it from the landfill. our partner, Gear Fix, will repair and resell your stuff for free! Just box up your retired items,听, and send them off. We鈥檒l donate 100 percent of the proceeds to听.

The post The Best 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Shells of 2023 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Picture Organic Abstral 2.5L ($165)

Most Versatile Hard Shell

If you鈥檙e looking for a solid jacket for most conditions, at less than half the cost of the competition, this is your hard shell. From Appalachian drizzles to Rocky Mountain downpours, the Abstral kept us protected. It offers the full suite of features, including an adjustable hem and cuffs, a helmet-compatible hood, and two zippered hand pockets, and it packs up to the size of a grapefruit in its stow pocket. The catch? The details aren鈥檛 as dialed as they are on more expensive shells. The zippers are finicky, the cuff-adjustment strips are uncomfortably stiff, and the hood struggles to stay up over a ponytail. The 2.5-layer construction kept us comfortable on a rainy run in Montana, but got steamy backpacking on steep stretches of Virginia鈥檚 Appalachian Trail in the sixties. But these are annoyances, not deal-breakers. You get enough stretch to move freely, and the polyester interior feels smooth, not sticky, on bare arms. As for eco cred, the Abstral鈥檚 polyester face fabric is 46 percent recycled, and the DWR is PFC-free. 13.8 oz (men鈥檚 S鈥揦XL) / 10.5 oz (women鈥檚 XS鈥揦L)

Goldwin Fast Shell Light ($290)

Most Breathable Hard Shell

Despite what ads tell you, no waterproof shell is completely breathable鈥攂locking water requires some impediments to vapor transfer. The best jackets simply minimize that compromise. The Fast Shell Light does just that with Pertex鈥檚 new, air-permeable Shield Air fabric, which has a membrane made of randomly assorted nanofibers. The fibers crisscross each other, forming tiny pores that allow air to escape directly (unlike membranes that allow only moisture vapor to pass through, like Gore-Tex). It was the most breathable material we tested this year. That, plus the ultralight nylon face and lining fabrics, kept us from overheating, even on tough slogs. 鈥淲hile hiking a ridge in Gatineau Park with my toddler on my back in 40-degree weather, I was happy I could keep the elements off me without getting soggy inside,鈥� said a Canadian tester. Still, we stayed dry in a three-hour downpour at Mont Tremblant National Park, helped by the hem, cuffs, and nonadjustable hood鈥攏ot bad for a jacket that fits inside a coffee mug. Boo: no women鈥檚 version. 5.9 oz (men鈥檚 S鈥揦L)

Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic ($200)

Best All-Around Hard Shell

The Stretch Ozonic lives at the nexus of price, performance, durability, and light weight. Its three-way adjustable hood (not helmet-compatible) amply covers the head and zips over the chin, but is small enough to remain unobtrusive when not in use. You also get a chest pocket big enough for light gloves, plus two mesh-lined hand pockets and a cinchable hem and cuffs, all in a package that smushes down to the size of a large tomato. The 50-denier, 100 percent recycled polyester fabric has a PFC-free DWR and feels soft, not plasticky. One tester appreciated its stretchiness on a scrambly, brushy traverse from Lilian Lake to Ribbon Lake in the Canadian Rockies and found that it held up without a tear. And the 2.5-layer proprietary construction sheltered us from all-day rain on Pennsylvania鈥檚 Bucktail Path and wind-driven drizzle on the shores of Lake Erie. The moderate fit worked well with multiple layers underneath, and the longer cut of the sleeves and hem kept drips out while biking. 11.3 oz (women鈥檚 XS鈥揦L) / 10.9 oz (men鈥檚 S鈥揦XL)

Marmot Precip Pro 3L ($150)

Best Value Hard Shell

When the going got tough, this shell kept going, without hurting our wallets. One New Hampshire tester brushed its 75-denier polyester face through poky young evergreens, shouldered an ax, and sawed branches while doing trail work on Mount Moosilauke. 鈥淣o signs of wear at all,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 confident wearing it for bushwhacking through thick brush.鈥� Weather protection is equally bombproof. We stayed dry in full-day rains, thanks to an adjustable hood, effective storm flaps over the zippers, and a cinchable hem that turned back cold White Mountain winds. That toughness comes with a breathability tax. Marmot鈥檚 three-layer NanoPro material 鈥渇elt a bit steamy on a drizzly, 60-degree trail run in Massachusetts鈥檚 Middlesex Fells Reservation,鈥� said a tester. Though, pit zips do help. We loved the relaxed fit, which accommodates a puffy underneath, and the plentiful features, including smooth-running zippers, adjustable cuffs, and large chest pockets that swallow gloves. The whole package rolls down to the size of a water bottle. 14 oz (men鈥檚 S鈥揦XL) / 13 oz (women鈥檚 XS鈥揦L)

Adidas Terrex Agravic Pro Windweave ($170)

Lightest Soft Shell

This soft shell is about as close as you can get to an invisible wind-blocking force field. The Agravic Pro weighs as much as a couple of string cheeses and packs to tennis-ball size, yet it held its own against gusts up to 30 miles per hour. It was all that one tester needed to keep going comfortably when the wind kicked up halfway through a trail run in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The shell鈥檚 woven material combines two different densities of nylon, with a more air-permeable weave on the torso, upper arms, and shoulders. The combo jettisoned our tester鈥檚 body heat on days into the forties, though we felt clammier when temps and humidity climbed. The DWR kept one Sedona, Arizona, mountain biker dry in a 15-minute shower, but we probably wouldn鈥檛 push it beyond that. Adidas somehow managed to cram a few features into 2.7 ounces, too, like a head-hugging hood and asymmetrical (read: no chin rub) half-length chest zipper that鈥檚 great for venting. The lightweight, 10- and 30-denier fabric needs TLC, but it stood up to daypack straps and brushes against pi帽on branches without visible wear. 2.5 oz (women鈥檚 XS鈥揦L) / 2.7 oz (men鈥檚 S鈥揦XL)

Rab Windveil Pull-On ($100)

Most Breathable Soft Shell

For highly aerobic days spent trail running, mountain biking, and steep hiking, we reached for this 眉berlight, super-stretchy shell. 鈥淚t prevented me from getting swampy, protected me from the occasional drizzle, and kept the wind bearable on the cooler summit,鈥� reported one tester after a 16-mile, 50-degree hike outside Jackson, Wyoming. Polyester mesh jersey fabric on the upper back, sides, and armpits proved highly effective at moving heat even under backpacks and running vests. That鈥檚 helped by the deep, half-zip front, which has a snap closure that keeps the shell鈥檚 chest panels from flapping around in the breeze when you have it unzipped for ventilation. The Windveil鈥檚 trim, body-hugging cut moved with us and fit best over just a T-shirt or base layer, and it packs down to peach size. Trade-off: there鈥檚 no hood, but you get an inner pocket that fits a smartphone or headlamp, a cinchable hem, and half-elastic cuffs that are cut long over the hands for extra protection against the elements. The 20-denier nylon fabric on the main body keeps weight down, yet we suffered no snags when running on overgrown trails. 4.1 oz (men鈥檚 S鈥揦XL) / 3.5 oz (women鈥檚 S鈥揦L)

Montane Krypton Hoodie ($155)

Warmest Soft Shell

Cozy doesn鈥檛 often come to mind when you think of shells, but that鈥檚 exactly what testers said about this extra-comfortable jacket. The polyester-elastane fabric is woven to be smooth on the outside and brushed on the inside, and it kept us warm into the low forties on day hikes, bike rides, belay sessions, and camping trips. 鈥淭he fuzzy lining and warm, fleecy pockets felt so inviting on early-morning hikes,鈥� said a tester. 鈥淎nd the hood was so cozy to pull up while camping in Washington鈥檚 Twanoh State Park.鈥� Trade-off: all that fluff means it鈥檚 heavy, bulky (packing down a little smaller than a football), and not breathable enough for intense exercise. But it鈥檚 perfect for mellow activities in cool or variable weather. The DWR-treated fabric shed drizzle for 45 minutes along Washington鈥檚 Hood Canal and blocked gusts up to 30 miles per hour at Snoqualmie Pass. We particularly liked how the helmet-compatible hood鈥檚 wired brim kept rain out of our eyes. You also get two hand pockets, a chest pocket, and a high collar that seals out breezes. The cut is trim and short, so consider sizing up to wear it with more than a base layer. 15.9 oz (women鈥檚 XS鈥揦L) / 18.9 oz (men鈥檚 S鈥揦XL)

Mountain Equipment Firefox ($475)

Best Alpine Hard Shell

Whether we were perched on Liberty Bell in the North Cascades, descending from the Grand Teton in a thunderstorm, or hiking Alaska鈥檚 Eagle Peak in a deluge, we were always glad to have this shell. It proved impenetrable to precipitation, and it struck the ideal balance of mobility, toughness, and packability for above-treeline exploits. The Firefox鈥檚 smart design features shine in the alpine: hand pockets sit above a harness and hipbelt, articulated sleeves and a longer-than-average hem let us reach freely without hiking it up, and the three-way-adjustable hood fits over streamlined helmets. Caveat: the hood was too small for one tester to belay comfortably, and the trim fit works best over a base layer and light midlayer. The 30-denier nylon face shrugged off granite scraping, and the latest Gore-Tex Active membrane (one of Gore鈥檚 lighter, more breathable offerings) plus 11-inch-long pit zips (on the men鈥檚 jacket) give above-average breathability. 鈥淲inds were gusting at 30 miles per hour with temps in the thirties as we left the saddle of the Grand Teton at 9,000 feet,鈥� reported one tester. 鈥淓ven then, this jacket kept me protected and comfortable.鈥� 9.9 oz (women鈥檚 8鈥�16) / 11.6 oz (men鈥檚 S鈥揦XL)

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The first ski jacket I ever owned was an anorak, a pullover shell with a three-quarter zip down from the collar and a big kangaroo pocket on the front. I loved it. It was bright and two-toned and captured a specific period of ski fashion that can only be summarized as 鈥渓oud and of questionable taste.鈥� Ah, the early 鈥�90s.听

Anoraks disappeared from the ski fashion landscape at some point later that decade. They were all the rage for a few years, and then suddenly they were gone, replaced by jackets that鈥攇et this鈥攝ipped all the way down. It鈥檚 as if the world collectively decided that anoraks weren鈥檛 the best option for performance. And the world was right. Pulling your shell over your head is a pain in the ass, especially if you鈥檙e wearing a helmet. Ditching one large pocket for several smaller pockets makes sense if you鈥檙e stashing a phone, wallet, a flask, and a burrito. Maybe the advent of the jacket was spurred by our need to carry more stuff. Who knows.

So I was shocked to see anoraks come back into vogue in the past few years. I lost count of the number of park rats and groms wearing the three-quarter-zip outer layer during a recent ski trip to Tahoe. But it鈥檚 not just kids; watch the latest Warren Miller film and you鈥檒l spot . Most major ski brands offer at least one anorak in their lineups this season, and a handful of more freeski-oriented companies carry a few different options. Volcom outfitted the in a pretty sick one this year. Picture Organic Clothing keeps adding more anoraks to its lineup: 鈥淚t鈥檚 an interesting style, because its origin dates back to over a century ago, but we consider the anorak to be modern and young,鈥� says Julien Durant, the brand鈥檚 co-founder. 鈥淲e like the fact that it can be put on like a sweater and that they have a stylish look for apr猫s or winter days around town.鈥�

Some of those new anoraks look a lot like the shell I loved back in the day: loud, built to stand out in a crowd. And I have to admit, I want one. More specifically, I want to wear my old anorak again. It鈥檚 long gone now鈥攄onated or lost in one of my moves across the country.听

Like all nostalgic urges, I鈥檓 not actually yearning for the thing itself; I鈥檓 yearning for the stage of life I was experiencing when I had that thing. Middle-aged men who buy the same convertible Mustang they drove during their senior year of high school don鈥檛 actually want the car itself鈥攖hey want to be prom king again. They want to throw touchdowns and go to the state finals one more time. So do I really want that anorak back, or do I want a piece of my youth back? Sigh.听

For a minute, I convinced myself not to pursue my anorak urges because I don鈥檛 want to be that old guy wearing his high school letter jacket. But I was in Jackson Hole recently, and a friend, who鈥檚 in her forties, raved about her new ($269), and there wasn鈥檛 a nostalgic sentiment in her reasoning. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the kangaroo pocket,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want a layer without a kangaroo pocket.鈥澨�

There鈥檚 something special about being able to hold hands with yourself inside the warmth of a womb-like front pocket. It鈥檚 comforting. It鈥檚 not just nostalgia driving this resurgence鈥攖here is something to the design.听

has been a pro freeskier for more than 20 years, so he鈥檚 seen a few ski trends come and go. This season, he鈥檚 rocking ($799). I asked him why, and he swears the anorak is a better layer for skiing than a jacket. 鈥淚t has features for skiing I love, like the vent in the front with a long two-way zipper, full pit venting on both sides, and extra length in the back to cover your bum. Try this anorak on a harsh day outside and compare it to a normal jacket, and you will see why I choose it.鈥澨�

He鈥檚 on to something: the fewer seams and zippers there are for water to get through on the front of your jacket, the more likely you are to stay dry. And the anoraks made today are nothing like my shell from the 鈥�90s. I don鈥檛 even think mine was waterproof. The kangaroo pocket didn鈥檛 even zip shut. Its Velcro closures never stuck. But N忙ss insists that today鈥檚 tops are loaded with the best tech. His enthusiasm convinced me to give the ($399) a go. I like the retro two-tone design, the partial-zip front, hood, and kangaroo pocket. It鈥檚 everything I loved about my old one, only this layer has a ripstop Cordura face that鈥檚 windproof, water-resistant, and tough enough to handle tree skiing. The shoulders, cuffs, and lower torso have an extra waterproof layer, so it can handle a snowstorm or series of falls. The whole thing is insulated with Primaloft鈥檚 synthetic Gold Aerogel, which is crazy light and warm. In addition to the kangaroo pocket, you get one for your phone and two on your chest.

After wearing the Lofoten for a week in Tahoe and a few days around my local hills in the southern Appalachians, I鈥檓 convinced that the anorak is back, and it鈥檚 not just my overdeveloped sense of nostalgia. The anorak might be the best of yesterday and today blended into one layer. Is it perfect? No, you still have to pull the thing over your head. But I think the kangaroo pocket tips the scale in its favor.

The post The Anorak Is Everything We Love About 鈥�90s Ski Fashion appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Baffled by the sheer number of technical outer layers on the market? Most fall into one of six categories. Cover them all and you鈥檒l be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws your way.

Hard Shell

The workhorses of the gear closet, hard shells are extremely waterproof but typically let some heat escape. There are three main designs. A three-layer jacket sandwiches a waterproof-breathable membrane between an outer fabric and a lining for maximum protection and durability. A 2.5-layer uses a raised print instead of a lining. And a two-layer opts for a separate mesh liner, sacrificing weight and comfort for cost savings.

Our Pick: The three-layer Arc鈥檛eryx Beta LT ($399) suits almost every outdoor endeavor, thanks to a Gore-Tex membrane, a protective hood, and pit zips for extra ventilation.

Tech Talk: What鈥檚 that 10,000/10,000 rating on the jacket鈥檚 hang tag? The first number indicates waterproofness, measured in millimeters of liquid (ranging from 5,000 for water-resistant to 20,000 for stormproof). The second denotes vapor permeability, also known as breathability鈥攆rom 5,000 grams for high to 20,000 grams for minimal.

Lightweight Puffy

A thin insulated jacket is key for mild weather, be it alpine summer nights or above-freezing winter days in the desert. Lightweight puffies have less fill and more-delicate fabrics, which makes them soft and packable.

Our Pick: With 1,000-fill down, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL ($375) delivers maximum warmth at minimal weight.

Tech Talk: Fill power refers to down鈥檚 loft to weight ratio. Take two jackets of the same weight; the one with higher-fill down will be warmer because it offers more insulation per feather. It鈥檚 an indication of down quality, not quantity.

Note: If you know you鈥檒l be standing still for a while, put your puffy on right away rather than waiting until you feel cold. It鈥檒l help keep your body temperature stable and avoid forcing you to work hard to warm back up.

Active Midlayer

Down fill loses its ability to hold in warmth when it gets wet. That makes it a poor choice for sweaty activities. Thankfully, an array of new active insulations excel at managing sweat while keeping you toasty. Most are formed into sheets of gauzy padding (rather than loose plumes that require baffles to stay in place) and offer some stretch for freedom of movement.

Our Pick: The soft, stretchy 颅Patagonia Nano-Air ($249) acts like a dehumidifier during high-颅output cold-weather activities.

Tech Talk: Insulation鈥檚 air permeability is measured in cubic feet per minute. Higher numbers represent better breathability. Windproof fabrics measure one CFM or less.

Heavyweight Puffy

These cold-weather toasters are what you wear if you鈥檙e not generating body heat through movement, like when you鈥檙e lounging in camp or lingering on a chilly summit. Goose or duck down provides the warmest, lightest, most compressible insulation. But because moisture is down鈥檚 kryptonite, synthetic fill can be optimal in rainy climates.

Our Pick: The Rab Neutrino Pro Down ($375) boasts hydrophobic 800-fill down to preserve loft in damp conditions.

Tech Talk: Baffles keep fill from 颅migrating. Stitch-through construction is lighter and cheaper but creates cold spots along the seams. Welded baffles help solve this problem.

Soft Shell

Thicker, stretchier, and more breathable than hard shells, soft shells sacrifice some waterproofness for better moisture management and a suppler feel. They fend off light rain but not sustained downpours, so they鈥檙e better for dry, breezy climes than for soggy rainforest hikes.

Our Pick: The Black Diamond Dawn Patrol ($199) blends nylon, polyester, and elastane into a tough four-way-stretch fabric that blocks gusts while retaining range of motion.

Tech Talk: Denier numbers indicate fiber thickness. High-denier yarns (50 to 90) sacrifice compressibility for durability. Finer, 10- to 20-denier yarns do the opposite.

Note: Unless all-day downpours are expected, you probably don鈥檛 need to bring a hard shell. Many soft shells are sufficiently water-颅resistant to protect against brief showers and offer both wind protection and breathability.

Wind Shell

Tissue-thin nylon windbreakers buffer against squalls and precipitation without totally blocking either. They鈥檙e ideal for short-term weather exposure while trail running or scrambling along a wind-raked ridgeline. Minimal weight and low bulk are key鈥攎ost of the time, this jacket will stay in your pack. But when deployed, it offers 颅comfort-saving protection.

Our Pick: With perforated under颅-arm ventilation and exceptionally 颅breath颅able fabric, the Backcountry Mad Creek ($110) shields while minimizing clamminess when you鈥檙e moving fast.

Tech Talk: Durable water-repellent (DWR) coatings traditionally use long-chain (C8) fluorocarbons to make rain bead up and slide off. Newer, less toxic alternatives use short-chain (C6) finishes or skip fluorocarbons altogether.

The post The Only 6 Jackets Your Gear Closet Needs appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Black Diamond TreeLine Rain Shell ($129)

Making a cheap waterproof jacket is easy鈥攁fter all, any trash bag can keep you dry. What鈥檚 hard is engineering one that鈥檚 also breathable and doesn鈥檛 cost more than a month鈥檚 groceries. The TreeLine achieves all that at a backpacking-friendly weight. It鈥檚 simply the shell most of us need. The proprietary waterproof membrane and PFC-free Bluesign-approved DWR repelled precipitation just as well as spendier shells. Meanwhile, a sweat-dissipating slit across the upper back and two hand pockets (plus a chest pocket on the men鈥檚 version) that double as vents boost airflow above most budget options. One tester 鈥渂arely felt damp after 2,500 feet of uphill.鈥� We also love the fit, which is comfortably trim yet retains enough range of motion for testers to freely extend their arms. It even has a helmet-compatible hood. And, the whole thing packs into its own pocket, yielding a five-by-six-inch parcel. The caveat: Black Diamond used a 2.5-layer construction, which saves dollars but sacrifices some waterproof durability. That matters for those who routinely experience extended exposure to torrential rain. For the rest of us鈥攖hat is, mostoutdoorists鈥攖he TreeLine is brilliant. 10 oz (men鈥檚) / 9 oz (women鈥檚)

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Fj盲llr盲ven Abisko Lite Trekking ($235)

Best for 国产吃瓜黑料 Travel

Here鈥檚 the jacket you need for trips that toggle between city and trail. The fabric, a blend of recycled polyester and cotton treated with a wax-based water repellent, feels more like performance denim than plasticky tech material. That comfort hides under a clean, urban design. But in testing, the Abisko Lite also blocked 40-mile-per-hour wind and rain鈥攕urprising storm chops for a non-waterproof shell. Zippered side vents and thin stretch panels under the arms and across the back dump enough heat to avoid clamminess, while a drawcord hem, an adjustable hood, and backpack-compatible pockets round out the hike-ready feature set. Still, at about a pound, it鈥檚 light enough to stow in your carry-on luggage. 1.09 lbs (men鈥檚) / 15 oz (women鈥檚)听

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Patagonia Storm10 ($300)

Best for Packing Light

Even at $300, the Storm10 makes an impressive value proposition: sustainable ultralight construction with a durable three-layer design. For starters, its nylon fabric is 100 percent recycled and sewn in a Fair Trade鈥揷ertified factory. Second, and most important, it performs. Our Canadian tester deemed the shell 鈥渢otally stormproof鈥� after staying dry through sideways rain on Vancouver Island鈥檚 west coast. 鈥淭he hood fit well without blocking visibility, and it kept droplets off my face effectively,鈥� he said. A thin seven-denier liner yields incredible breathability, perfect for strenuous backpacking, climbing, and even running, which is something few three-layer shells can claim. Plus, it鈥檚 packable enough to please the gram-obsessed. 8 oz (men鈥檚) / 7 oz (women鈥檚)听

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Arc鈥檛eryx Atom SL Anorak ($209)

Best for Summer Nights

Arc鈥檛eryx鈥檚 Atom jackets are as much a part of the outdoor uniform as Blundstones and flannel, but they鈥檝e always been a bit too warm for summer. So in 2016, the brand launched the SL, a lightweight version that boasts 40-gram fill instead of 60 (none at all in the hood), with thin, stretchy, fleece side panels that boost breathability. It鈥檚 just insulated enough to cut the chill of a 45-degree morning and retains the weather-deflecting, nylon exterior the Atom is so well loved for. This year鈥檚 new anorak silhouette weighs less than ten ounces and provides the same technical benefit of its predecessor but with the feel of a pullover sweatshirt and a deep front zip for dumping tons of heat fast. It鈥檚 the midlayer we鈥檙e taking on every summer camping trip. 8.6 oz (men鈥檚) / 8.1 oz (women鈥檚)

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Backcountry Mad Creek ($110)

Best for Mixed Conditions

More breathable than a wind shell and lighter than most soft shells, the Mad Creek is just right for moving fast in changing weather. The secret is Pertex Quantum Air fabric, a half-recycled open-weave nylon that鈥檚 stretchy, lightweight, highlyair permeable, and treated with DWR. Perforated underarm vents bolster the material鈥檚 inherent breathability. The result all but blocked an icy wind and kept a tester comfy in steady drizzle in temperatures ranging from 30 to 55 degrees, even when worn over nothing more than a long-sleeve tee. Bonus: the quiet fabric suits trail running, and the hood stows in the collar. The whole thing also packs into its pocket and clips to a climbing harness. 5.5 oz (men鈥檚) / 5.1 oz (women鈥檚)

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Norr酶na Falketind Gore-Tex ($469)

Best for Long Downpours

In truly wet conditions, be it a choppy boat ride or a three-day trip with four inches of deluge, we reach for the Falketind jacket over all others. The recycled Gore-Tex membrane is bomber, but this shell鈥檚 true superiority is its fit. The pockets sit high, out of the way of pack straps, and the cuffs extend halfway down over the backs of the hands, which helps keep your mitts warm and dry. We also love the hip-length cut that sheds water away from the midriff, the extra-high collar, and the adjustable hood. 鈥淐inched up, I had everything but my eyes covered,鈥� noted one tester. The 30-denier fabric perfectly straddles the line between summertime lightness and burly enough for year-round use. 14.5 oz (men鈥檚) / 13 oz (women鈥檚)

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The North Face Flight Lightriser Futurelight ($300)

Best for Wet Aerobic Pursuits

The Lightriser is made for endurance athletes who get out on the trail no matter the forecast. It starts with the North Face鈥檚 electro-spun Futurelight membrane, which we鈥檝e found better than Gore-Tex for breathability and nearly as good for water resistance. 鈥淎n hour of running in sideways rain and I鈥檓 just a little sweaty,鈥� reported an incredulous tester. It鈥檚 impressive for a shell that鈥檚 just over six ounces, since weight savings often sacrifice ventilation. The cut鈥� cropped in front and longer in back鈥攊s not ideal for hiking, but we love it for trail running, mountain biking, and fitness paddling. It鈥檚 an aerobic junkie鈥檚 foul-weather bestie. 7 oz (men鈥檚) / 6.3 oz (women鈥檚)

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Mountain Equipment Kryos ($575)

Every year there鈥檚 one jacket that just feels better than the others. When that jacket also boasts impressive design and tech, it鈥檚 an easy pick for our top honors. This season we found our holy grail in the 眉ber-toasty Kryos summit parka, which is insulated with 234 grams of lofty, responsibly sourced 800-fill down. It gains a surprising amount of additional warmth from a 颅dual-layer system: traditional down baffles hide under an external shell fabric, which reduces the heat loss that often happens through the stitching holes of typical down coats. The external ten-denier layer is super light yet provides impressive wind and water resistance. The cuffs, hem, and hood are lined with the same fabric, helping retain insulating loft in those moisture-prone zones. Large hand, chest, and interior drop pockets for stashing tools, snacks, and gloves keep essentials easily accessible. Our favorite detail? The plump sleeping-bag-style draft tubes behind the zipper and around the face that seal in critical heat and help make the Kryos, in the words of one tester, 鈥渢he comfiest coat 滨鈥檝别 ever worn.鈥� We became convinced of its superiority on a below-zero day on Jackson Hole鈥檚 Mount Glory. Instead of hunkering down behind a stand of trees on the summit to escape the biting wind, we cinched the hood and admired the view. 1.3 lbs (men鈥檚) / 1.2 lbs (women鈥檚)

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Flylow Baxter ($325)

Best Street/Slope Crossover Puffy

Equal parts stylish, cozy, and technical, this versatile down coat came along for a two-week ski trip to France. Stuffed with 800-fill responsible down, the Baxter (and the women鈥檚 Kenzie) was warm enough to throw on over a T-shirt for a chilly predawn croissant run. After, the powder skirt, helmet-颅compatible hood, and pit zips performed beautifully for a day of groomer skiing. The shoulder patches, made of 颅75-denier poly-nylon, aren鈥檛 there just for western style; they鈥檙e waterproof, too, adding protection against drizzle, shouldered skis, or spilled beer. The rest of the coat features a 50-denier shell fabric that鈥檚 light enough to preserve a top-notch warmth-to-weight ratio. 1.3 lbs (men鈥檚)/1.5 lbs (women鈥檚)听

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Rab Khroma Kinetic ($350)

Best Shell on a Budget

With impressively stretchy fabric and design features tailored to alpine endeavors, the Kinetic is built for an athletic approach to the mountains. A two-way front zipper allows easy access to your harness and belay device, while the long hem and tall collar offer protection from blowing snow, windy ski runs, and cold chairlift rides. When temperatures rise or you start to work up a sweat, zippered openings on the chest and biceps create a cross-ventilation system, channeling cool air through the jacket, across your torso to dump heat. Best of all, the brand鈥檚 in-house 颅waterproof-breathable fabric performed just as well as ones used in jackets that cost twice as much. 1.2 lbs (men鈥檚) / 1.0 lbs (women鈥檚)

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Sponsor Content
Black Diamond Recon Stretch Ski Shell ($399)

Uncompromising skiers need a stretchy shell for the skintrack and a burly shell for the resort, right? Not anymore. In the Recon Stretch, BD has created a Have Your Cake And Eat It Too kind of outer layer: four-way stretch fabric is mated to a waterproof-breathable membrane, balancing comfort and protection, while generous pit zips and a removable powder skirt adapt to the terrain and weather.

Houdini Lana ($700)

Best Street/Slope Crossover Shell

Apparel designers have used wool to make stylish urban winter coats for centuries. Here at last is one that鈥檚 light and packable enough for the mountains. The 100 percent merino Lana is stretchy, breathable, and densely woven for natural water repellency without chemical coatings. It鈥檚 also biodegradable (the brand estimates this takes one year after disposal, as long as zippers and toggles are removed) and supple, a plus for those who avoid crinkly shells. A long drop tail makes it water-resistant enough for all-day storm skiing. And with its simple 颅three-pocket design (one on each side, one on the chest), it remains practical yet still sharp enough to turn heads at the bar. 1.5 lbs (men鈥檚) / 1.5 lbs (women鈥檚)

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Spyder Sanction GTX ($750)

Best Ski Shell

Spend this much on a ski jacket and you expect to be dazzled. The Sanction (and women鈥檚 Solitaire) delivers, starting with a new highly breathable version of Gore-Tex鈥檚 waterproof Pro fabric, the most durable in the textilemaker鈥檚 line. The shoulders and upper back feature a version of Pro that鈥檚 tuned for enhanced stretch. Burly elastic keeps the removable powder skirt in place better than most, and wide interior pockets accommodate the big skins most powder hounds carry. On the collar of the Solitaire, a perforated eight-inch gusset unzips to let breath escape even when you鈥檙e fully bundled. And the jacket鈥檚 weight is minimal for its class, so it excels in-bounds and out. 1.5 lbs (men鈥檚) / 1.6 lbs (women鈥檚)

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Ortovox Piz Bo猫 ($270)

Best Active Insulation

When you鈥檙e exercising hard in freezing conditions, this lightly insulated jacket negotiates a happy truce between hot and cold. The primary peacekeeper is wool, which maintains a steady microclimate across a broad temperature range. Under the arms, this comes in the form of stretch-woven merino that stayed stink-free through an entire season. Everywhere else, a thin layer of wool fill provides just-right warmth for activities like skate skiing and fat biking. Unzipping the nylon-lined chest pockets funnels in cool air when you need it. An ultralight recycled-颅polyester shell and scuba-style hood fend off icy gusts, and the PFC-free DWR handled brief sessions of light drizzle. 11.7 oz (men鈥檚) / 10.4 oz (women鈥檚)

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Arc鈥檛eryx Trino SL Anorak ($225)

Best Soft Shell

When even the most minimal insulation feels too stifling, we reach for Arc鈥檛eryx鈥檚 new soft shell pullover. (The men鈥檚 version is a full zip.) The thin 颅polyester-lined nylon blend is ideal for running and nordic skiing, and packs down enough to stash in a fanny pack when the mercury rises. Across the chest and arms, windproof Infinium鈥擥ore-Tex鈥檚 non-颅waterproof fabric鈥攔epels chilling gales. Gauzy stretch panels under the arms and across the back dump heat. A drawcord keeps the rollaway hood in place, and the cuffs extend over the backs of the hands for extra weatherproofing. This is no rain jacket, but it kept testers dry through nuking snowstorms. 12 oz (men鈥檚) / 10.2 oz (women鈥檚)

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Black Diamond HighLine Stretch ($299)

Waterproofing, breathability, durability, packability, 颅comfort, 颅颅颅sustain颅ability颅鈥攜ou鈥檙e lucky if your jacket has a few of these attributes. The HighLine has them all. Most notable is the PFC- and palm-oil-free DWR treatment from Green Theme Technology. Unlike most DWRs, the process uses no water, and it鈥檚 applied at the fiber level, making it more permanent than topical coatings. It also firms up the jacket鈥檚 individual fibers. We tested the HighLine by bushwhacking uphill in the rain for three hours, followed by a hose-down. It came through without a scratch or a leak. That said, the jacket doesn鈥檛 feel like armor. Its durable three-layer construction is comfortable, with light, stretchy 30-denier nylon and a 颅jersey-knit lining that feels like a well-worn tee. But what we noticed most was the breathability颅. With the pit zips cracked we never overheated, even during a week of soggy, 70-degree hikes in Kauai. Weighing less than 13 颅ounces鈥攍ight for such a bomber shell鈥攁nd scrunching down to grapefruit size, it鈥檚 the whole package. 12.7 oz (men鈥檚) / 10.7 oz (women鈥檚)

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Rab Phantom Pull-On ($200)

Best Lightweight Rain Jacket

From wet hikes on the Olympic Peninsula to dry, windy mountain runs in the Canadian Rockies, we took the Phantom everywhere. This shell is too packable not to. Better: it protects far beyond its 3.2-ounce weight. We stayed dry in 30-minute downpours and all-day drizzles. Credit the impressively breathable and stretchy 2.5-layer waterproof fabric, taped seams, fitted hood, and extra-long sleeves. Of course, this weight class demands penance: no pockets, only a quarter zip, and no wrist or hem adjustments. But those are worthwhile trade-offs for one of the lightest rain shells we鈥檝e tested. 3.2 oz

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L ($149)

Best Eco-Shell

Green-gear skeptics changed their tune after testing this waterproof jacket, which was re颅颅designed for 2020 to prove that sustainability needn鈥檛 compromise performance or affordability. Sewn in a Fair Trade鈥撀璫ertified factory, the Torrentshell is made from recy颅cled nylon, with a waterproof-breathable mem颅brane that鈥檚 13 percent plant based. The three-layer construction is more durable than its 2.5-layer predecessor. Still, as with Torrentshells of old, it鈥檚 breathable (pit zips help), a high collar and brimmed hood seal out showers, and there are hand pockets for snacks. It鈥檚 heavier and less packable than the Rab, but it also costs less, and the 50-denier fabric is tougher. 13.9 oz (men鈥檚) / 12.5 oz (women鈥檚)听

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Elevenate Motion Down ($250)

Best Summer Insulation

Sometimes you want a jacket that feels cuddly. Enter the Motion, which is stuffed with enough 750-fill down, plus synthetic loft at the shoulders, to keep our tester cozy on 40-degree mornings in Montana鈥檚 Beaverhead Mountains. Upping the snug factor is unusually soft nylon and a patch of microfleece to soften the zipper at the neck. Wavelike baffles and striped elastic on the hem and cuffs make it more stylish than your standard puffy. But it still has backcountry cred, with a PFC-free DWR coating that shields against drizzles and errant coffee splashes. 6.2 oz (men鈥檚) / 5.8 oz (women鈥檚)

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Arc鈥檛eryx Gamma SL Hoody ($225)

Best Soft Shell

Any soft shell worth its salt is stretchy, breathable, and comfortable. But precious few are as water- and wind-resistant as the Gamma. It鈥檚 made from double-woven fabric to yield a slick outer surface and a soft inner. The combination is durable enough to rub against rocks and equipped to deflect wind and light rain; it also wicks moisture and feels comfortable next to the skin. The fit is trim without being tight; gusseted underarms kept the hems in place whether we were reaching for a hold, a handlebar, or a hand. 鈥淚 wore this jacket for everything from mountain biking to walking the dog,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淚t always seemed just right.鈥� 10.4 oz (men鈥檚) / 9.2 oz (women鈥檚)

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Eddie Bauer Cloud Cap Mountain Ops ($179)

Best for Foul Weather

When the forecast for a Vancouver 颅Island coastal hike said three days of rain, our tester passed over lightweight layers for this burly, workwear-inspired jacket. Eddie Bauer designed it in the soggy Pacific 颅Northwest with a tough 颅waterproof-breathable membrane and 70-denier nylon. Over a week of rainforest backpacking, it handled relentless precipitation and plenty of bushwhacking. When rain turned to sleet, our tester found shelter in the high fleece-lined collar, large hand pockets, and roomy adjustable hood. 鈥淚t鈥檚 bulky,鈥� they said. 鈥淏ut it gave me confidence to push on as the weather worsened.鈥� 1.1 lbs

Icebreaker 惭别苍鈥檚 Cool-Lite Rush ($200)

Best Wind Shell

When raw, chilly days call for just a smidge of insulation, the Rush steps up. Its 颅merino-Tencel lining has porous eyelets that move sweat fast, so you can log workouts without overheating or clamming up. The recycled-polyester shell features mesh vents on the back and sides that let heat escape. (The women鈥檚 version has scalloped cutouts on the upper back, which we loved.) The shell 颅effectively buffers wind; even icy gusts at 11,000 feet didn鈥檛 shock us. Zippered hand pockets keep a phone or gel at the ready. 12.7 oz (men鈥檚) / 9.5 oz (women鈥檚)

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A quality soft shell is the best jacket for athletes who perform highly aerobic activities in variable conditions (basically,听spring pretty much anywhere in the country). While this type of jacket won鈥檛 keep you bone-dry in a torrential downpour, a good one will often keep your body drier in more circumstances, because they鈥檙e built to let more sweat out than a fully waterproof hard shell. I put five of the top lightweight soft shells in a head-to-head test to help you find which is right for you.

The Test

• Warmth: I ran for an听hour in each of these soft shells in temperatures in the mid-to-high thirties.听
• Breathability: I ran for an听hour in each of these soft shells in temperatures from the mid-fifties to low sixties, to make sure I would reach a full sweat.
• Protection: I spent 30 seconds under听the shower in each of these and recorded how well they kept water out of their interior. (I recognize that none of these were designed听to be waterproof, but I wanted a marker to help inform those of you looking for a soft shell that offers听more protection from rain and wet snow.)
• Movement: I performed a circuit exercise involving push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and burpees听in each of these jackets.

The Winner

Mountain Hardwear 惭别苍鈥檚 Keele Hoody ($150)

• Warmth: 4
• Breathability: 3.5
• Protection: 5听
• Movement: 4.5

During my runs, I found myself drawn to the Alpine Start and the Airshed Pullover (both reviewed below)听because they were lighter, but the more testing I did, the more I realized the overall utility of . The small amount of fleece-like insulation on its听interior offered just the right amount of loft to warm me up on cold runs, and while it proved to be a little hot during a 54-degree run, it still breathed remarkably well when I started to sweat. I was most impressed with how this soft shell, which looks听more like a fleece than a shell, almost completely repelled water during the shower test, leaving very little moisture on the interior after 30 seconds.

Best for Movement

Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody ($165)听

• Warmth: 3
• Breathability: 4.5
• Protection: 2.5听
• Movement: 5

The Alpine Start nearly took the win. Over听the winter, I grabbed this jacket more than any other, but it ended up getting edged out by the Keele because it didn鈥檛 repel water particularly well鈥攊t soaked through in six seconds. This was my favorite ski-touring shell, however, because it moved so well and had enough stretch to hold a pair of skins in the chest pocket. During runs it was almost as breathable as the Patagonia Airshed, and its听extremely stretchy material听meant it was the only jacket that didn鈥檛 feel constrictive听during the circuit workout.

Best for High-Output Activities

Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover听($129)听

• Warmth: 2
• Breathability: 5
• Protection: 2听
• Movement: 4.5

is a fantastic jacket to run in if you鈥檙e a heavy sweater like me. While its听body is extremely breathable, it was still warm and wind-resistant enough to be comfortable five minutes into a run on a 36-degree morning. Besides that, its hood and arms are made from Patagonia鈥檚 ultralightweight base-layer material, Capilene Cool. The result is a jacket that was damned near impossible to sweat out and that moved completely organically. While this is the one听I wanted to grab the most on warm runs, it didn鈥檛听offer much in the way of protection, completely soaking through in less than听two seconds in the shower.

Best for Durability

Arc鈥檛eryx Gamma LT Jacket ($225)听

• Warmth: 4
• Breathability: 2
• Protection: 5听
• Movement: 4

听was made听from an extremely hearty nylon-polyester-elastane weave that would likely do well battling rock but was not the most breathable of this bunch. While this jacket was听uncomfortably hot during my runs on warm days, it was fantastic in the morning and would likely have been a winner in a ski test. It won the most points in the shower test, though, allowing very little water in鈥擨 could feel there was water entering but couldn鈥檛 even make out individual drops. It beaded water on the exterior like a hard shell.听

Best for Style

Houdini Daybreak Pullover听($200)听

• Warmth: 2.5
• Breathability: 4
• Protection:听2.5
• Movement: 4

The Daybreak would be great for traveling: you could easily wear this both out for runs and to restaurants. Houdini describes it as a minimalist jacket-shirt hybrid, and that is quite accurate鈥攊t was plenty breathable for a 53-degree, three-mile stroller run. The Swedish company uses classic Scandinavian style in all of its products, and this jacket is no exception. It doesn鈥檛 make you feel like an 眉ber-athlete when you get coffee after a run, but, like a shirt, it didn鈥檛 repel water particularly well, soaking through in six seconds. However, it admirably held up to听wind during one 35-degree early-morning run.

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Kuiu Kutana Soft Shell Jacket ($259)

The 听has panels of durable Japanese nylon that are stretch-woven, without the need for spandex. And Kuiu鈥檚 trim, sleek cut makes its apparel fit athletic builds true to size.

Patagonia Western Snap LS Shirt ($79)

听is equally suited to the rough and the refined. The breathable hemp-polyester blend makes it perfect for layering under a jacket and still fits in at the dinner table.

Maven C.3 Binoculars ($400)

Wyoming-based Maven expanded its line with the relatively affordable , a sharp, well-built set of binoculars. The 10x magnification version lets in plenty of light for first-shooting hours.

Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX Boots ($230)

听is a workhorse: stable and waterproof-breathable, with a stiff chassis and aggressive tread for hard and high treks in search of game or just a view.

James Brand Hell Gap Knife ($335)

This upscale knifemaker is known for its sleek everyday-carry designs. The 7.8-inch 听is its first fixed-blade model, with extra-hard s35vn steel that holds an edge beautifully.

This item is currently sold out.

Mystery Ranch Mule 23 Pack ($375)

Here鈥檚 a novel concept: mount a daypack to a full-size meat-hauling frame. 听did just that, and the result (if a bit heavy at 4.4 pounds) gives you the flexibility to lash an elk鈥檚 hindquarter between the external carbon fiber and the pack body and cinch it all tight with compression straps.

This product has been discontinued by the manufacturer.听

Yeti Boomer 8 Dog Bowl ($50)

On the road in pheasant country, your dog needs a $50 steel bowl like you need a $50 coffee mug. 听looks great in the dirt or banging around in the back of the truck.

Mathews Vertix听Bow ($1,099)

features 85 percent letoff鈥攎eaning it鈥檚 really easy to hold and aim once it鈥檚 drawn鈥攁nd it鈥檚 capable of shooting arrows at a blistering 343 feet per second.

L.L.Bean Hunter鈥檚 Tote ($45)

We鈥檝e stashed everything from dove decoys to groceries in this . Keep several on hand for times when your organization breaks down and you need a good place to store supplies.

First Lite Sawbuck Brush Pants ($160)

Conventional wisdom says that brush pants are for bird hunting (since birds don鈥檛 care how you look), while discreet pants are for big game, which can hear the rustle of Cordura. The 听upends that by putting chaps-like panels on stretchy nylon, and the results are tough yet quiet.

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As a spoiled gear tester, I get to try all the latest technical clothing. But that鈥檚 not the stuff I actually wear most of the time. The items in this article sit听at the intersection between performance and style and are what I鈥檓 wearing around town, on camping trips, and while taking the dogs hiking this fall.听

Woolrich Wool-Blend Flannel Shirt ($77)

滨鈥檝别 ranted about this at length, but flannel is a material, not a pattern. And that material is densely woven, brushed wool. Woolrich doesn鈥檛 make shirts like this in America anymore, but this is still the highest quality, thickest, and most robust real flannel shirt 滨鈥檝别 been able to find anywhere. It鈥檚 scratchy as hell, but it鈥檚 supposed to be. Those raised fibers help wick moisture, and add loft for more warmth.听

How does it fit? I鈥檓 going to discuss fit throughout this article, because it鈥檚 fundamentally important to how clothing looks and performs. For reference, I鈥檓 6鈥�2鈥�, weigh 190 pounds, and have broad shoulders, a 32-inch waist, and a 34-inch inseam. For some reason, most clothes aren鈥檛 cut for bodies like mine. This Woolrich shirt actually fits perfectly, just a full size down from the medium I鈥檓 used to wearing.听

Can you actually wear it outdoors?听The flannel shirt works听great as a soft shell in cool, wet weather, or as a mid-layer in colder, wetter conditions.听

Filson Ultralight Jacket ($195) and Vest ($125)

Filson stuff looks timeless, and is built to last. Those aren鈥檛 things you can say about most puffies. This new Ultralight range from Filson isn鈥檛 just available in muted colors, but also ramps up quality without sacrificing performance or packability. The shell material is a thin-but-strong 1.5-ounce ripstop nylon made by Cordura, while insulation is Primaloft Gold, which has the highest warmth-to-weight and packed size ratio of anything Primaloft makes.听Important: it retains 98 percent of its warmth, even when it鈥檚 wet. So far, so conventional for a nice synthetic puffy, but Filson takes it a step听further by lining the collars and pockets with moleskin, and employing durable metal YKK zippers.听

How does it fit? Thanks to the lack of shoulders, I鈥檓 able to get away with a small vest, but there鈥檚 still a little extra material in the belly. With a size medium jacket, I had to take it to a tailor to have the听bulk taken out of the torso and听the sleeves slimmed down accordingly. The total cost on that was $35. You can and should have puffies tailored to fit you. Doing so makes layering them way easier听and cuts unneeded packed size.听

Can you actually wear it outdoors? Even though they look good, Filson鈥檚 puffies are as technical as any of听the Day-Glo alternatives.听

Fjallraven Sten Jacket ($200)

This Swedish brand鈥檚 G-1000 is made from a waxed polyester-cotton canvas that鈥檚 lighter than the classic waxed cotton materials you鈥檙e likely familiar with, but similarly hard-wearing and breathable. They make a ton of items from it, but this simple zip-up hoodie is one of the most versatile. Compared to nylon soft shells, this thing is going to hold up to鈥攁nd look better with鈥攚ear, and the zippers and stitching are built to match. This jacket has quickly become my go-to in anything but really hard, persistent rain.听

How does it fit? I think the bell curve in Sweden includes a few more athletic bodies than ours does here in America. If you are also in shape, then you can expect Fjallraven鈥檚 stuff to fit as expected, in a flattering manner.听

Can you actually wear it outdoors? G-1000 is a little heavier than flimsy nylon, so you may not want to pack this piece for a thru-hike, but otherwise this is an ideal soft shell for cool, wet weather.听

Fjallraven Keb Trousers ($225)

These pants are perfection. And this year鈥檚 updates make them even better. Dress them up with a wool sweater (or flannel shirt) and wear them around town. Pair them with the Sten jacket above, and you鈥檙e ready to hit the trail.听

How do they fit? The rise is higher than is fashionable in jeans now, meaning you鈥檒l belt them around your waist rather than your hips. They鈥檙e flattering for men and women, but make sure you get the long inseam if you鈥檙e tall.听

Can you actually wear them outdoors? I don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 a better pant for all-round outdoor wear out there.听

North Face Apex Flex Hardshell ($249)

滨鈥檝别 had this piece for about three years, and it鈥檚 in desperate need of having its DWR refreshed, but it鈥檚 still my go-to hardshell when conditions are seriously wet. The innovation here is a three-layer waterproof fabric that鈥檚 soft, thick, and stretchy and wears way more comfortably than the thin, crinkly hardshell you鈥檙e used to.听

How does it fit? Just right. There鈥檚 room to layer, but it still looks good over a T-shirt, and you can buy your normal size.听

Can you actually wear it outdoors? It鈥檚 quite a bit heavier than traditional hard shells, so I wear it around town, on local hikes, and for car camping, but wouldn鈥檛 take it backpacking.听

Trew Weightless Nuyarn Merino T-Shirt ($65)

Pretty much the only T-shirt I wear, I have a Weightless听Nuyarn Merino in every color available. Nuyarn seems to stand up to washing better than other light merino fabrics, and I鈥檓 averaging about two years of sustained use out of these shirts. They work great on their own in warm to hot weather, and are the perfect base layer underneath a sweater, flannel shirt, or fleece once temperatures drop.

How does it fit? The Weightless Nuyarn Merino is true to size, but a little on the short size. The thin material gets a bit clingy, so I have to be careful with which belt and pants I wear them with on camera, or they can make me look like I have a Santa belly.听

Can you actually wear it outdoors? There鈥檚 no better place for this T.听

This item is currently sold out.听

Vasque Clarion 鈥�88 GTX Boots ($160)

A retro 鈥�80s look听in a package that performs as well as any modern alternative. I wear these things every single day. They鈥檙e as light, as stable, and as supportive as my go-to technical boot, the Salomon Quest 4D 3s, but I try to avoid wearing the Vasques in mud so they stay looking clean for around town.听

How do they fit? True to size. But, I use a set of in mine to maximize support.听

Can you actually wear them outdoors? Unlike other retro hikers, you really can, without compromise.听

Filson Short Lined Cruiser Jacket ($350)

I bought one of these in August as an alternative to a denim trucker jacket. It鈥檚 heavy and stiff, as you鈥檇 expect from a 15-ounce waxed canvas paired with a six-ounce liner, but after sleeping in it a couple nights, it鈥檚 broken in just for my body听and will last until the heat death of the universe.听

How does it fit? This is the only Filson jacket or shirt 滨鈥檝别 ever bought that I haven鈥檛 had to get tailored, and I was even able to buy it in my usual size.听

Can you actually wear it outdoors? Cut to hip length for the sake of听fashion, it鈥檚 not the best option for keeping off rain.听But the material is as waterproof as a hard shell听and has听decent breathability. That length also makes it challenging to add layers underneath; it looks best with a T-shirt or a crew neck sweater, nothing more. Still, I鈥檒l wear it for car camping trips in mild weather.听

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