Crazy Light Down jackets are inherently lightweight. But the latest jacket on test redefines what a lightweight down jacket can be. The Crazy Levity Jacket offers a 950-fill insulation rating and weighs in at a scant 7oz / 200g (men’s medium). That’s like the weight of a minimalist windbreaker. It feels downright crazy when you first hold it or put… Read More
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Down vs. Synthetic Insulated Jackets
Insulated Puffy Jackets – Down v. Synthetic A warm, puffy jacket is required equipment for backcountry skiing (read our backcountry ski packing list). It’s your ticket to comfortable transitions, warm summit breaks and lightweight insurance for staying warm in the case of an emergency. I usually carry two insulated jackets in my backcountry ski pack—one light-to-midweight synthetic puffy jacket (that… Read More
Arcteryx Proton Hybrid Hoody – Super Versatile Ski Touring Jacket
Breaking trail, traversing a ridge, transitioning for a descent — backcountry skiing is all about being on the move. Energy output, temperature and weather conditions constantly change, and you need to stay comfortable through it all. That’s why we praise versatile, breathable jackets — like the new Arc’teryx Proton Hybrid Hoody. The Proton Hybrid Hoody balances light insulation with weather… Read More
Made-to-Order Ski Jacket and Pants – MADE Custom Technical Apparel
I’ve worn a lot of different ski jackets over the years—waterproof, breathable shells from the biggest names in outdoor technical apparel—Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, Norrøna, Dynafit, Black Diamond, Helly Hansen, Stio, etc. For the most part, they’ve all done a great job keeping me dry and protected in stormy weather, but very few have fit the way I wanted them… Read More
Made for Ski Touring – Arcteryx Procline Jacket and Pants
Go Light. Go Breathable. Go Far. You can backcountry ski in a fully waterproof, breathable hardshell ski jacket and pants, but I’m not sure why so many people do. Waterproof membrane shells like traditional two- and three-layer GORE-TEX — or any of the myriad of alternatives — are essential when skiing at the resort. However, they’re just not necessary for… Read More
Showers Pass Cloudburst Rain Jacket Review
Showers Pass Cloudburst Rain Jacket Review We’ve all heard the phrase, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” Well, few activities highlight bad clothing as quickly as cycling in the rain. Riding a bike with any real effort puts waterproof, breathable claims to a serious test. It’s one thing to throw on a lightweight rain shell to… Read More
Patagonia R1 Tech Face Hoody – Lightweight Softshell Jacket
A Lightweight Softshell Jacket for the Uptrack You gotta get up to get down when backcountry skiing. And as much as we all love the down, it’s the up that requires good layering to regulate your body temperature over the course of a full day in the mountains. Every day is a little different, and every skier has their own… Read More
Ultralight Puffy Jacket – Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody
Ultralight Insulated Jacket – Patagonia Micro Puff Down vs Synthetic Insulation A puffy or insulated jacket is essential gear for backcountry skiing. Ask a skier if they prefer down or synthetic, and you’ll find less consensus. While synthetic insulation is more durable, stays warm when wet and is better suited to the repeated stuffing and re-stuffing that a puffy experiences… Read More
GORE SHAKEDRY™ – 7Mesh Oro Jacket
GORE SHAKEDRY GORE set the standard to which waterproof, breathable outerwear is measured, and their latest innovation, GORE SHAKEDRY™, takes everything GORE-TEX is known for to a higher level of performance – waterproofness, breathability and lightweight construction. SHAKEDRY’s distinct design uses a GORE-TEX membrane as the face fabric and a 100% polyamide fabric as a backer. What does that mean?… Read More
Outdoor Research Helium Jacket – Ultralight, Packable Rain Jacket
Outdoor Research Helium Jacket – Ultralight, Packable Rain Jacket The wet weather has arrived. It’s not quite ski season, so full-on GORE-TEX ski wear is not really necessary. But if you want to head for the hills during shoulder season, you need some sort of waterproof jacket. The Outdoor Research Helium jacket sets a high standard for ultralight rain jackets,… Read More
Outdoor Research San Juan Jacket
Outdoor Research San Juan Jacket When is the last time you skied in the rain? Hopefully, it’s been long enough that you can’t recall. I ask because many skiers are too concerned with full waterproof protection when choosing a jacket for backcountry skiing. The reality is that the number of days we spend ski touring in truly wet conditions is limited…. Read More
Insulated Jackets – Patagonia Stretch Nano Storm vs Nano Air
Patagonia Nano Air vs. Nano Storm An insulated jacket is on the must-have list for backcountry skiing. It’s the layer that keeps you warm during breaks or transitions and offers a safety margin should you have to wait out a repair, deal with an injury or adjust to changing weather. I’ve developed a preference for synthetic insulation versus down over… Read More
Backcountry Ski Jackets
Backcountry Ski JacketsShell Jacket 101 Hardshell – We define a hardshell as any waterproof / breathable jacket that features waterproof membrane construction like GORE-TEX®. It’s essentially a sandwich featuring an outer face material, a waterproof/breathable membrane and a backer material. Hardshell materials have come a long way in recent years to offer softer, less hardshell feeling materials. High-end three-layer hardshells… Read More
What’s in Your Pack – Backcountry Ski Packing List
Backcountry Ski Packing List What’s in your ski pack? It’s a good question, and it’s one that I occasionally ask myself as I heft the weight of my pack to my shoulder in the morning. There’s no sense in carrying more up the hill than you need to, but there are essential items that you should always carry on a… Read More
Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody – Lightweight, Breathable Warmth
Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody – Active Insulation If you haven’t experienced the modern world of “active insulation,” it’s more than just marketing hype. It refers to an insulated jacket that maintains air permeability. In other words, it’s breathable. The idea behind active insulation is warmth across a broader spectrum of aerobic activity than a more traditional, less breathable jacket can… Read More