We were fairly unimpressed with the overly roomy fit of the Summit L5 LT (the now-discontinued lightweight version of the jacket here), and TNFs finishes lack a refined feel overall. Within the hardshell landscape, Arcteryx consistently has our favorite fitthe time and effort thats gone into the design and tailoring of their shells is immediately apparent when you slip them on. Accordingly, these tents are much stronger Norrna Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Jacket Review, Norrna Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light ($599), See the Norrna Trollveggen GTX Pro Light, See the Women's Norrna Trollvegen GTX Pro Light, Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 GTX Pro Light($450), See the Women's MH Exposure/2 GTX Pro Lite, See the Women's Outdoor Research Archangel, Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell ($399), See the Women's Mountain Equipment Manaslu, The North Face Summit L5 Futurelight ($650), See the Women's TNF Summit L5 Futurelight, See the Women's Arc'teryx Alpha SL Anorak, Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 GTX Pro Light, Back to Our Hardshell Jacket Comparison Table. 1.6Waterproofing: Gore-Tex ProDenier: 40D & 80DWhat we like: Proven weather protection and a great fit.What we dont: A bit heavy and bulky for an all-rounder. And Arcteryx honed things in even further last year with improved durability and a RECCO reflector for avalanche scenarios. The rest of the jacket is purpose-built for the alpine, with chest pockets (easy to access while wearing a harness or backpack), a 2-way front zip, internal mesh dump pockets, and seam-free shoulder patches, which lends a lot of comfort while wearing a pack. This is the outer layer you turn to for ultimate protection while backcountry and resort skiing, mountaineering, alpine climbing, and 4-season trekking. The jacket has been a flagship piece since its release back in 2000, and its a favorite for everything from hiking and backpacking in rough conditions to No piece of gear is more critical to summiting high peaks than footwear. Most hardshells in our all-around category have a "regular" fit, allowing ample room for layering while providing great coverage and a stylish look that looks great on the mountain and in town. This shell is designed as an all-rounder for various uses like mountaineering, skiing, and winter trekking, and features a familiar mix of 40- and 80-denier Gore-Tex Pro, a helmet-compatible hood with a tall collar, and pit zips. Whats more, the jacket features a very long cut, which is great for coverage but slightly polarizing for casual use. At the extreme end of the spectrum are designs like the alpine-focused Arc'teryx Alpha SV, which foregoes hand pockets altogether and instead boasts dual chest pockets. Most people will go with an all-around shell, but our alpine and minimalist categories fill in the gaps for those with more specific needs.Alpine Even the best waterproof breathable membrane will make you overheat in mild temperatures on the skin track, and we value the ability to quickly dump heat. Heres the story: this latest design includes a 3-layer variation of their in-house BD.dry membrane, has a light amount of stretch incorporated into the nylon build, and keeps things pretty light at 12.7 ounces all-in. In the past, theyve used a range of waterproof options including eVent and NeoShell, but recently went all-in with Gore-Tex. Within this category, the Arc'teryx Alpha SL Anorak is the lightest on our list, while designs like the Arc'teryx Beta LT and OR Microgravity are a bit more well-rounded. In addition, the hood design could use some work: When tightened down over a ballcap, the cinch cord sits awkwardly and uncomfortably right over the ears (on a positive note, the hood is helmet-compatible with climbing and skiing lids). They're also built with heavy-duty fabrics (anywhere from 40D to 100D) and feature protective hoods for withstanding brutal high-mountain conditions. But thats not to say the Microgravity doesnt hold its own: We took the jacket hiking in the stormy Cerro Castillo range of Patagonia, and were impressed with its performance, comfort, and breathability. View cart for details. But theres no denying the Summit L5s impressive protection and durability, and the price is competitive at $650.See the Men's TNF Summit L5 Futurelight See the Women's TNF Summit L5 Futurelight. U.K.-based Mountain Equipment isnt a household name in the U.S., but its starting to gain traction. Category: All-around/minimalistWeight: 14.6 oz.Waterproofing: Gore-Tex ProDenier: 40DWhat we like: High levels of performance and comfort.What we dont: Hood doesn't fit easily over a ski helmet. Among the many options in their extensive lineup, the Beta AR is the quintessential do-all hardshell and our top pick for this winter. Added up, the Archangel is a capable and mobile option for rugged alpine use. Norrna may not be on everyones radar, but the Norway-based outdoor company has a serious lineup of quality hardshells. As a result, the Triolet is the better all-rounder, but the Plumas weight, comfort, and features make for an appealing packageRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Patagonia Pluma See the Women's Patagonia Pluma. But these jackets are made to last and are the kind of apparel you rely on when Mother Nature gives you her worst. Category: All-aroundWeight: 1 lb. Both are exceptionally built and highly protective shells, but the Beta ARs more versatile design might be the deciding factor for many. Category: AlpineWeight: 1 lb. Where does the Rab Muztag fall short? After a short hiatus, Arcteryx released an updated version of their Beta LT hardshell last spring. The Mammut has the advantage in features with extras like a zip-out powder skirt for skiing, a two-way main zipper, and more pockets, but it cant touch the Arcteryxs burly 100-denier construction or its 1-pound-2-ounce weight. Among premium hardshells, the Archangel makes a strong case by mixing stretch with Gores bombproof Pro membrane. Few jackets can compete with Arcteryxs Alpha SV in price and performance, but Mammut is giving it a real go with their $825 Nordwand Pro HS. That said, you are getting an upgrade in breathability, and its solid feature set that includes Rabs signature wire-brimmed hood and lots of pockets makes the Muztag a capable backcountry piece.See the Men's Rab Muztag GTX See the Women's Rab Muztag GTX. Plus, the Triolet excels as a ski jacket thanks to its extended cut, embedded RECCO reflector, and loop at the back for attaching to compatible Patagonia snow pants. Not many fabric technologies have received as much fanfare as Futurelight (touted as being thinner and more breathable than Gore-Tex) and Spectra is a fairly impressive name-drop, but The North Face simply cant measure up to the more premium brands in terms of quality. eVent was one of the first to really break through with their direct venting design, and these other technologies follow suit with air-permeable 3-layer builds to encourage airflow. Jackets that fall outside of the range above are more specialized: the thin 20-denier Patagonia Storm10 is best for lightweight backpacking or when weight is very important, and the 100-denier Arcteryx Alpha SV is absolutely bomber but comes with a very high price tag. As such, the Black Diamond cant come close to matching the versatility of a burlier competitor like Arcteryxs 4-season-ready Beta LT (plus, the Beta's larger hood makes it fully functional as a backcountry ski shell). In short, this hardshell incorporates a large, stretchy panel along the upper back of the jacket for improved freedom of movement and comfort (the rest of the shell is standard Gore-Tex Pro). Our primary issue is weight as the jacket comes in at 1 pound 1.5 ounces. This is a primary reason that many professional mountain guides and serious outdoorspeople are willing to spend up for Arcteryx. The Beta ARs top-end Gore-Tex Pro fabric offers a high level of performance, but its the detailing that sets the jacket apart. For reference, the Beta AR above measures 30.4 inches and weve found it a bit short for skiing. The construction is undeniably thinit feels almost paper-like along the interiorand the zippers are fairly stiff and have a cheaper feel to them. This coating is applied to the exterior of every jacket that made our list above to prevent moisture from absorbing into the face fabric by beading up the droplets. Other stretch-infused jackets include the Patagonia Stormstride, Black Diamond Helio, and Outdoor Research Skytour, all of which are purpose-built for backcountry skiing. What we dont: Fairly heavy; fits and feels a little too much like a ski jacket. Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Patagonias Triolet is just that: its 75-denier face fabric and standard Gore-Tex membrane are plenty burly for alpine use, they didnt skimp on organization with four exterior zippered pockets (plus a drop-in interior pocket), and its regular fit can easily accommodate a midlayer underneath. Outdoor Researchs Helium jacket has long been one of our go-to emergency shells, offering decent rain protection at a very low weight. $799 is an eye-popping total, and for the average backcountry explorer, the Alpha SVs tank-like construction is more than youll ever need. As a result, despite being unprovenand featuring some rather polarizing colorwaysthe Exposure/2 Pro Lites combination of toughness and protection in an impressively lightweight build earn it a spot on our 2022 list.See the Men's MH Exposure/2 GTX Pro Lite See the Women's MH Exposure/2 GTX Pro Lite. If youll be skiing with the jacket, youll need a hood thats even larger to fit the bulkier shape of a ski helmet. In addition, the Lhotse is known for having a great fit: its cut long to accommodate a harness and offers plenty of space for layering without impacting mobility. In addition, hardshells share a common 3-layer construction type that bonds an interior liner and exterior face fabric to a waterproof and breathable membrane. As the names indicate, softshell and hardshell jackets are differentiated by the type and feel of their face fabrics. On the other hand, for multi-day tours or if youre traveling in mild conditions, it's best to leave a heavyweight like the 1-pound-7-ounce Norrna Trollveggen at home and instead bring a trimmed-down hardshell. The Storm10 sheds most of its weight with a very thin shell fabric (20D)it feels more like a rain jacket than a hardshelland a design that forgoes pit zips. Further, the side vents arent a win for us: Their low placement makes you much more vulnerable to the elements (its for good reason that pit zips are hidden underneath your arms), and we constantly mistake them for pockets. In contrast, the Beta AR has a more standard length and convenient hand pockets, which are situated high enough to access under a hipbelt or harness. And compared to most minimalist hardshells, storage is excellent, with internal dump pockets (great for storing skins and gloves), massive hand pockets (awkwardly sized, in our opinion, but accessible with a pack on), and interior and exterior chest pockets. Mountain Hardwears Exposure/2 series is like a fashion show for Gore-Texs various waterproof membranes: take your pick from Paclite, Paclite Plus, Active, and Pro. But despite its shortcomings, the Triolets no-nonsense, trustworthy design makes it a go-to hardshell option for a wide range of winter sports at a good priceRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Patagonia Triolet See the Women's Patagonia Triolet. The combination of durability, weather protection, and breathability makes hardshell jackets popular for downhill and backcountry skiing, mountaineering, alpine and ice climbing, and 4-season hiking. For less than half as much as the competition, its a great option for penny pinchers or those just starting outRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's OR Microgravity See the Women's OR Microgravity. The proven design is plenty tough to withstand brutal alpine conditions without compromising on comfort and breathability for everything from ski hut trips to backpacking. When the wind is really blowing, throwing on a hood is your best form of protection. Patagonia Soft Shell Coats & Jackets for Men, 1 product ratings - Patagonia Men's Nano Puff Vest. In most cases, were willing to carry a little extra weight into the alpine for an added sense of security.
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