All told, ORs AscentShell is one of the best in-house efforts weve seen, with soft next-to-skin lining, stretchy face fabric for comfort and mobility, and a price that wont make your head spin. For fast-and-light alpine trips when you need a shell with good mobility and the weather wont be too rough, the Highline certainly can do the trick. Where the Triolet comes up short is for high-output activities or fast-and-light missions. Weve found that Outdoor Researchs AscentShell, Patagonia's H2No Performance, and eVent all are formidable competitors to Gore-Tex. 2.9 oz.Waterproofing: FuturelightDenier: 75D x 20DWhat we like: Impressive protection and durability for high alpine environments.What we dont: Fit and finish doesnt measure up to Arcteryx. 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. The Helium AscentShell keeps the ultralight ethos of the name but upgrades just about everything else, resulting in a real-deal hardshell that falls into the same category as lightweight all-rounders like the Arcteryx Beta LT above. Category: All-aroundWeight: 1 lb. This is the outer layer you turn to for ultimate protection while backcountry and resort skiing, mountaineering, alpine climbing, and 4-season trekking. Category: MinimalistWeight: 8.3 oz.Waterproofing: H2No PerformanceDenier: 20DWhat we like: Alpine-centric features and 3-layer protection in a minimalist package.What we dont: Thin shell fabric and no pit zips. 2 oz.Waterproofing: Gore-Tex ProDenier: 100DWhat we like: Bombproof shell, fantastic detail work.What we dont: Very expensive. Arcteryx has long experimented with minimalist jackets in their climbing-centric Alpha collection, but the Alpha SL Anorak here is their best effort yet. Category: All-around/minimalistWeight: 13.9 oz.Waterproofing: Gore-TexDenier: 40DWhat we like: A streamlined version of the Beta AR for $200 less.What we dont: Less winter-ready than the AR. But if youre headed to the alpine or are out in winter conditions, we turn to a hardshell.

After a short hiatus, Arcteryx released an updated version of their Beta LT hardshell last spring. Oftentimes, minimalist and alpine jackets will be more trim-fitting, which saves weight and minimizes bulk but isn't as versatile for casual use. There are a number of factors that impact a jackets durability, but denier is a helpful indicator of strength. But you do save a few ounces with the Helium AscentShell, which is undoubtedly an impressively featured and high-performance jacket for the weight. 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). Softshell jackets are pliable, stretchy, and soft to the touch (especially on the interior), while hardshells are smooth and more rigid. 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. adze Moreover, you do lose out on hand warmer pockets with the alpine-focused design. Intended for serious alpine adventuring and backcountry skiing, the shell prioritizes mobility, climbing-focused features, and sturdy protection. The thick shell cant match the breathability of thinner alternatives or more advanced waterproof membranes (like what you get with Patagonias pricier Pluma below). Gore released a new stretch variation of its Pro membrane last year, and Outdoor Researchs Archangel is one of the first products to feature the material. 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. Along with the thinner fabrics and less premium Gore-Tex waterproofing mentioned above, the LT features a trim cut (the ARs is regular), resulting in great range of motion but less room for layering underneath (the jackets center back lengths are nearly identical). A jacket's fit often has a lot to tell you about its intentions. Category: AlpineWeight: 1 lb. With a 40-denier face fabric and 15-denier backer, the Patagonia Pluma is on the thin side for an alpine shell. When the wind is really blowing, throwing on a hood is your best form of protection. But its not a one-horse race, and brands like Norrna, Rab, and Mammut are similarly impressive. The most important is weather resistance: hardshell jackets offer high levels of waterproofing and windproofing for sustained exposure in harsh conditions. Most manufacturers list the jackets only as being helmet-compatible, so weve called out hoods that run a little smallsuch as the Patagonia Plumain our write-ups above. What we dont: Fairly heavy; fits and feels a little too much like a ski jacket. If youll be skiing with the jacket, youll need a hood thats even larger to fit the bulkier shape of a ski helmet. For an emergency layer or lightweight shoulder-season protection, it doesnt get much better. The Beta ARs top-end Gore-Tex Pro fabric offers a high level of performance, but its the detailing that sets the jacket apart. 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. Category: Alpine/all-aroundWeight: 1 lb. 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. Its true that the Alpha SV below is tougher and has a slimmer and longer cut, and you can save weight by choosing one of the thinner options below, but for all-around backcountry use, the Beta AR is best in classRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Arc'teryx Beta AR See the Women's Arc'teryx Beta AR. Of course, there are some compromises to opting for such a streamlined jacket. Its also worth noting that the stretch panel uses a relatively thin 40-denier face fabric, making it less ideal for extensive wear under a heavy pack. Below we break down our top hardshell jackets for 2022, from minimalist models for those who want to move fast and light to burly jackets made to withstand the worst winter conditions. But given the quality of their product, were hopeful that changes soon.See the Men's Mountain Equipment Lhotse See the Women's Mountain Equipment Manaslu. To help you get a better idea of Arcteryxs hardshell line-up, lets take a look at how the LT compares to the AR. Category: All-aroundWeight: 1 lb. As the name indicates, rain jackets provide good water and wind protection. And the criticisms are typically warrantedthe tough face fabric (up to 100D) isnt as flexible as thinner blends and can be pretty noisy for activities with a lot of movement like skinning, belaying, or hiking. Denier is a measurement of fabric thickness, and the higher the number the thicker the thread. This is a primary reason that many professional mountain guides and serious outdoorspeople are willing to spend up for Arcteryx. In the end, $500 is a lot to spend on a casual hardshell, but for frontcountry activities and the odd day at the resort, the Keb offers great weather protection and is one of the best-looking designs here Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Fjallraven Keb Eco-Shell See the Women's Fjallraven Keb Eco-Shell. 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). If you dont need full-on winter protection, however, the Highline is a comfortable and well-designed hardshell jacket that costs significantly less than the Gore-Tex-equipped alternatives.See the Men's BD Highline Stretch See the Women's BD Highline Stretch. We also prefer pit zips to ventilated chest pockets, because the location under the arms is better protected from falling rain or snow. The Highline sticks to BDs roots with a climbing helmet-compatible hood (its too small for a standard ski helmet), and includes useful features like pit zips, hand pockets, and a tall collar. That said, heavy and sustained rain and snowfall will eventually overwhelm the coating, which is where the waterproof membrane and seam sealing come into play. And finally, $399 feels like a lot of money for this shell: The orange-colored model we tested would be easy to confuse with a plasticky rain jacket upon first glance, andfor the same priceit certainly cant compete with the Beta LTs sleek aesthetic. They are generally trim-fitting, feature thin shell fabrics, and have very few bells and whistles (often omitting pit zips and hand pockets). 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. If we were to pick a single shell for all backcountry uses, we would go with an all-around jacket. Further, at $375 youre paying a lot for a niche piece thats fairly impractical for daily use. There seems to be a problem serving the request at this time, One stop shop for all things from your favorite brand, Patagonia Size XL Coats, Jackets & Vests for Men, Columbia Casual Button-Down Shirts for Men, The North Face Coats, Jackets & Vests for Men with Soft Shell, Carhartt Coats, Jackets & Vests for Men with Soft Shell, {"modules":["unloadOptimization","bandwidthDetection"],"unloadOptimization":{"browsers":{"Firefox":true,"Chrome":true}},"bandwidthDetection":{"url":"https://ir.ebaystatic.com/cr/v/c1/thirtysevens.jpg","maxViews":4,"imgSize":37,"expiry":300000,"timeout":250}}, Patagonia Men's Nano Puff Vest in Andes Blue Sz S #84242, Patagonia Mens Retro Pile Pullover hoodie XLarge DARK BOREALIS GREEN FA21, Patagonia Men's Better Sweater Fleece Vest 25882 Black Size XL, Patagonia Men's Better Sweater Fleece Vest 25882 Black Size Small. In short, if youre looking for a high performance hardshell for winter conditions, youd be hard pressed to find a better deal (most GTX Pro jackets are $550 or more).

Something both Pro models share, however, is a fairly short back length of 30 inches. Known as the trekking capital of Argentina Norway-based Norrna isnt a household name in the U.S. like Arcteryx or Patagonia, but they offer a quality lineup of serious hardshells built for demanding backcountry pursuits.

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