It’s that time of year when you really never know what the weather is going to throw at you. A foot of snow? Maybe. 70°F and sunny? Also totally possible. We’ve been using a bunch of casual jackets for women and men that can keep you comfortable in a variety of temps, and do so in style.
One-piece snowsuits have had an interesting history. They were once very common, then they became a bit of a joke, and now some brands are making high-end one-pieces with modern materials and features. The Strafe Sickbird Suit falls into that last category, and we’ve come away both surprised and impressed by it. Check out our review.
Fjällräven says their Keb Eco-Shell Jacket is ideal for year-round use, and after using it for everything from rainy tropical hikes to ski touring, we’d agree. Check out our full review.
“Active insulation” midlayers are designed to be warmer than fleece, but more breathable than traditional puffies. And despite strong competition in this growing category, Outdoor Research’s new Refuge Air Hooded Jacket clearly stands out. Check out our review.
If you’re looking for a good-looking and versatile midlayer that you can use for a bit of everything, we highly recommend giving the Strafe Sunnyside Alpha Anorak a look. Check out our full review.
Arc’teryx’s Rush LT Jacket brings lightweight protection to a snowsports-oriented design, but we think it’s worth a look for a wide range of people, not just those who like to slide down snow. Check out our full review.
If you split your time between the resort and the backcountry — or just want an incredibly comfortable ski / snowboard shell — the brand-new Patagonia SnowDrifter Jacket should be on your list. Check out our full review.
Patagonia’s new Ascensionist Jacket takes Gore’s excellent Active membrane & C-Knit backer and packages it into a breathable, versatile, lightweight, and sustainable jacket. Check out our full review.
Last year Patagonia released what quickly became one of our favorite layers for high-output activities in the mountains — the R1 TechFace Hoody. This year, they released a more minimal Pullover version, and for some people, it could be even better than the original. Check out our review.
Look good, ski good. The Holden M-51 Fishtail Jacket definitely brings a lot of style to the table, and it doesn’t skimp out on technical features, either. Check out our review.
Anoraks and technical fabrics don’t often get packaged together. But Norwegian brand, Amundsen, combined the two in their Peak Anorak, and the resulting jacket certainly stands out compared to the rest of the ski jackets on the market.
Just a few years ago, almost all hardshell jackets were stiff, crinkly, and uncomfortable. But now many companies make waterproof hardshells that feel more like softshells. The Flylow Vixen Coat 2.1 falls into that category, and it’s an excellent all-round women’s ski shell.
If you’re looking for a technical women’s ski shell that can be used in the backcountry and the resort, but that doesn’t look all that “techy,” the Strafe Meadow Jacket is worth a good look.
The North Face Ceptor Jacket brings a lot of what you’d expect from a technical 3L shell (great weather resistance, plenty of features, and decent breathability) but does so without an exuberant price tag. Check out our full review.
Jackets with reinforced fabrics used to bulky and often uncomfortable. But a few companies have come up with new ways to seamlessly reinforce their garments, and the Mammut Alvier Armor Jacket takes this technology and packages it into a versatile ski shell. Check out our full review.
For those bitterly cold days, it’s nice to have just one ultra-warm coat that you can toss on no matter what the weather’s doing. So we’ve rounded up a bunch of women’s and men’s coats for frigid days in town and in the backcountry.
The Black Diamond Helio Active Shell is an extremely impressive Gore-Tex jacket, and is worth a good look if you’re a backcountry skier or snowboarder who appreciates weather resistance, breathability, and low weight. Check out our full review.
This year Arc’teryx released the Sabre LT Jacket — a lighter and more comfortable version of their classic Sabre Jacket. So how does the “LT” version compare to the original and other options on the market? Check out our full review.
Finding the right MTB shell is tricky. It has to protect you from wind and water, breathe during climbs, and shrug off impacts with branches, rocks, and occasionally, the ground. So how well does the Showers Pass IMBA Jacket balance these traits? Check out our full review.
There aren’t many kits out there designed specifically for ski mountaineering, but Rab’s Sharp Edge Jacket and Pants are. So how do they perform in big terrain, and should you still be considering them even if you’re not walking around in crampons and hacking your way up steep ice? Check out our full review.