Winter OR Round-Up: Arc’Teryx Caden Jacket

www.arcteryx.com, one pound, six ounces
Arc‘Teryx and Gore just upped the ante with the new Caden Jacket, whichCaden incorporates new N80pX Gore-Tex Pro Shell, a more breathable version of their standard-setting benchmark fabric. The Caden’s articulated pattern mimics the posture of the ski and snowboard athlete, with a design that moves fluidly for big mountain skiing and riding. The new micro-seam technology increases breathability and reduces overall garment weight. A waterproof front zipper helps keep rain and snow at bay, plus it’s easy to use with gloved fingers. Our tester loved the hood that fits easily over standard ski and climbing helmets. The hood rotates with your head, with no blocking of peripheral vision or that suffocating feeling when its zipped up. The first-rate feature set is rounded out with zippered hand pockets, internal mesh pockets roomy enough for gloves or a waterbottle, and a discreet powder skirt that kept us dry in the deep.

$650

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Columbia Ultrachange Parka Jacket

www.columbia.com, 24 ounces
We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: versatility is key. Witness the following scenario: You’re flying from a temperate clime to a snow-chocked state with a 30-degree temperature difference between departure and arrival. Then, you head to your favorite resort and sign up for First Tracks, which means you’re up before the sun, staring at a thermometer that won’t budge above zero. By midday? Temperature inversion and the heat of the sun have bounced the temps up 20 degrees. There’s two ways to combat this. Pack a lot of layers, or go with an interchangeable setup like Columbia’s Ultrachange Parka. This two-in-one jacket gives you a warm liner jacket, plus a waterproof/breathable, wicking outer shell to keep you warm and dry in even the wettest blizzards. The insulated, ploy inner layer boasts Columbia’s proprietary Omni-Heat liner, which is scattered with small silver dots that reflect the body heat to create oven-like warmth (the spaces in between the dots allow the jacket to breathe). Two large zippered side pockets and a tall collar also make it a fashion-forward, insulated stand-alone. The outer shell, meanwhile, amplifies the weather-proofing, with an advanced waterproof/breathable laminate, vented hand pockets, an adjustable hood, waterproof zips, and a drop tail that you’ll really appreciate when you have to sit down on a snow-covered chair lift. The fit is on the baggy side—especially when you are wearing just the shell. Oh, and our tester’s application to the scenario listed above? He wore the inner lining to the airport and then to the resort. The next morning he started off with both layers to combat the pre-dawn cold, then stripped to just the inner for one bluebird day. And when the white stuff started to fall but the mercury held at around freezing, he wore the outer shell under a mid- and base layer. Four scenarios, one solution, and lots of extra space in his suitcase.

$450

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Arc’Teryx Alpha SV Jacket

www.arcteryx.com, one pound, 1.4 ounces
Even when conditions outside turn into a monsoon, it remains a desert-like environment inside the Arc’Teryx Alpha SV hard shell. Not a single drop of soaking rain seeped through the three-layer Gore-Tex Pro fabric when I got caught in the clouds at Green Lake in Oregon’s Three Sisters Wilderness. What started as a windy mist became blowing rain in the open basin where I decided to recharge for the afternoon.

Puddles formed on the worn trail as the water beaded off my Alpha SV. I pulled the helmet-friendly hood up and cinched it down. Even with it secure around my face, I could turn my head without being restricted. I pulled the bottom hem tight to keep in some warmth as the temps sagged down to about 45 degrees. While others hunkered down, I stayed dry and comfortable. I could have enjoyed an afternoon tea, were there willing company.

On the trail with rain spitting, I appreciated that the Alpha SV is pack-compatible. I could access two decent-sized chest pockets where I stashed a snack and later put my smart phone to keep it dry. There are two inner zip pockets for small items and a mysterious shoulder pocket, all of which can be accessed while wearing a pack or harness. My sleeves stayed in place with Velcro cuff closures. When I walked enough to generate some heat, I easily vented it through the pit zips. Arc’teryx keeps it light and sleek. It doesn’t have much glitter or glam because it just gives you what you need.: a solid, durable shell that will keep you dry.
-Cristina Rose Mastrangelo

$625

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Obermeyer Ketchikan Cocona Jacket

www.obermeyer.com
Most of us outdoor types spend ski season in our backpacking/climbing shells, putting serious wear and tear on gear that’s better reserved for uses that require light weight and compactness. And if you’re a full-bore lift skier who’s not that interested in backcountry, you’re better served by this durable, fully featured, ski-specific shell.

The level of detailing in this unapologetically lift-oriented shell would make Batman’s tailor jealous. There’s an elastic powder cuff that snaps back out of the way when not needed. Knit sleeve wristlets are augmented by Velcro cuffs. Urethane water-resistant, mesh-backed zip vents run down the chest. A luxuriously high fleece-lined collar combines with a removable helmet-compatible hood. There’s an internal chest pocket with a conveniently angled microfiber iPhone/sunglass sleeve, and the urethane zip outer Napoleon pocket even features an integrated, removeable, elastic-leashed microfiber goggle polishing cloth. Recco avalanche system reflectors are embedded in the lining. Of course. Duh. It’s more like a wearable ski valet than a shell jacket.

The Ketchikan uses Cocona in the waterproof-breathable shell and brushed lining. This coconut husk-derived fabric provided excellent breathability and good sweat dispersal on warm, sunny days, and stayed dry during humid, single-digit storms. The free-hanging liner added serious insulation value, and the outer shell was so tough we could blast through dense fir and scratchy spruce groves without worrying about shredding the duds. The Ketchikan still looks new after weeks of beater skiing.

Our only caveat? At 38.7 ounces in a men’s large, it’s too bulky and heavy for backcountry uses. But if lifts, cats, and helos are your game, this is one tough, comfy, stylish ski suit for the harshest conditions and high-mileage uses. It’ll probably outlive you.
-Steve Howe

$525

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Nau Dose Jacket

www.nau.com
We’ve seen steady advancements in the collage-like trend of mixing and matching different fabrics to give you a product that’s the best of all possible worlds. But often these products feel like they’re awkwardly straddling disparate civilizations, a feeling that ultimately makes you yearn for what you don’t have. Thankfully, the Dose Jacket doesn’t fall into that jack-of-all, master-of-none trap. This highly versatile 2.5-layer waterproof/breathable DWR-treated shell has micro-fiber polyester four-way stretch panels strategically placed to provide soft-to-the-touch flex at the shoulders, forearms, waist, and chest. The rest of the jacket is bombproof, including the helmet-compatible hood and a wind- and waterproof flap over the front waterproof zip. The two hand-pockets and the small back pocket also rock waterproof zippers; the latter also has a tuck-away piece of reflective fabric that can be unveiled to keep you visible when biking in the dark. You also get two chest pockets—one on the outside, and another on the inside with a cord-routing path for your phone or MP3 player. Two zippered vents sit high on the chest, rather than under the arms. They increase breathability, but aren’t as efficient as the pit-zip style found on most shells. Accordingly, the Dose works best when temps aren’t too hot ’n steamy.

$275

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