Photo Credit: Sympatex

Outdoor adventure can be great fun, but a spring squall, winter blizzard, or humid day of sweat and sun can turn you into a soggy excuse for a backcountry traveler. With the right outerwear, you'll stay warm and dry in cold, wet conditions, and cool and dry on hot, humid, or rainy days. The era of yellow rubber slickers has given way to sophisticated apparel that not only boasts durable waterproof/breathable fabric, but sophisticated design features with vents, articulated sleeves, and ergonomically correct hoods.

Start with Your Needs

Think before you buy. You can literally spend hundreds of dollars on outerwear. A top-of-the-line Gore-Tex jacket can easily cost $400 to $500. Add a pair of pants to your outfit, and you've spent most of the money you socked away for your summer hiking vacation.

First of all, decide if you need a waterproof breathable piece, or simply a coat that will protect you from the wind and light squalls. There's no sense in forking out big dollars for a waterproof coat if your main goal is something lightweight for running, or simply for blocking a stiff breeze on the trail. Before you start shopping, make a list of where you might use your new coat. If you are climbing and hiking in the Rockies, or camping on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, by all means consider a waterproof/breathable model. But if most of your primary activity will be bike riding in Tucson, or short treks along the Appalachian Trail, you might want to consider some of the newer fabrics that place more emphasis on wind-blocking and breathability.

Water and Wind-Resistant Options

By gaining waterproofness, you lose breathability. If you are planning on a highly aerobic activity or on humping heavy loads, you might want to forsake complete water protection for added breathability. Many of the new microfiber fabrics and laminates (of which Gore's Activent is the best known) allow for a generous flow of air, break wind, and still shed a nominal amount of water. They also are softer, lighter, less bulky, and cheaper than most waterproof/breathable shells.

What to Look for in a Waterproof/Breathable Shell

For four-season use, remember that layering is the name of the game. A heavy-duty shell with a permanent lining is great if you are expecting Arctic weather, but is too heavy and hot for most high-aerobic activities. Your best bet is a shell with a zip-out liner, or simply a shell that is large enough to accommodate a fleece jacket or wool sweater underneath. However, sometimes you just want to put on a warm jacket, and not a million layers. The insulated shell may not be as versatile, but it can be more convenient in cold weather. One cautionary note—the new Windbloc or Windstopper fleece apparel is great for a top layer, but inappropriate for a second layer under a waterproof/breathable shell. Since the windblocking material trades breathability for wind management, it works like a sweat chamber if layered under another not-so-breathable garment.