Gallery: Shred Threads: 13 Pieces of Mountain Outerwear Tested
01outdoor-jakob
It's not all about the planks at your feet. For skiers and snowboarders alike, your choice of outerwear will determine whether your day on the mountain is cozy and comfortable or wet, cold and miserable. Choose wisely, friends. __Above:__ Eddie Bauer Neoteric Shell -------------------------- My go-to jacket for skiing is the [Eddie Bauer Neoteric shell](http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/product.jsp?ensembleId=45167). It's cut with just enough room so that I can pack on the layers for the cold chair ride up, but it also breathes like a champ because it's made out of Polartec's NeoShell fabric. Unlike some other waterproof/breathable materials that only vent when enough heat builds up inside the jacket, Polartec NeoShell has what's called "constant two-way air flow." This means it's always working to keep your body temperature regulated. No jacket is going to get rid of all your extra heat, but this one does a better job than most. At $450 it's pricey, but still significantly less than some competing waterproof/breathable shells. *— Jakob Schiller*
02red-puffy
Stio Women's Hometown Down Jacket --------------------------------- The first thing you'll notice about this [Stio jacket](http://www.stio.com/womens-hometown-down-jacket) — right after its bright, waxy, orange-red finish — is how good it feels. In a category of coats known for being light and warm, this coat may in fact be the lightest and warmest of all. Made of breathable, wicking, silk-soft nylon packed with 800-fill down, the Hometown managed to face a dusting of wet snow without going lumpy and sodden. It's the water-repellent DownTec nano-polymer applied to the feathers that I have to thank for diminishing the downside of down. $275 *— Kelli Rubin*
03billy-jacket
Helly Hansen Odin H2Flow Jacket ------------------------------- An updated application of one of our favorite pieces from last year's winter gear testing trip, [Helly Hansen's Odin H2Flow jacket](http://shop.hellyhansen.com/us/item/odin-h2-flow-jacket-62024/) ($400) will work well for a wide range of snow sports. It features the company's proprietary waterproof/breathable Helly Tech material as well as a quick-venting insulation system — it uses the empty spaces cut out of the insulating lining to hold pockets of warm air that purge quickly when the jacket's vents are opened. On a cold, windy day at Heavenly, the Odin H2Flow felt as warm as a light puffy coat, minus the bulk, and the DWR-treated waterproof exterior repelled the snow that the clouds were spitting at us all morning. The stretch material allows the jacket to sport a slimmer fit, which makes it ideal for other winter sports like hiking and backpacking as well. If you take it backpacking, the zip-off snow skirt shaves a few ounces if you choose to take it along on trips where weight is an issue. *— Billy Brown*
04strafe-pants
Strafe Nomad pants ------------------ "Hey, who makes your pants?" The two young ladies sitting outside the lodge are screaming into the wind. I ignore them, because I'm old and soft. "Hey," they yell again. Turns out they're yelling at me. "They're made by [a small manufacturer out of Aspen,](http://store.strafeouterwear.com/collections/outerwear/products/nomad-pant)" I yell back like some sort of deranged Sam Kinison impersonator. Then I yell at them some more about the fact that the removable bib is a delight on a day like today. I may have also yelled at them to get off my lawn, but I've trauma-blocked the experience, so I'll never know. One thing is clear: these pants are worth yelling about. $400 *— Jim Merithew*
05billy-black
Volcom Faith Pullover Jacket ---------------------------- Pullovers can be a mixed bag. The lack of a full-length zipper down the front of the jacket increases water- and wind-resistance, but it's a pain in the ass up pull a jacket over your head, especially when you're wearing a helmet. [Volcom's Faith Pullover jacket](http://snow.volcom.com/mens/jackets/faith-pullover-jacket?color=BLK) ($220) nails the former – the 10k/10k waterproof/breathable 2-layer fabric is unbroken, which means moisture is going to have a hell of a time breaking in. The high chin guard was great for blocking wind on Heavenly's higher runs, and the suede chin guard lining felt downright cozy. The helmet-compatible hood has a wire brim, so you can adjust it to suit your melon, no matter what the shape, and the off-center half-zip in the front kept my chin happy while I hunkered down on ski lifts. And the potential downside of pulling that sucker on over the helmet? The zipper running up the side and half-zip opening at the neck took care of that. *— Billy Brown*
06robbie-jacket
Eider Whistler JKT M -------------------- Keeping warm. That's the number one job of a jacket on the mountain. Number two is having enough pockets to stash your lift ticket, granola bar, MP3 player, and glove liners in case the clouds on the horizon create a weather situation before you finish your runs for the day. The [Eider Whistler JKT M](http://www.eider.com/en/products/fall-winter-2013-2014/mens-shell-jackets/whistler-jkt-m) ($450) jacket does both beautifully. Unlike many of the jacket shells on the market, the Whistler doesn't feel stiff. It blocks the cold like a heavy duty shell while the inside of the jacket actually feels like a comfortable blanket. The magnets at the top and bottom of the main zipper were much easier to wrangle than the buttons found on other jackets. The jacket kept out all moisture even after multiple falls in freshly fallen snow ([see our snowboard review gallery](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/12/winter-camp-snowboard/) for evidence of at least one). Plus, there was enough pocket storage to keep my glove liners, face mask, scarf, power bars, iPhone, etc. out of the way until I needed them. *— Roberto Baldwin* *This original version of this text incorrectly identified the jacket in the photo. The jacket is actually the Eider Whistler, and the text has been updated to reflect this.*
07dakine-synchro
Dakine Synchro Jacket --------------------- I fall down a lot when I'm snowboarding (total klutz, it's just my nature) so I always look for a shell that keeps my various personal items secure and far afield of my "impact zones." The [Dakine Synchro](http://www.dakine.com/p/outerwear/jackets/mens/mens-synchro-jacket) has ample pockets — on the chest, down the sides, on the left wrist — so I was able to position my granola bars, glasses, and other crushables in places where they'd see no harm no matter how often or how hard I hit the deck. Inside the upper left chest pocket, there's also a leash and harness for your phone, which works great. And just above it is a tiny stash space where you'll find an emergency whistle, something that would be handy if I had the guts to tackle some out-of-bounds tree runs. The waterproof ripstop construction performed as expected, and the jacket is well-vented. My only complaint: the sizing skews too large. Using [the sizing chart on Dakine's website](http://www.dakine.com/p/outerwear/jackets/mens/mens-synchro-jacket#sizingchart), I figured I was an XL. But nope, I was swimming in this jacket all week. I know snowboarders tend to prefer baggy kits, but I had to cinch the sleeve closures, waist drawcords, and the collar and hood to their limits just to keep the wind out. Just size down, or try it on in a store first. Plus, the jacket comes in camo, so all is forgiven. *— Michael Calore*
08ibex-mittens
Ibex Wool Aire Mitten --------------------- Though lacking the snowboard- or ski-specific designs of other models, these [all-purpose mittens from Ibex](http://shop.ibex.com/Apparel/Zing/Wool-Aire-Mitten) are also all-luxurious and all-toasty. They're insulated with wool and they have a Merino fleece lining, so they wick moisture remarkably well and stay comfortable without getting swampy. A thick wrist gauntlet and a thick plastic closure strap keeps the pow out. The palms are protected by some supple and expensive-feeling Pittard's leather. The weather-resistant treatment that's been applied makes the leather a little slick — so snowboarders beware. It's important to have some solid grip in the palm for pushing yourself upright. But when the snow is too packed for the palms on these Ibex mitts to get a good grip, you'll wind up pushing yourself up with your fists, or somehow getting creative with your hands to right yourself. However, the treated leather is absolutely superior for crafting snowballs, and there a strip near the wrist for wiping your nose so you don't snot up the fancy Pittard's pads. They're steep at $115, but Ibex stuff is built to last, and the subtle unisex styling makes them wearable everywhere, not just on the slopes. *— Michael Calore*
09bibs-billy
Quiksilver Travis Rice Park It in the Rear Pants ------------------------------------------------- Though they have a rather unfortunate name, Quiksilver's [Park-it-in-the-Rear GORE-TEX bib shell pants](http://www.quiksilver.com/travis-rice-park-it-in-the-rear-gore-tex-bib-shell-pants/qukusaqytp00001) ($450) look great, and they're all but bombproof. The chest-high bib will keep you dry in any snow conditions that don't require a snorkel, and brushed tricot and fleece on the interior add a bit of comfort to high-contact areas like the knees and waist. Bonus: My cell phone fit perfectly in the chest pocket, making it readily available for blowing up Instagram. *— Billy Brown*
10eider-kanda
Eider Kanda Ski Pants --------------------- Most ski pants have a very distinct feel – waterproof/breathable materials tend to have a crinky, plastic-y texture. Eider's gone out of its way to make ski pants that don't actually feel like ski pants. The [Kanda ski pant](http://www.eider.com/en/products/fall-winter-2013-2014/mens-trousers/kanda-pant-m) ($300) is made up of a 10k/10k waterproof/breathable material called Defender Oxford; the exterior pretty much feels like a really soft pair of Carhartt pants. They sport 125 grams of insulated padding which kept me toasty on a frigid, blustery test day at Heavenly. The pocket layout is excellent with these pants – two large front hip pockets and a cargo pocket on the left leg are enough to carry a snowboard tool, keys, and a phone with room to spare. Usually, thicker material means limited mobility, but I found no restriction whatsoever with these pants. The only real issue I have with them is that these are strictly for skiing — the cuffs are *far* too thin to accommodate snowboard boots. No zipper or anything. Really wish I'd checked on that before we got to the mountain. *— Billy Brown*
11patagonia-jacket
Patagonia Powslayer Jacket -------------------------- The [Powslayer](http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mens-powslayer-jacket-ski-snowboard?p=30301-0) ($700) has a zippered pocket inside its zippered chest pocket. A secure pocket inside a secure pocket? Brilliant. OK, maybe not brilliant, but it's just one more thoughtful touch among many that make this jacket the perfect all-day companion. The Powslayer has a generous cut without devolving into a fashion debacle, and offers the pockets, pit zips, and helmet-prepped hood I've come to expect in a ski-specific jacket. But it's the overall result that makes it a perfect choice to spend your hard-earned coin. And if you have any money left over, you can store it in the pocket-inside-the-pocket. *— Jim Merithew*
12quicksilver
Quiksilver Mix Riding Shirt --------------------------- The [Mix Riding shirt](http://www.quiksilver.com/mix-riding-shirt/qukusaqywt00080#selectedColor=rqf0&type=0) from Quiksilver ($120) is simple in its design, but it does its job well. Basically a hooded fleece shirt, the polyester plaid exterior sheds snow, and the 40 grams of insulation makes the jacket a perfect piece to wear over a t-shirt on days that aren't quit cold enough to necessitate a puffy coat. Plus, it looks sharp as hell on and off the mountain. *— Billy Brown*
13dakine-mitten
Dakine Skyline Mitt ------------------- While everyone on the trail was complaining about their tingly extremities in windy, 20-degree conditions, my hands were plenty toasty in the [Skyline Mitt](http://www.dakine.com/p/gloves/ski-snowboard/mens/skyline-mitt?clr=000) ($60). I typically wear a medium in women's sizing, but the men's small in this model fit perfectly. The mittens are water-resistant all over: the durable nylon shell, the grippy leather palms, and the suede-ish nose wipe thumb-panels that I feel pretty bad about using. With removable, stretch fleece glove liners as a base-layer (featuring touch-screen responsive pads on the index and thumb) this kit stays warm and fuzzy on the inside. The mitts also feature an unwieldy side zipper that opens to (eventually) display your digits. Roomy without being floppy, the mitt allow your fingers enough dexterity to make fine-tune adjustments to your boots and bindings. Mine were simple black-on-black, but they're available in an array of creative colors and graphics to match any aesthetic. *— Kelli Rubin*
