Jackets

Recent Jacket Reviews

Rab Infinity Jacket

This coat’s very warm, windproof, and highly water resistant. Also quite comfortable and good fitting. I wanted a very warm jacket for horribly cold, windy New England weather while walking the dog or just daily wear. RAB calls the Infinity a belay jacket; something you wear after you’ve reached the summit or are on belay for a long period. If these folks get cold, they die. So I figured the Infinity would be good enough for me.  I’ve only had it a short time, but I’ve been out in frigid… Full review

Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket

The Alpha SV is a worthwhile shell jacket for bad weather and more than an average amount of wear and tear. The heavy duty Gore Tex Pro fabric and astute design keep out wet and wind as well as anything. Cut a little more roomy than some Arc'teryx shells for layering. High price, weight, and noisy fabric are its primary downsides. I wore this all winter and loved it. The Alpha SV Jacket is a heavyweight. Robust fabric will not only keep you dry and protected from the wind but will also absorb years… Full review

Buffalo Mountain Shirt

Incredibly functional, warm, and featherlight protection for high effort activity in wet, windy, or cold climates. After suffering the last 30 years hiking the PNW in a 3l hard shell, being too hot walking uphill, and shivering all the way down because I was soaking wet inside from sweat, I decided I'd had enough. Did some internetting and found out about Buffalo. The Mountain Shirt fits comfortably loose. The Special 6 is the same, just longer and therfore better for the over 6'2" crowd or those… Full review

Buffalo Mountain Shirt

Special gear that needs an Active/Static rating table for reference. Great garment to keep you safe in the wilderness, I would say 0°F to 40°F depending on activity. Especially good and safe in the 25°F to 35°F range. Comfortable to wear in static conditions above 40°F.  Full review

Buffalo Mountain Shirt

The most versatile outdoor garment I've ever used. Possibly the best return, for the initial purchase price, of any athletic kit I've bought. I've had at least one Mountain Shirt in my kit bag, since 1990. A great three-season climbing, hiking, paddling, and cycling layer, designed to fit close, wick away moisture from the skin and as a barrier to wind chill. I sometimes use a thin polypropylene under vest and would want a waterproof extra layer for heavy, prolonged rain, extended rest stops, or… Full review

Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Poncho

Light, breathable, and versatile, the Frogg Toggs UL2 Poncho provides the rain protection you need without busting the bank. After being pleased with FT's Waterproof Boonie Hat, I really wanted to try their poncho. I also wanted to know how it would stand up to the pricier options. At the same time I was testing this, I was also testing a $350 rain shell for the Review Corps. I wanted to know if a $12 poncho was even close in rain protection (If you don't want to read the rest of the review, it… Full review

Marmot PreCip Jacket

10000 mm waterproof membrane; based on personal experience I recommend using it when not carrying a backpack or anything else on your back. First of all who I am and why this jacket: I like backpacking and I do this outdoor activity in all common weather conditions—because experience taught me to always include a rain jacket among the things to carry in my backpack I wanted a lightweight jacket to keep me as dry as possible during my hikes under the rain. Because it is relevant, I want to underline… Full review

Fjallraven Expedition Down Lite Jacket

An expedition parka with an urban soul. Above all, this jacket is a classic. It hasn't changed and it has a history. It also has a Swedish soul. The character is for the style-oriented. However, it is called Expedition, so I review it from that point of view. Above all, it is a massive jacket. Hard to pack. The beautiful provided pouch is big as well. As it is 800 Down of the highest quality, it may be reduced in size, but do compare with others and it looks gigantic. The loft is comfortable and… Full review

Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody

I wore the Fitz Roy down hooded parka during my winter over at South Pole in 2015. I was out walking every night, including our low temp night of -109.1°F. I stayed warm at all times in this parka. The Fitz Roy is one of the parkas chosen by the United States Antarctic Program for its extreme cold weather pilot program. Meaning you can choose this parka instead of the "Big Red" parka issued by USAP at the Clothing Distribution Center in Christchurch, New Zealand. "Big Red" is extremely warm as… Full review