Mountain Weekly News ~

All right, Patagonia, I get it. You’re awesome. You’ve done it again with the Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody.

Everyone knew that already, right? Wrong. Until I finally laid my hands on the Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody this fall I had no idea what I was missing in my layering system. Throughout my fall and winter adventures I thought I was doomed to a future of stopping every ten minutes to fix my layering system—too keep myself warm and cool (the never ending adventure that is thermoregulation).

Last week, a friend of mine and I decided to venture out of Wyoming and climb Table Mountain in Idaho—mostly to see the snow but also because once winter rolls around this relatively casual hike will become much more dangerous and technical. We wanted one final hurrah before we started hiking in full ski gear with our feet locked into skis, so we made our way through the pass where the trailhead starts at 6,950 feet and climbs up to 11,300. Needless to say, the temperature would change from feeling like cool October day to being nearly single degree temps with wind chill at the summit.

So what the heck do you wear for those temps on a hike where you’ll gain almost 4,000 feet vertical? Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody to the rescue. Getting outside in the fall is by far one of the most awkward times for thermoregulation, and Patagonia just ACED this absolutely indispensable layer. Made of entirely synthetic rip-stop material, it will keep you warm even when it’s wet and hold up to rougher shwacky-type terrain. Both the shell and lining are made with a DWR finish to repel water. Plus, the jacket has a hood . . . enough said.

Patagonia did it well—on their website they say “put it on, leave it on” and they are right. I’d wear it from the trailhead to the summit and back, and then to the Emporium for a milkshake. I’m looking forward to wearing this Hoody for all of my winter mountain adventures this season and beyond!

Looking for the men’s version? Checkout or review of the Men’s Nano-Air Hoody

The post Patagonia Women’s Nano-Air Hoody appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Hannah Trask.

Mountain Weekly News ~

I don’t want to make any assumptions, but it is my honest opinion that any rad lady who works, lives, and plays in the mountains probably wants a shell that can live up to her stoke-filled, heart-racing, super-epic lifestyle. That shell is the FlyLow Gear Vixen Jacket, even if you’re just looking for a shell that looks good and functions well. The jacket has fully seam-taped zippers, underarm vents (for those really warm spring days and when puffing up a particularly steep skin track), and a DWR coating over a 3-layer membrane (so it’ll keep you dry on the soggy days). The hood easily fits over a helmet.

The FlyLow Gear Vixen jacket keeps you warm and dry, and it’ll keep you looking fresh as all hell on the slopes. You can say it’s not important, but let’s be honest, style is as much a part of the ski culture as function. Ladies, we can finally shred in flair—backcountry and resort skiing alike. The FlyLow Vixen is made of a soft-shell stretchy material that let’s you bend and play and twist around on the slopes no problem, and since the jacket is a little longer it keeps your booty warm riding up the lift.

Hanna making some early season turns in the FlyLow Vixen Jacket Photo | Mountain Weekly News

Here’s the deal: FlyLow Gear was founded in 2006 by two skiers who struggled to find gear rugged enough to handle backcountry touring and alpine environments and also stylish enough to hang for the aprés ski. Those two buddies built themselves from the ground up, and are now a commonly known brand in the ski industry.

FlyLow Gear as an LLC also supports one of my personal favorite non-profit organizations in the industry—the High Fives Foundation (http://highfivesfoundation.org/). The High Fives Foundation raises awareness about injury prevention in skiers (i.e. wear a helmet, folks) and also supports and provides resources and inspiration to people who have suffered life-altering injuries. I first learned about the High Fives Foundation when I was working as an adaptive ski instructor at Sugarbush Resort in Vermont, and when I found out purchasing my jacket supported them, well . . . it solidified my certainty that the FlyLow Gear Vixen Jacket was the right choice.

So if you’re into resort skiing, backcountry touring, walking around in the winter and staying warm and dry, or just like looking good (while supporting a good cause) then try on the FlyLow Gear Vixen jacket. You won’t be disappointed.

Pro tip: Go a size up! It’s sleek and slender fitting, so if you go a size up you’ll have space to layer underneath for staying toasty on those extra chilly days.

The FlyLow Vixen Jacket is tour ready Photo | Mountain Weekly News

The post FlyLow Vixen Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Hannah Trask.

Mountain Weekly News ~

The lifts might not be turning here in Jackson Hole quite yet, but there’s plenty of powder to be had in the Tetons! You know what that means – it’s time to start making sure you and your gear are ready to send it this winter. In my own winter-prep this week, I tested a jacket from a local outdoor apparel company, Stio. There’s no better place to test outerwear than in our own backyard, so I took the redesigned 2015 Stio Environ Jacket out for some tours off Teton and Togwotee Passes. The Environ is Stio’s top of the line ski shell, so I admittedly had very high expectations – like Teton high – and it did not disappoint. This is a jacket for the skier who demands comfort and performance going both uphill and downhill.

Let’s be honest. Looking fresh is half the battle, so we’ll start there. My experience so far with women’s ski jackets is that they tend be either too boxy and shapeless or dysfunctionally overstyled – I prefer to save my Aspen Extreme look for gaper day at the resort. In Stio’s “regular fit,” the Environ has enough stretch to allow for a trim, feminine fit without inhibiting movement. I am just shy of 5’6” and the length of the size small was just right. I didn’t even think about whether it might be riding up while I was skinning – crazy, right?!

Michelle about to get rad in her Stio Jacket | Photo Mountain Weekly News

So now that we’ve established how good I look and feel in this jacket, you must be dying to know: could it keep up with my radical moves? To avoid constant layer adjustments, I’ve been looking for a shell that can keep me cool when things get hot going uphill. The breathability of the TORAYDELFY material was exceptional – definitely superior to the GORETEX I have been using for years. When everyone else was shedding layers, I cooled off just fine by opening the pit-zips. Stio uses a unique zipper pull that was exceptionally easy to use – I never had to take off my pack or gloves to adjust the zippers. It’s a small detail, but one that I noticed.

The zippered cuffs were another small but well-appreciated detail. Normally I sacrifice dry wrists because it is so difficult to adjust the velcro on the cuffs of most jackets. But the hidden zippers on the cuffs of the Environ made it easy to adjust the wrists without taking off my bulky gloves.

In addition to the bonuses that separate it from the rest of the pack, the jacket includes all the other features that have become standard. This year a powder skirt was added to supplement the existing adjustable lower hem. The detachable hood, which fits easily over my helmet, has three points of adjustment to ensure a good fit around the face while maintaining peripheral vision. All of the zippers are completely waterproof. No question, you will definitely stay dry in this setup.

So what would I change? Mostly just bells and whistles. It might have been nice to have a couple of additional pockets. There are two interior pockets, one with a zipper and one without, in addition to three exterior pockets. It would be nice if the exterior chest pocket had an opening inside for headphones. However, for a high-performing, minimalist backcountry ski shell, Stio nailed it. Any more features would have resulted in more weight that none of us really wants to carry uphill. While the breathability was a major plus, it did come at the expense of the windproof quality. For mid-November it was no problem, but I could see it getting a bit chilly on a cold January day with higher wind speed.

All in all, I definitely recommend this jacket for anyone looking for an attractive, functional, true-to-size shell that can handle the demands of travelling in the backcountry and skiing variable conditions in and out of bounds. At $425, it’s right in line with other high quality waterproof ski shells, and you’ll be repping a local Jackson Hole brand.

The post Stio Women’s Environ Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Michelle Sirois.

Mountain Weekly News ~

Looking for a great jacket to stay warm regardless of what winters throws your way? If so Patagonia’s Primo Down Jacket should be on your shopping list this season. What sets this cozy down jacket apart from the competition is Patagonia’s ongoing commitment to ensure sound animal welfare by using 100% traceable down material for the Primo insulation.

Perhaps you’re wondering why traceable down matters, start with the video below.

You can learn more about Patagonia’s traceable down standards here.

The Test

I work a night job in Jackson Hole that frequently has me outside in harsh conditions. From shoveling snow, to plowing roads and everything in between. I was looking for a jacket that would keep me warm with minimal layering, and one that I could stand around in the snow and cold without being effected by the winter weather we have here in the Tetons. I found the Mens Patagonia Primo Down Jacket to be perfect for my needs.

The Mens Primo would also be a great jacket to wear for lift accessed hot laps on sub-zero mornings during your next ski trip. Patagonia went the extra mile with this piece and really beefed up the insulation, I like to think of it as cocoon cozy. The down insulation fully wraps around the hood to give you even more warmth on the coldest of days.

The Material

This is the warmest insulated hard shell piece Patagonia has ever made. Think about that for a second.. The outside of the Primo jacket features a 2 layer Gore-Tex fabric. While the inside of the jacket is filled with 800-Fill power goose down. Along with Gore-Tex the Men’s Patagonia Primo Down Jacket uses a DWR finish on to help repel even more rain and snow.

Unique Features of the Primo Down

This jacket was designed with skiing and riding in mind and comes equipped with a RECCO® reflector sewn into the back. Patagonia’s Primo also features two deep zippered chest pockets, bomber Velcro cuffs, a removable powder skirt (although I left this on even when not riding) and a helmet compatible hood with a cool little visor that helps keep snow and wind off your face.

On the inside of the Primo is an integrated media storage compartment and a second deep pocket that works great for stashing snacks or an extra pair of gloves. But what really sets this jacket apart, and why your reading this review is the 800-fill traceable down. Checkout the photo below, doesn’t that look comfortable?

Patagonia Primo Down Insulation Photo Mike Hardaker | Mountain Weekly News

Who’s The Primo Down Jacket For?

At $699 this jacket is aptly named the Primo and might have a sticker shock to some folks. However anyone that has ever had the pleasure of owning Patagonia outerwear will tell you that this is a solid investment into staying warm in the mountains, especially thanks to the brands Ironclad Guarantee.

Yvon Chouinard, the owner and founder of Patagonia’s messages as of late and one I will continue to tell through the Mountain Weekly News is to ask yourself if you really need to buy this piece of gear? Can you get another season out of your current down jacket? If the answer is yes than my suggestion would be to hold off for another season or two.

even the hood is cozy on the Primo Down

However if you’re in the market for a down jacket that will work in any conditions, one that you can feel good about not only wearing but also owning thanks to traceable down. I can see no better piece of insulated outerwear to buy this season.

One thing to note, I felt the jacket was a little on the large size. Patagonia tends to run big. So this Medium seemed more like a large, especially at 5’11 145 pounds. That being said a little extra bulk on a down jacket should be expected and will surely increase your comfort level.

The post Patagonia Primo Down Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Mike Hardaker.

Mountain Weekly News ~

It honestly doesn’t get any better than this. The Canada Goose Timber Shell is on a totally different level. Simply put, it is one of the best – if not the best – jacket shell I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. Creating gear for the extreme cold is what Canada Goose does

Features

Just pick up the Canada Goose Timber Shell and the outstanding level of craftsmanship is readily apparent. It is constructed with Tri-Durance 3-layer material for the ultimate in protection from the elements as well as outstanding breathability and durability. You can tell just by running your fingers over the material that it gets the job done and is built to last. It’s lightweight yet substantial, soft without that crinkly feeling most shells have.

One of the coolest features on the Timber Shell jacket is its huge hood. It fits over even the bulkiest ski/snowboard helmets. Better yet, its three-way adjustability (vertically, horizontally, and circumferentially) ensures that you get the perfect fit, helmet or no helmet.

Performance

A host of cool features don’t mean squat if a jacket doesn’t perform well. Fortunately, the Canada Goose Timber Shell is an absolute beast in the performance department.

Up in the Pacific Northwest, we’re constantly battling rain and snow. Despite several days spent testing the jacket in near torrential downpours, I was kept completely warm and dry. The fact that the main zipper zips all the way up further kept the rain and wind out of my face. Another one of the best things about this jacket is that it is amazingly breathable for the high level of protection it provides.

During long treks the under arms vents on this jacket run almost the entire length of the sleeve allowing for maximum ventilation. This was clutch when touring in warmer temps as it allowed air to regulate quickly and efficiently.

Take a look inside the Timber Shell and great features reveal themselves one after another. For starters, the jacket is fully seam-sealed with YKK aqua-guard water-repellent zippers throughout.

Pros: One of the coolest looking media pockets ever created, seriously. Check out the inside of the jacket in the photo above.

Cons: The only downside, in my opinion, is that the cut, even on the size large, is slightly shorter than it could be, especially since there is no powder skirt on the Timber Shell. Otherwise this jacket is solid

Overall Impression

This is one hell of a hard-shell jacket. You can’t really say anything more than that. If your bank account can take a $675 hit, then there is no chance you’ll be able to find a better jacket than this. Sure, it’s expensive, but uber-functionality and top-of-the-line radness like this is worth every single penny. The Canada Goose Timber Shell jacket is a long-term investment that will put up with years of wear and tear.

The post Canada Goose Timber Shell Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Jake Walnuts.

Mountain Weekly News ~

Layering up this winter: The minimalist soft shell

When it comes to packing for a long day in the backcountry I choose my most versatile layers. It’s always hard to take off my fuzzy, fleece pullover before leaving the car in the early AM; but, although it is warm, I know I need something more packable, waterproof, and breathable.

Beyond the base layer we all layer up uniquely. This summer season I moved away from the classic soft shell and opted for a minimalist wind layer. One of your best options for an extra-thin soft shell is Black Diamond’s Alpine Start Hoody.

In some ways this BD product is geared towards climbing. The hood is helmet compatible (which is also useful for skiing, biking, etc.), but can be cinched down to fit nicely over a hat. The fit in the arms and torso allows for unrestricted reaching (in other words, it’s relaxed fit makes it easy to move in), and it packs into a chest pocket with a carabiner loop for clipping into your harness.

Lauren investigating how well the shell handles abrasion while crawling in and out of huecos

That being said, I think it fits well for just about anything. And with Black Diamond’s new line of women’s clothing ladies no longer have to buy the (broad shouldered and super long-sleeved) men’s version!

Keep in mind that this is a minimalist layer, therefore it is not going to provide you a ton of warmth when you’re hanging around town. Their website recommends it for weathering “gusts and light weather.” But if you’re moving around, it will keep you more comfortable than the traditional soft shell due to its fit and breathability (and it is surprisingly water-resistant).

If I’m worried about compromising on warmth with this extra-thin layer I throw in a vest. Vests are great for insulation while you’re moving, as their design is naturally vented.

If you often catch yourself reaching for your hard shell jacket, but wanting something a bit less bulky and sweaty for when the weather is moderate then this is a great alternative.

The post A Review of the Black Diamond Women’s Alpine Start Hoody appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Lauren Funaro.

Mountain Weekly News ~

I have been living in my Torah Bright Crystalized Snowboard Jacket and I love it. It is a jacket that has redefined my vision of comfort and amenities in a coat. This jacket is warm, light, and has an ideal length. I have been rocking this jacket for the last three weeks straight. The colder temps have nothing on me.

The amenities are in the details of this coat. When you get the jacket, it comes with a matching neck warmer. In your left pocket there is a clipped in lens cleaner; no more dropping it in the snow, making the cloth useless or leaving home without one. Ninja sleeves are nice, but this jacket has a much better system. Ninja sleeves become tiny mittens for your hands with just a fold of material. This has become a new favorite feature of mine and I wish was available on more jackets. The inside of the jacket is very soft and there is a softer chin guard for when the jacket is fully zipped up. A jacket to pant attachment…Yes there are still more features, I could go on.

Roxy Torah Bright Crystalized Snowboard Jacket Photo | Mountain Weekly News

I would have loved to have this Torah Bright Crystalized Snowboard Jacket while snowboarding in Minnesota (or while simply living there). If you are riding a resort in the Midwest you need to see this jacket.

Specs via Roxy.com
• Waterproof: Dry Flight 15K
• Insulation: 3M™ Thinsulate™ FEATHERLESS [350g]/600 fill power + Type M [100g] (hood & sleeves)
• Lining: ultra lightweight taffeta
• Fit: Tailored
• Features:
• 3-way adjustable hood
• Fixed hood
• Removable powder skirt with lycra stretch panel
• Snap-away powder skirt system
• Jacket to pant attachment system
• Chin guard
• Napoleon pocket
• Internal goggle pocket
• Lens cleaner
• Finger warming tuck away system
• Pass pocket in the sleeve
• Mesh lined vents
• YKK® Waterproof zip
• Key clip
• Biotherm X ROXY ENJOY & CARE neck warmer inside

The post Roxy Torah Bright Crystalized Snowboard Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Stephanie Buelow.

Mountain Weekly News ~

I have always really liked Dynafit gear, from there bindings and boots witch are amazing and very functional to their soft cotton t-shirts. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to use any of their outerwear and I believe it lives up to Dynafits good quality. The Dynafit Vulcan Down is warm very breathable and remarkably water resistant the technology they are using for this jackets seems to fit the description. The Vulcan will definitely be a good piece to go in my pack for cold long winter tours in the Tetons.

Water resistant

I found this jacket to be quite water resistant. Dynafit applied a water repelling coating to the down called Downtek, in other words they coated the feathers in a repellent to help keep its loft while also keeping u warm and dry. This also allows the jacket to dry twice as fast as non-treated down filler. It is also machine washable and because of the coating it will sustain its fluffy loft even after repeated washing. I went as far as to test this claim and it holds true. As far as the outer fabric of the jacket it wicks moisture great, stick the sleeve under a fossett and watch the water beads form!!

Not a bad method, for a skier.. Photo | Mountain Weekly News

Wind resistant/durability:

Once again Dynafit implemented a new Tec called Pertex Quantum; these crazy euros use really high quality threads which make very light and very dense fabric with a really high thread count. Because of this Tec I have found the jacket to be very durable while skinning through the low hanging moose brush to as far as tuning skis and every day town life. I have been using this jacket for over two weeks now with no rips tears or holes and that’s pretty impressive considering how hard I am on my equipment. The Vulcan Jacket is also pretty wind resistant I believe this to be because of how densely the threads of the jacket are woven and the coating of the interior down. This jacket is a great peace to have at the end of a long skin while standing on top of a cold windy ridge, it warmed me right up.

Final impressions:

My final impression of this jacket is that it’s great! I believe that Dynafit once again has lived up to their name. I have worn it on 4 hour ski tours as well as opening day at Grand Targhee when the temps where in the negatives, and while snow blowing my drive way which as people know can be a damp experience. This jacket has kept me warm dry and happy weather it was under a shell in the mountains or my primary jacket around town. Because of the fleece venting in the pits it keeps your temps balanced and breaths well while also increasing your range of effortless motion. It also has fleece around the collar which is very comfortable and acts as kind of a neck gator. The Vulcan also packs up into its own breast pocket and it compresses down really small for easy storage in your backpack, I have always really liked that feature in a puffy.

Now don’t take my word on it because I may be bias, I love Dynafit gear. Their gear has been serving me well for ten plus years in the mountains and has always held true. I was stoked to have the opportunity to test some of their soft goods and was also impressed with them. The Vulcan is a great jacket I would suggest it to anyone!!!

Dynafit Vulcan Jacket packs down small | Photo Mountain Weekly News

The post Dynafit Vulcan Down Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Jacob Stinson.

Mountain Weekly News ~

With nearly a century of experience in clothing manufacture, Eddie Bauer brings a lot of knowledge to outerwear design and has lately been producing high quality technical outerwear. The Eddie Bauer Neoteric Shell Jacket is a lightweight and highly functional shell featuring 3 layer polartec neoshell along with a DWR finish – meaning that this jacket is highly breathable and waterproof. I like to have one all-around jacket in my setup, and this one fits that niche excellently. Taking it out for the opening weekend of the ski season at Kirkwood tested the shell through warm temps, blizzards, cold winds, and greuling hot-laps. I stayed comfortable in the 40 degree sun and kept warm by layering with a thin fleece when the temps dropped to 20 with heavy snow and wind.

Eddie Bauer Neoteric Shell Jacket Photo Mountain Weekly News

Relaxed fit and stretch

I tried the medium size (I’m about 5’11” and 160lbs) which fit great and was slightly larger than other mediums in all the right places. The cuffs flare out slightly to make fitting over a glove easy, while the sleeve lengthened and accomodates for bending and stretching without pulling out of place. I took a few crashes in powder wearing this jacket and never any snow creep into the sleeves even with the cuffs lightly over gloves. The removable powder skirt fits tight, and is very secure with many clips to stay in place, and the hood fits over a helmet no problem and includes many adjustment points. Where this shell really shines though is the stretchiness of the fabric, which combined with its low weight makes maneuvering a breeze.

Bomber Zippers on the Eddie Bauer Neoteric Shell Zippers Photo Mountain Weekly News

Pockets galore

Including the normal waist pockets, an arm pocket, and dual chest zips there is no shortage of places to keep your things. Plus the pockets are DEEP, I could have easily fit skins in either chest zip, a large sandwich in a waist pocket, and an arsenal of electronics elsewhere. All with lightweight seam-sealed zippers. A bonus goggle wipe is included tethered to the inside of the coat for easy goggle wiping. One concern I had was the main plastic zip’s waterproofness which isn’t seam-sealed, but I took a lot of snow to the face without any moisture sneaking through. I could see this a a potential weakness on those really wet days though.

Breathability is key

This is a concept that has been gaining momentum in outerwear as new tech fabrics come out and more people venture into the backcountry to earn their turns down. Getting to the top of your run toasty and sweat free is key to maximizing your time touring and staying comfortable throughout the day’s temperature and precipitation swings. But long days inbounds can be trying too, whether you’re waiting for first chair or burning hot laps through deep powder. The super long pit zips will definitely keep you swamp-free all day if the inherent breathability of the neoshell isn’t enough.

Overall this is a great functional jacket for a moderate price. It seems durable while coming in as one of the lighter fully funtional shells out there. If you’re looking for a getup that will handle adventure days in and out of the ski area, the Eddie Bauer Neoteric Shell will fit the bill.

The post Eddie Bauer’s Men’s Neoteric Shell Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Jonathan Penfield.

Mountain Weekly News ~

The Yeti is a mystical, manlike beast who walks around in frigid temps insulated by nothing but his own glorious fur, eating blizzards for breakfast. All who live for the winter should aspire to be the yeti.

When it comes to the outerwear world, Airblaster is a relative youngblood. Thirteen years ago they made a “symbolic accessory” that was more about the message than functionality – namely, the motto “Stay Wild!” This message is increasingly relevant as snowboarding becomes more mainstream, losing its rebel roots and WHISKEY-video rowdiness. But despite the company’s “fun, friends and freedom” vibe, their outerwear is serious business. Especially their new Yeti Beast shell, as I discovered over tours through the Big Holes in Idaho, resort laps at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and a pre-dawn Teton Pass lap through heavy wind and snow that put the chill factor near zero. And throughout it all, the Yeti proved itself a versatile piece of snow armor for the hardest days in the BC and every trip to the resort. And the extra steeze and company values push it ahead of comparable jackets.

BOMBPROOF ECO-FRIENDLY VORTEX SHELL

Standing atop Glory Peak, a 30+mile-per-hour gust ripped through my pants, stung my face but hardly registered on my upper body. Wet snow peppered the jacket for a few hours, my son spilled juice on it on the chairlift, and my Nalgene opened all over it en route to the hill. Nothing got through. The Nanotex Aquapel is not only the best waterproofing of any shell I’ve worn, it’s also fluorocarbon-free (unlike other -tex tech) so you’re not adding more chemicals to the ether. It got a little warm on the long tour but never sauna-suit miserable, especially with open pit zips; when I was on the exposed ridge reconnecting my split, it kept me warm enough that I didn’t have to add another layer.

Ryan testing the Airblaster Yeti Beast Jacket on a deep day Photo | Mountain Weekly News

Jacket Features

Ninja hands are awesome for avoiding sleeve-creep. The media pocket has a rubber port that didn’t allow snow in when I dove into the deep stuff sans powderskirt. The zippers are as waterproof as the the jacket, though the extra material YKK put in made the pockets, especially the media pocket, a little tough to zip. That’s a small price to pay for keeping your iPhone from shortcircuiting, I guess. And in a world dominated by interchangeable bright jackets (many of which look to skiers first) a shredder can wear the Yeti Beast with pride; the black version has some scrimshaw to separate it from pretty much any high-quality shell out there.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

Water, wind, snow, they stand no chance against the Yeti. At times it was a little warm but for the average shredder who doesn’t consider 20 degrees balmy, it’s perfect. Riding, hiking and skinning mostly with just this shell and a base layer, I never once felt slightly cold. One thing to note is the size. I’m 6’, 180 pounds. I wear L/XL in everything. I wore this jacket in medium and it fit perfectly, even over my micropuffy. Go a size smaller unless you layer like you’re sucking weight for a wrestling match.

Overall, this jacket is my favorite new addition to my gear closet. I’d go so far as to say it’s a must-have for every snowboarder who takes their riding seriously. Skiers can wear it too but given the fact that it’s one of the few snowboard outerwear companies with technical gear that rivals the skimoers, every single-planker is duty-bound to rock Airblaster.

The post Airblaster Yeti Beast Snowboard Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Ryan Ariano.

Mountain Weekly News ~

Having the right gear is an essential component to having an enjoyable trip into the backcountry. The Stio Snotel Jacket proved worthy when I tested it on a powder day at Teton Pass. This jacket was designed by Stio with the backcountry traveler in mind.

There were a couple attributes that caught my attention as soon as I put it on. The jacket is incredibly light weight, perhaps the lightest jacket I have ever worn. This is a definite plus for all those skiers and riders looking to shed weight and go as light as possible. It felt like I was wearing air. Once I started hiking, I noticed how well the jacket moved with my body. The stretchy softshell fabric made it super comfortable and unrestricting. Alot more enjoyable than the hardshell jackets I typically wear.

Hunter rocking the Snotel Jacket in the Tetons Photo | Mountain Weekly News

The Snotel is a simple no frills jacket with chest and hand pockets, YKK waterproof zippers, pit zips, and an oversized hood. You won’t find a powder skirt or wrist gauntlets, but hey, who needs those? Performance wise this jacket was more than impressive. Breathable, waterproof, and stretchy. The Toray™ Dermizax® EV 3L fabric transfers heat and moisture effortlessly while hiking or skinning.

The 2016 Men’s Snotel Jacket is a must have for any backcountry traveler looking to stay dry and comfortable! If you’re looking for a lightweight and high performance jacket, the Stio Snotel is a great option.

The post Stio Snotel Snowboard Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Hunter Swanson.

Mountain Weekly News ~

You know that your jacket will withstand the wet when it’s designed and tested in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been using Outdoor Research’s highest-end hard shell, the Maximus Jacket, and am happy to have this trustworthy piece in my quiver of outdoor gear. This shell excels in durability and weather proofness, if you have an open mind to it’s funky venting systems, bulkiness and unique fit.

Outdoor Research does not make a direct equivalent of this jacket for women (the Revelation jacket is pretty similar), so I’ve been wearing a men’s medium. With the help of my mountain guide friends I got some perspective on how the coat fits and works for men, too.

Like most OR jackets, it’s equipped with waterproof zippers and an easy to use, helmet-compatible hood. The medium fits small on guys and is loose on me (female, 5’5”). I’d be better in a men’s small. If you prefer a longer, parka-style fit for additional coverage (especially when reaching overhead), then be wary of the length of this jacket. Also, if you prefer jackets with a built in powder skirt (which I don’t) then this might not be for you.

As this is a three-layer, Gore-Tex shell it’s important that it has a good venting system. The vents start at the base of the jacket on either side and unzip all the way to the armpits. Standard pit zips are more centered underneath the armpit, which is a potential downside of this jacket depending on your preference.

Being a three-layer piece it’s my most bulky hard shell. However it’s conveniently located Gore-Tex pro stretch panels keep it from feeling overly stiff.

If you’re hiking uphill on a cold day in January in the Tetons then you’ll be happy to be in this jacket. In other, milder conditions you might drown in sweat. It’s built for gnarly weather and expeditions, so I wouldn’t pack it for summer missions when the chances of precip are minimal.

When I don’t need the serious protection that this jacket offers, than I’m probably going to bring my Rab eVent Latok Alpine Jacket. But as much as I love that shell (and I do, now that I’ve put multiple holes in it…) I know the drawbacks of eVent fabric. For the harshest conditions, I bring the bulk and Outdoor Research makes some of the best protection in the industry.

The post Outdoor Research Maximus Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Lauren Funaro.

Mountain Weekly News ~

If you dream of long days fully immersed in the proverbial “white room,” sharing some of the best days of your life with friends out on the slopes, then don’t think about doing it in anything other than the Oakley Biozone Shell Jacket. Quite simply, the Oakley Thunder Gore-Tex Biozone Shell jacket is going to help your dreams become a reality.

The jacket is aptly named. When you think Biozone, you think white suits impervious to flesh eating monkey plagues. Though I wouldn’t recommend the Oakley Biozone as your sole means of defense against ebola, I do feel pretty confident in saying that it will keep you dry when it’s nuking snow and the refills are aplenty. With its parka-length design, wrist gussets, and the best fitting hood of any jacket I’ve worn, the Biozone is storm-proofed to the extreme, keeping you dry and comfortable all day, even in the most heinous conditions. I love the length of the jacket, for I know when I inevitably tomahawk at the bottom of a cliff I shouldn’t have jumped off, it won’t feel like the I had just nominated my bottom half for the ice bucket challenge. The wrist gussets, high collar, and hood provide the same assurance. The jacket is coated with a Gor-Tex laminate and has incredible ease of movement compared to similarly fortified outerwear.

I have always idolized skiers such Tanner Hall (aka Ski Boss), Seth Morrison, and Sammy Carlson. To me they are the hardest charging, most talented, all around mountain men I know of. Their execution and creativity in the mountains is more akin to what goes on in a video game than reality, and it is no shock to me that they do it all clad in Oakley’s finest. If I were to be like them (believe me, I try), literally immersed in snow all day everyday, pulling off unimaginable tricks and airs run after run, I would not want to be in anything else.

Oakley even has the minutia covered. The goggle wipe safely tucked away in the inner pocket can be a day-saver. The wisely placed vents that don’t get in the way of backpack straps are critical for side-country jaunts and exasperating top-to-bottom runs. The well placed fleece keeps your face cozy and comfortable when hunkering down on the chairlift. The Jacket also comes with pockets galore (the pass pocket on the sleeve has been a game-changer for me). I for one like to keep a collapsible water bottle and snacks with me when I hit the resort (or if its spring, a beer or two), and the Biozone has never failed for lack of storage space, or anything for that matter.

Finally, the jacket is a sexy thing to behold. With leather zipper-pulls and a fancy pocket design for style, you are not going to be able to blame anything but your skiing for failing to impress. Oakley could easily borrow the slogan of another company dedicated to making ski apparel, Pit Viper, which promises that their products will “demand respect and authority.”

The bottom line is that Oakley has managed to design a great looking jacket that also functions as well or better than anything else on the market. The jacket will keep you warm and dry, is comfortable, and looks stellar. All that is left to have to turn dreams into reality is a group of your favorite ski buddies, the weekend, and maybe a little gift from mother nature herself, as the Oakley Thunder Jacket truly delivers.

The post Oakley Thunder Gore-Tex Biozone Shell Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Chris Moody.

Mountain Weekly News ~

I can’t feel my fingers. That’s all I’m thinking on Devil’s Ridge, staring down today’s chosen couloir. The wind howls; moisture spontaneously freezes into airborne crystals and floats by us. I hardly even notice how warm my chest is, how it doesn’t feel the wind crippling my gloved hands. That’s the point. With Dakine’s fully-taped Gore-Tex DWR Mercer shell, you don’t have to think about wind, snow, wetness. You can think about getting your fingers to feel again. And you don’t have to worry about the inevitable scrapes with jagged limestone that downclimbing into the couloir will entail. You can concentrate on making sure you make a solid next step.

Dakine is one of the most respected names when it comes to durable outdoor gear, especially in snow, kind of ironic for a company founded in Hawaii for surfers. But every year they push the bar as far as tech without forgetting their lifestyle roots and this year’s Mercer is no different.

LIGHT BUT TOUGH

Touring in the Tetons can be a frustrating experiment in layering. At the trailhead it’s dipping into negative territory; halfway up the skintrack, the sun hits us, the meadows spread out and I unzip every ventilation slit I have. Then we top out on Devil’s Ridge and back into the negatives. Dakine’s Mercer is a stiff Gore-Tex shell. So while it might not move as well as some other jackets, it has the greatest chemicals in water-repellency working for you to keep that slicing wind and cold water from ruining your day while employing a few tricks to keep you from overheating.

If you spend most of your time ascending, the life of a backcountry snowboarder, you’re rarely worried about cold. Just dryness and it’s nice to have something to fight mountain winds. And it’s nice when you scramble or rap up or down rock and don’t have to worry about your new jacket tearing. The Mercer combines a lot of tech into a minimalist shell. Weighing barely anything when I stuffed it into my pack, I also kept it on a little longer than I should have in the cook and was fine. On the other hand, when a 40-plus-MPH gust ripped across Glory summit around dawn, my hood magically came up, stood strong, and protected my recently-shorn face.

But that stiffness comes at a price: you’re victim to styling touches. The Mercer has big wizard sleeves to tuck an average-gauntleted glove inside. But if your hands have frozen so many times the thought of single-digit temps gives you frostnip, you spend a good bit in negative-degree oven mitts which invariably have long drawstring gauntlets. Which did not fit with these sleeves, allowing snow and cold in. Also, the face protection of a big stiff collar, while maybe nice for the resort, allowing you to dip your chin in, is an irritation during self-powered ascent. A face scarf or balaclava is unbeatable; the big collar just collects snow and ice as it hangs open or funnels your breath into your shades as you huff up the hill if you close it.

Ryan shredding in the Dakine Mercer Photo | Mountain Weekly News

THE DETAILS HAVE FLAWS; LONG LIVE THE DETAILS!

Despite the minimalist nature of this textile tank, a huge victory is the size of the external hand pockets. They can fit goggles, glasses, headlamp, snacks, all with room to spare so you’re not struggling to shove your flotsam and jetsam in during a quick pitstop with gloved or frozen hands. Since they’re top-closing, you don’t have to sweat it if you don’t get them completely zippered. And a nice touch is the small paraphernalia, err, “pass” pocket on the arm with another one on the inside if your resort has joined the modern world with scanning liftlines.

The device pocket keeps your phone warm and gives the standard Napoleon chest access, but with a very small zipper (and no tail), it’s a challenge to unzip when you can’t feel your fingers. Since everybody knows you didn’t ski something if you didn’t get a picture of it, Smartphone hero pics are a requisite part of any successful tour. And while I like ninja hands, these could use a little love – the chapped skin between my thumb and pointer was irritated after a 6-hour tour and another hour-and-a-half slackcountry lap. And the one-hand hood drawstring was tough to loosen atop a frigid summit amid mountaintop gales.

The pit zips more than redeem it, though. Double pit zips give you extra airflow in that overheated pocket of flesh where pole-pumping arms chug back and forth. The only thing more dangerous than being too cold is being too hot when there’s a chance you’ll be cold later because your sweat will freeze to your body. Mercer’s gaping pit zips are lifesavers.

And again, the two front pockets are killer. As are the two interior mini cargo stash nets.

SIZING ISSUES

One last thing to note, the size: Like a few other snowboard jackets I’ve tried, I wore a Medium here despite being a solid Large/XL. Unless you’re still into that baggy snowboarder look (the 2000s called, they want their outerwear back) or you prefer to layer with fleece, puffy and Christmas sweater under your shell, go a size smaller than you normally would.

FINAL THOUGHTS: UNMATCHED BALANCE OF LIGHTNESS AND STRENGTH , BUT A LITTLE OVERFLARED FOR THE BC

The Dakine Mercer is everything you’d expect from one of the most respected outdoor companies out there, taking down comparable shells from companies noted for sponsoring Himalaya trips and hardcore mountaineers. It’s light but indomitable, like Bruce Lee in hardshell form. While some of its features might not lend themselves as well to long, frigid backcountry tours (cuffs, collar and mini-Smartphone zipper, I’m looking at you) they no doubt would be clutch on windy chairlifts and extreme resort laps. And its ability to channel out your heat and perspiration while at the same time repelling wind and precip is worth every penny of its $450 price tag. Just remember, keep it dialed and go down a size unless you want to be swimming.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go grab my three-course lunch from one of the hand pockets with my frostbitten fingers. Seriously, these pockets are awesomely huge.

Snowboarder, should rock snowboard supported brands like Dakine..

The post Dakine Mercer Snowboard Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Ryan Ariano.

Mountain Weekly News ~

I just returned from a Moab climbing trip and due to the bitterly cold weather in Indian Creek was able to spend a lot of time in this jacket. The L.L. Bean jacket falls into the mid-weight range of its’ category.

Initial Impressions

I was very surprised at how warm this jacket is. The 850 fill goose down jacket felt like a warm cloud once on. While I was not happy that it was snowing on my crack climbing experience the L.L. Bean Jacket was easily removed from its’ self-storage pouch and the elastic hood lining fit snugly over my helmet.

Features

• Chest pocket with audio port
o I can easily fit my entire ungloved hand into this pocket and it makes a perfect spot for topos, snacks or even whiskey on a cold day
o If you wish to drown out your climber’s cries of sorrow as they struggle on their fifth attempt through an offwidth then the audio port is perfect for you. It provides a clean wire line from the chest pocket through the jacket lining
• Inside pocket x 1
o This pocket is extremely generous and its’ mesh construction keeps the jacket’s weight down.
o This pocket easily holds a pair of goggles, a winter hat or a pair of skins
• Stowaway Pocket
o This pocket allows the jacket to be stuffed securely into itself for easy storage in a pack
o I can fit both hands in this pocket so it provides ample storage room for things such as full topographic maps or gloves.

L.L. Bean’s Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Jacket is incredibly packable!

Adjustability

• Hood
o The hood features an elastic band instead of a drawstring cinch. This saves some weight and in my opinion reduces a potential failure point in the jacket
o I did not find myself wishing for an adjustable hood. It fit nicely over my climbing helmet and allowed me full range of motion
• Cuffs
o The cuffs are elastic they did not create a perfect seal on my gloves which may be a problem if you find yourself powder skiing
• Waist
o The waist does feature an adjustable cinch, providing a nice snug fit and keeping snow out on my unwanted powder day
Look
• If down is considered formal wear in your town then this jacket will be right at home. It looks sharp not only in its’ fit but in color as well.

Final Impressions

I really enjoyed this jacket. L.L. Bean is not a brand I have touched since my parents ordered their clothes from a catalog but it was a welcome surprise to wear this jacket. The construction is solid and seems well thought out. I also like buying from companies that fully back their products upon destruction, LL Bean is one of these companies. If you are looking for a mid-weight down jacket that is backed by a reliable company, then this is a good option.

The post L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Adam Seery.

Mountain Weekly News ~

I have never had the opportunity to try any of the Eider clothing line but I had always herd good things. So when I was given one of their jackets for a review I was stoked!! It’s been a bit of a rough start to our alpine season here in the Tetons due to a bad avalanche cycle so it took a while to truly test it. Over the holidays though we got the perfect window, my friend and I were able to get up high in the Tetons on a frigid morning -26 at that. We skinned up to the basin of the middle Teton and where pleasantly surprised at the inversion. The Eider Zion is an amazing jacket it kept me warm happy and dry through the entire day. Usually at -26 nothing is pleasant, not even breathing but with high quality Gore-Tex you can’t go wrong and that’s exactly what the Zion is quality. After that fateful day I was able to test it further. We had freezing cold tours and balmy humid tours along with bush whacking and rock scrambling; with this jacket I wasn’t even fazed.

Durability:

The Zion is a very durable jacket; we spent the better part of a morning bushwhacking around trying to find the right approach for one of our tours. It holds up ski edges and alpine rock scrambles very well, not even a scuff in the fabric. Usually after a couple weeks of rigorous use a jacket tends to show some types of wear, the Zion did not show any of these. It looks bran new no wear on the sleeve ends or the shoulders from ski edges and no rips or tears from coming through tree branches at high speeds. I think this jacket is a great choice for a really light weight and very durable shell.

Jake likes to go to remote place, especially in his Edier gear Photo | Mountain Weekly News

Water proof, Wind proof, Breathable:

The Zion is very waterproof; it was pretty easy to test that on a day with heavy wet snow clumping to everything. With its taped zippers and well thought out stitching patterns not a drop of moisture got in. that being said with eiders patent pending C-KNIT technology which is a fine and soft knit backing. The Zion also breaths really well on long skins or quick boot packs considering it doesn’t have any vents that’s a very good thing. Finally this jacket dose not let any wind through, if u have ever done long ridge scrambles in high winds u know how important it is to keep out that pesky bone chilling wind. Like I said earlier there is nothing like high quality Gore-Tex.

Overall Fit:

I spend a lot of time in the mountains in many different conditions and situation as dose anyone that spends a lot of time in the backcountry and the fit of this jacket was flawless for all of them. If your reading this review in search of a good shell u will know that it’s not always easy to find a good fit. These days’ jackets tend to be big and bulky and to long and well, small medium large doesn’t mean anything anymore. Eider is very honest with their fits. Small medium and large still stand and if it tells you it is an alpine fit, freeride fit, or an all-around fit you will find that it is. I found the Zion to be an all-around fit. This Jacket was not too long or baggy and would do well in the alpine under a harness and still have enough room for good mobility, yet it is not nearly as form fitting as an alpine fit. Thanks Eider!!!

White room ready. Jake rocking the Edier Zion in the Tetons, Photo | Mountain Weekly News

The post Eider Zion Gore-Tex Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Jacob Stinson.

Mountain Weekly News ~

A snowboard specific line designed and tested in the harsh Pacific Northwest? Count me in! Homeschool hooked it up with their tried and true Universe III Parka. The Universe III jacket is back for its third season built with premium fabric and a style that is sure to get a few head turns in the lift lines.

Function

As far as function goes, the Universe III is where it’s at. As part of the Baker series, Homeschool designed this jacket with heavy and wet conditions in mind. During the 50″ holiday week we had here at Jackson Hole, I was amazed how dry I stayed both inside and out. Featuring a heavy Continuum 3.5L and 20,000mm waterproof construction the jacket sheds moisture even when its dumping, a definite must for going till the whistle on a powder day. Additionally, the Universe parka features their 37.5 technology created to increase the rate of evaporation of sweat. I was super impressed with how my temperature regulated and how comfortable I stayed while while hiking or touring. This is something I imagine other brands will soon adopt. Props to Homeschool. I also really loved the full coverage Wind Hater hood. When the wind picked up on our second lap up the exposed powder 8 ridge, the high profile cheek coverage proved to be a well thought out feature. Other perks include a bomber powder skirt, deep pow cuffs, electronic and goggle chest pockets, and for what it’s worth, a Recco reflector.

Homeschool, Never Summer, and Jackson Hole. Need we say more? Jonah at home in the Tetons, Photo Mountain Weekly

Fit

As functional and stylish as the Universe Parka may be, I don’t think they nailed the fit. Our editor swears by Homeschool, but when he tried on the 15/16 version the sleeves rode way too high, exposing his forearms. I am 5’7” and at first the medium seemed like a dream. I loved the long torso adding extra coverage when sitting in the snow or riding on the chair. But, after multiple days it just felt boxy. The double chest YKK Aquaguard zippers may keep contents bone-dry, but they are too stiff and restricting. Also, the neck collar collected moisture and froze frequently. It seemed as though there was extra space between my chin and the felt on the inside and this caused an uncomfortable amount of ice to form.

Bottom Line?

All things considered, I still reach for my Homeschool Universe III parka when suiting up in the morning. The waterproofing, breathability, and all around bomber construction make this jacket a great choice for both resort and backcountry laps. I do think Homeschool needs to dial in the fit and make this jacket live up to its potential. I recommend trying one on first, and if it fits well, you will not be disappointed.

Jonah rocking the Homeschool Universe Parka at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Photo Mountain Weekly News

The post Homeschool Outerwear Universe III Parka Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Jonah Sloven.

Mountain Weekly News ~

With a lengthy history of designing high quality technical gear, Mammut knows how to keep things light and functional. The Alvier HS Hooded jacket is no exception with a three layer fabric construction, you can expect it to repel water perfectly throughout its lifetime.

I first used this jacket at Kirkwood during one of the heavy and wet storms that the sierras are known for. With sheets of heavy sleet coming down at the parking lot and iced over slush covering the chairlifts, this jacket’s water repellency was put to the test and passed with flying colors. Sporting GORE C-KNIT technology, and very well sealed zippers, I never felt any dampness inside water always beaded and without soaking in. The fabric is slightly stretchy and the fit of this jacket was ideal for my frame, 5’11” and 160 lbs. previously have not used much GORE-TEX gear as I value breathability equally to water-proofing, but this material seemed to breathe very well compared to what I have used in the past. I did some boot-packing while wearing this jacket a few hundred meters uphill and felt perfectly comfortable at a moderate pace without needing to ditch any layers. The jacket lacks a soft fabric zipper cover in the front of the face, but by eliminating any absorbent fabric, this jacket manages to dry out almost immediately after taking it out of wet weather. No need to hang this jacket out at the end of the day, just shake off any beaded water drops and it’s ready for tomorrow.

Mammut Aliver’s Pit Zips Photo Mountain Weekly News

The pit zips helped tremendously for hikes and warm runs and are one of the jacket’s best features. While other pit-zip designs only allow a foot or so of an opening, this jacket zips from mid-chest nearly all the way along the arm to the cuffs allowing a refreshing breeze to flow through. This setup makes it easy to pull both arms through the vent and wear the jacket as a vest! A fastening system allows the sleeves to be rolled up to the shoulder for longer hot ascents without needing to remove your jacket and pack to cool down. Along the left arm is a simple and sleek pass pocket that is just big enough for that purpose. A chest pocket on the left provides some easily accessible space with a nice waterproof seal, and another small pocket just inside. I found the waist pockets to be too high up on the jacket and slightly too small. It was difficult to reach the top of the pocket and getting in and out proved to be awkward. However, they did manage to keep pocket contents out of the way of my backpack’s waist strap, and remained accessible with a pack in place which possibly outweighed the awkward entry.

Jonathan Penfield testing the Mammut Alvier HS Hooded Jacket Photo | Mountain Weekly News

In the right chest, there is a sleek goggle/glove pocket, but the size is a little small for any large pairs of gloves or goggles forcing one to stuff things in place. The powder skirt is removable and a good size with a nice silicon lining and two sets of buttons to secure the front with a number of clasps around the inside. Elastics for the waist and hood are nicely concealed in the lining and work well, with the hood accommodating a helmet easily enough.

At the end of the arm, the Mammut Alvier HS Hooded Snowboard Jacket features an enlarged wrist cuff with thumb hole. I previously didn’t like this type of feature on an Oakley insulated jacket, as it was uncomfortable when not in use and made the wrists too hot. However this feature designed into the Mammut shell was comfortable when used or not and provided a tight fit with stretchy material while not hindering mobility. An excellent feature for those really deep days! The material seemed durable enough, with solid construction and well sealed seams. I did manage to tear a small hole in the waist, probably from a close encounter with a sharp branch. The fabric around the tear seemed like it still retained its strength and doesn’t look like it will tear any further.

Editors Note: Jonathan knows what he’s talking about when it comes to being in the mountains. He is currently competing on the Swatch Freeride World Tour. Se his latest run here: http://freerideworldtour.com/calendar/swatch-freeride-world-tour-vallnord-arcalis-andorra-2016?video=124&tag=1537

Dropping in 3,2,1.. Photo | Mountain Weekly News

The post Mammut Alvier HS Hooded Snowboard Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Jonathan Penfield.

Mountain Weekly News ~

I put Stio’s Environ jacket through its paces on a chilly overnight tour, stormy skinning, rainy hikes (without a board), and a warm, sticky morning hike up Mt. Bachelor. Let’s start with the pros. Stio’s waterproofing system, Toraydelfy, held up to all sorts of terrible weather, keeping me dry even when the flakes turned to water the moment they hit my jacket. Things can get pretty hairy here in the Pacific Northwest but the Environ shut out everything. As a new company (started in 2012), Stio faces a lot of established competition in the outerwear game, but with the Environ they are doing their best to create a bombproof jacket.

What’s Good?

Really, it has all the bells and whistles. Sealed seams, waterproof zippers, powder skirt, enough pockets you might lose your keys in them. It’s obvious they’ve put some thought into creating a durable jacket that you can wear in the backcountry but is also stellar for lift service extravaganzas. Nothing is worse than a jacket that impedes a smooth, buttery turn, and I was glad this jacket allows for a solid range of motion. The medium jacket was great without a lot of layers underneath, but it got a bit tight with my puffy on, so I’d suggest sizing up if you like to bulk up for the downhill. Have I mentioned this thing is durable yet? It might be able to stop a bullet and can definitely stand up to rocky scrambles.

Thomas rocking the Stio Environ Jacket on a deep NW day. Photo | Mountain Weekly News

What’s Not So Good?

Other than the size running a bit small, my biggest complaint is a lack of breathability. It was like the Everglades inside my jacket when I had to wear the shell while skinning. Granted, nothing got in, but nothing got out, either. The fabric is super durable, so you have to give up some amount of breathability to ensure the jacket doesn’t tear if you hit a tree branch. However, the pit zips are huge, so they balance out some, but I still hope future versions of this shell get a bit more airflow through the fabric because I’m not really one to own different jackets for different weather patterns. Most days, this jacket kicks ass, it’s just a little hot on warmer ones or strenuous skin tracks.

Overall Impression

This was the first I’ve heard of Stio and I’m impressed that a company so young that also focuses on street clothes can pump out such strong gear. With a few tweaks the 2016 Stio Environ Jacket could be one of the better options on the market, especially once they’ve dialed in the right combination of waterproof, breathable, and bombproof.

The post Stio Environ Snowboard Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly News by Thomas Hallberg.

Mountain Weekly News ~

If it works for Lando it will work for you. I’m stoked to have finally gotten my hands on a Volcom snowboard jacket to test and wanted to let you know what was up with the brand.

First off little me give a little back story. I grew up surfing in So Cal and it was right around the time Volcom was founded down the road from where I was living. The Volcom stone quickly became the symbol of our sideways lifestyle. In fact just the stickers were hard to come by and when you saw someone rocking Volcom you knew they were legit. Then the brand “sold out” started appearing at Nordstrom’s Macey’s and the likes, with that the brand overnight lost all cred and I simply washed them off as brand I no longer wanted to support, same with every other surfer, snowboarder and skater. Volcom essentially died..

Fast forward 20 years and the brand is back and here to stay. So what makes Volcom’s outwear legit these days? Well, for starters they’re clearly working with a team riders, guides and people that actually play in the mountains to design these coats.

The jacket I tested was the 2016 Volcom Air TDS GORE-TEX Jacket aka the Lando. This is essentially pro shredder Mark Landvik’s jacket (shit it even has his name on the cuff) not sure why Volcom didn’t name it the Lando? Sadly a lot of snowboarders these days are probably asking themselves who is he talking about, you might be too.. Lando is an Alaskan, and a snowboarder need we say more?

Tetsing the Volcom Air TDS Jacket at Grand Targhee Resort, Photo Darren| Mountain Weekly News

So what did I dig about this Jacket?

Just about everything, I can say that if you are resort rider that that spends time in places with deep snow and cold temperatures this is currently one of the best jacket on the market especially for banging out hot laps. What makes this jacket unique is the 80/20 duck down that’s strategically placed throughout the jacket. Now you might be thinking down, and Gore-Tex how on earth will that work. Well this is new a trend in the outdoor industry that’s actually pretty freaking sweet. Think about it for a second you can combine the bomber durability of Gore combined with the warmth of down.

If you ride lifts throughout the year this is the sort of jacket you will want to seek out.

Along with all the great materials throughout the Air TDS jacket, I really dug that this came with a powder skirt. I feel naked without one and as a snowboarder living in Jackson, WY this is a must have feature, so thanks for paying attention Volcom… I can’t figure out why brands are skipping out on this crucial piece of gear, at least Volcom is working with well snowboarders like Lando, Lynn, Guch, Moore etc etc so you know these guys demand the best in their outerwear. Powder skirt aside the features keep getting better on this coat.

Deep Chest Pockets on the Air TDS Jacket

For me personally I carry an avalanche field notebook a slope reader, pencil and compass on me at all times when touring in the Tetons. I have to believe this jacket was designed with like minded people riders and guides in mind as it features 2 deep front chest pockets that I can store my important gear in. Best of all if the zipper are unzipped and I bend down my stuff actually stays in the pockets instead of scattering the contents of my pockets across the snow.

What can the improve on

At 5’11 and was rocking the Medium (drop tail) version of the Lando jacket. The coat fits great except for when I bend down to fiddle with my bindings the cuffs end up going about 4″ up my air leaving me exposed to the eliminates. Now keep in mind this jacket does have hand cuffs as well that can go inside a glove however I believe the cut of the jacket needs to be a little bit longer in the arms. The jacket is being made in Vietnam after all.. So hopefully Volcom can get this dialed for next year.

Keep the sizing in mind as I would be swimming in a Large. The internal pocket has a weird angle so I don’t really trust using it, in a pinch you could store a pair of gloves of goggles but again if your worries about leaving gear behind I would stick to pockets with zippers or use your backpack.

Overall Impression

I dig it, especially the bomber zippers, Gore-Tex shell and just all around durability on this coat. I have spend a good bit of time this winter touring, hiking and riding lifts in Volcom Air TDS GORE-TEX Jacket. Best of all the jacket has taken a beating and is still 100% intact, that’s one of the reasons to buy Gore and if Volcom keeps this up a solid reason to invest in the Volcom brand for your outerwear needs.

Last but not least the jacket does come with a Recco reflector however if you are in the backcountry I wouldn’t recommend counting on anything to keep you alive aside from your brain and well that’s really all you need.

Be sure to put Volcom back on your radar again, this jacket can easily compete with any of the other big name brands in the industry.

Mike enjoying the Volcom TDS Jacket at a secret spot in the Tetons… Photo Jake Stinson | Mountain Weekly News

The post Volcom Air TDS GORE-TEX Snowboard Jacket Review appeared first on Mountain Weekly by Mike Hardaker.