Outerwear Archives

Columbia Charts New Course With Overland Apparel

Campers and overlanders can appreciate apparel built to keep them dry, comfortable, and protected, from starting their engines to snuffing out the campfire.

Written by September 06, 2023

The Best Windbreaker Jackets of 2023

Whether you’re traversing a wind-swept jagged range, or hunkering down at endless hanging belays, windbreaker jackets provide the versatile, packable protection you need. These are…

Written by Chris Carter September 05, 2023

The Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets of 2023

We tested the best synthetic insulated jackets of 2022 with options for every budget. Top picks include Arc’teryx, Patagonia, and more.

Written by Seiji Ishii and Chris Carter August 31, 2023

Patagonia Goes Sailing, Launches ‘Big Water Foul Weather’ Kit

Patagonia designed a special Big Water Foul Weather sailing kit specifically for a group of Polynesian sailors circumnavigating the Pacific Ocean in traditional double-walled canoes.

Written by Will Brendza August 30, 2023

The Best Down Jackets of 2023

We found the best down jackets of 2023. From ultralight backpacking jackets to budget-friendly everyday puffy jackets, we’ve got you covered.

Written by Adam Ruggiero, Chris Carter and Morgan Tilton August 28, 2023

Patagonia SnowDrifter Men’s Jacket Review: A 3-Layer Shield Born for the Backcountry

Stretchy, light, wind- and waterproof, packable, and steazy — the Patagonia SnowDrifter jacket feels like the perfect backcountry companion. Because it is.

Written by Will Brendza August 23, 2023

The Best Rain Jackets of 2023

Whether you’re splashing about town or trekking through a monsoon, these are the best rain jackets of 2023.

Written by Austin Beck-Doss and Nick Belcaster August 23, 2023

Patagonia Women’s Untracked Jacket Review: Reliable With Benchmark Sustainability

Patagonia’s Women’s Untracked Jacket is an extremely waterproof, windproof, and abrasion-resistant — and environmentally friendly — shell for resort skiers.

Written by Kaylee Walden August 21, 2023

The Best Hardshell Jackets of 2023

Whether you’re getting good sticks in hero ice or traversing the snowfields of some foreign range, a good hardshell jacket will have your back. After…

Written by Nick Belcaster August 18, 2023

Save on Helly Hansen Favorites, In-Season & Beyond

Get fresh layers from the brand associated with nautical and alpine adventures. You’ll find discounts on gear for summer hikes, winter descents, and more.

Free Gear Fridays: Win a Strafe ‘Trail to Summit’ Hiking Kit

This week, two lucky winners will receive a full hiking apparel kit (more than $1,000 value) from Strafe.

Waterproof Running Pants I Tried to Hate: Arc’teryx Norvan Shell Pants Review

The breathable GORE-TEX Norvan Shell Pants from Arc’teryx are purpose-built for trail running in nasty conditions — and they won’t turn you into a swamp monster.

Written by Bergen Tjossem May 22, 2023

The Best Hunting Pants for Men in 2023

Hunting pants offer a suite of attributes that can make life easier and more comfortable in the field. Here are the best of the year.

Written by Sean McCoy May 15, 2023

Arc’teryx Gamma Pants Review: Essential Legwear for Technical Missions

Dream big and brave the elements in these high-performance softshell pants from Arc’teryx.

Written by Katie Griffith April 28, 2023

They Conquered Pants, Now LIVSN Makes My Favorite Bomber Jacket

The LIVSN Century Jacket aims to last for 100 years. I wore a loaner for a year and learned to love it.

Written by Sean McCoy April 25, 2023

Topo Designs Boulder Pants Review: These Pants Look Good, but Climb Harder

Unique colors meet performance and style in this out-of-the-box climbing apparel from Topo Designs.

Written by Katie Griffith April 20, 2023

Jack Wolfskin Tapeless Jacket, 2.0 — All the Protection, None of the Seams

Jack Wolfskin makes this shell with no seams, and no seam tape. Here’s how the welded-fabric invention performed when subjected to rain and snow.

Written by David Young April 19, 2023

Stay Dry in Any Alpine Storm: Mountain Hardwear Dawnlight Outerwear Review

Over 2.5 days on the Grand Teton, the Dawnlight jacket and pants combo from Mountain Hardwear effectively shielded me from every kind of precipitation in…

Written by Austin Beck-Doss April 19, 2023

The New Arc’teryx Insulated Rush Costs $800 and Is Worth Every Penny — Here’s Why

If you can see past the sticker shock, this midweight puffy is built to last, water-resistant, and can handle about everything you throw at it.

Written by Andy Cochrane April 07, 2023

Expensive Taste: My Favorite Belay Parka Has a Price Tag to Match

The Arc’teryx Alpha Lightweight Parka is a great belay parka. It was warm, windproof, durable, and packable. But the price is high.

Written by Seiji Ishii April 06, 2023

Scan Your Body, Choose Features for Perfect Hardshell Kit: Made Custom Apparel Review

Made Custom Apparel builds a custom-fitted shell with custom features. Remarkably, the price is comparable to other high-end shell systems.

Written by Seiji Ishii March 28, 2023

Patagonia Nano-Air Jacket Review: A Time-Tested, Breathable Masterpiece

Optimized for start-stop aerobic missions where maximum breathability while active and reliable warmth while static is required, the Patagonia Nano-Air Jacket is a premium do-it-all…

Written by Chris Carter March 17, 2023

The ‘Other’ Insulation: Oros Gambit Jacket Takes on Down and Synthetic

Oros used a proprietary form of insulation called Solarcore in its Gambit Jacket — which the brand calls a slimmer alternative to bulky insulations.

Written by Will Brendza March 14, 2023

The Best Winter Gloves of 2023

From lightweight liners to extra-warm winter gloves, we tested and found the best gloves to meet every budget, temperature, and winter sport. Check out top…

Written by Austin Beck-Doss March 07, 2023

The Best Down Jackets for Women in 2023

We found the best women’s down jackets for every budget and activity. From a do-all hoodie to a budget-friendly puffy, we’ve got you covered.

Written by Morgan Tilton February 20, 2023

Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket Review: Performance, Durability Meet Sustainability ‘Firsts’

After testing the Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket for 2 months, I’m convinced this shell is as good as it gets.

Written by Sean McCoy February 17, 2023

The Best Parkas for Men in 2023

If you regularly venture outside into the single digits, there’s really nothing better than a big, fat, over-insulated, oversized parka. Check out our picks for…

Written by Steve Graepel February 17, 2023

The Best Men’s Ski Bibs of 2023

‏Snow bibs and backcountry go together like swallowtails and pow slashes. Whether you ski, snowboard, or splitboard, we’ve found the best men’s snow bibs.

Written by Drew Zieff & Austin Beck-Doss February 14, 2023