Latest Gear: Ski & Snowboard Jackets

The​ ​boss​ ​of​ ​high​ ​end​ ​ski​ ​shells,​ ​the​ ​Norrona​ ​Lofoten​ ​Jacket​ ​keeps​ ​rolling​ ​on​ ​season​ ​after season,​ ​maintaining​ ​its​ ​position​ ​as​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​very​ ​best​ ​pieces​ ​of​ ​outerwear​ ​you​ ​can​ ​buy. Although​ ​the​ ​overall​ ​distinctive​ ​look​ ​remains​ ​the​ ​same,​ ​Norrona​ ​usually​ ​tweak​ ​the​ ​Lofoten every​ ​couple​ ​of​ ​years​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​up​ ​with​ ​improvements​ ​in​ ​fabrics​ ​and​ ​construction​ ​methods. 
 
Available​ ​in​ ​both​ ​a​ ​men’s​ ​and​ ​women’s​ ​specific​ ​fit,​ ​the​ ​Lofoten​ ​is​ ​made​ ​from​ ​Gore-Tex​ ​Pro fabric​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​the​ ​best​ ​protection​ ​along​ ​with​ ​great​ ​durability​ ​too.​ ​Norrona’s​ ​Loaded Minimalism​ ​concept​ ​means​ ​you​ ​get​ ​an​ ​assortment​ ​of​ ​pockets,​ ​a​ ​helmet​ ​compatible​ ​hood​ ​and a​ ​snow​ ​skirt​ ​amongst​ ​many​ ​other​ ​features,​ ​whilst​ ​still​ ​maintaining​ ​a​ ​clean​ ​look​ ​and​ ​low overall​ ​weight.​ ​The​ ​Lofoten​ ​Gore-tex​ ​Pro​ ​jacket​ ​is​ ​available​ ​in​ ​both​ ​men’s​ ​and​ ​women’s specific​ ​fits​ ​and​ ​is​ ​just​ ​as​ ​at​ ​home​ ​shredding​ ​powder​ ​at​ ​the​ ​resort​ ​as​ ​it​ ​is​ ​deep​ ​in​ ​the backcountry.

The​ ​Rush​ ​jacket​ ​has​ ​been​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Arc’teryx​ ​range​ ​for​ ​a​ ​good​ ​few​ ​years​ ​now​ ​and​ ​is​ ​justifiably popular.​ ​For​ ​winter​ ​2017​ ​/​ ​2018​ ​it’s​ ​had​ ​a​ ​redesign​ ​that’s​ ​brought​ ​about​ ​several improvements.  

The​ ​Rush​ ​is​ ​now​ ​made​ ​of​ ​a​ ​very​ ​durable​ ​80​ ​denier​ ​Gore-Tex​ ​Pro​ ​fabric​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​entire garment,​ ​making​ ​it​ ​tougher​ ​than​ ​ever.​ ​The​ ​fit​ ​has​ ​also​ ​changed​ ​and​ ​is​ ​now​ ​much​ ​roomier​ ​to better​ ​accommodate​ ​layers​ ​and​ ​longer​ ​too​ ​for​ ​added​ ​style​ ​and​ ​protection.​ ​Lastly​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of Cohaesive​ ​cord​ ​locks​ ​make​ ​it​ ​super​ ​easy​ ​to​ ​adjust​ ​the​ ​hood​ ​and​ ​hem​ ​draw​ ​cords.  
 
The​ ​Arc’teryx​ ​Rush​ ​is​ ​clearly​ ​an​ ​expensive​ ​jacket​ ​but​ ​the​ ​build​ ​quality​ ​and​ ​fabrics​ ​used should​ ​enable​ ​it​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​performing​ ​at​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​level​ ​for​ ​many​ ​years.

The​ ​Triclimate​ ​range​ ​from​ ​The​ ​North​ ​Face​ ​denotes​ ​the​ ​garments​ ​in​ ​their​ ​range​ ​that​ ​have​ ​a separate​ ​removable​ ​inner​ ​jacket​ ​that​ ​zips​ ​in​ ​and​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​shell.​ ​The​ ​Purist​ ​Triclimate​ ​has​ ​a light​ ​and​ ​stretchy​ ​liner​ ​vest​ ​with​ ​air​ ​permeable​ ​synthetic​ ​insulation​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​offer​ ​core warmth​ ​and​ ​breathability​ ​in​ ​cold​ ​conditions.​ ​The​ ​vest​ ​packs​ ​into​ ​its​ ​own​ ​pocket​ ​making​ ​it easy​ ​to​ ​carry​ ​when​ ​not​ ​needed​ ​and​ ​has​ ​pockets​ ​that​ ​align​ ​with​ ​the​ ​shell’s​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​easy access​ ​to​ ​stashed​ ​gear. 

The​ ​Purist​ ​Triclimate​ ​has​ ​a​ ​shell​ ​made​ ​from​ ​a​ ​super​ ​hardwearing​ ​70d​ ​three​ ​layer​ ​Gore-Tex fabric​ ​and​ ​an​ ​abundance​ ​of​ ​features​ ​including​ ​a​ ​snow​ ​skirt,​ ​arm​ ​pass​ ​pocket​ ​with​ ​goggle wipe,​ ​pit​ ​zips​ ​and​ ​a​ ​helmet​ ​compatible​ ​hood.

As​ ​you’d​ ​expect,​ ​Patagonia​ ​have​ ​a​ ​big​ ​range​ ​of​ ​high​ ​end​ ​shells​ ​for​ ​skiing​ ​and​ ​snowboarding. The​ ​Powder​ ​Bowl​ ​is​ ​a​ ​classic​ ​that’s​ ​been​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Patagonia​ ​line​ ​for​ ​years​ ​and​ ​it’s​ ​a​ ​great option​ ​as​ ​an​ ​all​ ​round​ ​shell​ ​for​ ​skiing​ ​and​ ​boarding.  
 
Made​ ​using​ ​two​ ​layer​ ​Gore-Tex​ ​fabric​ ​with​ ​a​ ​mesh​ ​lining,​ ​the​ ​Powder​ ​Bowl​ ​is​ ​a​ ​little​ ​softer​ ​and more​ ​flexible​ ​than​ ​many​ ​three​ ​layer​ ​shells​ ​making​ ​it​ ​suitable​ ​for​ ​everyday​ ​use​ ​too.​ ​It​ ​still​ ​has​ ​an abundance​ ​of​ ​ski​ ​specific​ ​features​ ​though​ ​such​ ​as​ ​a​ ​concealed​ ​RECCO​ ​reflector,​ ​helmet compatible​ ​hood​ ​and​ ​the​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​connect​ ​it​ ​to​ ​any​ ​Patagonia​ ​snow​ ​pants​ ​via​ ​a​ ​webbing loop​ ​on​ ​the​ ​snow​ ​skirt.

The [ak] range contains Burton’s most advanced clothing products and the Cyclic is the most popular jacket in the [ak] line. Available in 10 (!) different colourways, the Cyclic is aimed at skiers and snowboarders who ride every day and need a shell that’s functional and durable.

A big hood protects during windy chairlift rides and pit zips dump heat during sweaty hikes. The two layer Gore-Tex fabric is waterproof and breathable and the soft, flexible lining adds a layer of comfort. The Cyclic has a modern, freeride orientated fit that offers total freedom of movement without being too loose or baggy.