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Jackets

Fall Gear Guide 09: Softshells

Whether you're skiing, snowshoeing, running, or hiking this winter, grab one of these softshells.

Fall Gear Guide 09: Hardshells

These six hardshell jackets will keep you covered in any weather.

Fall Gear Guide 09: Insulating Jackets

Stay cozy in all temps with these puffy jackets.

Gear Review: Sierra Designs BTU Parka

This shell-puffy combo comes with a shorter fit for climbers.

Gear Review: Rab Ascent Jacket

The super warm Rab jacket has an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio.

Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Synchronicity Jacket

Mount Hardwear combines a puffy with a shell in their Synchronicity jacket.

Gear Review: MontBell Permafrost Light Ultralight Jacket

This featherweight MontBell jacket is perfect for moderate winter temps.

Gear Review: Cloudveil Endless Down Jacket

This 700-fill down jacket was an instant tester favorite.

Gear Review: ARC'TERYX Atom LT Hoody

This warm, but not bulky, hoody can do double duty as insulation or outer shell.

Gear Review: REI OXT Airflyte Running Jacket

This hoodless jacket is breathable and stretchy, perfect for aerobic activities.

Gear Review: Rab Latok Alpine Jacket

This '08 Editors' Choice Award winner is still a staff favorite.

Gear Review: Outdoor Research Revel Jacket

This Outdoor Research jacket was deemed "most comfortable" thanks to its stretch Pertex Shield fabric.

Gear Review: ARC'TERYX Alpha SL Pullover Jacket

Pulling this jacket over many layers is a breeze with the elbow to hem pit zip.

Gear Review: Westcomb Revenant Hardshell

This Westcomb hardshell is at its best in extreme, wet conditions.

Gear Review: Millet Aerial Max Evo Hardshell

This Millet hardshell is a great climbing jacket due to its high range of motion.

Gear Review: Ground Essence All-Season Shell

This lightweight, breathable hardshell comes complete with a transponder.

Gear Review: ARC'TERYX Squamish Pullover Jacket

Soak up the sun in this windproof ARC'TERYX pullover.

Gear Review: The North Face Valkyrie Jacket

This cold-weather The North Face jacket comes complete with handwarmer pockets.

Gear Review: REI Taku Waterproof Jacket

This waterproof, hooded REI jacket is stretchy and breathable.

Gear Review: Cloudveil FirsTurn Hooded Jacket

This Cloudveil jacket is great for wind, snow, and light precipitation. And it's under $200.

Gear Review: ARC'TERYX Gamma LT Pullover Softshell Jacket

This ARC'TERYX pullover is the perfect mix of baselayer and jacket.

Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Epic Kids' Shell Jacket

Kids stay warm and dry with this deluge-proof shell, perfect for everything from family hikes, to waiting for the carpool.

Fall Apparel Guide 2009

Goal: Help you stay comfortable in any weather. Solution: Hike through two-week-long downpours and hurricane-force winds to bring you the best new gear for every trip.

Gear School: Raingear

Understand waterproofing, and you'll pick the right shell and keep it working like new.

Apparel Guide 2009: Puffy Jackets

Ever seen a cold goose? Slip into one of these cozy down (or synthetic down) heaters, and you'll understand why you haven't.

Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL Puffy Down Jacket

This midweight synthetic packs small and repels light rain and snow.

Gear Review: Patagonia Nano Puff Down Jacket

This quilted pullover was a go-to jacket all year round.

Gear Review: First Ascent Downlight Sweater Down Jacket

This puffy is perfect as a midlayer for skiing or a springtime camp coat–and comes in a wide variety of sizes.

Gear Review: Mammut Pilgrim/Vinson Puffy Down Jacket

This overstuffed puffy was the warmest of the bunch with a high-collared hood and hand gaiters.

Gear Review: RAB Microlight Alpine eVent Down Jacket

This microlight puffy will keep you warm no matter the rain, sleet, or snow.

Gear Review: The North Face Crimptastic Down Jacket

This close fitting jacket is great for winter cragging, or fast trips from spring trough fall.

Gear Review: GoLite Mckenzie Reflexion Jacket

Waterproof and breathable, this hard shell is perfect for cold places and pursuits.

Gear Review: Mammut Lobuche Shell

New technology makes for a super breathable, go anywhere hard shell

Gear Review: Marmot Nano Shell

Weighing less that 10 ounces this ultralight shell withstood 3 days of torrential rain.

Gear Review: REI OXT Airflyte Running Jacket

This high intensity, breathable jacket is perfect for fast day hikes and cross training.

Gear Review: First Ascent BC-100 Shell

Bargain shell for rainy weather

Gear Review: Backcountry.com Stoic Jacket

This "magic coat" is great for changing conditions.

Ultralight Shells

These versatile jackets weigh less than a pound and pack smaller than a grapefruit.

Gear Review: Western Mountaineering Hooded Flash Down Jacket

This puffy layer saves weight without excess cold spots.

Gear Review: Patagonia Houdini Ultralight Shell

Trim fitting, highly durable, and easily packable, this is one shell you'll never question packing.

Gear Review: The North Face Trajectory Hybrid Ultralight Shell



Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Tempo Ultralight Shell

With a fleece lining, and Gore Windstopper fabric, chills are blocked and breathability is excellent.

Gear Review: Marmot Mica Ultralight Shell

While editors were wringing out their socks, nothing penetrated the Mica's waterproofing.

Gear Review: ARC'TERYX Alpha SL Pullover Ultralight Shell

With a puffy insulated layer and the clean anorak design, this ultralight did the trick in wet Welsh weather.

Review: Cloudveil BPM shell



Ultimate Survival Kit

Want to make it out alive? Consider packing these 17 items carried by a veteran Yosemite search-and-rescue ranger.

Extreme Layering: All-Purpose Clothing

For all-purpose performance year-round, this layering system works overtime through any weather.

Extreme Layering: Rainy-Weather Clothing

Don't let a crappy forecast keep you home for the weekend. Just pack this deluge-tested system.

Extreme Layering: Hot-Weather Clothing

From the Grand Canyon to sunshine-pounded Colorado peaks, stay cool and comfortable with this ultralight system.

Extreme Layering: Cold-Weather Clothing

Our testers faced raging blizzards, pounding hail, frigid temps, and 60-mph winds to select these top clothes.

Extreme Layering: Clothing for all Weather Conditions

Wild weather coming? We've devised a perfect system for every condition.

2008 Apparel Guide: The Outtakes

We couldn't fit all of our reviews in one spot. Here, read the outtakes.

Apparel Guide: Jackets and Insulation Essentials

Stay warm with the Arc'teryx Kappa SV Hoody, Marmot Torrid, REI Ladro Hoodie, and Solstice Cool Ruler.

Apparel Guide: All-Purpose Shells

Check out the Cloudveil Hobak, EMS Aurora Shell Pant, L.L. Bean Ascent GTX, Mountain Hardwear Dragon, and Sierra Designs Cyclone Eco

March 2008 Perfect System: East



March 2008 Perfect System: Southwest



March 2008 Perfect System: Rocky Mountains



Backpacker 2008 Gear Guide: Perfect System

The best gear in the world can be worthless in the wrong conditions. That's where Backpacker's Perfect System comes in.

March 2008 Essentials Review: Shell Jackets



Backpacker Gear Guide: Essentials

Packs, tents, boots, and bags–that's easy. Now comes the hard part: Everything else. Below, you'll find our top picks for all the lust-worthy backcountry essentials you'll need to make your trip safe, fun, and simple.

How to Lighten Your (Planetary) Load

We found 17 pioneering products that will cut your carbon cost without sacrificing performance.

Kids' Stuff



How to Buy PVC-Free Gear

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is waterproof and durable, but the manufacturing process creates carcinogens

How to Waterproof Everything

From your tent, to your bivy sack, to yourself, learn how to stay dry and comfortable.

Gear: Clothing

Clothing is gear that's just as important as a tent or sleeping bag. We'll help you choose wisely.

Gear Checklists and Shopping Guides

Make sure you don't forget a thing with our comprehensive gear checklists for pretty much any trip occasion. Plus, learn how to pick the perfect piece of gear.

Cut Winter Weight: 4 Ways to Pack Light and Stay Warm

Don't overload your pack. Learn how to leave the non-essentials behind and still stay warm.

How to Repair a Jacket Zipper

Salvage a few more years out of your favorite jacket with these zipper fixes.

Sustainable Gear: Growing A Greener Jacket

Cutting-edge fabrics make outdoor gear eco-friendly.

Editors' Choice: The North Face Diad Jacket

Testing confirms it: You can get a real rain jacket for less than 8 ounces.

Cold-Weather Gear Review: 5 Winter Fixes

How to make your cold months warmer: boots, bags, jackets, backpacks, and booties for frosty weather

Jacket Review: REI Mistral II

Comfortable, water-resistant fabric earns points lost from this jacket's boxy fit

Apparel Review: Marmot Kids DriClime

Don't let your kid board the bus underdressed this winter

Apparel Review: More For Your Money

Budget shopper or big spender? We have the perfect three-season layering system for you.

Ultralight Shell Review: Save Weight, Money, and Time

Keep your wallet and load a little lighter with Outdoor Research, Marmot, and Integral Designs

Jacket Review: Ground Repel eVent

Stay sweat-free in all conditions with this lightweight shell

Jacket Review: EMS Thunderhead

You don't have to be a direct Mayflower descendant to appreciate a little Yankee thrift with this rain shell

Jacket Review: GoLite Phantom

Racing a storm to a peak is no time to whip out an inferior rain shell.

Jacket Review: Sierra Designs Hurricane LT

This super-compact and affordable shell is perfect for the Southwest

Jacket Review: MontBell Thermawrap

This is one of the lightest three-season sleep systems we've seen

Stone Cold Campers

They kill swiftly and silently. They flit like ghosts through enemy forests. And they will brew you a fine cup of cowboy coffee. Meet America's deadliest hikers as we hump ruck with the Special Forces.

How Pete Stays Dry

3 waterproof secrets from veteran mountaineer Pete Takeda

Getting Navy SEAL Gear

How to acquire your very own Navy SEAL Protective Combat Uniform.

Jacket vs. Vests

Going sleeveless might save you weight, but will a vest keep you as warm as a jacket?

Jacket Jargon

Make the proper buying decision by first learning the language of jackets.

How To Pick Raingear

Getting the right shell has as much to do with personal needs and hiking habits as it does with the quality of a garment.

Layering For Winter

How to dress smart and stay warm when Old Man Winter blows in.