This is the product review for all of you out there who are looking for that warm and super comfortable do-it-all winter jacket that will handle all of your mountain life escapades. Down? Hell yes. Tough and water-proof? Yep. Ridiculously comfortable and stylish enough for a night out on the town? Check and check. Any true mountain town devotee needs a go-to winter jacket that enables you to do any activity in the utmost comfort and style. Below are our picks from five of our favorite mountain clothing brands.
1. Stio Shot 7 Down Jacket
At first look, the Shot 7 screams understated high-quality with all of the latest tech materials. Stio advertises this piece as their best offering for the harshest days on the mountain and all the powder laps you can handle. Built with HyperDRY water-repellent down material and a Pertex Shield and waterproof/breathable outer, the Shot 7 is designed to endure anything the elements feel like throwing at you. The pockets are minimal but all are located in the spots that matter the most i.e. subtle RFID pocket and mesh-backed zips. The Shot 7 also has a helmet-ready hood and removable powder skirt. While being primarily geared toward powder missions, this piece is remarkably sharp coming in a magnet grey outer or dark green ponderosa pine. You could definitely rock this during a night out on the town. $467.50 MSRP. Click here for more info
2. Fjallraven Greenland Down Jacket
Coming straight out of Scandinavia, Swedish company Fjallraven has been going strong since 1960. The Greenland has to be the most cosmopolitan piece on this entire list. But don’t let that fool you. This jacket is just as comfortable going for a stroll in Brooklyn as it as deep in the backcountry during a monumental winter blizzard. The Greenland features Fjallraven’s signature G-1000 original blend of polyester and cotton fabrics, a full goose and feather down fill, a two-way zipper covered by outer press buttons (classy), a snug-fitting fixed hood, leather details, and more. This jacket will handle any extreme winter situation you find yourself in with that understated and effortless Euro look. $500.00 MSRP. Click here for more info
3. Patagonia Stretch Nano Storm Jacket (2017 Gear of the Year Award from Outside Magazine)
Patagonia welcomes us to the future of winter mountain clothing technology with their revolutionary Nano-Air insulation and stretchy H2No performance outer shell. The difference between regular down insulation and Nano-Air has to do with weight and breathability. Nano insulation allows this jacket to be less bulky while still keeping you warm. And when you’re breaking a sweat while skinning up the mountain, it allows for remarkable breathability so you won’t over heat. The stretchy and soft material of the outer shell makes this piece tough and waterproof while also eliminating those common noises from all movements that other parkas make. The Stretch Nano Storm is quiet and ultra-comfortable. This makes it the perfect all-around winter jacket for mountain and town. It also features all of the technical details that you expect from a company like Patagonia. Welcome to the future. $449.00 MSRP. Click here for more info
4. Arc’teryx Rethel Jacket
The Rethel is lightly insulated with GORE THERMIUM material that enables a trimmer fit than most down winter jackets. Arc’teryx Coreloft synthetic insulation, a key part of the majority of winter wear from this company, is lightweight, highly compressible, durable, warmth-retaining, and quick-drying. Basically, the Rethel is on par with the Patagonia Stretch Nano Storm in terms of insulation technology. The style of this piece is very simple and straightforward which enables it to make the transition from hill to town quite smoothly. The Rethel comes with an insulated, helmet-ready storm hood, mesh-backed PowderGuard heat vents, and more. The fit is trim. This is another great example of a highly versatile winter performance jacket that works for any activity. $549.00 MSRP. Click here for more info
5. Flylow Lab Coat Jacket
Flylow advertises the Lab Coat as one of their pinnacle pieces. This jacket is designed to let you endure the harshest winter weather conditions and backcountry missions in reliable comfort. The Polartec NeoShell is said to be the most rugged, breathable, and waterproof fabric on the market. The Lab Coat is meant for endurance and action. Included features are waterproof zippers, underarm heat vents, tailored sleeves for added mobility, and pockets for gear in all the right places. The Lab Coat is also famous for its phenomenal fit and great looking two-tone coloring option of pastel orange and black for 2017. This is a ridiculously versatile piece that has a very reasonable price tag considering what it is. $525.00 MSRP. Click here for more info