Outside Buyer's Guide

(Winter 2009)

Women's Jackets

WIND
1. ARC'TERYX VENTA SV JACKET // $375
Made of stretchy Windstopper soft shell with ultralight fleece insulation, the Venta shields against all but cyclone-strength wind and water. The hood fits well over a helmet but doesn't fall into your eyes on hat days. arcteryx.com

COLD
2. PATAGONIA PRIMO DOWN JACKET // $600
To make this ironclad but breathable jacket, Patagonia took a layer of 700-fill down, lined it with mesh, then topped that off witih a waterproof hard shell. The fleece-lined chin and adjustable powder skirt are nice touches. patagonia.com

APRES
3. CLOUDVEIL WOMEN'S MADISON QUILTED JACKET // $155
This jacket is as comfy as a sleeping bag, but with a flattering waistline it looks exponentially better. The DWR-treated exterior repelled light precipitation surprisingly well, but the wind whipped right through. Alter ego: Use as a liner under a shell on cold days. cloudveil.com

BEST OVERALL
4. ORAGE OSOFIA // $200
This jacket is all about skier-friendly features. Our favorites: an easily removable hood, a powder skirt, zipper tabs big enough for mittened hands, and fleecy cuffs that keep drafts out. The insulated Sofia is warm without looking bulky, but on the coldest days you'll have to layer up underneath. orage.com

SPRING
5. MARMOT REYNA // $230
Made of Polartec Windbloc, the Reyna stopped the wind like a mesh soccer jersey, which is to say, not so much. Still, we loved this soft shell for its fleece interior, cozy lined pockets, and stretchy shoulders that allow freedom of movement. marmot.com

RAIN
6. REI KULSHAN JACKET // $289
While the ultralight, compressible Kulshan repels snow and rain as well as a fully featured rain jacket, the eVent hard-shell material, a waterproof laminate, is still miraculously breathable. Wear it when you plan to bust ass on a wet day. rei.com

-KATE SIBER