Comparison Review: From Powder to Touring, We Compare the Best Hard Shells for Backcountry

TAC

7 years ago

Hard shells are essential outerwear for winter mountain climbing. In the past, robust models that could withstand the harsh conditions of winter mountains were the norm, but now many material manufacturers and brands have released a variety of models tailored to different uses and purposes, and we often hear complaints that they are difficult to afford

we tried out a range of hard shell jackets made from a variety of materials and with different features . However, as this comparative review shows, no hard shell is perfect in every regard, so it's important to understand the features and pros and cons of each model and use them according to your purpose.

The models introduced in that review are still in use as of January 2019, so if you're interested, please take a look

table of contents

This season's hard shells, the ones that caught my eye were "lightweight, highly breathable, and comfortable" models
table of contents
About the hard shells compared this time
- Test environment
Test Results & Spec Comparison Table
Impressions of each model
summary
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This season's hard shells, the ones that caught my eye were "lightweight, highly breathable, and comfortable" models

Among the new and redesigned hard shells released in the 2018-19 season, we were particularly interested in lightweight backcountry models that have been made as light as possible, with improved breathability and fabric flexibility, primarily in terms of comfort. So, this time we'll be comparing and reviewing three noteworthy models

First of all, I should point out that all three models were developed by specialized brands that cover serious mountaineering, and compared to hard shells from ski brands, the basic construction of all three models is high-level, making this a difficult comparison

About the items tested this time
Test Results & Spec Comparison Table
Impressions of each model
summary

About the hard shells compared this time

The three models compared this time. *The material in parentheses is breathable

Teton Bros. TB Jacket (Polartec NeoShell)
Norrona lofoten Gore-tex Active jacket（Gore-tex Active）
Mountain Hardwear Cloudseeker Jacket (Dry Q Elite)

Test environment

I wore it in the winter mountains of Hokkaido from November to December. I wore it not only on the slopes and in the backcountry (snowboarding), but also on snowy mountain hikes to check when I started sweating. I experienced a variety of weather conditions, including sunny, cloudy, snowy, and blizzards. I also wore a base layer and fleece underneath. I hiked up for at least an hour and evaluated the breathability after sweating profusely. As someone who sweats a lot, it was perfect for me. To thoroughly test the breathability, I left each ventilation vent open for at least an hour after I started sweating, and checked how well it let moisture escape from the fabric. After that, I opened each vent and checked ventilation, comfort, and other detailed aspects

The following five points were set as indicators for the evaluation items and the review was conducted

Weather resistance: Weather resistance, the ability to block rain, snow, wind, and cold air, is the primary requirement when carrying out hard activities in all kinds of weather changes
Comfort and mobility: Winter outdoor activities involve surprisingly active movements, such as ski pole work, hammering in axes when climbing, and shoveling snow when breaking through snow, so clothing needs to be shaped and comfortable enough to handle intense movements
Breathability and ventilation: No matter how cold it is, sweating is inevitable when you move vigorously. Whether or not there is a system in place to expel sweat from your entire body as water vapor and prevent your body from getting wet is important
Weight: It is true that the thicker the material, the better it is at blocking out the elements, but advances in technology have made it possible to make materials thinner and lighter while still maintaining weather resistance
Functionality: The shape and ease of adjustment of the hood, the number, position and size of pockets and other aspects related to functionality and ease of use are important elements that bring out the concept and individuality of each model, whether it is specialized for the intended activity or general-purpose. Simply having more functions is not always better, but having too few functions also makes it less user-friendly

Test Results & Spec Comparison Table

comprehensive evaluation	AAA	AAA	AA
item	Mountain Hardwear Cloudseeker Jacket	Norrona lofoten Gore-tex Active jacket	Teton Bros. TB Jacket
Reference price	64,800 yen	73,440 yen	59,400 yen
Here is ◎	Excellent breathability and ventilation Stretchy fabric for easy movement Ample storage RECCO	Incredibly lightweight Comfortable to wear One-handed adjustable hood Smart equipment	Highly maneuverable ventilation Comfortable to wear Stylish design Various parts that can be easily operated while wearing gloves
Here is △	The hood adjustment straps are hidden inside the collar and are difficult to see	Lack of pockets	Snow skirt not included Zipper slippage
weather resistance	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
Comfort and mobility	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Breathable and breathable	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★☆
weight	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Functionality	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
Specifications
item	Mountain Hardwear Cloudseeker Jacket	Norrona lofoten Gore-tex Active jacket	Teton Bros. TB Jacket
Actual weight	602g (size S, 546g excluding powder skirt)	450g (S size, 388g excluding powder skirt)	520g (medium size)
material	Dry-Q Elite 20D Air Palm 3L Stretch Ripstop (100% Nylon)	GORE-TEX ACTIVE 30D Nylon	Polartec NeoShell Surplex Nylon
pocket	2 large front pockets Zippered chest pocket Zippered interior media pocket and goggle pocket Lift ID pocket on left sleeve	Chest security pocket Lift ID pocket on left upper arm Inner pocket	Two chest pockets 2 inner mesh pockets Lift ID pocket on left upper arm
Ventilation	○	○	○
Powder skirt	○	○	×
Other features	The hood has a snap closure at the back and can be adjusted to fit with or without a helmet, and it also looks smart Ventilator behind the upper arm Detachable powder skirt that attaches to pants RECCO	A goggle cloth is included in the left chest pocket Mesh ventilation zip on right chest One-hand adjustable hood Hand gaiters Detachable powder skirt	Helmet-compatible hood that can be easily adjusted even while wearing gloves Wide cuffs and wide adjustment tabs eliminate the hassle of wearing gloves

Impressions of each model

Mountain Hardwear Cloudseeker Jacket

Here is ◎

Excellent breathability and ventilation
Plenty of storage space, including a large pocket that doubles as ventilation
Stretchy fabric for easy movement
RECCO

Here is △

The hood adjustment straps are hidden inside the collar and are difficult to see

The first thing that will surprise you at first glance is the number of pockets. The large pockets on both sides, which also serve as ventilation, are designed to hold climbing skins. Other convenient storage options for backcountry skiing, such as gloves, goggles, maps, lift tickets, and smartphones, are also neatly scattered throughout, making this a very user-friendly bag

I was impressed when I put it on. The lightweight, stretchy fabric allowed for great freedom of movement, without causing any stress whatsoever. The standard snow skirt has a hook that prevents snow from getting in without interrupting the continuity with the pants. What's more, it can be attached to pants other than those made by the same manufacturer, which is surprisingly convenient

In terms of breathability, Dry Q Elite's breathability begins the moment you put it on, unlike Gore-Tex and other materials, and its sweat-wicking performance was simply amazing. Even when I started to sweat while hiking, I could clearly feel the moisture immediately escaping, leaving absolutely no opportunity for sweat to build up inside. What's more, the placement of the ventilators was excellent, allowing air to flow from the front to the back of the upper arms, efficiently releasing sweat. I also felt that it was the fastest at removing moisture after opening the ventilators. However, if the backpack's shoulder straps are too tight, the airflow will be blocked, so you'll need to loosen the belts when using the ventilators

The zippers are all positioned high up to accommodate a harness, making it perfect for all-around use in alpine, on the slopes, and in the backcountry

NORRONA lofoten Gore-Tex Active Jacket

Here is ◎

Incredibly lightweight
Comfortable to wear
One-handed adjustable hood
Smart equipment

Here is △

Lack of pockets

The Nordic high-end brands that everyone aspires toNorronaAmong them, the Lofoten series is the lineup for backcountry skiing. This model is made with the latest Gore-Tex Active material, which was released this season. Gore-Tex Active is a waterproof and breathable material that has a three-layer structure that provides basic waterproof and windproof performance while also being extremely lightweight and breathable. At just 450g, this model is exceptionally light for a hard shell. It is the clear winner in this comparison

In addition to its extraordinary lightness, the perfect three-dimensional cut and slight stretch provide stress-free movement, so you won't even notice you're wearing it. Furthermore, the knit lining, a feature of the latest Gore-tex Active, feels amazing against the skin. It's safe to say that it's a world apart from a stiff, crunchy hard shell

The breathability, as expected from Gore-Tex Active, was excellent. It transformed sweat into water vapor and released it to the outside. While it's not as breathable as the Dry Q Elite, it didn't overheat and kept me comfortable at all times. The large underarm ventilation and the vertical mesh ventilation zipper visible on the chest combine to allow for rapid ventilation and minimize heat buildup. The backpack's shoulder straps separate the armpit and chest spaces, but the zippers, which can be opened from either the top or bottom, allowed for ventilation without loosening the straps, which was extremely helpful. It's also the only one of the three models that allows you to wear it like a vest by extending your arms through the ventilation when hiking uphill. While there's no official instruction for using it that way, I found it extremely useful

The hood, which can be adjusted with one hand by pulling the strap at the back of the head, is also excellent. It also comes equipped with thoughtful features like a snow skirt, hand gaiters, and goggle cloth, making it a hard shell that has been carefully designed down to the smallest detail. The only drawback is the limited number of pockets, which could be better balanced, even if it's a trade-off for lightness. It's quite expensive for a hard shell, but I think the functionality and value are worth the price

Teton Bros. TB Jacket

Here is ◎

Highly maneuverable ventilation
Comfortable to wear
Stylish design
Various parts that can be easily operated while wearing gloves

Here is △

Snow skirt not included
Zipper slippage

Teton Bros. is a proud Japanese outdoor brand that continues to pursue high-quality products with an unwavering philosophy The TB Jacket one of the brand's signature pieces, did not disappoint. The soft, comfortable fabric, three-dimensional cut, and slight stretch make it comfortable to wear and easy to move in.

Among the many waterproof and breathable materials, Polartec Neoshell is establishing itself as a leader in sweat-wicking performance, and its breathability is impeccable. I didn't get cold even when I worked up a lot of sweat while hiking. Compared to the other two, I felt like sweat accumulated a little, but after that, it wicked away quickly before it became uncomfortable. There are large ventilators on both the left and right front, which not only provide good ventilation but are also easy to open and close, even while wearing a backpack, making it stress-free and stress-free

In terms of usability, the design of the cuffs particularly caught my eye. Of the three models, the cuffs are the largest, and the Velcro fastening, including the shape of the velcro, was by far the easiest to fasten even while wearing gloves. The front pockets are also large, so you can access them while wearing gloves, which is another plus point. The collar is also large, covering half of your face, which was extremely helpful in a snowstorm as it provided ample protection. The hood can be easily adjusted by pulling the cord at the collar, and can be operated smoothly even while wearing gloves

These many less visible details that seem to have been carefully designed with the actual user in mind the TB Jacket , and its high overall performance makes it an undeniable hard shell that is ideal for the backcountry.

summary

Basically, all three models have excellent basic performance as hard shells, and there were no significant differences between them in light backcountry conditions like those tested in this test

In terms of breathability, none of the models were disappointing. All three were excellent and provided the comfort I expected. In terms of heat release speed, Dry Q Elite was better than Gore-tex Active and Polatec NeoShell, but this only seemed to be a matter of how quickly breathability began, and it was difficult to say which was better in terms of how little stuffiness there was after wearing them for a long time

On the other hand, there were some differences in the finer details of usability, such as the ventilation system and position, pockets, etc. The basic specs are high, so no matter which one you choose, it won't be a fatal mistake, but it's a good idea to use this review as a reference to choose a model with the features you prefer

The above is a comparison review of hard shells chosen from the perspective of use in backcountry hiking, although there are evaluations from various perspectives. Please feel free to use it as a reference

We also recommend this article about hard shells

TAC

I live in Hokkaido. On my days off, I can't stay still at home and am always doing some kind of activity. In the summer, I enjoy mountain climbing, fishing, and camping, and in the winter, I enjoy snowboarding and smelt fishing. I'm a fan of this site, and I joined because I was excited to share the appeal of the gear. I hope to review not only mountain climbing, but also a variety of other activities

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