Hard Shell Jackets You'll Want This Year 2021-2022
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
In 2021, what to wear: something that sheds easily and stretches
Winter has begun
When it comes to protecting yourself from the bitter cold and wind of winter mountains, a hard shell is the most reliable outer layer. Of all the jackets available, this layer is exceptionally durable, highly functional, and of course extremely expensive. Since the beginning of this website, we have been constantly researching and checking out new products
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It's been a while since we've last posted due to the coronavirus, but this time I'd like to take a look at some of the notable new releases that came out between last year and this year
Personally, there are two recent events surrounding hard shells that have had the biggest impact on me
First of all, GORE-TEX® PRO, the most well-known and powerful waterproof and breathable material used in hard shells, was completely renewed last season. This means that designers can now freely choose from three types of fabric with the three characteristics of "durability," "high breathability," and "stretch" when creating clothing
The other is the major trend of emphasizing the functions of "breathability (extremely high sweat evacuation)" and "stretchability of fabric," which became definitive with the introduction of "FUTURE LIGHT," a unique waterproof and breathable material announced by THE NORTH FACE about two years ago
Looking at the lineups of each brand, it appears that these major trends have really accelerated this year, with many major brands rushing to introduce various models using the new GORE-TEX® PRO and models made from unique materials with features such as high breathability and stretchability into their main lines
Personally, once I've tried the new products that have come out in the last one or two years, I can't go back to models that aren't highly breathable and stretchy. When choosing a hard shell from now on, these features are a must. The evolution in comfort of hard shells over the past few years has been remarkable
So, this year, I've checked out as many new hard shell models as possible in stores and picked out the ones that really caught my eye. As always, the ★★★ rating, which indicates the general characteristics, is just a guide. As we approach the height of winter, please use this as a reference when choosing your go-to outerwear
table of contents
Hard Shell Jackets You'll Want This Year 2021-2022
HAGLOFS Rock Nordic GTX Pro Jacket
Weather resistance ★★★ Breathability ★★☆ Mobility ★★★ Pockets ★☆☆ Snow mountain climbing ★★★ Backcountry skiing ★★☆
I know this may sound sudden, but I wanted this model so badly that I ended up buying it. I have no doubt that Haglofs is one of the world's best when it comes to making high-quality, well-designed hard shells, and their premium hard shells feature all the "durability," "high breathability," and "stretch" qualities of the new GORE-TEX® PRO fabric, all mapped in the right places with a volume that's neither too thick nor too thin. Personally, I think this is the fabric composition with the least weaknesses currently available (if you don't consider the price)
Despite the streamlined silhouette, the shoulders move smoothly, and the fit around the hood is as good as ever. The underarm ventilation is separated into two sections for comfort, and attention has been paid to every detail. The weight of around 500g is also perfect
The only downside for me, who likes backcountry skiing, is that it has a relatively small number of pockets, but even taking that into account, this is one of the best hard shell models currently on the market that I would recommend
MAMMUT Nordwand Pro HS Hooded Jacket Men
Weather resistance ★★★ Breathability ★☆☆ Mobility ★★★ Pockets ★★☆ Snow mountain climbing ★★★ Backcountry skiing ★★★
This brand is synonymous with hard shells for active alpine activities. Made with thick, durable GORE-TEX® PRO fabric, they are a little heavy, but they also feature stretch GORE-TEX® PRO fabric in key joint areas for excellent mobility
What's more, it's surprisingly convenient for skiing, with inner pockets, a snow skirt, and an IC card pocket. It's no surprise that it's part of the high-end brand Mammut's top-of-the-line "Eiger Extreme" series, but it lives up to its name in terms of quality (and price)
OUTDOOR RESEARCH Archangel GORE-TEX Jacket
Weather resistance ★★★ Breathability ★☆☆ Mobility ★★★ Pockets ★★☆ Snow mountain climbing ★★★ Backcountry skiing ★★☆
Actually, this is the model I was eyeing at the beginning of this season, but due to COVID-19 or issues with the import agency, it's not normally available in Japan, so I had to give up on it..
This jacket is made with the "New GORE-TEX® PRO," a highly breathable and stretchy hybrid material that I've had my eye on from the beginning. Stretch panels are generously used across the back, providing both durability and mobility, while the three-dimensional cut provides outstanding mobility. The colors and design are as beautiful as ever. Outdoor Research has been releasing a string of highly acclaimed hard shell products overseas for the past few years, so I was looking forward to trying it on, but unfortunately, it looks like I won't be able to
THE NORTH FACE Futurelite Jacket
Weather resistance ★☆☆ Breathability ★★★ Mobility ★★★ Pockets ★★☆ Snow mountain climbing ★★☆ Backcountry skiing ★★☆
This hard shell is made from FUTURELIGHT, The North Face's original waterproof and breathable material, which was introduced with much fanfare two years ago, and is designed for a wide range of rigorous winter mountain activities
While breathable, waterproof, and breathable materials have certainly existed for a long time, it's undoubtedly FUTURELIGHT that sparked the recent boom in highly breathable and stretchy materials. What I personally like about it isn't its extraordinary sweat-management capabilities, but rather its comfortable, flexible, and moderately stretchy fabric, even at a thickness of 70D, allowing for easy movement. Compared to rather stiff outerwear like GORE-TEX® (which has become much more flexible in recent years), it's noticeably lighter and less stressful to wear. Furthermore, its high breathability eliminates underarm ventilation, further reducing the stiffness. Whether you like it or not, it offers a natural feel that's hard to believe is hardshell. And, as no one says, I've always loved The North Face's smooth front zipper
On the other hand, while super-fast breathable fabrics like FUTURE LIGHT are super comfortable when you're moving, if you accidentally wear thin clothing underneath, you can often feel cold when you stop
Teton Bros. TB Jacket SE
Weather resistance ★★☆ Breathability ★★★ Mobility ★★★ Pockets ★★★ Snow mountain climbing ★☆☆ Backcountry skiing ★★★
Teton Bros. continued their aggressive approach, taking on new materials and mechanisms every year. This year, they finally parted ways with Polartec Neoshell, with which they had a long-standing relationship, and collaborated with Toray to adopt a new waterproof and breathable fabric called " Täsmä ." As mentioned at the beginning, this material combines all the latest trends, such as excellent sweat management and stretchability while maintaining durability, so it's hard not to be excited about it.
The material description says that the durability and waterproofness of the fabric have been improved without compromising breathability, but what's even more interesting is that it also achieves the highest level of durable water repellency. From personal experience, with flexible fabrics, the water repellency tends to quickly decrease and the surface of the fabric tends to absorb water and become soggy, so this is something to look forward to
Based on the track record of previous TB jackets, we expect the construction of each individual part and the pockets to be satisfactory. I'm looking forward to the fine adjustments, such as increasing the volume of the inner mesh pocket. While the arrival of this jacket has been significantly delayed due to COVID-19, it looks like it will finally be available soon. In fact, I'll definitely get my hands on it and write a proper review this year
NORRONA lyngen Gore-Tex Jacket
Weather resistance ★☆☆ Breathability ★★★ Mobility ★☆☆ Pockets ★☆☆ Snow mountain climbing ☆☆☆ Backcountry skiing ★★★
NORRONA is not a well-known mountain brand (despite its strengths), but it is a leading backcountry ski brand. Its diverse hard shell lineup includes the Lofoten series for backcountry skiing and the Trollveggen series for snowy mountain climbing. While these are classics and are good this year, this year's Lyngen is interesting
The 30D GORE-TEX® Active fabric used here is incredibly thin and light. It's so thin you might wonder if it's even safe. But it's fine. I've used a shell made of this fabric for a winter season myself, and it's as good as GORE-TEX® gets. It's also extremely windproof, and not too cold (by the way, the shoulders and other areas prone to chafing are made of a stronger fabric). The surprising lightness (402g) and sweat-wicking performance of this jacket, all of which come from its thinness, are undoubtedly among the best of the ones I've chosen this time (I experienced this with NORRONA's lofoten, which used the same fabric two years ago). It's definitely versatile, and will be useful for a wide range of activities, from the slopes to backcountry skiing and light snow hikes (though the pockets are a little limited, so you might want to choose something else for strenuous snowy mountain climbing)
Patagonia Stormstride Jacket
Weather resistance ★★☆ Breathability ★★☆ Mobility ★★★ Pockets ★★☆ Snow mountain climbing ★★☆ Backcountry skiing ★★★
This lightweight, highly maneuverable, and highly breathable hard shell uses Patagonia's proprietary H2No Performance Standard Shell, and its patterning takes backcountry movement into consideration. I actually wore it all last season. It's designed for backcountry use, but it's well-balanced. It's a lightweight jacket weighing less than 500g, yet the fabric itself doesn't feel particularly thin or flimsy. It's not stiff, either; it's supple, stretchy, and comfortable. Plus, the design and silhouette are great. I always end up wearing these kinds of jackets
However, the pockets are minimal, with only two chest pockets and an inside pocket. There's no snow skirt. But for those who think this is a good idea, it should be incredibly easy to use
Peak Performance Vertical Pro Jacket
Weather resistance ★★★ Breathability ★★☆ Mobility ★★☆ Pockets ★★★ Snow mountain climbing ★☆☆ Backcountry skiing ★★★
Peak Performance is the #1 brand I crave every year, but somehow never end up buying (or can't afford). Supervised by Kristofer Turdell, the 2018 FWT annual champion, it skillfully utilizes the highly breathable and stretchy GORE-TEX® PRO fabric, a fabric that's currently in vogue, to create a luxurious and highly functional jacket that's sure to be a coveted treat. Furthermore, this model's unique feature, a large "mask" that covers the mouth, provides excellent protection in strong winds and cold temperatures. The pockets and guards are also top-notch, so nothing to complain about. But isn't it a bit too bulky and heavy? For downhill skiing alone, this is the ultimate ski jacket
MONTURA COSMO PRO JACKET
Weather resistance ★★★ Breathability ★★☆ Mobility ★★★ Pockets ★★☆ Snow mountain climbing ★★★ Backcountry skiing ★☆☆
As a brand leading the hardcore climbing scene in the European Alps, their hard shells are truly tough. They have a slim silhouette that follows the lines of the body. The fabric is as thin and light as possible without sacrificing durability. The new GORE-TEX® PRO is used, of course, to ensure no compromises are made on lightness, durability, or breathability for comfortable use even under heavy loads. By eliminating unnecessary parts, they've achieved an unimaginable weight (410g). Stretch panels around the sleeves and the back of the hood ensure an excellent fit. The smooth zipper also feels great. We see this as this season's dark horse and hidden favorite
summary
These are picks based solely on my style and from the perspective of "if I were to choose one piece of clothing this year," so the selection does not include robust models that are suited to a style that involves spending multiple nights in the snowy mountains during the harsh winter. This is not to say that the classic models that continue to sell well are bad. There is no doubt that they offer excellent cost performance. However, if you want to know, experience, and use the cutting edge of outdoor gear that is constantly evolving, the models listed above will undoubtedly meet your expectations. Ah, I can't wait for the snow. Have fun playing in the snow, everyone!
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