Backpacker Magazine – September 2008

Extreme Layering: Cold-Weather Clothing

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

by: Annette McGivney, Photos by Sethhughes.com

SHELL

Cloudveil Koven Plus
Remember Steve Austin, the Six Million Dollar Man? We found his jacket. It's made from Schoeller's C-Change, a "bionic climate membrane" (according to the manufacturer) that automatically adjusts breathability based on the temperature inside and out. (Think of a flower opening up in warm temperatures and closing in cold.) Sounds like sci-fi, but it works. "Water beads off this thing like olive oil on hot Teflon," said one tester. "It's breathable enough for hard, uphill snowshoeing but felt warm when I was standing still in a blizzard." Other features we liked: the welded seams (reduces weight and bulk), micro-fleece body mapping on the torso and shoulders for extra warmth, and the two-way stretch panels under the arms. Plus, it's decked out with burly mountain-shell standards: powder skirt, pit zips, adjustable hood with chin guard, large handwarmer pockets, and cinchable cuffs. Testers reported that fit is perfect for winter layering: The shoulders and arms are roomy enough for a lightweight puffy parka underneath. The hood accommodates a helmet but also snugs over bare heads without any fabric gaps. $440; men's S-XXL; 1 lb. 5 oz. (M); cloudveil.com. Reader service #102
Subscribe to Backpacker magazine
Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter