Gear Review: Westcomb Revenant Hardshell

This Westcomb hardshell is at its best in extreme, wet conditions.

Published Nov 3, 2009

Testers Berne Broudy, Steve Brown, James Clark, Shannon Davis, Jonathan Dorn, Kristin Hostetter, Dennis Lewom, Molly Loomis, Annette McGivney, Jeff Purton, Kris Wagner, Jeff Wilhelm

Extreme Conditions

“This shell can handle any weather, anywhere,” said one tester. The jacket is made primarily from a heavy-duty version of three-layer eVent, with stretchy panels of waterproof/breathable Schoeller C-change (it has pores that open when you heat up) that run down the arms and across the back. Result: Testers who used it on backcountry ski trips in the Rockies said they’d trust this shell in a hurricane–it simply won’t wet out–yet it breathes as well as lighter weight shells.

Smart touch: Stiff tape down the sides of the hood keep it from collapsing uncomfortably when you cinch it tight. “I felt like I had a roof over my head,” said one tester. Pit zips and a removable powder skirt increase versatility for year-round use, mitigating the price. $499; 1 lb. 4 oz. (w’s medium); men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-L; westcomb.com