Marmot Megawatt

Breathability “For hard work in bitter conditions, this is the jacket I want,” says one ice climber who wore the Megawatt down to almost zero degrees. Polartec Alpha synthetic insulation has thousands of tiny perforations which let warm, moist air escape via a network of channels. To boost the cold-weather performance of the Megawatt, Marmot added baffles of 800-fill down through the core. “A wicking mesh liner in high sweat zones seemed to suck moisture away from my torso,” another tester says.

Features The Alpha-and-down hood is designed to fit under a helmet; it has a low-profile rear toggle that pulls the sides away from the face to optimize peripheral vision. The two-way zipper allows you to open the jacket from the bottom and access a climbing harness. Cozy microfleece lines the hand pockets and two big, mesh inner pockets (one is open-topped, so it fits a water bottle) keep snacks and gadgets from freezing.
$300; 1 lb. 5 oz.; marmot.com