Mountain Hardwear Exposure Parka

Protection Bound for deep snow, biting winds, and tree runs? This uber-tough Mountain Hardwear Exposure Parka shell can handle it—the 140-denier nylon in high-wear areas is the toughest in our test. The thick fabric also proved windproof: “The wind was so strong it knocked me over, but it couldn’t penetrate this shell,” said a tester after a trip in the Rockies. And the drop hem paired with a powder skirt kept even a fall-all-day rookie snowboarder’s baselayers dry. The cost of all this protection: weight.

Features The hood is tight with a ski helmet and we wished for a more defined brim to better fend off driving precip. Ding: The pit zips don’t slide easily.

Breathability The Exposure’s heavy-duty fabric translates to so-so breathability, making it best-suited to in-bounds skiing and moderate touring. m’s S-XXL