Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Brands

Apparel

Outdoor Research Alpenice Hooded Jacket

Most versatile

Brand: Outdoor Research

Model: Alpenice


Our take 

“This was the one jacket I used every day, all winter,” reports one of our Alaska testers, praising the Alpenice’s ability to fend off snowstorms in the Chugach Range while still breathing well during steep ascents. OR uses stretchy, waterproof, highly breathable AscentShell fabric in the shoulders, upper body, and hood, while placing thinner, weather-resistant Pertex Microlight on the lower body. This mix protects the areas most exposed to precip, while ultrabreathable Polartec Alpha Direct insulation regulates temps. “I’ll throw on a puffy during transitions, but end up overheating minutes after restart,” our tester says. “I wore this jacket up every mountain without melting down.”

The details 

Alpha Direct is a version of Polartec’s synthetic Alpha insulation with no backer. Without the extra fabric, it traps more warmth without adding bulk and breathes better. Bonus: Testers loved the beefy, durable zippers on the Alpenice’s chest pockets.

Trail cred 

“Snow and rain slide right off this jacket, and it feels as comfortable inside as a soft cotton hoody,” says one tester who used it on Thompson Pass, Alaska, in subzero temps. outdoorresearch.com

When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission. We do not accept money for editorial gear reviews. Read more about our policy.