Patagonia Pluma Shell Jacket

Our take Want a technical, durable shell to protect you from the elements? You have plenty of options. But if you want all that, plus sterling green credentials, your choice is a lot easier: this jacket. On the mountain, the Pluma sheltered us from snow, graupel, and 40-mph winds (it has nylon face fabric, which cuts gusts better than polyester) in Colorado’s Gore Range without a hitch. Tradeoff: Testers judged the burly, three-layer Gore-Tex Pro shell to be only moderately breathable; we overwhelmed its venting, even with pit zips open, on humid days when snow showers made us keep it on.

The details The Pluma is made from 100-percent recycled nylon, a tougher material to recycle than polyester due to its molecular structure. (Patagonia sources its nylon from post-industrial waste and factory scraps.) Two hand pockets, one chest pocket and one internal pocket stash snacks and keys, but none quite fit skins. Gore’s Microgrid Backer felt great against bare arms and slid smoothly over underlayers. The longer cut and slight stretch made layering over multiple pieces comfortable, too.

Trail cred “I stayed dry even when skiing through snow that was falling sideways in heavy winds,” reports an Alaskan tester. “The high collar, long sleeves, and generous hem kept all precip out, and the hood seals up tight.” patagonia.com