The North Face North Dome Stretch Wind Jacket

Our take When you need something tougher than a windshell but lighter than a mountaineering jacket, this softie hits the spot. “I appreciated it while climbing off-widths in the Adirondacks,” says a tester. “This jacket took the friction and emerged none the worse for wear.” Credit the 40-denier, nylon/elastane material, which has a supertight weave but still breathes well enough that we wore the Dome all day in 50°F temps.

The details Climber-friendly features abound, including gusseted underarms, an adjustable hood that fits over a helmet, and harness-compatible hand pockets.

Trail cred “It packs down to the size of a can of peas, but it still offers a touch of insulation,” our New York tester reports. “I appreciated the extra warmth when the sun went behind the cliffs.”