White Sierra Glacier Point II

Protection If your winter activities fall on the laid-back end of the spectrum—like mellow hiking, snowshoeing, and resort skiing—then a spendy specialized jacket is probably overkill. The White Sierra Glacier Point II is a solid, no-frills softie that gets the job done for a fraction of the price. The midweight, 94-percent polyester/6-percent spandex face fabric kept us cozy on cold, damp outings in the North Cascades, thanks to a microfleece lining. It also effectively shielded us from light rain, snow, and moderate wind (it’s not fully windproof). But it’s too warm for highly aerobic activities (backcountry skiing, carrying a heavy pack) in all but the most frigid temps. And after one tester sweated it out on a tough climb, he reported, “It stayed damp for the rest of the day.”

Fit A generous cut is great for bigger shapes or piling on the layers underneath, and taller testers appreciated the long-enough hem and sleeves. Four-way stretch preserves range of motion.

Packability Price for the price? It’s heavy, and expect a bowling ball-size lump in your pack. S-XXL