What We’re Testing Now: These Hardshells are Made for Winter Protection
These jackets will keep you dry and focused on your winter adventures.
Hard Shell Jacket Reviews
Let the experts at Backpacker Magazine help you find the perfect hard shell jacket.
The Best Technical Shell Jackets of 2024
Ski touring and high-output activities in the backcountry require a different kind of armor. Suit up with our favorite picks of the season.
Latest in Hard Shell Jacket Reviews
Marmot Keele Peak
Year-round pick
Rab Khroma Kinetic
Best mobility
Ortovox 3L Ortler Jacket
Most breathable
Outdoor Research Archangel
Best protection
Deal of the Week: Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 Gore-Tex Paclite Plus
This rain shell set has you covered from top to bottom.
What our Members are Testing Now: The North Face Sotara FUTURELIGHT Jacket
There's more than meets the eye with this comfy, waterproof shell.
Montane Element Stretch Jacket
Cozy shell
REI Co-op Westwinds GTX Jacket
Most durable shell
Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 Gore-Tex Paclite Plus Jacket & Pant
Shell with the best protection
Black Diamond Highline Stretch
Most versatile shell
Eddie Bauer BC Freshline 2.0/BC Fineline 2.0
Best protection
Amundsen Sports Peak Anorak
Best features
Direct Alpine Revolt
Most versatile
Adidas Outdoors Primeknit Climaproof Jacket
Best mobility
Montane Pac Plus
Best value
Dynafit Speed 3L Reflective Jacket
Best for fast-and-light touring
The North Face Summit L5 LT Jacket
Most breathable
GoLite Ready Set Go
Lightest
Rab Kinetic Alpine
Most comfortable
Columbia OutDry Ex Reign
Best protection
Patagonia Stretch Rainshadow
Most versatile
Marmot PreCip Active
Best value
Eddie Bauer BC Uplift
Killer deal
SITKA Vapor Shakedry Jacket
Most breathable
Helly Hansen Odin Minimalist 2.0
Best features
Outdoor Research Skyward II
Editors’ Choice update
Fjällräven Greenland Wind Jacket
Versatile shell
Marmot Eclipse Jacket
This shell ditches PFCs for a weatherproof, eco-friendly coat.
Gear of the Week: Outdoor Research Optimizer
Fend off moisture both inside and out with this uber-breathable shell.
This Year’s Most Innovative Gear
The future is now. These 10 gear picks set new standards in their respective categories.
Flylow Lab Coat
This shell boasts the perfect balance of breathability and durability for backcountry skiing.
686 GLCR Gore-Tex Paclite Multi Shell Jacket
Best for quick changes
Rab Sharp Edge Shell Jacket
Most breathable
Mountain Standard Terrain N’ Rain Shell
Best value
Patagonia Pluma Shell Jacket
Eco-friendly
Montane Ajax Shell Jacket
Most versatile
Dynafit Radical GTX Shell Jacket
Full-featured
Arc’teryx Beta LT Shell Jacket
Lightest
Montane Minimus 777 Hardshell
This ultralight hardshell is the lightest three-layer waterproof/breathable shell we’ve seen.
Ortovox Civetta Hardshell
This comfy, ultralight hardshell strikes the perfect balance between weight, features, and comfort.
High Sierra Isle Hardshell
This bargain hardshell gives you features and performance rarely seen at this price.
Salomon Bonatti WP Hardshell Jacket
This ultralight, stripped-down hardshell will be a hit with the fast-and-light crowd looking for simple, effective weather protection at a sweet price.
Outdoor Research Realm Hardshell
This climbing-oriented hardshell has details everyone will love.
Ultimate Direction Ultra Hardshell Jacket
Save big on a weight-saving backpacking hardshell.
Marmot Red Star and Starfire Hardshells
Breathability, durability, and design combine for year-round protection in this versatile hardshell.
REI Rhyolite Hardshell
This value hardshell gives you the breathability of shells that cost $100 more.
Arc'teryx Norvan Jacket
This well-ventilated featherweight hardshell can handle race-pace running and snowshoeing.
Ortovox Guardian Shell
The merino wool lining inside this hardshell speeds wicking and reduces the need for a bulky midlayer.
adidas Outdoor Terrex TechRock GTX Jacket
This streamlined shell is tough enough for week-long expeditions.
The North Face FuseForm Brigandine 3L Jacket
This durable hardshell is ski armor, built for 100-day seasons, year after year.
Mountain Standard Hooded 3-Layer Jacket
This jacket is one of the most affordable three-layer shells we’ve tested.
Patagonia Refugitive Jacket
This versatile hardshell's supple fabric proved stout enough for winter storms but light enough for summer wear.
FlyLow Genius Jacket
This ski jacket provides top breathability and good mobility in one lightweight package.
Sherpa Adventure Gear Shakti Jacket
This full-featured jacket is built for plundering powder.
Arc’teryx Zeta LT Jacket
This 11-ounce jacket sets a new bar for shells: It’s light and protective enough to wear 12 months a year.
Mammut Meron Light
This watertight hardshell with all the bells and whistles proved impenetrable in the gnarliest conditions.
Montane Featherlite Shell
One light and breathable jacket gets you four seasons’ worth of protection.
MontBell Storm Cruiser
This jacket offers burly hardshell protection on the outside and a supple, cozy feel inside.
Columbia Sleeker
This bargain-priced hardshell performs better than some shells that cost three times as much.
The North Face FuseForm Originator
One-piece construction with fewer seams delivers a hardshell with enhanced breathability and a streamlined aesthetic.
Marmot Crux
This hardshell is a souped-up version of the lightweight and breathable Essence, a 2014 Editors’ Choice Award-winner, with better coverage and durability.
Patagonia Storm Racer
We could trail run in this hardshell all day, even in mild weather.
Our Favorite 7 Winter Hardshells
There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. These seven hardshells will bear the burden of anything Mother Nature offers.
Outdoor Research Mentor
Full side zips offer better ventilation than you typically get from shells this tough.
Strafe Cham
The Cham merges freeride styling with durable fabrics and ounce-shaving design.
Berghaus Vapour Storm
A unique venting design and ultra-breathable fabric make this minimalist jacket ideal for hard-working hikers and skiers.
Eddie Bauer First Ascent Insulated Neoteric
Most insulated jackets are so bulky, they’re only practical for lift-served skiing—but this toaster is trim and breathable enough for day tours in cold temperatures.
Mammut Segnas/Silvretta Advanced
Snow-specific features and highly breathable Gore-Tex Active Shell make this three-layer jacket ideal for both ski-touring and ski-mountaineering.
Marmot Kirwin
Get top-shelf storm protection at half the cost of a top-shelf shell.
Mountain Hardwear Minalist
Cut full and long, this three-layer jacket features freeride styling that fits tall guys beautifully.
Adidas Wandertag Shell
Can a shell that costs under $100 keep you dry in real rainfall?
Editors' Choice 2014: Marmot Essence Shell
There's always room to pack this featherweight, bombproof shell.
Eddie Bauer First Ascent BC Ultralight Hardshell Review
A versatile hard shell that's light too.
Arc'teryx Alpha SL Shell Review
A shell that is light, sleek, and minimalist.
Columbia Rainstormer Shell Review
A bargain jacket with full amenities.
Mountain Hardwear Super Light Plasmic Shell Review
A light and comfortable shell.