There's no quicker way to ruin a fourth-season hike than getting caught in a rain- or snowstorm without the protection you need. If you're the kind of hiker who hits the trail no matter the conditions, you need a good shell to keep the weather out. Luckily, we've picked eight of the best on the market. Armor up and get out there.

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Most Breathable: Ortovox 3L Ortler Jacket

The Ortler is made for pedal-to-the-metal types. One cross-country skier reports that it breathed like a champ during everything from training sessions in the teens to a wet ski tour in the 50s in Alaska’s Talkeetnas: “I heated up, but the jacket still did a great job getting rid of moisture,” he says. Buy the Ortovox 3L Ortler Jacket Now / Read the Full Review

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