The Sabre is Arc'teryx's top-performing shell for resort and downhill skiing, offering exceptional weather resistance, durability, and a refined fit, with a comfortable micro-flannel-like interior. It's very weatherproof and well-made, but it's heavy and warm for backcountry use and comes at a high price; ideal for resort days and occasional sidecountry laps if you value maximum weather protection.
A true all-around ski shell that balances resort-weather protection with backcountry versatility. It uses premium Gore-Tex protection, refined fit, and a well-thought-out pocket hood setup, though its price is steep and it remains relatively heavy for long backcountry tours.
The Rush is a lightweight Gore-Tex Pro hard shell designed for backcountry skiing, offering excellent weather resistance, an athletic fit, and a practical pocket/hood/powder-skirt setup. It excels in backcountry use and resort-ready versatility, but is expensive and has a crinkly fabric feel typical of hardshells.
The Arc'teryx Alpha SV is a bombproof hardshell built for extreme winter conditions, delivering exceptional durability and weather protection with a fit that accommodates mid-layers and climbing harnesses. It is heavy, bulky, and expensive, making it ideal for serious winter expeditions or daily use in harsh weather, but overkill for light-duty or everyday rain use.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L delivers solid waterproof protection at a value price, using the 3-layer H2No fabric and handy features like a two-way adjustable hood and Velcro cuffs. It’s a reliable rain shell for hiking, climbing, and skiing in wet weather, though it’s a bit stiff and less breathable than some rivals. With stowable packability and PFAS-free construction, it’s a versatile, budget-friendly option for wet conditions.
The Torrentshell 3L is a standout women's rain jacket, delivering top-tier water resistance at a very good value. It performs well in heavy rain and wet conditions, with good breathability and durable construction, though the fabric is stiff and the zippers aren't watertight. It is a bit heavier and less packable than some rivals, but its waterproof performance and build quality make it a reliable long-haul rain jacket for hikers, runners, snowboarders, and cyclists.
A durable, affordable rain shell built with Patagonia’s 3-layer H2No system. It delivers strong waterproof protection and long-lasting construction for daily wear and light day hikes, but its stiff, crinkly fabric and limited pockets reduce comfort and versatility for high-output or backcountry use.
The Patagonia M10 is the lightest hardshell jacket GearLab tested and excels for backpacking thanks to its ultralight weight and tiny pack size. It sacrifices weather protection and breathability for minimalism, has a very small hood and limited features, and Patagonia has discontinued the model. Best as an emergency or dryer-climate shell for backpackers and climbers who prioritize weight over all-weather versatility.
The M10 Storm Women's hardshell is ultralight and packable for fast alpine missions, using a three-layer H2No waterproof/breathable shell with a long cut for mobility. It delivers strong weather protection for its weight and remains comfortable during movement, but the thinner fabric trades durability and warmth in extreme conditions and it lacks underarm vents for heat management.
The Patagonia Storm10 is a very lightweight 3-layer hardshell designed for milder climates and high-output aerobic activities. It’s exceptionally breathable, lightweight, and packable, making it ideal for rain and warm-weather use, though it offers limited wind and cold protection and durability. The hood fits a helmet but is a bit snug, and there are no pit zips with a chest pocket that’s tight to stuff into.
A featherweight hardshell designed for alpine climbs, prioritizes mobility and packability with a lean feature set. It delivers waterproof protection and a helmet-compatible hood, but its ultralight design sacrifices wind protection, pockets, and vents for weight savings, making it less ideal as an everyday rain shell but a strong choice when weight is at a premium for alpine objectives.
Patagonia's M10 Storm Jacket is a lightweight, packable 3-layer hardshell designed for fast-and-light alpine climbing. It provides excellent rain and wind protection for its thin fabric, with surprising stretch and comfort, and packs down to a small volume. The trade-offs are no armpit zips and no hand pockets, which limit ventilation and casual versatility.
The Beta AR is a burly, all-around hardshell built for wet, windy mountain conditions, delivering excellent weather protection and solid mobility. It features Gore-Tex Pro fabric, a helmet-compatible hood, and harness-accessible pockets, making it a versatile workhorse for climbing and mountaineering, though it comes with a boxy fit and lacks a two-way front zipper.
The Arc'teryx Beta AR is a durable Gore-Tex Pro hardshell offering excellent weather protection and a standout collar, but its bulky, baggy fit and high price limit its appeal for some users. It's best suited for backcountry use and daily wear for larger frames, while less ideal for technical climbing or aggressive skiing due to mobility and breathability.
A purpose-built backcountry shell that delivers exceptional breathability and protection, but relies on a lighter, more delicate fabric. It’s premium and expensive, with a sport-focused build that favors weight-conscious backcountry tours over heavy resort use.
The Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Shell is a ultra-light, weather-protective ski shell with Gore-Tex Pro that blocks severe weather while allowing movement. It features internal wrist gaiters, a powder skirt/pants integration, and a close, adaptable fit, but offers limited warmth and few pockets; it’s expensive and highly specialized for maximum weather protection rather than everyday warmth or feature-rich skiing.
Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro - Women's is a premium backcountry shell built for uphill performance and weather protection. It uses Gore-Tex Pro for durability and breathability, offers features like a removable powder skirt and a rescue pocket, and breathes well for long ascents; warmth comes from layering since there is no built-in insulation.
Built for serious backcountry skiers, the Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro is a lightweight, 3-layer shell that delivers top-tier weather protection and standout ventilation with extra-long pit zips and a chest vent. It’s expensive and overkill for resort days, and its lighter face fabric means durability could be a concern, but for big, unpredictable conditions it’s among the best.
The Patagonia Triolet is a protective Gore-Tex 3-layer hard shell jacket that offers strong weather protection and durability at a strong value, with a boxy fit and notable heaviness. It is versatile for resort skiing, backcountry touring, and ice/mixed climbing, but its weight and boxy cut make it less ideal for light-and-fast alpine climbing.
