Best Ski Touring Shells 2021

The Rab Khroma GTX jacket uses fully recycled 70D GORE-TEX Pro fabric. It also uses a hybrid of new GORE-TEX Pro fabrics, Rab has reinforced the most breathable fabrics with the most rugged resulting in enhancements to both comfort and toughness.

The helmet-compatible hood offers two-way adjustment and the waist hem and wrist cuffs are fully adjustable for a secure fit. 

A YKK AquaGuard VISLON zipper on the front zip is further protected with an internal storm flap while underarm zips offer ventilation. There are two large exterior chest pockets, a smaller napoleon pocket, and a sleeve pocket which is ideal for a ski pass. On the interior of the Khroma GTX there is one zippered chest pocket and two mesh stash pockets.

A removable powder skirt keeps snow from coming up from below while gaskets at the wrist keep snow out of your sleeves while large underarm vents feature dual zipper pulls for best adjustability.

The Rab Khroma GTX Jacket fits larger than any other medium-sized jacket in this review, but it's very comfortable and roomy for layering. Although the Khroma GTX is a little bulkier with the materials feeling a bit stiffer than most, it provides a reassuring impression of durability. All the features a person might look for in a ski touring jacket can be found in the Khroma GTX and since it uses recycled materials it has a much lower environmental footprint than others. Initially, this was actually one of my top picks, but upon comparing the data it seems to have come up short. 

Price: $775CAN / $600US
Weight: 689g / 24.3oz
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Hydrostatic head: >28k mm
Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR): 25k g/m²/24 hrs
Colours: Oxblood Red, Polar Blue, Firecracker

Outdoor Research's Carbide jacket is made with 3 layer Pertex Shield for a versatile, stretchy, and stylish fit. The Carbide is designed for those who want to do it all, be it in bounds or backcountry. 

The helmet-compatible hood features Outdoor Research's wire brimmed halo and HoodLock technology. This unique feature allows the cord lock at the back of the hood to be clipped further back for “helmet mode”, thus keeping the brim free and clear of your field of vision.
 
The waist hem on the Carbide Jacket includes an elastic drawcord and the wrist cuffs feature Outdoor Research's ThumbDrive Hook/Loop closures which are oversized velcro tabs which can be used to pull the sleeve down tight over your glove in order to keep those wrists warm and protected. 

The Carbide offers plenty of pockets with two handwarmer pockets, opposing napoleon pockets, a ski pass pocket on the sleeve, and also an internal napoleon pocket. All pockets are zippered, and the internal pocket features a media port (aka hole for headphones).

To ensure you don't over heat on the skin track the Carbide has pit zips with dual zipper pulls so you can ventilate from either end which helps keep things cool.

Outdoor Research's  Carbide Jacket is a very comfortable jacket, it feels light and stretchy with a great range of motion. Despite this, however, it was the second heaviest jacket in the review! It has some great features for ski touring but these increase its weight and bulk. This is the least expensive jacket in the review so if the price is a driving force in your decision-making process then the Carbide will rank higher in your consideration.

Price: $399CAN / $299US
Weight: 608g / 21.5oz
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Hydrostatic head: 20k mm
Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR):  20k g/m²/24 hrs
Colours: Black/Storm, Fatigue/Umber, Fir/Lichen, Twilight/Cascade

The Arc’teryx Rush uses GORE-TEX Pro in order to deliver performance, protection, and durability without sacrificing comfort and weight. This new GORE-TEX fabric maintains the GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY promise while offering a range of new technologies that make the Rush Jacket just a little bit better. Such advancements include a completely new and more durable membrane, and the addition of stretch, and a backer with a lower environmental footprint. Oh, and this is the most breathable GORE-TEX fabric yet!

Pockets are as follows; two large exterior zippered chest pockets, one smaller pocket on the sleeve; two mesh stash pockets on the interior, and one small zippered mesh pocket on one of the interior stash pockets.

Ventilation is accomplished with large underarm vents made adjustable with dual zipper pulls and the articulated patterning of the Rush facilitates an increased range of motion.

The Arc’teryx Rush is a comfortable jacket with a good range of motion though less stretch than the GORE-TEX Pro hybrid material used in the RAB Kinetic. The fit was a little tight across the back of the shoulders when testing a full range of motion but generally moves quite well. Equipped with all the key ski features you could want and it's one of the only jackets in this review with interior stash pockets large enough for wider skins. If only it wasn’t so expensive...

Price: $900CAN / $749US 
Weight: 590g / 1lb, 4.8oz
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Hydrostatic head: >28k mm
Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR): 25k g/m²/24 hrs
Colours: Galactic Halo, Phoenix, Deep Sea Disco, Glade Runner, Alchemist
Fit: Regular

The High Exposure jacket from Mountain Hardwear is their lightest shell and features GORE-TEX C-Knit, a stretchy, durable, and waterproof fabric that is designed to breathe exceptionally well. The new C-Knit technology offers a softer, lighter garment with no sacrifice in durability or performance. This is accomplished by making the backer, or innermost layer, from a dense, extremely thin circular knit. The design is thin and smooth which reduces bulk and makes it easier to slip the jacket on over other layers.

The High Exposure fabric also incorporates Mini Ripstop tech in order to add another layer of durability to the garment.

Three exterior zippered pockets chest pockets are joined by two pockets on the interior; one with a zipper closure and the other a mesh stuff pocket. 

A snow skirt is aided by adjustable wrist cuffs and waist hem, keeping you dry at all openings. The helmet-compatible hood is three-way adjustable, and all cord locks throughout the jacket are low-profile.

The Mountain Hardwear High Exposure has a great fit, uninhibited range of motion, uses stretchy, light materials; is the second lightest jacket reviewed. Exterior pockets are great but interior pockets are a little small and the lack of ventilation is less than ideal. 

Price: $700CAN / $550US
Weight: 458g / 1lb
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Hydrostatic head: >28k mm
Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR): >20k g/m²/24 hrs
Colours: Citron Sun, Dark Storm, Deep Lake

The Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid jacket combines the BD.Dry laminated waterproof breathable solution with an air-permeable softshell fabric in key places (under the arms and on the back). The design is inspired by long days in the backcountry with the intention of a jacket that can be worn comfortably on both the ascent and descent. 

The GTT EMPEL Molecular Water Protection used is a revolutionary technology, the treatment results from a molecular bond that protects each individual fibre with a flexible polymer coating as opposed to traditional methods of a topical coating. This not only creates a softer, quieter fabric but offers enhanced breathability. These benefits come at no detriment to the water protection, in fact, it delivers ten times better performance and durability when compared to industry-leading DWR finishes (C8, C6, and C0 padded wet finishes). All this is accomplished without the use of solvents and with zero water pollution (textile finishing generates 20% of the world's freshwater pollution, so it’s sort of a big deal).

Revolutionary technologies aside, this jacket includes a few of the key ski features we’ve seen in many of the other jackets in the review including a helmet-compatible hood, harness-compatible pockets, and wrist gaiters.

They’ve also added a few features not seen in the other jackets like a perforated collar panel, and dual front zipper with built-in mesh venting. The perforated collar panel offers a little more room to breath while still offering protection, while the double zipper offers a unique venting strategy for the ascent.

The Dawn Patrol jacket can be paired up with the Dawn Patrol pant for all the same great tech and zonal construction with hard and soft shell fabrics but for the lower half of your body.

Black Diamond's Dawn Patrol Hybrid Jacket rules in just about every single category in this review; if only it had drop pockets and a powder skirt! Oh, and dual zipper pulls for the pit zips… but hey that’s not much to complain about considering they nailed everything else. The mesh ventilation panel on the front zip is sort of interesting. It certainly creates more airflow and is not at all noticeable when not in use but do I love it? Uncertain at this point, more time testing on the skin track will see how valuable it really is.

It was a tough choice for first place between the Dynafit Free and the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Jacket, but I gave it to the Dawn Patrol Hybrid for two reasons. First off is the price as the Dawn Patrol is significantly cheaper. Secondly, the GTT EMPEL Molecular Water Protection is industry-leading tech that not only improves garment performance and durability but significantly reduces the environmental footprint. If saving a few bucks isn’t worth the bump up to 1st place, then surely the efforts towards saving the environment (while also improving performance) must be. 

Price: $455CAN / $349US
Weight: 500g / 17.6oz
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
'Hydrostatic head: 20,000 mm
Breathability: 20,000 g/m2/24hr
Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR): TBD
Fit: Slim
Colours: Octane, Carbon, Kingfisher

The Odin Infinity Shell is made with Helly Hanson’s LIFA Infinity Pro Technology. This 3 layer waterproof and breathable fabric is pushing the boundaries of sustainable manufacturing by completely avoiding the use of topical coatings and solvents aka DWR's. They do this without compromising performance and by using 100% LIFA fibres which are inherently hydrophobic and offer a permanent DWR that not only has never been coated but will never need to be re-coated. In addition, this fabric uses solution dyeing which uses 75% less water, resulting in less wastewater and superior colour fastness over time. 

The helmet-compatible hood features a laminated brim, flat contrast piping, and double cord adjustability in order to maintain your field of vision by keeping the hood out of your face. 

The general design and pocket layout are for compatibility with both backpack and harness usage. On the exterior, there are two chest pockets, a napoleon pocket, and a ski pass pocket on the sleeve. The two interior pockets are both top entry, one with a zipper on the right side and a mesh stash pocket on the left. 

Pit zips with dual zipper pulls offer ventilation control for warmer days or grunting up the skin track. The detachable powder skirt uses hook and loop closure which offers enhanced adjustability compared to more common snap button closures resulting in a better fit.

This is another well-featured jacket with a unique snow skirt closure system which offers more adjustment (and staying power) than other styles in this review. The Odin Infinity Shell did fit a little tight across the chest which reduced mobility slightly when testing the full range of motion. Otherwise, a comfortable jacket that feels even better thanks to its environmental footprint reducing technologies. The most breathable jacket in the review with no sacrifice to the waterproofing.

Price: $800CAN / $700US
Weight: 600g / 21oz
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Hydrostatic head: 25k mm
Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR): 33k g/m²/24 hrs
Colour: Grey

The Jormun utilizes Jottnar’s lightest micro rip-stop, 3 layer SKJOLDR waterproof, windproof, and breathable fabric to create a packable, fully-featured, performance hard shell. 

The streamlined fit features articulated elbows and scoop drop back hem. The fit is roomy enough to accommodate mid and base layers comfortably.

Two-way pit zips provide easy temperature regulation via YKK AquaGuard coil water repellent zips that keep the weather out of the interior microclimate.

The helmet-compatible hood is wire stiffened and features a moldable laminated peak to keep the hood out of your face. Elastic, anti-snag drawcords are glove compatible and ensure excellent visibility. The waist hem also features elastic, anti-snag drawcords and a scoop drop back to protect your behind from the elements. The hem at the wrist offers scooped hand protection and VELCRO with triple reinforced stitching.

The Jottnar Jormun is a well-featured, comfortable jacket for ski touring. It is missing a couple of key ski features but generally not deal breakers on an otherwise great jacket. Articulated elbows and underarm gussets facilitate ease of movement aided by light stretch throughout the garment. This is the lightest jacket in the review.

Price: $589CAN / $449US
Weight: 415g / 14.6oz
Fabric weight: 98g/m²
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Hydrostatic head: 20K mm
Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR): TBD
Colours: Marine, Fire Red, Bay Green
Fit: streamlined with articulated elbows and scoop drop back hem

The Rab Kroma Kinetic is a self-proclaimed “soft hardshell” due to the use of the 20D Proflex material. This stretchy, breathable, and waterproof shell is composed of 3 layers: a wicking polyester inner, an expanded PTFE core, and a woven polyamide/elastane outer with a DWR coating. The result is a jacket well suited to all kinds of mountain pursuits, be it a casual day tour or an epic ski mountaineering objective. 

The flexible Khroma Kinetic Jacket is combined with ski-specific features like a helmet-compatible hood, adjustable hem and cuffs, and through flow ventilation system which is composed of “venting pockets” and a vent on the back of each arm. 

The jackets pocket system is quite unique with the two internal stash pockets being able to be accessed more easily from large zippers on the exterior of the jacket. Within one of these two pockets, you'll find a smaller zippered pocket.  The chest pockets, as mentioned above, are also designed to be a part of the ventilation system. 

The Khroma Kinetic Jacket has a very comfortable fit, uninhibited range of motion and best stretch of the jackets reviewed. The simplistic design keeps things efficient, yet the pocket layout is unlike any I’ve seen before. The Khroma Kinetic has the largest pockets of any jacket in this review, but also the fewest. The internal stash pockets have small openings that are awkwardly small, unfortunately. Flow-through ventilation is an interesting innovation; good air movement but requires one to open pockets in order to open the front vents.

Price: $450CAN / $350US
Weight: 532g / 18.8oz
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Hydrostatic head: 20k mm
Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR):: 25k g/m²/24 hrs
Colours: Ascent red, deep ink, firecracker
Fit: Regular

The Westcomb Apoc jacket is the only Canadian made jacket that made the cut for the Best Ski Touring Shells and features Polartec Neoshell fabric. This industry-leading fabric blocks 99.9% of wind and is the most breathable of the waterproof fabrics on the market. The fabric is also soft and quieter than other fabrics like GORE-TEX. This fabric was used not only for its feel and breathability but also for its durability, however, it is slightly heavier.

The Apoc offers extra adjustability with two torso adjustments, one at the waist hem, and the other higher up around the top of the hips. The pocket scheme is two large chest pockets on the exterior and two zippered napoleon pockets on the interior. Underarm pit zips have dual zipper pulls for best adjustability.

The Westcomb Apoc jacket is the smallest fitting medium in this review, a little tight across the chest and shoulders during full mobility test and uses one of the least stretchy waterproof/breathable fabrics. That said, it is still very comfortable and while it is the second most breathable material, it is the least waterproof of those in this review. Well sized well-placed pockets are a big plus also along with the refined simple and clean design.

Price: $750CAN / US
Weight: 482g / 17oz
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL
Hydrostatic head: 10k mm
Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR): 30k g/m²/24 hrs

Dynafit’s Free Jacket features 3 layer GORE-TEX with patent-pending C-Knit technology. This is the same base material used in the Mountain Hardwear High Exposure jacket but without the addition of Mini Ripstop tech.

Two large exterior pockets and one smaller sleeve pocket feature waterproof YKK zippers. These waterproof zippers are also found on the ventilation zips, which are located on the back of the arms and do not extend to the torso. This positioning allows the opening and closing of vents to be free from any constraints imposed by backpacks or harnesses.

On the interior of the jacket, 2 mesh pockets offer further storage for things like climbing skins. The helmet-compatible hood is easily adjustable with one hand and both the waist hem and wrist cuffs can be adjusted for an individualized fit. A mesh powder skirt features stretch cuffs and can be clipped to the Dynafit Free GORE-TEX Touring pant to keep snow out of your apparel. 

The Dynafit Free Gore-Tex Jacket is yet another great fitting jacket. The Free offers all the standard ski-specific features while staying on the lighter end of the spectrum meaning it is also one of the most packable jackets reviewed. All the pockets are spacious but the interior drop pocket openings are a bit small for wider skins. I suspect they would fit most without issue but wide splitboard skins are out of the question. While it is in the upper price range, this jacket either tops out or comes close to topping out in each of the categories looked at in the review.

Price: $780CAN / $599.95US
Weight: 535g / 18.9oz
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Hydrostatic head: >28k mm
Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR): >20k g/m²/24 hrs
Fit: Sportive