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You can afford to wear an ULTRALIGHT storm shell for trail running, but bring something more durable if you're heading above treeline.
MIDWEIGHTS have gotten so bomber, they make a lot of expedition coats seem superfluous. Unless you're going to the Himalayas, you don't need a $500 jacket anymore.
When you are bound for Eastern Tibet, you'll want an EXPEDITION-worthy shell. Look for reinforcements at critical seam junctions, and don't skimp on ounces.
1) Under the HOOD you want space for a helmet; a bill that keeps water off eyeglasses is nice. Also handy: a means to roll that lid away or remove it.
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2) To create a multi-ply waterproof, breathable STORM SHELL, manufacturers spray a DWR (durable water-repellent) finish onto a tough face fabric and laminate it to an open-pore lining that wicks away sweat.
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3) The latest jacket buzzword is PHASE-CHANGE MATERIAL—fabric with pores that dynamically open and close in response to temperature shifts—to ventilate or trap warmth. The top name in the field so far: Outlast.
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4) WELDED (not sewn) joints equal a lighter garment that bends with you and is automatically waterproof.
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5) The best CUFFS have both elastic gussets and Velcro closures; set them once and thereafter shove a hand through and they'll close securely over your wrist.
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SOFT SHELLS are exceptionally breathable, abrasion- and wind-resistant coats sewn from a blend of elastic fabrics—usually emphasizing stretch-woven nylon. Though excellent for aerobic pursuits like running, save them for fair-weather days: They are not waterproof.
6) As they're not designed to be waterproof, most soft shells save weight by nixing the HOOD. Those that have 'em are generally heavier, exceptionally water-resistant, or both.
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7) Many soft shells have a BRUSHED INTERIOR or fleece that can be worn directly against the skin or over just one lightweight layer.
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Like hard shells, most soft shells are treated with a durable WATER-RESISTENT coating that increases water repellency.
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