MARMOT TRANGO SWEATER
$149; 888-627-6680
www.marmot.com
The Trango Sweater (previous page) is a hoodless jacket that's cut large, amply filled with Polarguard 3D (a synthetic insulation that's nearly as durable as down), and intended to be worn over one's shell. It's an unusual idea, to be sure, but the folks at Marmot claim that climbers who wear insulating layers underneath shells tend to overheat and perspire—never a good idea in the mountains. On a fast hike up a cold peak, the hypothesis tested out well, though it took 15 minutes for the shell to trap enough body heat to keep things comfortable. Another theory that Marmot explores with the 20-ounce Trango is the notion that fast-and-light gear should also be reasonably priced. Now, that's a radical notion.

Clay Ellis

PATAGONIA FIREBALL
$189; 800-638-6464
www.patagonia.com
Patagonia is famous for innovations, but with the Fireball they opted to keep things simple. Although waterproof-breathable laminates such as Gore-Tex have proven effective for years, they're extremely expensive, and frankly, they're pointless on a jacket intended to be worn beneath a shell anyway. Patagonia keeps the Fireball affordable by coating the fabric in DWR (durable water repellent), an inexpensive waterproofing process that is effective enough to keep light rain from penetrating while you slip into your Gore-Tex. During repeated testings, the shell never got saturated and always dried before moisture could permeate the Polarguard HV insulation (a less expensive precursor to Polarguard 3D that is not quite as durable but still provides plenty of warmth and flexibility). The 24-ounce Fireball is not intended to be an extreme expedition garment, but it's an excellent all-around insulated jacketfor everything from skiing to slogging around town on ugly, wet winter days.

Clay Ellis

CLOUDVEIL ENCLOSURE
$200; 888-763-5969
www.cloudveil.com
Jackson Hole­based Cloudveil has a strong following with skiers and boarders hiking for turns on Teton Pass. No surprise, then, that its 23-ounce Enclosure jacket is perfect for that use. Though the jacket's Primaloft PL2 insulation is not as compressible as down, the Enclosure is likely the only extra layer you'll have in your ski pack anyway, so space isn't an issue. Stopping for lunch on an exposed ridgeline traverse? With a fleece layer underneath, the Enclosure will keep your core temperature from dropping so you can sit without shivering. The Primaloft is held in place with wider-than-usual baffles, which let the jacket hang well without feeling puffy, while a generous cut in the shoulders enhances mobility. Although Primaloft is strongly hydrophobic in its own right, Cloudveil has encapsulated its fibers with a water-resistant polymer and coated the outer fabric in a water-repellent finish.

Clay Ellis

THE NORTH FACE TALKEETNA
$200; 800-447-2333
www.thenorthface.com
If you're climbing, snowshoeing, or hiking in cold conditions, you'll want two separate outer garments—an insulated jacket and a shell—so that you can peel off layers as you sweat. But if you're spending most of your time skiing downhill or crouching in a tree well on a winter bird-watching outing, you may want an all-in-one garment like the Talkeetna, one of the warmest and most water-resistant jackets available. The North Face achieves this by encasing Polarguard 3D in a tightly woven nylon fabric that has been coated on both sides with a waterproof polymer. If it sounds a little too hot, don't fret—the 35-ounce Talkeetna has zippered vent-pockets along the sides, so it doesn't feel like you're wearing a portable sauna.