Jackets
Arc'teryx Sabre AR Jacket
I picked up the new Sabre AR jacket this season from Arc'teryx. I love the Rhapsody colourway with the mint detail inside. The jacket is also a little longer than previous generations, making it more stylish and warm. The soft backing on the Goretex adds a bit of warmth and comfort, while the face fabric offers great durability and water repellency. The large external pockets are great, I can fit my skins in there along with plenty of snacks. I also love the large hood and generous room in the neck area. This offers plenty of room for a helmet and a buff(mask). I love the brand! Great colours, great fit and the small details set them apart from others in the category.
Burton AK Embark Jacket
I run warm and typically have a hard time finding an insulated jacket that isn’t way too hot for the PNW. The AK Embark Jacket offers enough insulation without any bulk and stays comfortable and dry even in the worst weather. The Living Lining feature does all the temperature control for me with tiny breathable pores that expand to dump extra heat and contract when temperatures drop again to retain warmth. The fit is comfortable and true to size with room to layer without feeling restricted. Since I prefer bibs over pants always I love that the powder skirt zips out easily for extra mobility!
Pants
Patagonia Powder Bowl Pants
I’m a “less is more” type of person and these shell pants are perfect for me. I trust the GORE-TEX to get me through the day no matter the conditions, Patagonia’s construction is world-class and speaks to my eco needs, and the fit gives me all the room I ever need without bogging me down. I love the simple adjustability to help me keep them on comfortably even if I beef it. Snow creeping in has never been an issue. These are the right, versatile snow pants for people who love to buy nice once and not buy mediocre multiple times.
Volcom Swift Bib Overalls
I love this bib so much I have two pairs in different colors! The adjustable straps allow a custom length without any sliding or needing to re-adjust throughout the day, and the front zipper goes down far enough that I can easily slip it off my shoulders without having to unbuckle the straps. Even though it’s a slimmer fit the stretchy material still leaves plenty of room for base layers, and the zippered pockets mean I’m not going to leave anything behind on the mountain. I’ve taken these things through the freshest pow and some pretty gnarly rainy PNW slush and they haven’t let me down yet!
