2022 Best hardshell jackets, Waterproof, wind-resistant and breathable
Hardshell is the outermost layer that protects you from water, wind, and sweat. These are technical gears, and their main objective is to protect you from water and wind keeping you dry and also allowing the sweat to breathe out of your body, making your adventures somewhat comfortable. When getting a hardshell jacket, one particular key material that’s consistent amongst all brands is GORE-TEX. The most recent and latest is their GORE-TEX PRO lineup. This material is patented and owned by the GORE-TEX company. Most outdoor brands, closely work and test with Gore-tex before finalizing and bringing the products out on the market.
Want to learn more about what GORE-TEX material technology is made of? Here is a fantastic video (click here).
The question is does it work? Does Gore-tex material work? And the good answer is YES. You’ll thank yourself when you have a Gore-tex jacket/trousers/shoes and these elements of nature challenge you during your adventures. They are the industry standard when it comes to waterproof, windproof, and breathability. Every industry leader outdoor brand such as Patagonia, Arcteryx, Kailas, Mammut, Black Yak, Mountain Hardwear, RAB, Black Diamond, etc partners and uses Gore-tex material on their hardshell jackets range.
The North Face has introduced its own FUTURELIGHT (Video link)material to compete with Gore-tex. More and more reviews from users suggest that FUTURELIGHT does actually work. TNF has been testing this material with their athletes for several years now and might eventually replace the Gore-tex range amongst their products but first, the customers need to have the same confidence as they do with any Gore-tex products. Kudos to TNF for bringing taking their own environment-friendly approach. One major key difference most users have been saying is FUTURELIGHT materials are much more flexible and smoother compared to somewhat hard-raw GORE-TEX materials. But both material works as promised but are nowhere cheap. So this may be a one-time purchase for many adventures that are to come.
For any brands that have the big GORE-TEX sticker on their jacket, one thing to note is that it won’t come cheap. It can range from $350 - $1000, brand depending. But the good thing about the Gore-tex product is that most of them have a lifetime warranty. So if there is a fault in their products, then theoretically companies should replace it for free. So next time you want to take on high altitude expeditions or treks in high altitudes these Hardshell jackets are a must on your clothing gear list.
Whether you want to trek Everest or Annapurna or climb peaks like Lobuche/Island Peak, Baruntse, Makalu, or Everest these jackets are a must. They will be able to handle the forces of nature at 6000M - 8000M+ levels.
Here we are listing some of the best hardshell jackets on the market. The jackets mentioned below are not in ranking order, so feel free to choose that one that suits your aesthetic needs or that aligns with your values.
North Face (Not Gore-Tex) - Summit Advanced Mountain Kit Series
TNF’s Summit Advanced Mountain Kit™ L5 FUTURELIGHT is their most advanced breathable-waterproof jacket. North Face is very confident in their FUTURLIGHT technology and has even tested these jackets in remote Himalayan expeditions with their athletes. This jacket is perfect for any kind of outdoor adventure, backcountry skiing, or expeditions. Designed to be worn as an outer layer, it'll help you stay protected and comfortable in conditions that are anything but.
Features:
Lower Sleeves: 92 G/M2 Futurelight 3L - 100% Recycled Nylon With Durable Water Repellent (DWR)
Body: 20D X 30D 92 G/M2 Futurelight 3L 100% Recycled Polyester With Durable Water Repellant (DWR)
Weight: 260 G (9.17 Oz)
Exposed, two-way, VISLON® center front zip
High Collar for extra coverage
Velcro® Cuff tabs
Standard Fit
Comes with a special edition FUTURELIGHT™ stuff sack
Breathable-waterproof, seam-sealed FUTURELIGHT™ 3L Shell
Attached, is a helmet-compatible Hood with reflective cording and Back adjustment
Large, secure-zip chest Pocket
High Collar for extra coverage
Arcteryx - Alpha or Beta, SV or AR Jackets
Arc’teryx is another go-to outdoor adventure brand that works closely with GORE-TEX. Their iconic Alpha SV or AR is a proven performer in severe alpine conditions and is their strongest jacket ever.
Alpha series jacket is made from GORE-TEX PRO material proving to be durable and long-lasting even in severe conditions. One additional safety feature to admire is its embedded RECCO® reflector for improved searchability in emergency situations.
Features:
Weight 510g / 1 lb 2 oz
Technical Features
Waterproof
Abrasion-resistant
Windproof
Breathable
Highly durable
Collar Configuration
Tall collar
Laminated chin guard
Construction
Strategically placed narrow GORE seam tape (8mm width)
Super durable N100d Most Rugged 3L GORE-TEX PRO is highly abrasion-resistant
Laminated high-strength hanger loop
Micro-seam allowance (1.6 mm) reduces bulk and weight
Cuff & Sleeves Configuration
Die-cut Velcro® cuff adjusters reduce bulk, and won't catch or tear off
Design & Fit
Generous cut for easy layering
Regular fit ensures optimal ventilation with comfort and mobility
Fabric Treatment
DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish repels moisture
Hem Configuration
Cohaesive™ hem adjusters function as Hemlock™ to prevent jacket from slipping out from under a climbing harness
Drop back hem
Laminated hem
Hood Configuration
Laminated brim
Helmet compatible StormHood™ with ball cap adjustment
Patterning
Anatomical shaping for fit and comfort
Articulated patterning for unrestricted mobility
No-lift gusseted underarms
Pocket Configuration
One internal dump pocket
Internal zippered security pocket
Note: Our WaterTight™ zippers are highly water resistant, but not waterproof. We do not recommend keeping items in your pockets that may be damaged by moisture
One left bicep pocket with WaterTight™ zipper and RS™ Zipper Sliders
Two external volume pleated chest pockets with WaterTight™ zippers and RS™ Zipper Sliders
Snowsport Features
RECCO® reflector in the left bicep pocket
Sustainability
Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria
Zippers & Fly Configuration
WaterTight™ Vislon front zip
Custom TPU zipper pulls
WaterTight™ external zippers
Pit zippers for easy venting
Patagonia - Pulma Jacket
Sticking by their strong values of sustainability, although Patagonia uses GORE-TEX materials they are open and transparent about its use, and other detailed information is provided on their website. Patagonia’s Pluma Jacket is a lightweight, durable waterproof/breathable, and windproof 3-layer GORE-TEX Pro fabric. Fair Trade Certified™ sewn.
Features:
Weight 15
Slim zipper installation with watertight coated zippers reduces bulk and weight on exterior pockets and pit zips
Helmet-compatible, 2-way adjustable hood with laminated visor optimizes visibility in bad conditions
Trim watertight pit zips provide instant venting options
Cuffs have low-profile closure with pleated gusset
Embedded cordlocks in the hood and hem allow quick adjustment without opening the jacket
Modified Y-Joint™ sleeves let you raise your arms high without the jacket lifting
Zip handwarmer pockets are positioned for easy access with harnesses and pack straps
Pressed pleats add volume to chest pockets without additional seams; internal zip pocket
Patagonia Super Pluma has a regular fit that allows airflow and evaporative cooling, and eases layering
Kailas - ICEPEAK Hardshell Jacket
Built with GORE-TEX Pro protection, Kailas ICEPEAK delivers serious alpine performance and is waterproof, wind-resistant, and breathable. With its 3D patterning, the jacket moves with your body and comfortably accommodates layers, providing maximum comfort and mobility.
Features
Athletic fit
Helmet compatible Hood delivers full protection without impeding peripheral vision
Chest pockets with expansion design allow quick access to contents
Waist adjuster
The detachable hem keeps the jacket in place while using a harness
Velcro cuffs deliver freedom of movement
One-hand operative drawcords and pit zips
Watertight YKK zippers boost waterproofness
Black Yak - Barzona BC jacket
BLACKYAK's Barzona jacket is their most advanced freeride jacket and is as tough as the adventurers that wear it. Made out of 3L GORE-TEX® PRO Shell is waterproof and breathable, with more durable fabric where you wear your backpack or harness and a lighter fabric on the hood, chest, and back for maximum moisture management. The large front pockets are designed to easily reach-through zipper for direct access to the mid-layer, or the perfectly aligned chest pockets of the AMRIT BC bib pants. This jacket also features the RECCO for safety tracking features.
Fit: Performance
Weight: 618g / 21.8oz
Material
Face : 100% Nylon
Back : 100% Nylon
Features
3-D mesh at shoulders
GORE-TEX PRO shell 30 Denier & 70 Denier strategic mapping
13 mm taped seams
Adjustable hood
Inner hood crown construction
Helmet compatible
Two-way zipper
Ventilation holes at the top zip flap
articulated sleeve for optimal range of movement
Mesh insert & Grip elastic at Powder skirt
Drawcord adjustment at hem and hood
Two-Hand pockets with flaps
One Sleeve pocket
Inner zip pockets
Chest pockets
Two large front pockets with a reach-through zip for direct access to the midlayer
RAB - Muztag GORE-TEX® Pro Jacket
RAB is probably known for its down insulations in their products also brings out serious hardshell jackets. Their Muztag GTX Jacket is built for tough alpine conditions. With its 30D and 40D GORE-TEX Pro fabrics, it delivers the perfect balance between breathability, protection and weight.
Features
Fit: Regular
Weight: 497g/17.5oz
Hybrid of the lightest available weights of new GORE-TEX® PRO (Most Breathable) provide enhanced levels of both comfort and toughness.
3-way fully adjustable helmet compatible hood, with wired and laminated peak, roll down hood tab and wind collar
"YKK® AquaGuard® Vislon front zip with internal storm flap"
2 external Napoleon pockets using YKK Aquaguard Zips
2-way lightweight fully venting concealed YKK® pit zips
Internal zipped and mesh pockets
Fully adjustable cuffs & hem
Centre Back: 80cm / 31.4" (Size L)
Main Fabric: 30D Gore-Tex Pro (Most Breathable), 110g/m².
Reinforcement: 40D Gore-Tex Pro (Most Breathable), 114g/m²
Composition: 100% polyamide with ePTFE membrane and 100% polyamide backer
Norrnoa - Lofoten Gore-tex Pro
Norrnoa’s Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Plus Jacket is their jacket designed for big mountain adventures. Ski, climb, backcountry it is meant to handle all of it. They are another brand that works closely with GORE-TEX design team to push the limits of this material.
Made with durable, recycled GORE-TEX® Pro's this is their most breathable face fabric which gives excellent weather protection under demanding conditions in the mountains.
Feature
Weight: 1.76 LBS
Style no: 1001-20
Asymmetric cuffs with velcro adjustment
Asymmetric longer back cut
Cuffs with integrated hand gaiter™
Embroidered chest logo artwork
Exterior hang loop
Front chest ventilation with YKK® water-resistant zipper and mesh
Goggle and sunglass wipe inside pocket
Internal chest pocket
Key-card pocket
Laminated hem
Laminated pocket
Laminated stretch woven hand gaiter™
Napoleon chest pockets with YKK® water-resistant zipper
One-hand hem adjustment
Snap-in solution for powder skirt on the jacket
Soft brushed chin protection
Storm hood fitted for freeride helmet with one-hand adjustment
Stretch cuffs
Taped seams with thin GORE-TEX® 13 mm tape
X-open underarm ventilation with YKK® water-resistant zippers
YKK™ 2-way water resistant front zipper
Zip-off powderskirt with gripper elastic and snap-seal solution
You can also look into other brands such as Helly Hansen, Marmot, Berghaus.
Conclusion
Choose the best one that’s out there in the market. With companies innovating and developing high-performing hardshell out there it is much safer for climbers now more than ever. We have listed some of the trusted and tested jackets. We cannot stress this enough but quality (highest) matters. You do not want to lose your toes or suffer from any frostbite incidents. The game is extreme in the Himalayan altitudes.
Which hardshell jackets do you prefer and why did you choose that particular jacket? Please comment below :)
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