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Our hard-charging experts have spent the past decade pushing 70 hardshells to the max. For this update, we purchased and tested 8 of the best hardshell jackets side-by-side. We've skinned up backcountry missions, shredded at ski resorts, and shivered on ice routes. In addition to field testing, we've subjected them to various lab tests, in which each model has been analyzed based on five critical metrics, including weather protection and breathability. We've hit the High Sierra, Colorado, and British Columbia to bring you our reporting on the best of the best and budget-oriented hardshells. We're ready to help you find something for your next ski touring date or gnarly big mountain adventure.
The world of outdoor apparel for men is abundant. We're here to help bring you targeted reviews, which highlight the ins and outs of each model, as well as the highest performing and best value for your dollar. We offer complete testing of men's winter jackets, down jackets, fleece jackets, and more. We also perform rigorous testing by our female review team for some of the women's specific versions of these hardshells, because it's not uncommon for the same model jacket to receive slightly different performance ratings from our male and female testers. If you're specifically looking for a rain jacket, see our top-ranked rain jackets in our dedicated review.
Editor's Note: We revised our hardshell jacket test lineup on September 12, 2024. We also included more specs for our award winners and a section on our test process.
The Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light offers some of the best weather resistance we've ever seen, combined with a perfect fit. Waterproof but light Gore-Tex Pro fabric helps keep stormy weather out, and waterproof zippers and a long hem in the seat ensure that water can't creep in through vulnerable spots. The material is soft, but heavy-duty patches on the hood, shoulder, and forearms add durability. Our testers felt this was the most comfortable hardshell in our test lineup and the most versatile.
The Trollveggen Pro Light is just a bit heavier and has a slightly more polarizing style than the closest competition. However, it makes up for these slight detractions with a well-tailored and athletic fit that is a pleasure to wear. If you're after the best hardshell available for a range of activities, from backcountry skiing to resort skiing and even alpine climbing, the Trollveggen Pro Light is an excellent option. However, if the price is more than you want to pay, check out the Patagonia Triolet, which provides impressive weather protection, especially given the price.
The Mammut Nordwand Advanced excels when the thermometer drops and the weather takes a turn for the worse. Our tests showed it to be extraordinarily weatherproof. Like several other jackets we tested, it's made with bombproof 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro fabric. The Nordwand, however, has a DWR finish that is still beading water months after some of its rivals started to wet out. This jacket also boasts a low hem, a snug hood, long sleeves, and strong wrist cuffs that work together to ensure moisture can't sneak in from anywhere.
The primary downside of the Nordwand is its exorbitant price point. Also, it is too heavy for warmer missions during the spring, summer, and fall. Still, if you can stomach the price and shoulder the added weight, this hardshell is excellent for the harshest of conditions. Most folks probably don't need a jacket this burly, but for winter expeditions or those who refuse to let a bad forecast spoil their fun, the Nordwand is our top recommendation. For adventures when a lighter hardshell jacket is more appropriate, the Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light is a great pick.
The Patagonia Triolet is a durable and weather-resistant hardshell jacket at an unbeatable price. With Gore-Tex fabric, plenty of pockets, and a full-coverage design, it provides nearly as much protection as the best jackets on the market and does so at a fraction of the price. It has plenty of pockets for resort skiing, backcountry touring, and alpine climbing and has a versatile fit for any kind of winter activity. Some of our testers have used this jacket for years and applaud its durability, making it a great value.
Compared to the best hardshells, the Triolet weighs a few ounces more with a boxy, less refined cut, resulting in extra material that can get in the way. The zippers on the hand pockets and underarm vents are watertight, but not fully waterproof. That said, they do a good job of keeping water out. Our issues are only noticeable when comparing this jacket with others that cost nearly double the price. We think that most shoppers searching for a durable and versatile hardshell will be pleased with the Triolet and its outstanding value. If you require the ultimate weather protection for your adventures, including waterproof zippers, the Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light is hard to beat, and weighs a few ounces lighter.
The Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex is an excellent, lightweight hardshell that skimps just a bit on protection but provides great mobility and comfort. It has a slightly shorter hem and sleeve length than more fully-featured hardshells, but its Gore-Tex fabric and well-designed hood provide nearly as much protection as the best hardshells out there. It saves a few ounces and has enough pockets to be useful in the mountains, making this jacket the perfect companion for alpine adventures in questionable weather during the warmer months, and it can also stand up to the occasional winter storm.
With less material and shorter boundaries, the Falketind can't provide the same coverage you get with a baggier hardshell. And yet, by eliminating extra material, it shaves off some ounces, which is terrific for summer alpine climbing and hiking trips where good weather is the norm but you can't rule out thunderstorms or high mountain snow flurries. During summer alpine climbing trips and fair weather winter climbing, this jacket is the one that lives in our pack. When conditions get rough, we'd suggest swapping it out for a burlier jacket like the Mammut Nordwand Advanced for battling the weather.
The Falketind is on the thin side for serious alpine climbing, but it's great for casual winter days where your life doesn't depend on perfect weather resistance.
The Arc'teryx Alpha SV represents the pinnacle of weather protection and durability. It features thick, stiff 100-dernier Gore-Tex Pro fabric that can withstand abrasion while skiing through dense trees and cut through the most bitter wind. It is completely seam-sealed and features waterproof zippers and a full-coverage, helmet-compatible hood. The sleeves and hem are long enough that they'll never expose your stomach when you lift your hands above your head while swinging at the ice. The cut is nearly perfect for active winter activities.
All of these attributes come at a high price that's hard to swallow. However, we think the Alpha SV is a safe investment, and it will pay for itself over the years as it lasts and lasts and lasts, especially backed by Arc'teryx's great warranty program. With proper cleaning, storage, and the occasional DWR treatment, there is no reason this jacket can't outlast your recreational lifetime. If you're in the market for a tough hardshell that can perform in any winter activity, from multi-pitch ice and alpine climbing to resort skiing, this is the one for you. If you love Arc'teryx but the Alpha SV is not within your budget, the Beta AR offers top-notch weather protection, but doesn't quite have the bells, whistles, and durability of this one.
Skiing inbounds in the excellent Arc'teryx Alpha SV.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
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For skiing deep powder like we found in the Montana Bowl near Revelstoke on this fine day, you will want a hardshell jacket.
How We Test Hardshell Jackets
The task of finding the best hardshells began with us examining the wide selection of models that are currently available. We initially considered 70 jackets before choosing 8 for hands-on testing. We've been testing hardshell jackets for nearly a decade now, and with more than 60 jackets tested to date, this review is a culmination of what we've learned over that time. Testing took place while climbing, skiing, and ice climbing in Colorado's San Juans, the Columbia Mountains of British Columbia, and California's High Sierra. We supplemented this field testing with controlled experiments for weather protection, weight, and breathability. For example, we stood in the shower for five minutes with the hoods drawn to carefully compare water resistance among models and wore the jackets on a stationary bike, with controlled base layers, heart rate, and run time, to compare ventilation and breathability.
Our hardshell jacket testing is divided across five rating metrics:
Weather Protection (30% of overall score weighting)
Weight (20% weighting)
Mobility and Fit (20% weighting)
Venting and Breathability (20% weighting)
Features and Design (10% weighting)
For more on our testing process with hardshell jackets, see our How We Test article.
Why Trust GearLab
To find the very best hardshells, we convinced lead tester Jeff Dobronyi to take some time out of his busy schedule leading trips as an internationally-licensed IFMGA Mountain Guide. Jeff leads backcountry skiers and alpine climbers on missions from his home in Colorado to locations around the globe, including the Alps, Andes, Norway, Canada, and Alaska. Jeff spends over 200 days a year in the mountains, including many days in harsh winter weather, and knows what a good hardshell needs to accomplish. Jeff was assisted by GearLab testers Jack Cramer and Andy Wellman. Jack is a National Outdoor Leadership School alumnus and climber whose resume includes more than a dozen alpine first ascents. Andy completes the team, bringing extensive outdoor experience of all kinds, from alpine climbing to bouldering to writing guidebooks.
Although the Nordwand's Gore-Tex Pro fabric isn't particularly breathable, it has a two-way zipper and underarm vents to give you possibilities for venting excess heat.
The Triolet is a great option for stormy winter days. We have used it for years in harsh winter storms, and it doesn't have any weak points.
Our shower test proved that all of fabrics we tried are, in fact, waterproof. Weather protection thus generally comes down to the design of hoods, collars, wrist cuffs, and zippers.
Analysis and Test Results
If your aspirations include steep descents or snowy summits, you'll need a great hardshell to keep you dry and comfortable. For this update, we pursued another season of winter adventures to evaluate a selection of the top-rated models on the market. Read on for some discussion of the most important factors influencing hardshell performance and the top scorers in each aspect.
Most jackets in this review are made with three-layer waterproof/breathable fabrics. These three layers typically consist of a face fabric on the outside, a waterproof/breathable membrane in the middle, and an inner backing to protect the membrane. Together, they combine to create a fabric that's designed to stop liquid moisture from getting in while allowing moist air from your body to escape. Three-layer hardshell jackets are some of the most technologically advanced and expensive pieces of outdoor clothing on the market. The primary difference between hardshells and even the best rain jackets is that rain jackets are made from thinner materials and 2- or 2.5-layer fabrics, so they're usually less durable and breathable.
Three-layer technical waterproof fabrics repel water with ease, and also allow the user to ventilate through the fabric.
Credit: Sam Willits
We graded each product in this review based on the five metrics that we believe are most critical to the performance of a hardshell jacket: Weather Protection, Weight, Mobility & Fit, Venting & Breathability, and Features & Design. We weighted each metric based on its contribution to overall performance and graded each jacket in each area on a scale from 1 to 10. For example, weather protection contributes 30% to the overall score, while weight accounts for 20%. In all cases, we awarded scores for the performance of a jacket in comparison to other products.
What's the Best Value?
Getting your hands on a hardshell jacket isn't cheap. Three-layer laminated fabrics are extremely expensive to develop and produce, and the price tags of these jackets reflect that intensive process. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for, and the most expensive jackets have the most protective technology, the lightest weight, and the best fit. However, there are great options that provide plenty of protection at a lower price.
Skiing powder in the Patagonia Triolet.
Credit: Sam Willits
The Patagonia Triolet is a classic hardshell jacket that our testers have used for years. It provides the best value on the market, delivering weather protection that nearly matches the performance of the best hardshells, as well as a comfortable fit, plenty of pockets, and armpit vents. Our lead tester wore this jacket as his main hardshell for the better part of a decade, from alpine climbing and ski mountaineering missions in Alaska to day tours and ice cragging in Colorado, Jackson Hole, and British Columbia, and the jacket held up to years and years of abuse. Hands down, the Triolet is our choice for the best value on the market.
The Patagonia Triolet offers as much weather protection as the best jackets, at a much lower price.
Credit: Sam Willits
Weather Protection
Nothing is more important when considering a hardshell jacket than how well it protects you from foul weather. After all, if it weren't for the weather, you wouldn't need a shell. Hardshell jackets are different than softshells because they are meant to be fully waterproof and thus able to keep you dry even in a downpour. On the other hand, softshell jackets are designed primarily to be breathable. Hardshells are also different from rain jackets. Both are designed to be fully waterproof and breathable, but hardshells are typically more durable and able to resist punctures from climbing sharp rock or skiing tight trees. They also have longer measurements to allow for layers to be worn underneath.
The primary driver of a hardshell jacket's weather resistance is a waterproof fabric. The best hardshell jackets on the market use Gore-Tex Pro, which is a three-layer waterproof fabric that includes a nylon outer layer, a membrane that allows water vapor to pass through but that repels liquid water droplets, and an inner lining layer for durability that are all laminated together to produce one single fabric. The Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light, Mammut Nordwand Advanced, Mountain Equipment Lhotse, Arc'teryx Alpha SV, and Arc'teryx Beta AR all use Gore-Tex Pro fabrics, and all deliver great weather resistance. In addition to a lightweight, waterproof fabric, Gore-Tex Pro shells also have waterproof zippers, taped seams, and full coverage hoods. These are the most protective hardshells out there.
The Mountain Equipment Lhotse's 40 and 80-denier Gore-Tex Pro face fabric is treated with a DWR finish that beads water well into the jacket's lifespan.
Credit: Sam Willits
All of the jackets we tested come with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating that has been applied to the jacket's outer fabric. This hydrophobic coating is applied to ensure the outside of the jacket stays dry so moisture beads up and rolls off a jacket rather than soaking in. Keeping the face fabric dry is necessary to allow the jacket to “breathe” and let humidity generated by your body escape through the waterproof/breathable membrane. Essentially, manufacturers apply a DWR coating to the jacket to ensure this breathability. The DWR treatments provided by Patagonia, Mammut, and Arc'teryx are the most durable, but all of them wear off over time.
The Mammut Nordwand Advanced HS has an impressive DWR coating, seen here still easily beading water after two months of testing.
Credit: Jack Cramer
Another important factor for weather resistance is the design and fit of the jacket closures. The hood is another essential feature for keeping water out, especially in a downpour. Some hoods worked magnificently in our shower test, while others didn't have enough of a bill on the forehead for optimal protection. The height and looseness of the collar when it's fully cinched also play a role in directing water dripping off the hood from falling inside the jacket. The Norrona Trollveggen Light,Mammut Nordwand Advanced,Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex, Patagonia Triolet, Mountain Equipment Lhotse, Arc'teryx Alpha SV and Beta AR all have great hoods that repel water with ease.
The Lhotse's hood offers plenty of protection.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
In the shower test, we also examined the main and pocket zippers. All of the jackets in this review have watertight main zippers, but some accessory pockets are left open to the elements and have only fabric flaps, preventing them from getting soaked. We prefer jackets like the Mammut Nordwand Advanced, Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light, and Arc'teryx options that have exclusively waterproof zippers.
Waterproof front zippers and pockets are key to weather resistance. Patagonia calls the Triolet's zippers “watertight”, which means they'll go a long way towards keeping water out, but they're not entirely waterproof.
Credit: Sam Willits
Weight
The jackets selected for this year's review have a wide range of weights, from superlight and barely noticeable in a pack to heavy and voluminous. Generally, the lightweight models have a reduced feature set and less durable fabrics.
Besides differences in fabric, manufacturers typically save weight by cutting out extraneous zippers and pockets, features that many users like to have. So, while wearing a lightweight hardshell jacket is preferable to heavier garments, you will need to decide whether cutting a few ounces is really worth it. Lighter jackets are also usually less durable, so a heavier model is more appropriate for users working outside every day or embarking on long expeditions. The Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex strikes the perfect balance between saving weight and preserving weather resistance. This jacket is protective enough for most alpine weather and weighs less than a pound.
The 30-denier face fabric and soft C-Knit inner lining fabric make the Falketind feel softer and more supple than other Gore-Tex jackets.
Credit: Sam Willits
The importance of weight is subjective. As gear and materials have evolved, manufacturers have continually looked for ways to produce gear that meets the “light and fast” demands of elite alpinists. But most hardshell owners are not elite alpinists, and we don't expect a few ounces to be a dealbreaker for many users. It is thus essential to note that the difference between the lightest and heaviest jackets in the review is less than a pound. The most protective jackets are only a few ounces heavier than the minimalist models while providing enough weather resistance for the worst weather on earth. The Mammut Nordwand Advanced is remarkably light, considering how much weather resistance it provides. This is our go-to jacket when weight is a concern, but harsh winter weather is also expected.
The Nordwand Advanced's Gore-Tex Pro fabric is super light, yet durable.
Credit: Sam Willits
Mobility and Fit
Hardshell jackets often feel crinkly and stiff, which is inherently uncomfortable while moving. Hardshell fabrics also don't stretch much. The best hardshell jackets integrate articulated (pre-cut) tailoring to match the user's body shape while being active in the jacket, and they allow a wide range of motion without adding too much extra material.
Some new school hardshells feature fabrics that are waterproof and stretchy, allowing for a slimmer fit without compromising mobility. While these designs continue to improve every year, it's been our experience that stretchy models tend to lose their DWR treatment quicker than the traditional, non-stretchy hardshells. The Ortovox 3L Ortler is one such jacket that seemed to lose its DWR treatment faster than expected.
The Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light is built from Gore-Tex Pro, which doesn't stretch, but the cut of the jacket is excellent. It fits our testers perfectly without using much extra material. We can climb, ski, hike, and skin comfortably while wearing this jacket. The Mammut Nordwand Advanced also has an excellent fit for a Gore-Tex Pro jacket, with just a bit more extra material.
The Norrona Trollveggen has a simply excellent fit.
Credit: Sam Willits
We also love the fit and comfort of the Norrona Falketind. This jacket uses regular Gore-Tex fabric, which allows a slightly thicker and more comfortable lining fabric, giving this jacket a soft hand that is incredibly pleasant to wear.
The Falketind's fit is great for a thin hardshell with a slim, athletic cut.
Credit: Sam Willits
There are three things that drive us crazy regarding fit: short sleeves, high hemlines, and baggy chests. When a climber raises their hands above their head to swing their ice tools, they need the sleeves to stay put at their wrists, not ride down to the middle of the forearm. Likewise, when skiing through glorious powder from last night's storm, a high waist hemline can lead to snow sneaking inside your jacket or pants. Lastly, skiing and climbing require you to see your feet, and a baggy torso can obstruct this view. These issues caused us to dock points for fit, while their absence made us very happy. In general, the jackets we tested this year showed a marked improvement in mobility over models we have tested in the past. The Norrona Trollveggen stands out in this regard for its extended hem and wrist panels that extend over the user's gloved hands.
The Norrona Trollveggen Light has extra material covering the back of the hand, preventing weather from getting in when the hands are extended out from the body.
Credit: Sam Willits
Venting and Breathability
The hardshell jackets we tested all purport to be waterproof and breathable, so it only makes sense that we examined their breathability. Although an ambitious reader could spend days researching the science of breathability on manufacturers' websites, the sweaty outdoor enthusiast slogging uphill will quickly notice that hardshell jackets don't actually seem to be very breathable. The soggy truth is that hardshells require the user's internal environment to become quite moist before water vapor transfer begins.
While there is some difference between the breathability levels of each Gore-Tex jacket, it is incredibly difficult to objectively test the breathability of each jacket without scientific equipment. To the user, the “feel” of a jacket's breathability is the most important, and the size, location, and efficacy of a jacket's vents is a close second. We found the Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex to be the most breathable, thanks to a combination of its comfortable and breathable shell fabric and its generous 18-inch-long (45-centimeter) armpit vents.
Long armpit vents allow plenty of ventilation for cooler air to enter and water vapor to escape from the Falketind.
Credit: Sam Willits
The Ortovox Ortler 3L uses a proprietary shell fabric that is lighter, more stretchy, and more breathable than Gore-Tex. This jacket is great for high-output activities like ski touring in dry weather or light precipitation, thanks to its ability to vent air more quickly than traditional shells. This breathability comes at a cost to weather protection, but if you spend a lot of time in dry but windy climates performing high-output exercise, this specialty piece could be a good option.
The Ortovox Ortler 3L is a stretchy hardshell with good breathability, but it's less weather resistance than Gore-Tex jackets.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Ventilation features include pit zips and two-way main zippers that allow you to unzip the front of the jacket from the top or bottom. The Norrona Trollveggen Light has armpit vents that are an astonishing 20 inches (50 centimeters) long. This allows for plenty of ventilation while moving. If you normally engage in aerobic activities while wearing your hardshell, like skinning uphill in wet, snowy weather or skiing moguls fast and hard, long armpit vents are key. However, if you spend most of your time moving slowly and meticulously while alpine climbing, or you just like cruising groomers without trying too hard, shorter armpit vents aren't a problem.
The Trollveggen Light's 20-inch-long armpit vents are some of the longest we've seen.
Credit: Sam Willits
Features and Design
We chose to have the “features & design” metric account for just 10% of a product's final score because this metric seems more subjective and indirectly related to a jacket's overall performance. However, the features that a jacket offers and how well they function can make the difference between smiling with appreciation or frowning with annoyance every time you wear it. All the jackets we tested include features like pockets, collars, wrist cuffs, zippers, and drawcords, so the quality, placement, and functionality of these features are important characteristics to consider. We assessed this metric based on the number and quality of the features and how well they are assembled together to meet the jacket's advertised use. More ultralight designs usually offer fewer features and generally receive lower scores for this metric.
The Patagonia Triolet offers the best feature sets on the market, boasting two chest pockets, two handwarmer pockets, and one internal mesh stash pocket. The waist pockets are hard to use while wearing a harness, but the chest pockets are easily accessible, and the waist pockets become more useful when skiing. The internal stash pocket is great for carrying gloves and other accessories.
The Patagonia Triolet's two side hand pockets and two front chest pockets allow plenty of storage.
Credit: Sam Willits
The Mountain Equipment Lhotse has a great set of features that are specific to alpine climbing. It has two hand pockets that are large and easy to reach while wearing a harness, and a spacious chest pocket for even more storage. It also has an internal zippered chest pocket for a phone. The drawcords are single-stranded and don't form a loop that can interfere with gear loops while clipping gear on climbs.
The Lhotse's hem drawcords don't form a loop, which is nice for keeping them out of the way of clipping gear loops on a harness.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
We also like the feature sets on the Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light and Mammut Nordwand Advanced. Both have two external hand pockets that are above harness level, and a smaller zippered chest pocket for additional organization. They have large hidden buttons that easily release the hem drawcords. The Norrona has extended flaps that cover the back of a user's hands, while the Mammut has large and burly hook-and-loop straps to provide a secure closure over gloves.
Burly hook-and-loop straps secure the Nordwand's wrist cuffs over gloved hands.
Credit: Sam Willits
The Arc'teryx Alpha SV also delivers one of our favorite sets of features. It has two large front pockets, with zippers located close to the center line rather than out to the side, which we appreciate for easy access. It also has an internal zippered pocket and an internal mesh stash pocket. Finally, it has a sleeve pocket that can easily hold a small snack, tool, or RFID ski pass, making this a great option for people who want to use it as their daily inbounds ski jacket. The hood is highly adjustable for a variety of headwear.
The Arc'teryx Alpha SV has an impressive suite of features.
A hood can make or break a hardshell. Our favorite hoods have a stiff brim to keep the rain off and enough adjustability to perform well with or without a helmet on. The best hoods include a cinch in the back to keep them in place while you look to the left and right, plus a cinch on either side of the collar to adjust the brim's position. Without these cinches, a hood can slide around, get in our way, and/or be ineffective at keeping rain out. Yet again, the Mammut Nordwand Advanced, Norrona Trollveggen Light, and Arc'teryx options come out on top for design when it comes to hoods.
The great hood on the Mammut Nordwand Advanced.
The Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light has a comfortable and protective hood that we love.
The Mammut and Norrona hoods were our favorites.
Conclusion
It's important to select the right hardshell the first time because these are some of the most expensive pieces of clothing you can buy. That's not an easy task, though, because there are hundreds of options out there, and each one claims to be the epitome of waterproof-breathable excellence. Our tests were designed to differentiate the perfect jackets from the posers. We hope they help you identify the ideal hardshell for your needs and budget.
Climbing ice in the Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light.
