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Outdoor Research Carbide - Women's Review

An excellent value for a high performing technical shell that serves inbounds or in the backcountry
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Outdoor Research Carbide - Women's Review
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Price:  $329 List
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Manufacturer:   Outdoor Research
By Jacqueline Kearney ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Mar 23, 2022
71
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#5 of 17
  • Warmth - 20% 2.0
  • Weather Resistance - 20% 8.0
  • Comfort and Fit - 20% 9.0
  • Ventilation - 20% 9.0
  • Style - 10% 8.0
  • Features - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

Outdoor Research has been around the block a few times when it comes to creating high-performance outerwear at a reasonable price point. The Carbide is no different. It's a shell designed to flow from the resort to your out-of-bounds missions, and it does not disappoint. We love the 3L Pertex shield for its breathability, weather resistance, and stretch. We also like how this shell material is comfortable right out of the box, providing the stretch and performance for hard-charging downhill and uphill days alike. If you're looking to purchase one jacket to fulfill your need for a shell jacket without breaking the bank, we recommend the Carbide. Check out our article on the best women's ski jacket to see how it ranks versus competitors.
REASONS TO BUY
Relatively inexpensive yet high-quality
Breathable
Great mobility
Great ventilation
REASONS TO AVOID
Non-insulating
Thin shell material
Not for most casual skiers
Editor's Note: This review was updated on March 23, 2022, with our take on value versus performance and direct comparisons with similar jackets.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Insulated Women's Ski Jacket
 Best Buy Award
Best Women's Ski Jacket Under $100
 
Price $164.50 at Evo
Compare at 5 sellers
$399.00 at REI
Compare at 4 sellers
$198.99 at Backcountry$69 List
$62.10 at Amazon
$70 List
$61.80 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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48
Star Rating
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Bottom Line A high performance technical shell that performs well in or out of bounds and won't break the bankA top performer where it counts, this insulated jacket also comes in at a reasonable priceA jacket with decent ski features and a low price tag, this one has good value for a basic jacketA steal of a deal in a market filled with seriously high-dollar jackets, this utilitarian option is a budget-friendly skier's dreamWhen we didn't push this inexpensive jacket too hard, it was able to perform adequately at keeping us warm and dry
Rating Categories Outdoor Research Ca... Patagonia Insulated... Columbia Whirlibird... Wantdo Mountain Hoo... Wantdo Snowboarding...
Warmth (20%)
2.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Weather Resistance (20%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
5.0
Comfort and Fit (20%)
9.0
9.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
Ventilation (20%)
9.0
7.0
4.0
1
1
Style (10%)
8.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
5.0
Features (10%)
7.0
7.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
Specs Outdoor Research Ca... Patagonia Insulated... Columbia Whirlibird... Wantdo Mountain Hoo... Wantdo Snowboarding...
Main Fabric 100% nylon 75D postconsumer recycled polyester Legacy Dobby 72% nylon, 28% polyester. 150D Dull Mechanical Elastic 150D Dull Mechanical Elastic
Insulation None Body: 80g Thermogreen recycled polyester; sleeves: 40g Thermogreen recycled polyester Thermarator 240g synthetic insulation Insulating padding
Waterproofing 3-layer Pertex Shield 2-layer H2No waterproof membrane Omni-Tech DWR, PU membrane DWR, PU membrane
Pockets 2 zippered chest, 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered arm, 1 internal mesh, 1 internal zippered chest 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest, 1 zippered internal stash, 1 internal drop-in Shell: 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest, 1 interior stash, 1 forearm, Liner: 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest 2 zippered hand, 1 internal stash, 1 internal zippered 1 zippered chest, 1 forearm 2 zippered hand
Weight 1.2 lb 1.7 lb 2.4 lb 3.0lb 2.5 lb
Hood Option Yes Yes Yes Yes, removable Yes, removable fur
Pit Zips Yes Yes Yes No No
Cuff construction Velcro Velcro Velcro Wrist gaiters Snap
Powder skirt Yes Yes, snap away Yes Yes, snap away Yes, snap away
RECCO No Yes No No No

Our Analysis and Test Results

It can be challenging to find a technically performing shell within your budget. Fortunately, the Carbide excels at both. The 40D 3L Pertex Shield membrane used in this jacket can compete with the best technical shells on the market. Additionally, the added stretch creates a shell that moves with you. All of this, combined with a stylish cut that leaves room for layers, makes this one of our favorite options for an all-around performer at a great value.

Performance Comparison


outdoor research carbide for women - the carbide performs incredibly for the price, on par with jackets...
The Carbide performs incredibly for the price, on par with jackets that cost much more.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Warmth


Being a thin shell, this jacket does not score high points in our warmth assessment, understandably. The material is very thin, breathable, and not very insulating. This 3L shell is bonded to a tricot backer that adds stretch but no additional insulation.


On the other hand, the breathability of this material helps keep us warm as it allows most moisture to escape. Appropriate layering combined with adequate breathability to wick sweat is key to staying warm all day.

outdoor research carbide for women - here you can see the thin stretch of the carbide, excellent for...
Here you can see the thin stretch of the Carbide, excellent for breathability, but not great for insulation.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Weather Resistance


The Carbide uses the Outdoor Research waterproof/breathable 40D fabric for its shell construction, treated with Pertex Shield DWR. This fabric is thin yet holds up to heavy precipitation very well. Water beads up and runs off this jacket in a hurry. The thinness and stretch of this fabric do allow mild permeation of cold winds; however, the addition of an insulating layer makes this wind permeation negligible. See our favorite picks from our best women's insulated jacket review.


Water-resistant zippers on center and hand pocket zippers help keep pocket contents drier longer. The chest pockets and pit zips do lack water-resistant zippers, which is a weak point in this jacket's weather resistance. These pockets are protected by an extra layer of shell fabric that fits snugly over the zippers to compensate. Additionally, this shell is equipped with a wire-brimmed hood and a dual elastic adjustment that allows us to cinch it down to block out inclement weather.

outdoor research carbide for women - taped water resistant zippers for the hand pockets are a key...
Taped water resistant zippers for the hand pockets are a key additional layer of protection against wet and snowy climates, while the chest pockets have extra fabric to protect the zippers from precipitation.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Comfort and Fit


We love the fit of the Carbide. It strikes a balance between a technical shell and a resort-specific fit; no extra bulky fabric, but enough room for several layers on those frigid lift-accessed days. It fits true to size for this purpose.


Additionally, there is ample length in the arms, which can be an area of suspicion in women's specific fits. Similarly, this jacket incorporates plenty of room in the chest and shoulders for hiking or hard-charging skiing. In combination with elastic integrated into the shell material, these characteristics allow for great mobility. A final touch is a soft fleece lining on the collar that prevents chafing when you're all bundled up. We find this to be a very comfortable shell.

outdoor research carbide for women - the carbide falls somewhere between a looser, freeride style and a...
The Carbide falls somewhere between a looser, freeride style and a technical shell in its fit, and the stretch in the material allows great comfort and mobility.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Ventilation


The most unique and effective ventilation feature of the Carbide is its three-layer waterproof/breathable shell material. This jacket is one of the top-performing shells regarding breathability and ventilation.


We pushed it on the uphills and felt dry even though we were working up a sweat. The large pit zips add a large amount of airflow when you begin to max out your output. The mesh backing of the chest and hand pockets allow for even greater potential ventilation, so long as you don't have items in these pockets.

outdoor research carbide for women - another photo of the powder skirt to show the mesh connection the...
Another photo of the powder skirt to show the mesh connection the the jacket, we love this for extra protection and ventilation when skiing hard in deep snow.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Style


We like the color block and solid color options of this jacket. We tested the bright teal and dark teal combo, or the more understated navy and maroon combo both have bright taped zippers, more than enough to make you stand out effortlessly. If you prefer to be more understated, this jacket comes in an all-black option.


Also, this jacket strikes a perfect balance between the look of a technical shell and a resort freeride shell. What we mean is that the Carbide has a long enough hemline for a relaxed look and room for layers, but enough taper that it's just as at home on the skin track. Overall, we feel that this jacket has one of the most versatile styles in this review and will suit you well in many environments.

outdoor research carbide for women - the bright teal color of this iteration of the carbide stands out on...
The bright teal color of this iteration of the Carbide stands out on the slopes effortlessly.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Features


In line with its role as a combination resort and backcountry shell, the Carbide is well equipped with ski-specific features but not too many additional bells and whistles. This jacket has four external zip pockets, one internal mesh, and one internal zip pocket. The internal zip pocket is also compatible with headphones. As far as resort-specific features go, this jacket also has a pass pocket on the arm to ensure you don't find yourself stuck at an RFID gate.

For its backcountry specificity, we do wish that the hip pockets on this jacket were located a little higher on the waist. Their location makes them difficult to access while wearing a backpack with a hip strap. Additionally, we wish the powder skirt was removable, as this feature can be left behind on minimalist backcountry days.


That said, we like how the powder skirt can snap away into the shell, so it doesn't pull on you or flop around when not in use. We also love the hood on this jacket; it is perfectly sized for a helmet, but is not so large you can't pull it over a hat when skinning or hiking in stormy weather. The Carbide is featured to seamlessly take you from resort to backcountry.

outdoor research carbide for women - a pass pocket is a small feature that helps transition from...
A pass pocket is a small feature that helps transition from backcountry to resort use.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Carbide?


For the skier on a budget who doesn't want to compromise performance and versatility, the Outdoor Research Carbide is one of the best options on the market. We love its cut, stretch, and very weather-resistant, lightweight, breathable material. This jacket combines the performance of a technical lightweight shell with the sturdiness and features of a resort jacket. The Carbide can keep you dry all day whether you are enduring the storm on the lifts, the hike-to terrain, or the skin track. This stylish option comes astonishingly close to matching the performance of other high-performance shells at a fraction of the price.

What Other Ski Jackets Should You Consider?


We believe this Outdoor Research Carbide shell is an incredible value for someone looking for a one size fits all jacket. But as a shell, you have to figure out a layering system to add any warmth. The Helly Hansen Powderqueen 3.0 is our top choice for a single-layer, insulated jacket. But for the prudent shopper, it is worth checking out The North Face Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1, which offers a shell and an insulated jacket for the price of one.

outdoor research carbide for women - applicable for many uses the carbide shell can be your go-to without...
Applicable for many uses the Carbide shell can be your go-to without emptying your wallet.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Jacqueline Kearney