[Gear] 7 Gore-Tex hardshell jackets for ski touring
In ski touring, the temperature changes: changing weather, altitude and perspiration make you go from hot to cold quickly. Here is a comparison of hardshell jackets in Gore-Tex membranes or equivalent, designed to protect against bad weather and wind, while being breathable.
Practiced in medium and high mountains, ski touring consists of long excursions, where climbs and descents alternate. As the effort is significant on the climb, your hardshell ski touring jacket must imperatively evacuate your body heat as much as possible. Two ways to do this:
Once the physical exercise is over, or if the climatic conditions require it, the jacket must protect like a real third layer. This is essential for the descent, where the ski tourer sweats much less, but suffers the onslaught of wind and cold.
Why choose a hardshell jacket for ski touring?
This is where the notion of a "hardshell" jacket comes from, literally "hard shell": this third layer is not designed to provide warmth, but cuts the wind and prevents moisture from passing through, even through a snow or rain storm. This is the difference with the "softshell" jackets ("soft shell"), simply designed to deal with a small shower (water-repellent), but which provide a slight heat gain.
© black crows
Let's take this opportunity to remind you of the importance of an appropriate first layer , because even the most breathable of membranes will be useless if you are wearing a cotton t-shirt; favor merino wool, because even if it is relatively expensive, it provides excellent thermo-regulation even when wet and has natural fungicidal and bactericidal qualities, preventing the formation of bad odors (which is far from being the case with synthetics) .
Waterproofing, breathability, weight, accessories: how to choose a Gore-Tex type hardshell jacket for ski touring?
Here are the criteria on which we chose the 7 Gore-Tex type hardshell jackets (the most famous protective membrane) for ski touring presented here:
Which hardshell jacket to choose for ski touring?
The seven jackets selected here are men's models, but the women's version exists for each reference.Haglöfs Roc Sheer GTX
A waterproofness of 28,000mm, a breathability of 28,000g/m²/24h, a strong resistance to the wind, as well as a good flexibility and an important robustness for a weight of 500 grams: here is what promises this Haglöfs Roc Sheer, thanks to its Gore-Tex Paclite Plus fabric. This incorporates 100% polyamide.
The Haglöfs Roc Sheer is the ideal hardshell jacket for long ski touring ascents and windy descents. This jacket is sober, both in its cut and in its accessorization: two large external pockets, adjustable hood, Velcro fastening at the wrists and RECCO reflector.
Find it with our partners:
Man:SnowleaderTrekk Inn | Wife:SnowleaderTrekk Inn |
Dynafit Radical GTX
In terms of equipment, the Dynafit Radical 2 hardshell has two large front pockets spacious enough to accommodate the skins of your touring skis: thus stored warm close to the body, they will retain their adhesive power even in very low temperatures and also has two interior pockets in net. For the rest, there is ventilation under the arms, adjustable hood compatible with wearing a helmet, waterproof zips.
Find it with our partners:
SnowleaderHardloopTrekk Inn |
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Arc'Teryx Saber AR
Created for board sports, the Arc'Teryx Saber AR hardshell jacket protects you from bad weather thanks to its GoreTex membrane. In terms of accessories, there are two zipped front pockets and a pocket for a possible skipass. Vents under the arms are also present. There is a RECCO reflector, wide cuffs to pass the gloves as well as Velcro to tighten them. Watertight zippers are water resistant and help keep you dry in snow or rain.Find it with our partners:
SnowleaderAt the old camperPrécision skiMontaz |
Millet Kamet Light GTX
The Kamet Light jacket is THE jacket specially developed by Millet for mountaineering. Minimalist, light and efficient, it combines protection and comfort to allow you to evolve in the high mountains despite sometimes extreme conditions. wind, rain or snow. During intense physical effort and milder temperatures, you can count on the breathability of the latter and on the ventilation present under the arms, to stay dry and eliminate humidity. raglans to move freely, and a hood with visor compatible with wearing a helmet, pockets compatible with wearing a harness, as well as an adjustable waist and cuffs. All this in a Low Impact design that limits its footprint on the environment. Find it with our partners:Man:MilletSnowleaderHardloop | Woman:MilletSnowleaderHardloop |
Norrona Lofoten GTX Pro
The most expensive of our selection, the Norrona hardshell jacket is also the most protective with its Gore-Tex Pro membrane. This offers 30,000 mm waterproofness and 30,000 g/m²/24h breathability, coupled with taped seams and waterproof YKK zips, snow skirt, Lycra sleeves, adjustable waist, back length and extra handle; so many finishes that make it an ally of choice to face extreme conditions of use. It should be noted in this regard that this jacket has passed the Gore-Tex Storm+ test: a guarantee of absolute quality in this area.Ultra functional, this jacket is not lacking in assets to appeal to the most experienced hikers, and will be particularly suitable for wearing a backpack and a harness. It has ventilation zips, Napoleon pockets, internal zipped pocket, pass pocket, cloth for cleaning the mask, etc.
Find it with our partners:
Man:SnowleaderMontaz | Woman: Snowleader Montaz |
Vaude Monviso 3LJacket
Weight: 505gIn terms of accessories, there are two chest pockets, a pocket on the top of the sleeve, and an inside zipped pocket, large vents under the arms (starting from the back and running under the armpits), as well as an adjustable hood and helmet compatible, and adjustable waist and cuffs. And despite all this, this Monviso 3L remains rather light and weighs only 505 g.
A little extra, a symbol of the Vaude brand's commitment to respecting the environment: this technical jacket is made of ultra-functional materials, partly recycled, bearing the Green Shape label and Bluesign® certified.
Find it with our partners:
Man:HardloopTrekk Inn | Woman:HardloopTrekk Inn |
The North Face L5Futurelight Summit Series
Mountain and technical mountaineering jacket, from the Summit Series range, the Futurelight jacket is at ease in all conditions of use, even the most extreme. Equipped with a waterproof and breathable 3-layer membrane to which it owes its name: Futurelight™, it is both effective against wind and bad weather, while allowing you to maintain a wide range of motion.
Designed to withstand the vagaries of the weather, as well as extreme and intensive conditions, this jacket has Spectra®Ripstop fabric reinforcements to ensure optimal durability against abrasion and repeated friction. And, so that you can wear your safety equipment with complete peace of mind during your excursions in the high mountains, this Futurelight model is also adorned with a hood with a reinforced edge and a high collar compatible with wearing a helmet, two chest pockets compatible with the harness, and seamless shoulders to facilitate the carrying of the backpack.
Finally, so that you can enjoy the protection of this jacket wherever and whenever you want, this model comes with a small carrying pouch allowing you to slip it into the bottom of your bag. Also note that for optimal efficiency, this model can be combined with all the nappies offered in the brand's Summit Series range.
Find it with our partners:
Man: EkosportSnowleader | Women: Ekosport |
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