Joseph Vargas 
Sitting in Picture’s Expedition range of apparel is the Zephir on test which utilises high end tech to make a jacket that works as well in the backcountry as it does on piste. Key to this is a high performing 20k/20k Dryplay fabric. We’re fans of this fabric/membrane combo as it offers not only great…
The Sabre AR from Arc’teryx is an iteration of what used to be called the Sabre (the AR stands for All Round and indicates a level of versatility that may not be present in their more targeted pieces) and it is aimed squarely at backcountry skiing and snowboarding – or as Arc’teryx put it, ‘big…
Price£815QualityComfortValuePerformanceOverall Score+The price is matched by quality and comfort‐Almost a point not worth making, but could be too warm…As the name suggests, Spyder’s Hokkaido jacket is aimed at powder hunters and one thing that is immediately apparent is a slightly more progressive fit than some of their smarter resort-focussed offerings. That said, whilst the look…
Price£719QualityComfortValuePerformanceOverall Score+2-in-1 format offers versatility and good use of the tech‐Pricey, fussy and less than the sum of its many partsLess is more. Unless you work in Dainese’s product development department. The AWA Tech RC jacket contains more industry-standard, third-party materials than it does acronyms; Gore Tex waterproof membrane, Primaloft Cross Core synthetic insulation and…
The first thing to note about the Planica jacket is that it doesn’t look like your run-of-the-mill ski jacket. The 2-way stretch outer fabric in ‘Navy Twill’ on test has a denim look to it and is soft to the touch – none of your usual stiff and crunchy materials here! This helps the jacket feel…
Schoffel are no slouches when it comes to quality ski wear, proving that it isn’t just the freeride brigade who can produce top performing equipment. Straight off the bat the Solden 3 feels every bit the high-end offering, with sublime attention to detail and excellent build quality – this is a ski jacket that will last…
Eider is one of those brands where you can be pretty sure, whatever piece of kit you pick up, it will offer great quality and performance, and the Danaide is no different. At first glance, this jacket doesn’t scream classic mountain styling – the style is quirky but flattering with padded panels and a close…
When first laying eyes on the Keystone 3, you can’t help but be impressed. It’s understated, elegant and the build-quality is immediately apparent. The outer material is attractive and feels great, with a soft, matte texture to it, that somehow just looks high-end. The fabric has 4-way stretch to keep you moving and comfortable out…
When it comes to high-end ski gear, Spyder is a brand that comes immediately to mind. Best known for their trendy piste gear, but also producers of ultra-technical, dive-into-powder kit, they’re a great choice for skiers who value looking good on the slopes as well as staying protected, and don’t mind splashing a bit of…
Jöttnar is a brand very much grounded in embracing the misery of winter, so we wondered whether a Grim jacket might mitigate some of that misery and even bring a smile to our faces. The first notable thing about the Grim is the fit. The jacket has very roomy upper arms presumably to allow for…