FEATHERWEIGHT
First impression: Too light to abuse—or rely upon on in really nasty weather. But doubters became believers in the field: It’s every bit as durable and waterproof as jackets twice the weight and didn’t slow testers down on a wet-weather run from the summit of Mount Adams. The trick? Gore-Tex Pro Shell, which has allowed Arc’teryx to create the lightest three-layer (read durable) laminate we’ve tested. 13 oz (M); arcteryx.com
Bonus: Removable inserts in the hem make it easy to wear a climbing harness without causing the waist to bunch.
Bummer: Don’t calculate what you’re paying in dollars per ounce.