First Ascent Accelerant Jacket
BEST FOR: MOVING QUICKLY
We tucked under shells on chilly days and wore it on its own for winter hikes when the mercury edged up. A light layer of PrimaLoft One insulation under element-resistant nylon on the front and back and in the arms kept us just warm enough when the wind picked up, while stretchy fleece along the sides and lower back helped dump steam. 11.5 oz
Scott Crusair Jacket
BEST FOR: ULTRALIGHT INSURANCE
The biggest knock on anoraks is that they don’t ventilate as well as fully zippered shells. We didn’t have that problem with the . It’s cut from Gore’s most breathable stuff, and two venting zippers (one on the right side, from hip to armpit, and one across the chest) help exhaust escape. Bonus: it’s light and packable enough (under 10 ounces) to serve as your year-round fast-and-light rain shell. 9.9 oz
Nobis Merideth Down Jacket
BEST FOR: FRIGID CITIES
Think of the military-inspired as an insulated trench coat. It’s long and sleek but has lofty 625-fill down lining and lots of cozy fleece. While it looks more Manhattan than Matterhorn, it’s sufficiently warm for the coldest mountain towns. Our favorite touch: a removable fleece face wrap nestled inside the down hood. And yes, that’s faux fur, in case you were wondering. 3.4 lb
Salomon Minim Down Jacket
BEST FOR: COLD ADVENTURES
The hip-length has a flattering, around-town cut, though we just as often wore this pared-down puffer (it weighs 13 ounces and has only two pockets) as a warmth-boosting midlayer. The 800-fill duck down kept us toasty atop a windy 12,000-foot peak in single-digit temps. Bonus: scrunches into its own brick-size stuffsack. 13.6 oz
O’Neill Peridot Jacket
BEST FOR: THE BUDGET MINDED
In a sea of $400 resort jackets, the full-featured (pit zips, wrist gaiters, a snow skirt that mates with your pants) was welcome. O’Neill keeps the price down with house-brand materials, but performance-wise we barely noticed. This lightly insulated, waterproof-breathable jacket has a snowboarding-influenced cut, so there’s room for layers on arctic days. 2.3 lbs
Oakley Moving Jacket
BEST FOR: RIDING THE LIFTS
Not only was the trim-fit the most flattering shell we tested, it was also comfy, thanks to silk-thin wrist gaiters and an off-center zipper that won’t chafe your chin. The best part: with Gore-Tex fabric and a high collar, it’ll fend off the wettest all-day dumps. On single-digit morning skit tours, the Moving’s warmth and breathability worked in perfect tandem. 1.8 lbs