One of my ambitious goals has been to put up a review of every single item of gear I use in the backcountry. As I am constantly adding new items to the collection, this has proven to be a formidable task—somewhat akin, maybe, to trying to drain the Pacific with a bucket.

Still, a man can dream…

Here’s a small bit of progress: reviews of all my shells, jackets, and vests (excluding Patagonia’s R3 Jacket, because I got tired, and I really need to get to avy gear).

Anyone who’s read the gear lists beside my trip reports knows I always take Mountain Hardwear’s Windstopper Tech Vest along for the ride. The Tech vest adds versatility to your clothing system, letting you stay warmer and drier with less bulk and swip-swapping.

North Face’s Venture Jacket has become my primary waterproof/breathable shell in the backcountry. The HyVent™ fabric has proven a reasonable alternative to GoreTex, at less weight and a much lower price.

I don’t tend to use Patagonia’s windproof R4 Fleece in the backcountry, but I love this jacket as outwear when I’m Alpine skiing. The R4 is phenomenally warm, and best used (away from the ski area) for mid-winter tours and camping.

GoLite’s Ether Windshirt has evolved into the Ether Wind Jacket, now with a full zip and an extra ounce of weight. Still, at four ounces, this remains one of the lightest hooded shells you can get, and its DWR-treated nylon offers unmatched breathability. Carry it as insurance with your first aid kit in case a T-storm pops up—just don’t expect this to match a technical shell when the weather gets really nasty.

Finally, curiosity demanded I take a look at North Face’s best-selling Denali Jacket. Why is this fleece so popular? Probably because it deftly rides the line between functional technical gear and handsome casualwear. The Denali will take care of business in the hills, but still keep you looking good when you hit the town at night.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 9th, 2007 at 12:12 pm and is filed under Gear. So There.