Mountain Hardwear Maneuver Jacket
$395; www.mountainhardwear.com
Just when you think outdoor apparel has evolved to supreme-being status, the gear masters at Gore-Tex show us that all previous efforts are the apparel equivalent of tadpoles. Witness the Maneuver Jacket, which takes the hard- and soft-shell revolutions (the former being bombproof, the latter comfy but not 100-percent water-resistant) to the next logical step by creating a fully waterproof soft shell. Designed with backcountry endeavors in mind, this slim-profile jacket has the expected accoutrements—waterproof pit zips, powder skirt, fleece-lined hand pockets, a zip-off helmet-friendly hood, Velcro cuffs, poly microfleece lining—with an exterior that blends both Gore-Tex tricot and fleece. The result? A wind- and waterproof, breathable jacket that's warmer and more comfortable than a traditional hard shell, ready for all inclement weather.