The 2018 Apparel Guide
This winter, we assembled 15 exceptionally talented skiers from around the country to form the Powder Order of Sartorial Splendor and Excellence, and tasked them with skiing in more than a hundred jackets and pants to determine the best new outerwear of the season.
The POSSE spent a week skiing at Solitude, Utah, during the Sixth Annual Thread the Needle, taking notes on the fit, function, and fashion of what they wore. Their feedback provided the foundation for the 2018 Apparel Guide, which includes these 28 products—the best jackets and pants of the year.
PATAGONIA
POWSLAYER JACKET AND BIB
Every Thread the Needle, the Powslayer kit is a standout among men and women for fit. This year, it feels even better as Patagonia introduces a 100-percent recycled face fabric as part of the three-layer Gore-Tex Pro shell.
$699 jacket | $599 bib
ARC’TERYX
TANTALUS JACKET
A three-layer Gore-Tex jacket with a flannel tricot backing, the Tantalus is billed as a hybrid freeride piece, meaning it’s more tuned to riding lifts and skiing big vertical than it is for long missions in the backcountry.
$675
LA SPORTIVA
QUAKE JACKET
This midlayer can be worn for extra warmth or as a stand-alone jacket. Utilizing body-mapping technology, the Quake provides insulation with two differing weights of Primaloft Silver Active, whose high warmthto- weight ratio keeps you warm without unnecessary bulk.
$209
HELLY HANSEN
SOGN BIB
With three-layer Helly Tech Professional material and smart articulations, this shell pant is noted for its great cut down the leg and beacon-specific pocket at the hip.
$350
THE NORTH FACE
FUSE BRIGANDINE JACKET
Skiin’, sleddin’, shovelin’, beer-drinkin’, fishin’, redneckin’, the Brigandine jacket is burly, heavy, bomber, loaded with pockets, and meant for the skier that lives in their kit. This jacket is made with three layers of The North Face’s FuseForm—a thick, durable material—and Gore-Tex.
$699
Skiing is fancy. So is our Apparel Guide on Powder.com, where you can find extended reviews and videos about all these products and more.
SPYDER
EIGER SHELL JACKET
The durable, three-layer Eiger is made with a stretchy nylon, Spyder’s Hydroweb membrane, which adds breathability and waterproofing, and a DWR finish. Mesh pit zips make this shell versatile for the up and the down.
$550
STIO
ENVIRON BIBS
These three-layer bibs received high marks for fit and are ideal for light tours and big resort days. They feature a Toray Dermizax fabric, 20k/10k waterproof/ breathability, a DWR finish, and a tricot backer that makes them soft to the touch.
$445
SCOTT
VERTIC GTX 3L JACKET
An apparel guide staple, the mixed-use Scott Vertic jacket has three-layer Gore-Tex fabric, while the design is clean and simple, with efficient pockets.
$550
STRAFE
CAPITOL PANT
The Capitol pant is a softshell that acts like a hardshell, perfect for touring and late-season resort shredding thanks to threelayer Polartec Neoshell, a 100-percent polyester backing, and a 61/39 percent nylon/polyester face with a DWR finish.
$449
STRAFE
PYRAMID JACKET
The Pyramid is a touring, hill-banging, apr•s-skiing jacket perfect for the drier climates found in Utah and Colorado. Featuring Polartec’s Neoshell, an air permeable fabric prized among skiers for its breathability and waterproofing, it has a refined style and a clean look.
$549
WHAT IS TWO-LAYER?
A waterproof, breathable membrane is bonded to a face fabric on one side. The inner membrane is often layered with a separate mesh or flannel lining that hangs on the inside of the product to create a soft barrier between fabric and skin. Two-layer construction is often heavier, but more comfortable.
FLYLOW
QUANTUM PRO JACKET
The three-layer Quantum Pro is a durable jacket with relatively heavy fabric designed for plundering stashes at your favorite resort. Made with 20k/20k waterproof/breathable Intuitive fabric, which feels almost like denim, the Quantum is a workhorse that’ll stand up to seasons of abuse.
$400
686
GLCR 3-IN-1 WEAPON JACKET
Made of two-layer Gore-Tex and a removable, integrated Primaloft midlayer, the Weapon is built tough for aggressive riding inbounds. It includes a big chest pocket for goggles, helmet-compatible hood, and adequate underarm venting.
$500
686
GLCR SATELLITE BIB
