Marmot

Spire Jacket - Women's

It has a simple and sleek feel, but the Marmot Women’s Spire Jacket is seriously high-tech and fully equipped for any alpine adventure―be it mountaineering, climbing, or backcountry skiing. For starters, it provides bomber weather protection via waterproof, breathable, three-layer  Gore-Tex and fully taped seams. A hood is standard on any tech shell, but this gale-force, helmet-compatible head shelter features a fine-fitting ERG adjustment system and a laminated wire brim to keep precipitation, wind, or sun out of your eyeballs. The Spire has PitZips underarm vents and a zip-off powder skirt so you can go streamlined when it's not in use. Even the hand pockets have smart design behind them: they sit above a pack belt or harness and are laser-drilled for added breathability.

For serious performance, a shell has to allow freedom of mobility, and of course Marmot gave this jacket its Angel Wing Movement for unhindered arm movement, imperative on a climb and always appreciated. And its hip length adds coverage, which is handy in a harness. No small thing if you've ever chafed your chin, it also has a DriClime lined chin guard. Full accommodation, well thought-out, and yet awesomely simple.