Available in men’s and women’s sizes, the high-performing lightweight ski jacket and bib pant protect against the elements, breathes, and vents. Plus, plenty of pockets.
Outdoor Research’s Skytour AscentShell™ Kit arrived just in time for the Sierra’s first series of snowstorms in two months. I has happy to take the ski jacket and bib pants into the snowy, windy mountains for a four-day backcountry ski tour, followed by four days of running laps off of Tahoe chairlifts, to test their performance.
Ideal Kit Fit: Ski Jacket and Bib
At 6’2” and 210 pounds, I look for oversized ski jackets that layer well over base, mid, and insulation layers without binding in the shoulders, hips or legs. The Skytour AscentShell™ski jacket allowed lots of room but with enough tapering through the waist and enough fabric stretch (three-layer stretch fabric) and suspender adjustment in the bib pants that I didn’t feel like the balloon man when shedding layers. I appreciated having many ways to keep out cold wind with an elastic drawcord hem and adjustable wrist cuffs.
Stay Dry and Warm
The lightweight AscentShell™ fabric moved quietly while climbing in the skin track, and it comfortably blocked +50 mph ridge-top winds. The fabric surface remained dry without wetting out while riding wet, snow-covered chairlifts and getting blasted all day bed heavy wet snowfall.
Breathable, Venting Ski Jacket and Bib Pants
Zipper venting (pit zips and thigh vents) and fabric breathability allowed me to start climbing in the low teens early in the morning and keep the shells on to block the sun and wind without overheating as afternoon temps headed into the upper 40’s under increasingly intense high Sierra sunlight and wind. Descending north facing slopes through tight trees left the kit unscuffed. Waterproof seams and zippers were extremely well constructed and durable.
Protection from Elements
The Skytour AscentShell™ Kit ski jacket and bib pants ranks with the best technical clothing available for backcountry and resort skiing. Windproof. Snowproof. Waterproof. Breathable. Roomy. Quiet. Comfortable. Adjustable. Superb placement and design of pockets (two chest pockets, interior zippered chest pocket with media port, sleeve pocket, internal mesh stash pocket), zippers, and hood. I could easily adjust the hood over my helmet without losing lateral visibility and the collar/chin guard gave excellent protection from high winds and blowing snow without impacting visibility.
The jacket’s pockets locations remained accessible even though I wore a ski pack waist belt and shoulder/chest straps and still offered great venting and access to interior layers. The bib pant’s zippers and pockets also allowed quick access and venting while still allowing my legs to move freely.
Details
Available in Men’s S–XXL and Women’s XS–XL, the Skytour AscentShell™ ski jacket ($349) comes in Black, Naval Blue/Nimbus, and Madder/Elk. The Skytour AscentShell™ bib pant ($349) use the same sizing and come in Naval Blue or Black. (Images from Outdoor Research website.)
$349 jacket 20% off at Moosejaw | $349 bib at Moosejaw
Also available at Outdoor Research, Backcountry, and Eco
Manufacturer’s Site: www.outdoorresearch.com
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