GearFlogger

Arc'Teryx Alpha LT jacket

Arc'Teryx earns a twofer: along with the Alpha SV bib comes the Alpha LT jacket, a stellar example of what good mountaineering kit should be. The LT barely nudges 13 ounces on the scale; yes, you read that right, a serious-duty waterproof, windproof shell at well under a pound. With the jacket and bib, all you need is a codpiece and you're good to hook.

It was difficult for me to give up my much-beloved Sigma SV soft shell, but the LT saves half a pound and a packs down even smaller, plus it's fully waterproof. My only real complaint about the Sigma was the pockets; problem solved on the LT with its reach-across chest pockets for easy access under a pack. An internal zippered pocket stashes wallet or MP3 player, and on the left and right hip are little foam bumpers (Hemlock) that prevent the LT from riding up through your harness. Pit zips, zipper garages, helmet compatible hood and a full length zipper flap round it out.

The fit is typical Arc'Teryx, which is to say just about perfect. The few adjustments are all you need to dial it in. The hem drops down in back just a bit, which is nice. The Gore-Tex 3L Pro Shell is getting a lot closer to soft shell, not exactly supple but minimal annoying crinkle and swishing sounds. My only concern was durability, but the LT got lived in on Denali with no visible scarring, including sucking up a sixty pound pack with no complaints. Breathability is excellent. The Alpha LT is top drawer all the way.

$499.00 at REI

Arc'Teryx Alpha SV bib

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who divide people into two kinds and those who don't. Also, those who wear pants and those who wear bibs. Who wears bibs? Drooling infants, for one. Mountaineers, for... oops, redundant. 'Scuse.

The Arc'Teryx Alpha SV bib is simply the best bib ever. The weatherproof Gore-Tex 3L Pro Shell construction is bomber, breathes like a teenage boy watching Megan Fox, and effortlessly sheds the elements. At a mere 22 ounces it won't weigh you down, and the fit is exquisite: trim, a high cut with a Schoeller vest, inner waist drawcord, removable foam kneepads (so nice when putting a knee down to rest), zippers that don't ride under pack belts/straps, adjustable cuffs with lace hooks, instep patches, easily adjustable shoulder straps, we're talking the whole enchilada. The leg zippers don't fully separate, but that's OK, 'cause you'll be wearing these dawn-to-dusk and probably 24 hours a day on expedition.

The design and placement of everything is perfect. A three-way through the crotch zip allows you to do your duty without excessive exposure (make sure it matches your inner suit if you're wearing one; rainbow zips and through-the-crotch don't play well together). The best part? The pockets. Two small inner pockets and two medium outer pockets all zip up to close, and - hallelujah! - they're Napoleon-style. It's hard to stress how convenient this pocket design is. It doesn't interfere with pack straps, it's easier to reach across than back, and you can sleep with all kinds of crap (not literally crap, but small bits of gear) and not worry about breaking stuff, unless you're a stomach sleeper. They're beautiful, man. Save your pennies.

$499.00 at REI

Merrell Carbon jacket

True GearFloggers have the same reaction to the word carbon as they do to titanium; both must be zug-zugged on site, like Barbara Bach in Caveman. Merrell's Carbon jacket is not actually made from carbon, but it is a really nice little hard shell that I'm pleased to say fully removes the bad taste of their Morph from my mouth. Must be the mouthwash color, actually a very pleasant saturated green that looks much better live than in pictures.

The Carbon is 100% backcountry compliant, a handsome little 13.7oz piece of waterproof Gore-Tex Paclite that embodies true minimalist spirit: Three zippered pockets include two for hands and, for some reason contrary to some reviews I've seen, there is an interior mesh pocket as well, generously sized with an elastic sub-pocket for music players and a cord port. The hood stows away neatly for about-town use, but note that it's not helmet-compatible. The brim is nice and stiff so it'll stay out of your grill.

Adjustments include one-way down-to-open pit zips (you'll want to add zipper pulls), rip-and-stick cuffs, and drawcord hood and hem. Paclite is an excellent choice for light weight, compact storage and waterproof/breathable performance. Quibbles are minor: Paclite is less expensive but sacrifices some durability compared to Gore-Tex Pro Shell, the hand pockets ride under a pack hip belt and there's no zipper garage (there is a full length zipper flap). Those design choices and the non-helmet compatible hood make it not appropriate for hard alpine use, but for travel, light to medium duty fastpacking and high-output aerobic activity the Merrell Carbon is a great choice.

$228.95 at Backcountry

Marmot Fjell women's jacket

Holy sweetness and light. The Marmot Fjell women's jacket is a beautiful execution of Gore-Tex Pro Shell that hits all the right notes. Weighing in at a feathery 1lb 1oz for a size small the Fjell is equally at home frontcountry, backcountry and just about anywhere else.

The design has a sculpted fit, dropped hem and looks that kill, but don't be fooled: the Fjell is all bidness. It's waterproof and eminently breathable thanks to the Pro Shell. The hood slips over a helmet (or really big hair), and there's a removable powder skirt that reduces the weight another few ounces for serious go-fasters. The cuffs are rip-and-stick adjustable to slide under gloves easily, and the two zippered external chest hand pockets also function as vents. There's a zippered mesh interior pocket for your stash.

Hem and hood drawcords with nifty keepers inside will fit you up. A full length zipper flap with Velcro tabs will keep the bad out. For laying a skin track uphill, or just wearing in the rain on a warmish day, crank open the pit zips. Gore's Pro Shell is a sublime material, venting well, not nearly as crinkley when cold as early versions, and without the clammy feel of some waterproof/breathable materials. The Marmot Fjell is a perfect mating of form and function. On the outs with the SheFlogger? On a get-out-of-the-doghouse scale of 1 to 5, the Fjell rates a six.

$425.00 at Moosejaw

Mountain Hardwear Epic women's rain jacket

Epics make great stories but the thrill is usually lost in the middle of the experience when you're soaking wet and full of pain. Twelve ounces of prevention can prevent the wet part at least, with Mountain Hardwear's back-to-basics Epic rain jacket. The Epic is an inexpensive way to keep the hitch out of your giddyup in wet climes.

We tested the women's version in retina-burning Green Flash and as advertised, it is fully waterproof courtesy of Mountain Hardwear's Conduit Silk shell material and taped seams. The material has its ups - it's lightweight and tougher than dinosaur crap - and its downs - it gets pretty clammy if you're planning on firing up the boiler, so wear a base layer. The Epic has pit zips and venting mesh pockets to compensate, but if you're looking for serious breathability you'll need to move up to one of MH's more technical materials.

The Epic has a roll-away hood with one-pull adjustment and a reinforced brim, rip-and-stick cuffs, dual hem drawcords and two hand warmer pockets with zips and flaps. Instead of a chest pocket there's an zippered arm pocket on the upper left sleeve. It's just big enough for credit cards and an iPod. The front zipper is fully flapped with top and bottom snaps and a microfleece chin guard. A trim womanly fit rounds things out; although the jacket is a tad larger than the size would suggest the waist is definitely anatomically correct. If you're looking for a modern take on a classic hard-shell rain jacket at a reasonable price, check out the Epic.

$58.95 (on sale from $99.00) at Mountaingear

REI Stowable jacket

The SheFlogger is pleased. Recently a strange mental illness overtook her and she chose - of her own "free" will - to participate in a sprint triathlon. Her first question: what to wear? At the top of the list was a lightweight shell, and REI really came through with the women's Stowable jacket, also available for men.

The wind and water resistant Stowable is a nifty little design, and by little we're talking under 4oz! It stuffs into either one of its two rear cycling-style zipper pockets, although you can't zip the pocket shut around it when stuffed. The right pocket is slightly smaller than the left, but both are at least sunglass-case sized. The front zipper is set to the side just a bit, so if you're layering it won't stack against the inner zipper.

Breathability is fairly good. There is reflective piping and soft elastic cuffs that won't scratch even while running. Not much more to say, really: for a very attractive price you get a very attractive jacket that is well thought out and disappears into your pack or onto your back. GearFlogger gives the stowable a get-out-of-the-doghouse gift rating of five out of five.

$54.00 at REI

REI Summit Lake jacket

Looking for a superlight waterproof breathable shell? Don't let the anonymous name prevent you from looking at REI's Summit Lake jacket. It's got the goods you normally have to pay more for, all wrapped up in a svelte 11oz package.

The Summit Lake starts with REI's proven Elements ripstop nylon laminate shell and adds sealed seams to ensure waterproof performance. We really like the full-length rubberish zipper flap: it won't get caught in the zipper and it makes using the full-size zipper very smooth. The pit zips are also smooth, unusual for a lightweight shell.

All the other good stuff is here too: velcro rip-and-stick cuffs, chamois zipper garage, hem drawcord and roll-away hood. The hood is a nice design, roomy enough for a helmet and with a stiff brim that provides good peripheral vision. Be warned: there's just a single external chest pocket with a smaller nested velcro MP3 pocket and cord port inside. No hand pockets, which may or may not be a big deal to you. Overall the fit and finish are superb. While some superlight shells make you look like one of those hairless cats with all the wrinkles, the Summit Lake hangs nicely enough that you won't think twice about wearing it about town.

$124.83 (on sale from $179.00) at REI

Mountain Hardwear Quark jacket

Quark is German for "soured/curdled milk turned into a loose, cottage cheese like substance." It's also "a strongly interacting fermion that is a building block of hadronic matter." One makes me physically ill, the other makes me intellectually insecure. Luckily Mountain Hardwear now has the Quark jacket, which is gear, which makes me feel good about myself again.

At 10oz I would say that jackets can't get any lighter, but MH also makes the 4oz Ghost anorak for the sole purpose of making liars out of lazy editors like myself. Shame on them for that, but huge kudos for the Quark: for people who believe real jackets come with hoods this is a beautiful combination of form and function. The Incite nylon with Conduit laminate is on the softer (i.e. quieter) side of hard shells, with just a hint of stretch, and is totally weatherproof yet eminently breatheable. The comfy, articulated fit and zWelded finish are superb, and for such a thin material it's bomber tough.

The corded and brimmed hood is spacious enough for even a large volume helmet. The main zipper has a fleecy chin guard and is tucked securely behind full-length flaps. There are two zippered hand pockets and a spacious internal zippered pocket, and - glory be - two full-size pit zippered pit vents. The hem is corded and the cuffs have velcro adjustments, rounding out a amazingly full feature set on an ultralight jacket. MH even included a fabric loop to hang it from, a small but thoughtful detail that will save you from hanging it off the hood. I set the bar high when someone wants me to pony up two Benjamins for 10oz of fabric, but this jacket easily clears the hurdle. Plus, it makes my ass look small.

$200.00 at REI