Gear Made Clear: Outerwear 2027

Featured Image: Keegan Rice

Temperature regulation is the key to all-day comfort. If you overheat, you sweat, and when that sweat gets trapped 24HR inside your jacket, it’ll eventually make you cold. In contrast, being cold from not wearing the right outerwear and layers can be miserable. Everyone handles cold differently, so it is imperative to find what works best for you.

The primary focus of your apparel is waterproofing and breathability. A proper layering system is modular, with pieces that can be added or removed as weather fluctuates and more, or less, insulation is needed. With that said, let’s break down some technical info to help you choose the outerwear and layering system that’s best for you.

Waterproof Membrane

Modern ski outerwear is built using highly technical fabrics. At the heart of them is a waterproof membrane with tiny little pores that are too small for water droplets to get through (waterproofing), but large enough for water vapor (sweat) to escape from inside the garment (breathability). 

Waterproof and Breathability Ratings

When you see ratings associated with a technical piece of outerwear, the numbers refer specifically to the membrane and are typically presented with waterproofing first, followed by breathability (20K/20K). The higher the numbers, the better the performance. 

The waterproof rating is derived from a test in which a column is placed on top of the membrane and water is gradually added inside the column, until it leaks through. The measurement will be something like 5,000 mm, 10,000 mm or 20,000 mm. Breathability is tested by creating a humid environment on one side of the membrane and measuring the mass of water vapor that passes through the fabric over 24 hours. Similarly, this usually measures around 5,000 g, 10,000 g or 20,000 g.

Photo: Elise Sterck

Two-layer (2L) VS Three-layer (3L) Construction

When choosing a new jacket and pant, the first decision you’ll want to make is between two-layer and three-layer construction. A two-layer garment features a face fabric that’s bonded to the outside of the membrane, along with a simple, sewn-in liner that protects the inside of the membrane. This liner can also be used to hold insulation. These garments work great for resort skiing but aren’t as high-performance as three-layer shells.

Three-layer construction starts with a face fabric bonded to the outside of the membrane, but instead of a sewn-in liner, it has another layer bonded to the inside of the membrane. These jackets are highly breathable, very low-profile and are never insulated. While some people prefer insulated jackets for warmth, three-layer garments offer more versatility across different temperatures and will keep you just as warm when paired with the right mid and baselayers. This construction is ideal for backcountry pursuits, temperature fluctuations or for skiers who easily overheat.

Insulation Types and Performance

If you’re buying an insulated jacket, be sure to check the type and amount of insulation used. Generally, two types of insulation are used in ski outerwear: down and synthetic. The amount of each is measured by a “fill” rating—the higher the number, the warmer the jacket is designed to be.

Down is known for its incredible warmth-to-weight ratio and comes from animals like geese and ducks, which makes it more expensive. It’s also worth noting that down loses its performance characteristics when moisture creeps in.

Synthetic insulation is more affordable and versatile but requires increased fill to replace the warming power of true down loft. It will, however, retain its warmth when conditions get soggy.

Photo: Elise Sterck

Durable Water Repellent (DWR)

Durable Water Repellent (DWR) is applied to the face fabric of your garment and is integral to your outerwear’s performance for two reasons. The first is the more obvious reason: It repels water from the outer layer of your jacket or pants. The second is that it keeps this layer dry so the membrane underneath can perform as needed. If the face fabric soaks through, the membrane loses its breathability and crushes the performance that you paid all that money for. 

It’s important to note that these coatings break down over time and need to be re-applied. Regular washing and maintenance of your DWR will keep your jacket performing at its best.