– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Outdoor Research Skyward Jacket and Pants — Review

by Louie Dawson June 9, 2017
written by Louie Dawson June 9, 2017

When I lived in Colorado, I skied almost exclusively in softshell pants and jacket, only using Gore-Tex® during the nastiest storm days, or as an emergency layer buried in my pack (mostly in the spring). I tried that when I moved to the wet and scrappy Pacific Northwest, but it didn’t work so well. The results were somewhat similar to sailing around Cape Horn in a T-shirt. I soon ditched softshell for Gore-Tex®, and haven’t looked back. Nowadays the only time you’ll see me in softshell gear is in the springtime, or during our semi-annual “Juneuary” midwinter high pressure events. Or when I’m back in sunny Colorado.

Blocking the wind with the OR Skyward jacket a few weeks ago near Rogers Pass.

Blocking the wind with Outdoor Research Skyward jacket near Rogers Pass.

Hardshell clothes work fairly well at keeping you dry, but the breathability of such still leaves a lot to be desired. I usually remove my shell while skinning, and leg vents are my friends. Outdoor Research’s new AscentShell™ fabric aims to be a “waterproof” softshell fabric, that has the waterproofness of a hardshell, while increasing breathability. Their claims piqued my interest, and I tried it out this winter.

Skyward jacket and pants are the flagship pieces for OR’s AscentShell™ fabric. At first glance, the gear looks like a pair of waterproof bibs and a storm shell. The fabric is fairly thin, feels much more like a stretchy hard-shell material than a softshell. This is good, since another disadvantage with traditional softshells is the fabric’s weight and bulk compared to a hardshell.

Skyward pants are a “convertible” bib pant: standard ski pant with a zip-off breathable bib piece that attaches around the waist. They have two long zippered side vents, and detachable powder gaiters.

The pants have a variety of pockets, including two hip pockets, one right hand front thigh pocket, one left hand rear-thigh pocket, a right hand rear pocket, and a small front pocket on the removable bib portion. In the right hand hip pocket there’s an interior mesh beacon pocket, with a carabiner clip for the lanyard (like many of OR’s pants). That might be a bit much in the pocket department, but most are appreciated.

Another notable feature is that the powder gaiters have a little slot in the side through which a boot’s power strap can be routed, so you don’t have to move the gaiter to adjust the power strap. Nice touch. I have the pants in size medium, and they fit my 5 foot 10 inch frame well.

The OR Skyward Jacket

The OR Skyward Jacket

The OR Skyward Pants

Outdoor Research Skyward Pants.

Inside of the Skyward Jacket. Note the big mesh drop-in pockets, always a great feature.

Inside the Skyward Jacket. Note the big mesh drop-in pockets, always an excellent feature.

Skyward Jacket
The jacket has two hip pockets, two chest pockets and two interior drop-in pockets (once you use them, you’ll be addicted). All pockets open into an interior mesh surface, allowing them to do double duty as vents. OR’s signature full-length pit-zips extend all the way to the hem of the jacket. While the jacket has a permanent hood, it also has a full collar that separates the neck from the hood, useful for keeping snow and water from draining down the back of your neck. The Skyward would be simpler and slightly lighter without the hip pockets, which are somewhat useless when you’re wearing a backpack — though they do come in handy at trailheads and coffee bars.

I ordered the jacket in a size large, so it would comfortably fit over layers. It fits well, albeit a little baggy. If you’re looking for a more trim look and you’re my size (5’10’’, 150 lbs) then size down to medium.

The Pacific Northwest is wet, and 2016/2017 was no exception. I’ve been using the Skyward jacket and pants all season, and got a really good feel for how they perform in a variety of weather conditions. I used them both in the backcountry and on the ski area, in everything from sunshine to torrential downpours.

There were two occasions where the fabric seemed to fail, and my inner layers got wet. One was standing around for five hours in the rain during an avalanche class, and the other was skiing Jackson Hole Resort in a torrential thunderstorm; two of the wettest ski experiences I’ve had in awhile.

In both instances the crotch area of the pants leaked a bit and my long underwear got wet. Despite what my long underwear looked like, I promise I didn’t have an “accident.” Interestingly the fabric was perfectly waterproof elsewhere on the jacket and the pants.

The issue could have been the result of the non-waterproof front zip on the pants. Or, perhaps just that that area gets the full brunt of the weather, while also being crunched and creased by leg movement, which is enough to force water through the fabric. Regardless, it shows the pants aren’t quite equivalent to a pair of full bore Gore-Tex® bibs. (Though during those wet events, some of the folks in hardshell gear did get wet, so perhaps I’m being too demanding?)

I wore the Skyward pants in a variety of lighter rain storms and heavy wet snow storms, and stayed dry. The AscentShell™ fabric is certainly an order of magnitude more waterproof than any softshell fabric I have seen. I wouldn’t even consider using anything other than a hardshell throughout most of the PNW winter. However, the AscentShell™ fabric does the trick just fine.

In the future, I’ll continue using the Skyward jacket and pants in nearly all weather conditions, with the exception of when the forecast calls for exceptionally heavy rain. When that happens I’ll be on the couch, or if I’m forced outside into the deluge, I’ll be in wall-to-wall Gore-Tex®.

Shop for Outdoor Research ski clothing here.

7 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
The Snowy Torrents of 1996-2004 — Avalanche Book Review
next post
News Mid June — Chainsaws, Honnold and Robson

7 comments

Rod Georgiu June 9, 2017 - 9:35 am

How breathable is it?

Maciej Pike-Biegunski June 9, 2017 - 10:01 am

Mount Green in the photo?

See June 9, 2017 - 10:33 am

Under what circumstances is a separate collar on a hooded jacket a desirable feature?

Frame June 12, 2017 - 7:09 am

See, for me it’s when it’s not raining and you are wearing another type of hat. i don’t like hoods much to be honest, would rather wear a separate hat, that doesn’t restrict peripheral vision as much, hearing or movement. I like a nice high collar to come up snug around the neck to keep out the wind or protect your chin.

Same with base and mid-layers, to many hoods for my liking. what are you supposed to do with 2 or more hoods… sorry for the rant.

See June 12, 2017 - 8:24 am

Thanks Frame. Point taken. I used to dislike hoods, but I changed my mind when I found jackets with hoods that fit well over my helmet and could be cinched down for use without the helmet. My OR Iceline jacket even has a stiff brim that can be folded under for use without a helmet, without much additional adjustment.

Lately I’ve been on kind of a hood kick. On a fleece, I like the versatility for quick adjustments to suit changing activity level, altitude, wind, weather, etc. while climbing. On puffies, for when I want to add a lot of warmth fast, like during a lunch break (don’t get me started on lunch breaks). But having so many hoods can definitely be a pita. My gear and technique choices are always evolving, and I appreciate hearing other people’s thoughts.

Lou Dawson 2 June 12, 2017 - 8:25 am

Same here, in climates like Colorado a hood is often unnecessary and just catches wind and snow. I’ve gotten more used to hoods since they’ve become ubiquitous, but in our home climate usually am fine without and prefer to not have it. Lou

Jeremy G October 19, 2017 - 5:58 pm

So… How about the breathability? I often go with softshells because hardshells leave me drenched from sweat when I get aerobic. On a scale of softshell to goretex, how do these do?

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • andrew on Plum R170: A First Look
  • Greg on Plum R170: A First Look
  • Jake on Springtime Primer: Securing Skis/Splitboard to a Bike Frame
  • Skis_the_trees on Springtime Primer: Securing Skis/Splitboard to a Bike Frame
  • Alex on Springtime Primer: Securing Skis/Splitboard to a Bike Frame

Gear Reviews

  • The Ski Trab Deep Look: Ski Trab Magico.2 Skis, Titan Vario.2 Binding, and Branded Mohair Skins

    May 13, 2022
  • BCA’s FLOAT E2 25: The Alpride E2 Side of the Equation

    April 29, 2022
  • BCA’s FLOAT E2 25: The Pack Side of the Equation

    April 27, 2022

Trip Reports

  • Techniques and considerations for ski mountaineering on glaciers

    February 16, 2022
  • Making the Most out of the Alaska Range

    February 14, 2022
  • Emergency Layers for Backcountry Travel

    February 7, 2022

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Totally Deep Podcast 99: Big Geography with Roman Dial and Alex Lee

    April 20, 2022
  • TOTALLY DEEP PODCAST 98: Live at the EMGT with Cam Smith

    April 12, 2022
  • TOTALLY DEEP PODCAST 97: Talk of Gear for Next Year

    March 23, 2022

Tips & Tricks

  • Fueling For Ski Touring

    May 3, 2022
  • The “New Math” for Sheltering from the Storm

    May 2, 2022
  • A Simple Ski Crampon Mod

    April 21, 2022

Ski Touring Stories

  • Backscratchers in My Brain

    April 6, 2022
  • Blessing of the Freeheelers & Bon Voyage Grand Traversers

    April 2, 2022
  • Mentorship On My Mind

    March 31, 2022

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Ascent Plates: A First Look into...

March 29, 2022

Rocky Talkie Radios Pass the Test

March 21, 2022

Time to meet the parents with...

March 17, 2022