Expensive. Can't use the hand pockets with a climbing harness. Like most durable water repellents, it uses carcinogenic perfluorocarbons in the waterproofing process. When it comes to outdoor ...

Luxury fashion and hiking don’t often go hand in hand. Yes, we’ve seen the rise of chunky, all-terrain boots, snoods and even the occasional technical layer, but shell jackets take the outdoorsy trend ...

Ultra-lean and lightweight, the Castelli Aria Shell is a proven contender for riding on windy days or in light rain in spring, autumn and chilly summer mornings. Aided by mesh panels on the sides and ...

When it comes to winter sports, I often opt for a hard shell instead of a ski jacket because I want to strategically layer so I can easily control my temperature. It might seem counterintuitive that a ...

Soft shell jackets such as the Patagonia Mixmaster ($299; www.patagonia.com) have a lot going for them. They re nearly impervious to wind, shed light rain and snow, breathe well, and offer a much ...