Spyder

Jagged GTX Shell Jacket - Men's

Undiscovered Gem

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Size Bought:

L

Height:

5' 8"

Weight:

170

This is a terrific ski shell. With 30 years of skiing under my belt, this is the real deal for a resort skier who owns enough layers to want a shell. If you like to hike to the side country, ski aggressively and think about, or dabble in backcountry skiing, but aren’t ready to commit to a shell for that purpose this is your jacket. I own a Norrona Trollveggen Pro Light jacket for backcountry and mountaineering. This is basically the front side and side equivalent. It’s beautifully crafted, with the construction being every bit as premium as Arcteryx, Patagonia, and Norrona. The shell is roomy, without being overly baggy. The powder skirt is attached, there are two internal pockets, one mesh and the other taffeta so you can put wet things and other things that need to dry in the pockets. Very convenient. The two chest pockets are well situated and easy to use with gloves on. The right chest pocket has a goggle wipe attached in it. It’s a timeless and stylish design. Simple. Elegant. Polished yet unpretentious. Zippered arm pocket for the card. Durable face fabric for years of use. Long cut in the back provides comfort and protection. The hand pockets are fleece lined for a soft touch and the overall impression is fantastic. I haven’t used it yet, (it’s August) but have put all my gear on, goggles, helmet, gloves, pants, mid layers and pants, etc and I can tell you this is a great shell. It’s every bit as good as the top brands (I have those too) that get reviewed in the“Best Ski Jackets” searches. So what’s the knock against it? The Hood: I have a thing for hoods. Basically, when the wind is ripping, the snow is blowing and there is nowhere to hide you have to hide in your hood. This is true on a chairlift or an exposed ridge. The hood design is a B. It’s made to fit over a ski helmet and does this very well. It provides good coverage for the chin and cheeks. It’s doesn’t turn like the Arcteryx and Norrona hoods which I consider the best, but it isn’t far behind and fits a helmet well. It can cinch down to accommodate a non-helmet fit too and be comfortable and functional. It’s fine and it works. It just isn’t Arcteryx or Norrona hood level. However, if you are using it for front and side skiing with a helmet I’d encourage you to find this a hidden gem and realize that a B hood on an A shell for a great price is better than an A hood on an A shell for a premium. If your life depends on the hood then consider the importance of the hood. If you can’t recall the last five times you were thankful you had a hood at all then this is for you. You’ll be thankful you have this hood when you need it. The pit zips are one way and covered in mesh and adequate for resort and side country skiing. Easy to use with gloves on. Again, not a dedicated backcountry shell. Works well for front and side skiing. The next curiosity about this shell is that it has a mesh back and a soft and luxurious taffeta lining in the front and the sleeves. However, it feels like a cross between 2 and 3 layer gore tex. It’s a little stiffer than 2 layer Gore Tex, but it is softer than 3 layer Gore Tex and more comfortable to wear. Overall, it’s smooth and comfortable to wear and layers terrifically. Ultimately it’s the best of both worlds between 2 and 3 layer without being overly one or the other. I bring this up because it’s kind of a different experience when you first try it on. Feels more like 2 layer, but protects more like 3 layer. Maybe it will soften with use. The cuffs accommodate either an over or under glove and mitt. Overall, this is an undiscovered gem in the shell world. If you need a ski shell, want to layer, and are primarily a resort skier who enjoys other ski adventures, give this a long look.