To be impermeable to moisture is the ultimate in comfort—and, in some cases, necessary for survival. The backcountry can turn into an inhospitable place very quickly, so staying dry is a must. Heavy-duty enough to endure the harshest of elements but lightweight enough to cram into your backcountry pack, Arc’teryx’s Rush jacket is a versatile, all-over-the-mountain N80d 3L GORE-TEX PRO shell. (That’s code for “really waterproof and equally as rugged.”) 

Starting at the top, the hood has enough volume to fit over a helmet. Easy-to-access cinch straps keep it under control when not up and in use, so it’s not in your way while landing spins or filling with snow when the blizzard machine is cranked up. A sealed chest pocket has ample storage for anything small you might need access to for quick deployment, and pit zips have zipper pulls on them that are easy to locate and operate with gloves on.

One of the most notably thought-out aspects of the Rush jacket is the location of the pockets, which sit higher up on your torso than most jackets. When you have items in your pockets and are sitting on the lift or navigating the backcountry, this higher placement keeps the jacket and its contents from bunching around your midsection, adding a degree of comfort I had never considered until spending time in this ultimate shield against the elements. 

—Basher