Review Year
Best in Class
Overall Rating
Price
Name Overall Rating Ratings The Good The Bad Price
The North Face Hydrogen
91
Packability 9
Weight 6
Smooth Movement 8
Water Resistance 9
Breathability 9

Wicked light—lightest in the review.

Simple yet functional design.

Good breathability.

No storm guard.

Very simple design (yes, this is on the good list, too) with no bells or whistles.

Stuff pocket has no carrier or attachment system.

MSRP
$99.00
BEST DEAL
Salomon Fast Wing III
90
Packability 9
Weight 7
Smooth Movement 8
Water Resistance 8
Breathability 8

Sternum snap to prevent flopping when jacket is unzipped.

Watch window, to check the time without pushing up your sleeve.

Good wind and water resistance.

Thumb loops allow you to keep in more warmth.

Stuff pouch has a wide elastic band to fit over your wrist.

Comes with a stuff pouch, but the pouch isn’t attached.

Not comfortable with a mid-layer.

MSRP
$90.00
BEST DEAL
N/A
Patagonia Simple Guide Hoody
84
Weather Resistance 7
Breathability 6
Mobility & Movement 7
Comfort 9
Attention to Detail 7
Value 8

91 percent recycled fiber content.

Abrasion and pick resistance.

Excellent balance of weather resistance and air permeability.

Super versatile—equally at home on the mountain and at the pub.

Hood is too small for some helmets, lacks adequate adjustability.

Hemline is too crowded (with cordlocks, seams, pockets) to layer comfortably under the hip-belt of a larger pack.

MSRP
$150.00
BEST DEAL
N/A