This season's top ski jackets

January 5, 3:13 PMOutdoor Recreation Gear ExaminerSara Thayer

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Ready to hit the slopes? Here is a compilation of this year’s hottest ski jackets to help you swish with style…

The REI Shuksan Jacket for men (Kulshan Jacket for women) is designed for any outdoor winter adventure. The foundation of REI’s new outerwear is eVent fabric, which allows sweat to vent directly to the outside of the garment through a process called Direct Venting™ technology. eVent fabrics get their unique properties from a proprietary and patented waterproof membrane. Its unique composition allows millions of tiny pores to breathe at their full potential. This process allows moisture to vent away from the body without condensing on the inside of the fabric, keeping you dry. The Shuksan and Kulshan jackets are ideal for backcountry skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering or any other highly aerobic pursuit. The REI Shuksan and Kulshan eVent jackets include oversized dual mesh-lined chest pockets that double as vents, eliminating the need for separate arm-pit ventilation zippers. They also feature a fully adjustable helmet compatible hood, and an inside security pocket with headphone port.
MSRP: $289.00
Website: www.REI.com

The Orage Spira packs a lot of features, including a great off-center zipper so it does not rub your lip. It also has a slim fit, zip-off hood with 180 degree vision, fully seam sealed, pit-zips, preformed elbows, waterproof center front, ski pass system, hiking suspenders, hand gaiters with a hole so you can see your watch, headphone elastic cord loop, powder skirt with stretch insert, and loops to attach to pants.
MSRP: $ 350.00
Website: www.orage.com

CoreGear recently launched the Xip3 (pronounced "zip three") jacket that really is a hybrid jacket. The patented transformation technology enables you to transform it from a jacket into a comfortable backpack with the ease of a zipper pull. Not only does Xip3 convert into a backpack, but it also converts it into to a pillow, which is ideal if you are taking a flight to your mountain. You can see a cool demonstration of the transformation at http://www.xip3.com/video/video_/video1.html
MSRP: $ 100.00
Website: www.xip3.com

ARC’TERYX is cutting the wind chill on frosty days with their new Kappa AR jacket. This windproof insulated jacket provides warmth with a breathable shell. Constructed with a lighter layer of Primaloft Sport non-quilted insulation, the Kappa AR features gender-specific patterning and a trim cut. The men’s version has reinforced shoulders and arms, while the women’s is made entirely of soft-faced 300P WINDSTOPPER.
MSRP: $279.96
Website: www.arcteryx.com or www.backcountry.com

Helly Hansen's Ekolab Jacket is constructed with PTFE-free waterproof breathable Helly Tech econylon fabrics coated with fluorocarbon-free DWR, and colored with environmentally sensitive dyes. The jacket is exceptionally durable yet is designed with a minimalist approach to reduce the amount of materials and energy resources required to produce the products. Performance features like pit zips were incorporated without adding any unnecessary metal and plastic parts.
MSRP: $325.00
Website: www.hellyhansen.com

Lolë makes great apparel that is specifically designed for the female physique. They not only focus on design, but their collection also packs a lot of technical know-how. Their new Peak Jacket is a three-ply stretch shell jacket that is specifically designed for a woman and has the performance features a skier demands with waterproof zippered pockets and stretch fabric and an adjustable hood.
MSRP: $ 299.00
Website: www.lolewomen.com

The North Face has another jacket that is coined as a hybrid – the Swift Hybrid Jacket. This full-zip jacket offers a windproof front and a breathable back. The back also features a stretch knit and underarm panels for added comfort and temperature regulation. It is perfect for spring skiing as it is not too bulky and has a great price at only $80.
MSRP: $ 80.00
Website: www.thenorthface.com