The freedom experienced when backcountry skiing is like no other. The ephemeral, meditative state of breaking trail or skinning through wild forests up alpine peaks followed by the bliss and euphoria of weightless powder turns with no one but you, a partner and a wily wabbit, is a gift of winter not to be taken for granted. 

And while some consider this self-propelled passion a ‘death march’, those of us who know its transformative power revel in moving through wildness in search of the untracked. But bliss comes with effort, and skinning and skiing a big descent in challenging conditions are not for the weak of mind or body. Going light is one key to making ski touring easy from the start. Building out a lightweight clothing kit that keeps you warm, dry and comfortable from sweaty climbs to bitter cold, windy descents can make or break the experience. 

Dialing in your clothing system on backcountry ski tours can be simple despite challenging transitions. While different body types and climates present their own unique challenges, it is still possible to build a light and super effective kit. 

One of the keys to keeping dry and warm all day is a well-designed, lightweight insulated jacket, preferably synthetic. This layer does double duty as the perfect cold start insulation out of the car and when the skins get ripped off up high, on goes the ideal descent jacket. Weight, type of insulation and a good windproof, water-resistant shell are the critical aspects of the perfect ski touring puffy. Leave your hardshell at home or stuffed in your pack. The right puffy jacket does it all in one light, soft, warm bundle.

To test and review, we searched for options that use high quality synthetic insulation, (60 to 100 grams at most), light wind-resistant shell fabrics, good packability, and a cut that could comfortably fit over a hard or soft-shell jacket underneath. In addition, we tested them on cold rock climbing days for their versatility. 

Fabrics play the most critical role in this test, even beyond the importance of fit and features. High quality fabrics offer the balance of weight, warmth and good packability. These qualities are paramount in the insulation, but also in the “face” fabric, aka the outer shell fabric of the puffy. Ski touring in the Rockies, for example, is dry enough that with the right puffy, there is little need for a hard shell.
‍
Primaloft insulation is the most widely known branded synthetic with a variety of types and weights. But “unbranded” or company branded insulations like those Patagonia or Arcteryx use, are still very high quality. Note that we have a breathable insulation jacket review in our archives. This review is focused on windproof insulated jackets for more protection from the elements than the focus of moving moisture out from the inside. 

We also tested some down jackets that offered excellent wind/water resistance, making them suitable for cold dry ski touring days but overall, we recommend synthetic for your one descent puffy. In the big picture of a ski touring kit, it’s important to carry two puff jackets for safety reasons. In this case, a midweight down jacket that’s stuffed in your pack 90% of the time is the ideal second puffy.

Header photo courtesy of Alexa Flowers

Disclaimer of Liability: Technical rock and ice climbing is inherently dangerous. Neither Broad Beta, LLC., nor any of its employees, shall be held liable for any improper or incorrect use of the information described and/or contained herein, and Broad Beta, LLC. assumes no responsibility for anyone's use of the information.
Any person using our gear in any manner is personally responsible for learning the proper techniques and good judgment. We strongly recommend that every climber seek instruction by a qualified professional.