Buyer’s Guide 2019 – women
Fully loaded
Loose and long and loaded with every possible bell and whistle, the Helly Hansen Maroi Shell Jacket is ready for whatever a skier demands. An integrated vest zips in or out, helping regulate temperature. A pocket is lined with insulating Aerogel to keep phone batteries safe from power-sucking cold. A high collar and deep hood work well with goggles and helmet to create a cocoon of warmth. And it’s designed to integrate with gloves and pants so no snow sneaks in. ($750; hellyhansen.com)
Insulated enigma
Women loved Fly Low’s other women-specific bib pants so much that the company made an insulated version, the Sphinx Bib. The trim-fitting bibs are waterproof, soft and loaded with six pockets, including a kangaroo-pouch-style one on the upper part of the pants. Lined with 40 grams of synthetic insulation, they’re ideal for those who get cold easily or want to ski even when the thermometer plummets. ($255; flylow.com)
State your purpose
At only 235g, the adeptly insulated Gaea Jacket (Argus Jacket in men’s) by Arc’teryx may be designed for winter running but there are plenty of skier applications from Alpine Touring to après ski. Ultralight fabrics allow excellent breathability and just enough wind resistance. Round it out with soft cuffs with thumbholes, and front and rear zipped pockets with media ports. Also available in SL Vest models. ($250, arcteryx.com)
Adult onesie
Until now the Icebreaker Sheep Suit was only available for guys, but come this fall women can get in on what may be the warmest baselayer set-up possible. The merino wool onesie is body mapped (thicker fabric in cold zones, less in sweaty spots) and has a cozy hood and front zip for adjusting temperature when needed. ($260; icebreaker.com)
Add some art
Baselayers may not be exciting, but do they need to be dull, too? Add a little style to your layering with Helly Hansen’s Lifa Merino Graphic 1/2 Zip. Combining separate layers of merino wool and Helly’s synthetic and fast-drying Lifa creates a top that draws moisture away from the skin, dries fast, doesn’t smell and packs a lot of warmth. The top comes in several winter-themed prints. ($110; hellyhansen.com)
Down done better
A decade in R&D, Mountain Hardwear’s new Super DS StretchDown Hooded Jacket may be intended for the climbers’ market but skiers are known to poach the best stuff. The unique stretch-woven fabric and stitch-free baffle construction keeps the 800-fill Responsible Down Standard natural insulation in place while its slimming alpine fit and under-helmet hood leaves its owner warm (but not all puffed up) and moving dynamically. The women’s version here is also available in men’s. ($350; available exclusively at altitude-sports.com)
