An avalanche of innovation adds warmth and fun this winter - 2003 Winter Sports And Apparel Buyer's Guide

Sierra, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Roy M. Wallack

APPAREL

1. PATAGONIA

Mixmaster jacket and pants

$295, $275

As Patagonia's warmest insulated winter soft-shell, the Mixmaster uses a windproof and water-resistant nylon face laminated to the company's breathable, sweat-wicking Regulator [R] insulation. A thinner insulation is used on the sides of the torso, underarms, and sleeves for enhanced mobility. Features include a helmet-sized hood, internal zippered pocket with stretch mesh, and a removable, between-the-legs strap to keep the jacket in place. The matching pant is loaded, too: adjustable, drop-seat suspenders; snap closures at waist and ankle cuff; two-way zip fly; elastic waist back; side zippers from waist to upper thigh for ventilation; zippered map pocket on right thigh; articulated, reinforced knees; and insulation that ends at mid-calf for less bulk over boots. 800-PATAGONIA; patagonia.com

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2. COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR

Mountain Vertex parka

$380

This deluxe two-in-one parka includes a seam-sealed shell made of Columbia's waterproof-breathable Omni-Tech and a full-zip polyester fleece liner that can be worn alone as a sweatshirt-style jacket The shell, made of a flat, tear-resistant ripstop, includes a hood, huge underarm zippers from side to elbow, two large zippered chest pockets, and two open-mesh pockets inside for gloves or water bottles. The zip-in fleece has a high-count yarn for a soft hand and a low-pill face. The shell sold separately costs $280. 800-MA-BOYLE; columbia.com

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3. LAND'S END

Mariner jacket

$49.50

Softshell jackets--those wonderous windproof, insulating garments that stretch, breath, and shed moisture--don't come cheap. So what's the catch with the Mariner jacket and its unbelievable sub-$50 pricetag? Well, believe it or not, there is no catch--just smart sourcing, The sleek two-pocket jacket is made of two fleeces bonded to a waterproof, windproof laminate and treated to make water bead up and roll off. It comes in both men's and women's styles. 800-356-4444; landsend.com

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4. MANZELLA

Trekker 100 and Expedition 850 softshell gloves

$40, $50

Finally, the softshell concept reaches the category for which it seems ideal: gloves, most of which tend to be big, bulky, sweaty, and too cumbersome to pick up a quarter with. Manzella's new tactile Trekker and Expedition gloves have arrived; the former uses Gore Windstopper and the latter Polartec Powershield with Skelletek palm. The result: lightweight action hand-gear that is warm, dry, and fits like--what else?--a glove.

Also new from Manzella: the woman-specific, 24-model-strong Z-System--the first-ever gloves designed for the relatively narrower, longer female hand. 800-645-6837; manzella.com

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5. OUTDOOR RESEARCH

Baryon jacket

$120

Designed for high-intensity hiking, climbing, and skiing in the cold, the insulated, multi-zippered Baryon allows you to create an optimal temperature balance. Starting with breathable Versatech fabric on the exterior, it includes mesh underarm vents, an interior layer of Wickline, a stormflap behind the front zipper, a hem drawcord with dual cordlocks, and elastic cuffs to seal out the wind. Intelligently designed features include an articulated shoulder for freedom of movement, zippered Napoleon and dual handwarmer pockets, and an ergonomically curved collar with Adam's apple notch, it also packs compactly into its Napoleon pocket. 800-421-2421; orgear.com

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6. GERRY

Chameleon four-in-one systems Jacket

$150

This heavyweight monster--it weighs about 4.5 lbs.--is literally two jackets in one: a warm, reversible inner jacket made of 350-gram anti-pill Polarfleece with a nylon dobby shell that zips into a lined, nylon reversible outershell. Either one is toasty on its own; together, they can take on the Russian winter. The shell features an underarm zipper and technical mesh for ventilation. interior mesh pouch, two-way center front zip, lift ticket holder, hidden hood, and convenient lock-in pocket glove hook. 800-367-1555; GerryUSA.com

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7. MOUNTAIN HARDWARE

Synchro jacket

$210

This is quite possibly the world's first truly waterproof softshell. The stylish Synchro is made of Mountain Hardware's waterproof-breathable Conduit membrane sandwiched between a durable false twist with stretch face fabric and a soft micro-fleece back. It seals the deal with watertight stretch-taped seams on the outside stitching. The result is an extremely durable, stretchy, windproof, and completely waterproof jacket. It's practical, too, with welded chest, arm, and sleeve pockets, huge dual-zippered belly pockets, and a hidden zip pocket on the right shoulder. 800-330-6800; mountainhardware.com

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8. TIMBERLAND

Guide Shirt jacket

$98

At first glance, the buttons (and the lack of a front zipper) tell you that this is something different. The stylish, down-filled Guide Shirt may be warm, but it emphasizes fashion as much as performance. Features include 100% nylon ripstop water-resistant fabric, a front snap closure, welt handwarmer pockets and adjustable cuffs with snaps, articulated sleeves, and forward-facing seams for comfort and fit. 800-445-5545; timberland.com