10 Best Hardshell Jackets in 2023-2023 (Stay Dry, Always)

Westcomb Apoc

If you find yourself being active in adverse weather but your current hardshell makes you overheat, let us introduce you to the Westcomb Apoc hardshell jacket.

It is one of the top breathable jackets due to the use of Polartec’s NeoShell waterproof breathable laminate. It’s more air-permeable than your run-of-the-mill Gore-tex and keeps you from sweating while taking on physical tasks in rough weather. The fabric is also quiet, durable, and comfortable.

The rain jacket comes with a hood for added protection and warmth. It’s waterproof, windproof, and the watertight zippers are of great quality and also feature an aqua guard to make sure no water seeps in.

The jacket comes with pit zips to ensure you really don’t overheat plus a few good storage options. There are two large zipper pockets on the side and one internal media pocket to keep your valuables safe and dry.

The only drawback is that it doesn’t have the best fit, quite often a little bulky and oversized.

Mammut Nordwand Advanced

If you live amongst the snowy mountains or spend your winters skiing, then you know how important a good hard shell is. The Mammut Nordwand Advanced hardshell jacket is made for super cold climates.

It has been designed to be exceptionally waterproof with a rating of 28,000mm. This is very impressive and no matter how much snow, hail, or rain falls on you, you’re going to stay dry.

It’s made of 3 layer Gore-Tex Pro with a face fabric of 100% nylon. This keeps you dry, warm and it’s still breathable so you won’t overheat while skiing your way down the slopes. All this layering makes it sound heavy but it weighs just under 1lb and is easy to pack and store.

Mammut also ensured that the jacket doesn’t restrict movement. There have added enough fabric in the right areas to stop parts bulking up or pinching, especially around the armpits and the shoulders.

The collar is high and combined with the hood gives you great protection. The back also extends quite far to give your legs some extra warmth. There are two deep chest pockets for valuables or anything you might want to access quickly.

This is an incredible rain jacket that really comes into its own in the harshest of conditions. It is an investment, and one worth making if you spend a lot of time say ice climbing or in the snow.

Arc'teryx Beta AR

If you are looking for a hardshell jacket that does everything then look no further than the Arc’teryx Beta AR. It’s tough enough to handle the most extreme weather while being mobile and breathable enough to enjoy using while hiking, camping, climbing, and more.

The reason this is so great at everything is the thoughtful shell design. A soft 40D Gore-tex has been used around the body to ensure comfort. A tough 80D Gore-Tex has been used on parts that take the most wear and tear to ensure durability and handle heavy weather.

The Arc’teryx Beta jacket comes with a tall collar for increased protection and a great hood that locks into position. It has a great fit and is perfect for allowing movement and layering. There are two deep chest pockets plus pit zips under the arms for breathability.

The jacket is a little expensive but it’s worth every penny. If you’re looking for ultimate quality and versatility, this is the jacket. We also think this is perhaps the best hardshell jacket for hiking.

See our full review of the Arc’teryx Beta AR.

Black Diamond Sharp End

The Black Diamond Sharp End is one of the more affordable hardshell jackets in the review and does a great job of competing with the more expensive ones out there.

It’s built to live a life in the mountains and protect you from all those frosty elements. The jacket is made from a triple layer of GORE-TEX Pro membrane to give you great breathability while being active but also keep you warm while resting.

The outer layer is made from 40D nylon, a mini-ripstop backer for durability, and is covered with an excellent durable water repellent coating and fully sealed seams. This jacket will keep you warm, dry, and stop you from overheating while riding down the mountain. What more can you ask for?

It comes with large practical pockets for your valuables, climbing harnesses, clips, and hooks. The hood is also large enough to cover a ski helmet. It’s a pretty lightweight jacket as hard shells go and fold down to a pretty reasonable pack size.

This is a great value hard shell that will keep you going in serious weather.

Arc'teryx Zeta AR

The Arc’teryx Zeta AR is made to be explored in. It’s ready for anything you might want to throw at it, from summiting and technical climbs to walking through snowy mountain passes.

The jacket is made from a 70D shell and Gore-Tex. The 70D shell makes it very tough and durable, ensuring it lasts a long time while the combination of the two gives you great weather protection and breathability. Strong winds, rain, snow, ice, this jacket has got your back.

It’s surprisingly light at 15oz considering how well built it is. It folds up small and you’ll barely notice it when you throw it in your backpack. There are also a lot of handy features that come with it.

The back is longer to give you some extra protection from the cold, there are pit zips for ventilation, two large hand pockets, and a soft C-Knit backer. There is one drawback, the hood is a bit small and won’t fit over a helmet, but if you don’t use a helmet that often, it’s a winner.

Overall, it’s an awesome hardshell jacket for every occasion but a little expensive.

Mountain Equipment Lhotse

The Mountain Equipment Lhotse is a great choice if you’re looking for a solid all-round hardshell jacket. It’s ideal for winter activities such as mountain trekking, skiing, and pretty much anything that involves some heavy or cold weather.

It’s built from triple layer GORE-TEX Pro 40D fabric which has been reinforced with 3-Layer GORE-TEX Pro 80D fabric in specific areas that tend to wear more. This makes this jacket very durable and it’ll last season after season.

The build doesn’t just make it durable, it’s also weatherproof. It’ll handle heavy winds, snowfall, torrential rain, and anything else the elements feel like throwing at it. It fits great and is cut long to give you more protection and make it harness compatible.

The hood is extra large so that it can fit over a ski helmet. It comes with three pockets on the front plus pit zips under the arms to keep you cool when you need it.

The only downside is that it’s a little heavier than others but only by a few ounces. It’ll roll up pretty small and fit neatly in your backpack.

It’s a great hardshell jacket that’ll keep you warm and dry no matter the weather but it’s a little expensive.

RAB Muztag GTX

The RAB Muztag GTX is a great all round hardshell jacket especially if breathability is a key ingredient you’re looking for. RAB has used some great ideas to enhance breathability and this is how they did it.

The jacket is made from 40D GORE-TEX Pro waterproof technology to ensure it’s durable and weatherproof. You can throw any kind of weather at this jacket and you’ll still be smug, dry, and warm while wrapped up inside it.

Instead of using the 40D GORE-TEX everywhere, RAB added 30D GORE-TEX active panels in areas like under the arms to give the jacket better breathability and so you don’t overheat while on your outdoor adventures.

The hood is helmet-compatible and can be adjusted in three ways. It has a wired laminated peak and wind collar to protect your face and a roll-down hood tab. There’s also a fleece lining on the chin guard and on the back of the neck to keep your face warm while trekking through harsh conditions.

The outer layer jacket has a good fit, it is quite long for extra protection and comes with two deep front pockets for valuables and gear you need quick access to. It’s a great jacket, just a bit heavier than others in the same price bracket.

Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2

If you love being active in the cold and want a hardshell jacket that is lightweight and breathable but still gives you the weather protection you need, the Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 is a good fit.

The jacket weighs just 13.5oz making it one of the lightest in the review. It’s very packable and portable. The reason for the little weight is the waterproof fabric used to make it. Rather than being made from a high D Gore-Tex, Mountain Hardwear went with Gore-Tex Active 30D for the entire jacket.

The lower D count does make it a little less durable but the use of Gore-Tex active is what makes this Mountain Hardware jacket so breathable and ideal for high tempo activities amongst the elements. The sacrifice for the breathability that you won’t get as much protection in extreme weather conditions.

The jacket fits nicely while still providing a nice range of motion. So when you’re reaching for that hold or buzzing around a bend, the jacket won’t get in the way. There are plenty of storage options with two deep hand pockets and one zippered chest pocket plus a helmet-compatible hood.

This completely waterproof jacket is a little less expensive than most and is a great choice for active outdoorsmen, but as we’ve said, it won’t give you as much extreme weather protection as some others.

Arc'teryx Alpha SV

If you are looking for the toughest hardshell jacket in the game, then look no further. The Arc’teryx Alpha SV (serious weather protection) hard shell is made to be the hardest one around.

It’s made from 100D Gore-Tex pro which is pretty much bombproof as fabrics go. Not only is it durable as hell but if you’re planning on spending some time in an ice blizzard, this is the jacket you’d want to do it in. It’ll handle the most extreme weather better than any other jacket in the review.

The 100D fabric does make it a little heavier than others but for what you’re getting, it’s to be expected. The jacket comes with pit zips under the arms for breathability, interior and exterior pockets plus excellent zippers. There aren’t any handwarmer pockets though, so be sure to bring some winter gloves.

The adjustable hood is also helmet-compatible and with its extreme durability, you’ll never be disappointed when skiing around the backcountry or climbing up an icy gorge. The jacket also comes with adjustable cuffs, which are great for ensuring no wind gets in.

There is one drawback, the waterproof jacket does cost a lot of money by most standards. But if you want the burliest jacket around, this is it.

Outdoor Research Interstellar

The Outdoor Research Interstellar is an excellent option if you want a hard shell that’s super light while still being excellent in extreme weather. It has a lot of the assets of a softshell with the weather protection of a hard shell.

It’s been made using three layers of AscentShell with a 20D mechanical stretch ripstop face and a 100% polyester 12D backer. This combination gives you great comfort, mobility, and incredible weather resistance. It’ll handle torrential rain, snow, high winds, and more.

It comes with a helmet-compatible hood that’s wire-brimmed to give you some extra protection. The zippers are YKK AquaGuard to keep water out and make sure they always work when you need them. In addition to this, there’s a front storm flap, chest pocket, hand pockets, adjustable cuffs, a carabiner loop, and a key clip.

At 11.8oz, the waterproof jacket is super light and stuffs into the left-hand pocket for easy packing and portability. The only downside is the material is a bit thin and more delicate than the other in the review.

Overall, a great lightweight option at a great price too.

Patagonia Women's Triolet Jacket

If you’re looking for a hardshell jacket specifically made for women, Patagonia’s Triolet jacket is one of the best options. It is made with 3-layer Gore-Tex fabric and features a face made entirely from recycled polyester, for the absolute best performance in harsh weather conditions.

This jacket also features welded and watertight two-way pit zips that allow you to control just how hot it is underneath the jacket. The pit zips allow for excellent ventilation, and they pretty much guarantee that you won’t sweat too much or get too hot while you’re wearing the Patagonia jacket. And if you do, just undo the zips and let some cool air inside.

The Patagonia Triolet jacket is great for very cold weather as well. When the pit zips are fully zipped up, the jacket can easily seal in the heat with tapered hook-and-loop wrist closure and an adjustable drawcord hem.

In addition to that, this women’s jacket features a concealed RECCO reflector for extra safety when exploring the snowy mountains. In terms of storage, the Patagonia jacket boasts two Napoleon chest pockets, two handwarmer pockets, and a deep interior pocket.

The Napoleon pockets have watertight zippers, while the hand-warming pockets are high enough that they won’t interfere with a fanny pack or a backpack waist belt.

Columbia Omni-Tech Ampli-Dry Women's Shell Jacket

The Columbia Ampli-Dry shell jacket is another excellent option for adventurous ladies. This jacket is lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and incredibly warm, and all of that for an affordable price that won’t break the bank.

The Columbia jacket is made from 4-way stretch nylon fabric that isn’t restrictive and moves along with your body. It’s lined with Omni-Tech fabric, which consists of tiny dots that reflect heat. This is what makes the jacket very warm, and suitable for harsh and cold conditions.

In case you start to get a little too hot in this wonderful jacket, you can always use the pit zips to regulate the internal temperature. The hem and the cuffs are both adjustable so that the heat is sealed in, but the underarm zips make it easy to let some cool air inside the jacket.

The material of this jacket is entirely waterproof, and even the zipper is coated for excellent water resistance. As for the pockets, the Columbia jacket boasts zippered chest and hand pockets, so you can carry all your necessities on your body.

Overall, it’s one of the best options for women on a tighter budget, especially if you don’t want to make any compromises when it comes to quality and performance.

Helly Hansen Elevation Infinity 2.0 Ski Shell Jacket

Helly Hansen is a popular brand of outdoor gear, and their winter jackets are top quality. This is a ski shell jacket made from 100% Polypropylene, a lightweight and extremely durable material. The jacket is very breathable, waterproof, and non-restrictive, which makes it the ideal option for skiers.

It’s not insulated, so it won’t do much in terms of keeping you warm on the slopes, at least not without a cozy layer underneath. The jacket has insulation only in the dedicated smartphone pocket, which is supposed to protect your phone’s battery from damage in cold weather.

This Helly Hansen ski jacket features pit zips for improved breathability, a ski-helmet-compatible hood, as well as an articulated cut that allows for maximum freedom of movement. It’s also equipped with a RECCO transponder, which can give you some peace of mind when skiing in harsh conditions.

In addition to all that, it’s worth mentioning that the Elevation Infinity ski jacket boasts a variety of zippered and open pockets. It’s got external pockets, hand-warming pockets, internal pockets, and even zippered pockets on your arms, so you can keep all your must-have items easily accessible while you’re discovering the slopes.