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Whether enjoying a wintry day of skiing or going on a lengthy backpacking trip above treeline, a hardshell jacket is an essential piece of gear. Staying dry is both a matter of comfort and safety, and a great hardshell can help protect you from the harshest weather the mountains have to offer.
It's hard to go wrong with the Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light, which impressed our testers with optimal durability and exceptional weather protection.
For range of motion and versatility, the Arc'teryx Beta AR was a joy to wear across all four seasons and also boasted our favorite hood design.
If you don't want to shell out $600+ for a hardshell, the Mammut Taiss HS performs super impressively for its price tag, almost on par with the premium-priced jackets.
Our hard-charging experts have spent the past decade pushing over 80 hardshells to the max. This review update pits 12 of the best hardshell jackets against each other. We've skinned up backcountry missions, shredded at ski resorts, and shivered on ice routes in the High Sierra, Colorado, and British Columbia to bring you our reporting on the best of the best hardshells.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on June 26, 2026, with new jackets from Mammut, Arc'teryx, Outdoor Research, and The North Face .
The Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light offers some of the best weather resistance we've ever seen, combined with a perfect fit. Waterproof yet lightweight Gore-Tex Pro fabric helps keep stormy weather out, and waterproof zippers and a long hem at the seat ensure water can't creep in. The material is soft, but heavy-duty patches on the hood, shoulder, and forearms add durability. This was the most comfortable hardshell in our test lineup and the most versatile. Tester Jeff Dobronyi says, “This shell is the one I grab first when heading out the door for an extended trip in the mountains.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Material
50% recycled 40D Gore-Tex Pro with 100% recycled 160D reinforcements on shoulder, forearm, and hood
The Trollveggen Pro Light is just a bit heavier and has a slightly more polarizing style than the closest competition. However, it makes up for these slight drawbacks with a well-tailored, athletic fit that is a pleasure to wear. We feel that the pockets on this jacket are sufficient, but there are no hand pockets (which can actually be an upside if you plan to wear it with a harness). If you're after the best hardshell available for a range of activities, from backcountry skiing to resort skiing and even alpine climbing, the Trollveggen Pro Light is an excellent option. However, if the price is more than you can pay, check out the Mammut Taiss HS, which offers excellent performance for several hundred dollars less.
We love the Arc'teryx Beta AR for its great protection and its comfortable and mobile fit that provides excellent range of motion. It offers top-shelf performance, using Gore-Tex Pro ePE fabric, fully seam-taped construction, and smart details at the hood, hem, and cuffs that kept us dry through high-altitude snowstorms, summer monsoons, and moody backpacking weather. The semi-athletic cut leaves room for layers without fabric bunching under a pack or harness, and the DropHood design delivers standout neck mobility whether you're skinning, scrambling, or riding lifts. The pockets are great: high-set, harness-friendly hand pockets that also allow easy access with a backpack on. Reinforced panels in high-wear zones help this jacket earn its keep over the long haul. This jacket is tester Zach Lovell's go-to shell: “When I know the forecast is ugly, the Beta AR is the shell I reach for first,” he says. If you want even better storm protection, the Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light fills a comparable all-conditions role as a hardshell.
SPECIFICATIONS
Material
3L Gore-Tex Pro ePE Beam Dyed 80d
Measured Weight
16 oz
Pit Zips
Yes
Two-Way Front Zipper
No
Pockets
2 front, 1 internal zippered
The Beta AR weighs around a pound, so it probably isn't the jacket you grab for every mellow, bluebird hike. Zach says, “On casual days I felt like the Beta AR was almost too much jacket, but when the skies unleashed, I was beyond glad it was the one I brought.” However, on occasion we experienced slight seepage at the main zipper in truly sustained, sideways rain. Another mild gripe is that the interior pocket was tough to fit a smartphone into. If you want something lighter weight and easier on the wallet, The North Face Summit Series Papsura Futurelight is a strong alternative that trims both weight and cost at the expense of reduced storm protection. But overall, if it's within your budget, we recommend the Arc'teryx Beta AR as a standout all-around hardshell.
The Mammut Taiss HS is half the price of the top-shelf competition while still offering great protection. Its 3-layer construction and Mammut's Dry Expedition laminate kept us dry through long rainshowers and snowy ski laps. The Taiss delivers a more relaxed cut that we loved for a variety of adventures and could easily fit insulation underneath. The thinner fabric and longer pit zips kept the Taiss from feeling like a sauna, and we could keep this shell on far longer than some other jackets during uphill days. “I was honestly shocked at how the Taiss outperformed its price tag. It performs almost on par with the premium-priced jackets I tested,” our tester remarked. If you want a similar all-rounder but you need the best in storm protection, the Arc'teryx Beta AR is a worthy upgrade, but it'll be more painful on the bank account.
SPECIFICATIONS
Material
3L Mammut DRY Expedition recycled polyamide
Measured Weight
15.1 oz
Pit Zips
Yes
Two-Way Front Zipper
Yes
Pockets
2 hand, 1 interior zip
While most hardshells have internal drawstrings for adjustability, the Taiss HS has an external drawstring hood that occasionally caught on branches or, when packed, even snagged on other gear while digging around our bags. The internal pocket is also a bit too small for a cell phone, which can be annoying on milder, single-layer days when you don't have an underlayer to stash electronics in. It's relatively lightweight compared to the heaviest-duty competition, and it packs down fairly small. One tester noted, “It's not the lightest jacket I own, but it's a layer I'm happy to have when the forecast looks iffy.” If you want the absolute lightest hardshell and don't need the best weather protection, The North Face Summit Series Papsura Futurelight is over 60% lighter. Aside from a few relatively nitpicky issues, the Mammut Taiss HS is an exceptional value hardshell that punches well above its price point.
The North Face Summit Series Papsura Futurelight is all about trimming weight and bulk, making it a minimalist's dream for the outdoors. This three-layer shell feels almost impossibly light, tipping the scales at just 9.4 ounces for a men's medium, and it disappears into its own pocket when not in use. It even includes a handy carabiner loop, so you can clip it to your hip belt or harness for quick access if a surprise storm rolls in. The fit of the Papsura is relaxed, leaving space for a light midlayer and giving your arms the freedom to scramble or climb without feeling boxed in. “On crisp winter days or quick summer squalls, the nylon fabric, DWR finish, and 3-layer Futurelight tech kept me dry and comfortable while skiing and hiking, as long as there wasn't too much precipitation,” one of our head testers commented. For sustained inclement weather, it might be worth looking at the similarly priced Mammut Taiss HS, which kept us much drier.
The Papsura Futurelight isn't the shell we'd reach for during relentless storms or multi-day treks in a soggy climate, which is to be expected given its ultralight design. When the snow turned wet while we were skiing, we noticed moisture seeping through the neck seams and main zipper, reminding us that this is a fair-weather shell, not an impenetrable barrier. The relaxed fit can also bunch up around the shoulders and waist, and with no adjustability outside of the hood, you have fewer ways to fine-tune the fit or vent excess heat. Still, it moves well for backpacking and winter adventures, and the breathability was decent even with a higher heart rate. If you're after an ultralight shell with a few more bells and whistles, the Patagonia M10 Storm Jacket is a worthy rival that keeps the weight low without ditching adjustability. “As long as you don't need the greatest weather protection, the Papsura Futurelight is a wallet-friendly hardshell that kept my pack light, and I still stayed dry in friendlier storms,” our hardshell lead concluded.
The Arc'teryx Alpha SV is the epitome of weather protection and durability. It features thick, stiff 100-denier Gore-Tex Pro fabric that can withstand abrasion while skiing through dense trees and cut through the most bitter wind. It is fully seam-sealed and offers waterproof zippers and a full-coverage, helmet-compatible hood. The sleeves and hem are long enough that they'll never expose your stomach when you lift your hands above your head while swinging at the ice. The cut is nearly perfect for active winter activities. Our lead reviewer says, “It's overkill if you're just riding the chairlift a few days per season, but if you're a serious winter outdoor enthusiast, I think it's worth the investment.”
All of these features will cost you a high price that's hard to stomach. Even so, we've found the Alpha SV to be a safe investment that will pay for itself in the long run, especially with Arc'teryx's great warranty program. With proper cleaning, storage, and the occasional DWR treatment, there is no reason this jacket can't outlast your recreational lifetime. If you're searching for a rugged hardshell that can perform in any winter activity, from multi-pitch ice and alpine climbing to resort skiing, this is the one to buy. If you love Arc'teryx but the Alpha SV is out of your budget, the Beta AR offers premium weather protection but doesn't quite have the bells, whistles, and durability of this one.
Testing the Arc'teryx Alpha SV in early-season conditions at the ski resort. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Product Comparison Table
From snowy ski mountaineering days to multi-week expeditions, we wore every hardshell in this review for multiple storms. Credit: Zach Forster
How We Tested
Hardshell jackets aren't the easiest class of clothing to test, but our gear experts gladly headed outside in the storm to ensure our findings were as helpful as possible. From Alaskan blizzards to Rocky Mountain monsoons, every layer was tested across a wide range of activities, and we even stood in the shower for a more objective waterproofing test. Whether you're a serious backpacker who recreates in wet climates or you enjoy alpine climbing in whatever conditions are presented, there's a layer in this lineup you can count on.
Our hardshell jacket testing is divided across five rating metrics:
Weather Protection (30% of overall score weighting)
Mobility and Fit (20% weighting)
Venting and Breathability (20% weighting)
Weight (20% weighting)
Features and Design (10% weighting)
For more on our testing process with hardshell jackets, see our How We Test article.
Why Trust GearLab
To find the very best hardshells, we convinced lead tester Jeff Dobronyi to take some time out of his busy schedule leading trips as an internationally-licensed IFMGA Mountain Guide. Jeff leads backcountry skiers and alpine climbers on missions from his home in Colorado to locations around the globe, including the Alps, Andes, Norway, Canada, and Alaska. Jeff spends over 200 days a year in the mountains, including many days in harsh winter weather, and knows what a good hardshell needs to accomplish.
Our testing team has logged countless hours in hardshell jackets for guiding, playing, and product testing. Credit: Zach Lovell
IFMGA Mountain Guide Zach Lovell was also at the helm of our hardshell testing. Similar to Jeff, Zach logs countless hours in the mountains, whether working or playing, from 20,000-foot peaks in the Himalayas to British Columbia's stunning coastal range.
We thoroughly tested these jackets in the field, at home on the stationary bike, and in the shower.
Analysis and Test Results
Many of these hardshell jackets have been carefully examined over the course of multiple seasons, keeping detailed notes every step of the way. We found several models that stood out for various attributes and intended uses. Whether you want an ultralight layer for those what if storms or need unwavering protection for longer trips, keep reading to find out which options are the right fit for you and your budget.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
It's not dirt cheap, but the Mammut Taiss HS is a totally reasonable price for a high-quality hardshell. It's our favorite all-arounder if you're shopping on a budget, with trustworthy weather protection and great mobility for a bunch of different activities outside. It also offers better breathability than several of the premium layers.
The Taiss offers great performance for its price, whether going resort skiing or hitting the trail for a week. Credit: Zach Lovell
If you need to keep your bag as light as possible, The North Face Summit Series Papsura Futurelight is a top recommendation and is among the least expensive jackets we tested. It isn't the most protective layer for braving long storms, but it's great for milder rain or colder ski days, when the snow is typically drier.
The Papsura weighs less than 10 ounces and is reasonably affordable. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Patagonia models we tested, the Triolet and the Patagonia M10 Storm Jacket are also reasonably priced and protective. The Triolet is versatile and has lots of pockets. The M10 Storm Jacket is lightweight, but lacks armpit vents and is light on features.
Weather Protection
Nothing is more important when considering a hardshell jacket than how well it protects you from foul weather. After all, if it weren't for the weather, you wouldn't need a shell. Hardshell jackets are different from softshells in that they are fully waterproof and can keep you dry even in a downpour. Softshell jackets are designed primarily for breathability and offer only some precipitation protection.
The primary driver of a hardshell jacket's weather resistance is a waterproof fabric. The best hardshell jackets on the market use Gore-Tex Pro, a three-layer waterproof fabric that includes an outer layer, a membrane that allows water vapor to pass through but repels liquid water droplets, and an inner lining for durability, all laminated together. The Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light, Mountain Equipment Lhotse, Arc'teryx Alpha SV, and Arc'teryx Beta AR all use Gore-Tex Pro fabrics and all deliver great weather resistance. In addition to lightweight, waterproof fabric, Gore-Tex Pro shells also feature waterproof zippers, taped seams, and full-coverage hoods. These are the most protective hardshells on the market.
The Mountain Equipment Lhotse's 40 and 80-denier Gore-Tex Pro face fabric is treated with a DWR finish that beads water well into the jacket's lifespan. Credit: Sam Willits
All the jackets we tested come with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating applied to the outer fabric. This hydrophobic coating is applied to ensure the outside of the jacket stays dry, so moisture beads up and rolls off rather than soaking in. Keeping the face fabric dry is necessary to allow the jacket to “breathe” and let the humidity your body generates escape through the waterproof/breathable membrane. The DWR treatments from Patagonia, Mammut, and Arc'teryx are quite durable, but all DWR coatings wear off over time. Fortunately, washing your hardshell will extend the jacket's life, and every manufacturer has their own care instructions for rejuvenating the DWR before the next storm. For older jackets, you can always buy an aftermarket DWR spray and simply renew your jacket's water repellency.
Mammut offers an in-house proprietary waterproof material on the Taiss, which helps keep costs down (yet still works great). Credit: Zach Lovell
Water-resistant or waterproof fabrics are inherently expensive, but the protective Mammut Taiss HS and Patagonia Triolet won't put nearly as big a dent in your wallet as the premium models. The Taiss HS features a classic 3-layer build, but instead of Gore-Tex, it uses an in-house fabric called Mammut DRY Expedition. The Triolet is a bit more expensive, likely due to the use of Gore-Tex fabric, but it offers even better weather protection than the Taiss.
The fit and design of the jacket closures also impact weather resistance. Some hoods performed magnificently in our shower test, while others didn't have enough of a bill on the forehead to provide optimal protection. You want a collar and hood that, when fully cinched, help direct water dripping off the hood away from the jacket's interior. The Norrona Trollveggen Light, Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex, Patagonia Triolet, Mountain Equipment Lhotse, Arc'teryx Alpha SV, and Beta AR all have great hoods that repel water easily.
The Lhotse's hood offers plenty of protection. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
The Outdoor Research Headwall Gore-Tex 3L offered great weather protection and also boasts great durability. In trade, it weighs a bit more than others and has some reduced breathability, but for resort skiing or cold-weather climbing, the Headwall is a worthy layer.
We loved the bombproof build of the Headwall, which kept us well-protected across storms of all shapes and sizes. Credit: Zach Lovell
Mobility and Fit
The Arc'teryx Beta AR offers excellent range of motion, with a spacious cut that accommodates underlayers and enough room for overhead mobility, whether climbing or swinging ski poles or an ice axe. While there are other similarly freeing hardshells, the Beta AR has less fabric bunching than much of its competition. This layer also offers a unique hood design — the hood and collar are separate, which boasts unparalleled neck mobility with the hood on.
The Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light is another top performer in this metric. Its Gore-Tex Pro material doesn't have any stretch, but the jacket's cut is relaxed enough for movement without being too baggy. It also has some nice adjustability at the cuffs and hem if you need to fine-tune the fit with various underlayers, regardless of the activity.
The Norrona Trollveggen has a simply excellent fit. Credit: Sam Willits
The Falketind's fit is great for a thin hardshell with a slim, athletic cut. Credit: Sam Willits
We also love the fit and comfort of the Norrona Falketind. This jacket uses regular Gore-Tex fabric, which allows for a slightly thicker, more comfortable lining fabric, giving it a soft hand that is incredibly pleasant to wear.
Despite The North Face Summit Series Papsura Futurelight lacking many fit adjustment features, its relaxed cut affords great overhead freedom, and we could fit multiple layers underneath.
The Papsura did have some fabric bunching, but it had plenty of room for our upper body to move freely. Credit: Zach Lovell
Venting and Breathability
The hardshell jackets we tested all claim to be waterproof and breathable. Although an ambitious reader could spend days researching the science of breathability and deciphering jargon on manufacturers' websites, the sweaty outdoor enthusiast slogging uphill will quickly notice that hardshell jackets in general don't seem very breathable. If you prioritize breathability over weather protection, a softshell jacket might be the shell you actually need.
The Mammut Taiss HS is one of the most breathable shells we tested, with a relatively thin construction and 14-inch-long pit zips. As long as we weren't battling a humid mid-summer rainstorm, we didn't get too sweaty inside the Taiss, and the pit zips could be left open as long as precipitation wasn't blowing sideways.
The Taiss's overall breathability was great for strenuous days where you might be working up a sweat. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex also excelled in the breathability department thanks to a combination of its comfortable, breathable shell fabric and its 18-inch-long armpit vents.
Long armpit vents allow plenty of ventilation for cooler air to enter and water vapor to escape from the Falketind. Credit: Sam Willits
While the Outdoor Research Headwall Gore-Tex 3L doesn't have the best fabric construction for warmer temperatures, it has staggeringly long pit zips, measuring 24 inches that go all the way to the hem. However, using these pit zips all the way open did let in some precipitation.
The pit zips on the Headwall extend all from the armpit to hem, aiding in airflow in an otherwise less breathable jacket. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Ortovox Ortler 3L uses a proprietary shell fabric that is lighter, more stretchy, and more breathable than Gore-Tex. This jacket is great for high-output activities like ski touring in dry weather or light precipitation, thanks to its ability to vent air more quickly than traditional shells. This breathability comes at the expense of weather protection, but if you spend a lot of time in dry yet windy climates performing high-output exercise, this specialty piece could be a good option.
The Ortovox Ortler 3L is a stretchy hardshell with good breathability, but it's less weather-resistant than Gore-Tex jackets. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Ventilation features include pit zips and two-way main zippers, allowing you to unzip the front of the jacket from the top or bottom. The Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light has armpit vents that are an astonishing 20 inches (50 centimeters) long. This allows for plenty of ventilation while moving. If you normally engage in aerobic activities while wearing your hardshell, like skinning uphill in wet, snowy weather or skiing moguls fast and hard, long armpit vents are key. However, if you spend most of your time moving slowly and meticulously while alpine climbing or cruising groomers without trying too hard, shorter armpit vents aren't a problem.
The Trollveggen Light's 20-inch-long armpit vents are some of the longest we've seen. Credit: Sam Willits
Weight
The importance of weight is subjective. As gear and materials have evolved, manufacturers have continually sought ways to make hardshell jackets lighter without compromising performance. While technology is improving every year, we'd steer you away from going too light if you need the best weather protection or durability.
Our lightest jacket in the review is The North Face Summit Series Papsura Futurelight, which weighs only 9.4 ounces in a men's medium. This is lighter than many fleece layers or softshells and is almost half the weight of the review's 16-ounce average. It's a great just-in-case layer to toss in your pack when the forecast looks decent, but you just want some peace of mind.
The Papsura is half the weight of the heavier-duty competition. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex strikes the perfect balance between saving weight and preserving weather resistance. This jacket is protective enough for most alpine weather and weighs less than a pound.
The 30-denier face fabric and soft C-Knit inner lining fabric make the Falketind feel softer and more supple than other Gore-Tex jackets. Credit: Sam Willits
The Patagonia M10 weighs 11.5 ounces in size large and packs down to the size of a small water bottle. It's a good option for alpine climbs and serious mountain travel when weight and weather protection both matter.
The M10 jacket is super-packable, disappearing into a backpack when not in use. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Our top-scoring jackets overall are inherently a bit heavier because they use a more robust construction for improved weather protection. The Arc'teryx Beta AR weighs 16 ounces in a men's medium, which is its only average score (its performance otherwise tops the charts).
The Beta AR is a bit bulky, but we've found it to be worth the weight when considering its protection. Credit: Zach Lovell
Features and Design
The features a jacket offers and how well they function can make the difference between smiling with appreciation or frowning with annoyance every time you wear it. All the jackets we tested include features like pockets, collars, wrist cuffs, zippers, and drawcords — but the quality, placement, and functionality of these features is what makes them stand out. Ultralight designs like The North Face Papsura usually offer fewer features to help save weight.
The Arc'teryx Alpha SV offers one of our favorite feature sets. It has two large front pockets, with zippers located close to the center line rather than out to the side, which we appreciate for easy access. It has an internal zippered pocket, an internal mesh stash pocket, and a sleeve pocket that easily holds a small snack, tool, or RFID ski pass, making it a great option for people who want to use it as their daily inbounds ski jacket. The hood is highly adjustable for a variety of headwear.
The hood design can make or break a hardshell. Our favorite hoods have a stiff brim to keep the rain off and enough adjustability to perform well with or without a helmet. The best hoods include a cinch at the back to keep them in place as you look left and right, plus a cinch on either side of the collar to adjust the brim's position. Without these cinches, a hood can slide around, impede vision, and/or be ineffective at keeping rain out.
Arc'teryx, Norrona, and The North Face make some of our favorite hoods.
The Norrona Trollveggen Light and Arc'teryx options come out on top for hood design. The Arc'teryx Beta jackets have the DropHood system that many of our testers have grown to love. This system attaches the hood to the neck, keeping the collar separate. This makes for a more mobile layer with the hood up and still creates a great seal with multiple drawstring adjustments. The North Face Summit Series Torre Egger Futurelight also features a large hood for ample coverage.
The Patagonia Triolet offers an impressive feature set, boasting two chest pockets, two handwarmer pockets, and one internal mesh stash pocket. The waist pockets are hard to use while wearing a harness, but the chest pockets are easily accessible, and the waist pockets become more useful when skiing. The internal stash pocket is great for carrying gloves and other accessories.
The Patagonia Triolet's two side hand pockets and two front chest pockets allow plenty of storage. Credit: Sam Willits
The Mountain Equipment Lhotse has a great set of features that are specific to alpine climbing. It has two large, easy-to-reach hand pockets when worn with a harness, plus a spacious chest pocket for even more storage. It also has an internal zippered chest pocket for a phone. The drawcords are single-stranded and don't form a loop that can interfere with gear loops while clipping gear on climbs.
The Lhotse's hem drawcords don't form a loop, which is nice for keeping them out of the way of clipping gear loops on a harness. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
If you're going light, The North Face Summit Series Papsura Futurelight is a great choice, but The North Face had to strip this layer of many features we'd consider standard. There's only one drawstring adjuster in the hood, but you can't otherwise adjust this layer at the hem or cuffs.
Other Hardshell Jackets to Consider
Mammut Nordwand Advanced - We tested the older version of this jacket and previously crowned it with our Editors' Choice Award. We love the fit, weather protection, and durability of this premium shell. It's been updated since our testing to the Mammut Eiger Nordwand Advanced HS, with a PFC-free waterproof membrane, RECCO technology, and internal dump pockets for items like gloves. We haven't tested the latest version, but we expect it to perform similarly and look forward to testing it in the future.
Rab Latok GTX Pro - This layer is well-regarded in the world of hardshell jackets. It's best for adventurers who don't mind a poor weather forecast, whether going for a quick ski tour or a months-long expedition to the Himalayas. Still, it is heavier than most of the jackets in this review. Take a look at this layer if your comfort and safety truly depend on having a weather-sealed jacket when the skies darken.
Conclusion
It's important to choose the right hardshell the first time, as these are among the most expensive pieces of outerwear you can buy. That's not an easy task, though, because there are hundreds of options out there, and each one claims to be the epitome of waterproof-breathable excellence. Our tests were designed to differentiate the perfect jackets from the posers. We hope they help you identify the ideal hardshell for your needs and budget.
Climbing ice in the Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light. Credit: Sam Willits
