Over the past six months, I’ve received a pretty good schooling about what I should wear during the Snowman Trek in September. We’ll be as high as 18,000+ feet. I’m confident there will be rain and, if we’re unlucky, snow. (Contrary to the name of the trek, the goal is to schedule the trip so that we’re missing the snow.)
Some of this schooling has come from weekend trips to REI where I spend time chatting with the very knowledgeable salespeople. The standard line, be it from an REI employee or elsewhere, is that I need:
- a base layer such as one made of Merino wool that wicks away moisture
- a synthetic down jacket for warmth
- an outer shell to stay dry
I’ve looked at and tested several shells and I think I’ve landed upon the one that will work best for me in the Himalayas: the Canada Goose Ridge Shell.
Technically what makes the Ridge Shell ideal is that it is waterproof yet breathable so it’s going to keep me dry yet not be so warm that the jacket causes me to sweat.
Those technical features definitely work, but the Ridge Shell also has a lot of additional bells and whistles that make it a great jacket for hiking.
What I Love
- The back of the jacket is tailored just a tad longer than the front which helps keep my butt covered, dry and protected from the wind.
- The seams are sealed so that water can’t seep in and the front zipper is protected by a flap that Velcros in place. The Velcro is really strong, too, so putting my daypack on and off doesn’t cause it to open up.
- The hood is big. But it’s got three ways to cinch it tighter so it doesn’t end up falling over my face (which it does if I don’t have it properly adjusted). The hood also includes a little lip that can be turned back if I don’t need it hanging fully over my face.
- The zippered front pockets are well protected from the elements with flaps covering the zippers.
- An inside cinch allows me to pull the back of the jacket tight.
- It has one interior zippered pocket that’s the perfect size for an iPhone. (Though I won’t be making calls from the Himalayas, it’s great to have access to the phone for quick picture taking.)
The Ridge Shell is available in various colors including Black, White, Military Green, Red, Arctic Dusk (color I’m wearing), Arctic Surf (green) and Ocean (blue).
Canada Goose jackets are not cheap. The Ridge Shell retails for about $650. Gulp. But I would argue that this is going to be the single most important piece of gear that I have with me during the Snowman Trek. After all, staying dry and warm are going to be my highest priorities.
If you’re a serious hiker (or want to join us on the trek – ha ha!), the Canada Goose Ridge Shell is definitely the way to go.
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
Canada Goose HyBridge Lite Jacket
Mountain Hardwear Plasmic Jacket
Disclosure: Canada Goose sent this jacket to me for review. Regardless, everything I have said in the post reflects my honest opinions.
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