Outdoor Research Skytour Ascentshell Ski Jacket Review
our favorite backcountry ski jacket for breathability
February 25th, 2025
Our verdict
““In my experience, the Skytour is the most comfortable and best-fitting jacket I’ve ever ski-toured in. It has a great cut, just long enough for ski and freeride applications.” -Treeline Review writer and tester Matt McDonald”
The expression “time-tested” gets thrown around in the outdoor industry. But it means something. And it’s the reason the Skytour AscentShell is one of our favorite jackets for backcountry skiing. We tested both the men’s and women’s Skytour over several seasons, hundreds of days, and multiple testers. If you, like thousands of other skiers, are ski touring this season, this is a time-tested piece to use as a dedicated backcountry jacket.
We found this jacket to be one of the most comfortable and best fitting jackets we’ve ever used for ski touring. Both the men’s and women’s have spacious cuts that leave room for layers and movement without being baggy.
It has a great cut, just long enough for ski and freeride applications. The full-length, poncho-style side zips are awesome when the skinning gets sweaty and when you're wearing a loaded harness, too. Overall, we think the Skytour Ascentshell is a quality shell at a great value and an excellent companion for life on the skin track.
Men's
Women's
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Specs
Type: Hardshell
Insulation: None
Sizes: S to XXL
Pockets: 6 (2 hand pockets, 2 chest pockets, interior media pocket, internal stash pocket)
Waterproofing: AscentShell 3-layer membrane, PFAS-free DWR coating
Pit Zips: Yes
Powder Skirt: No
Best Use: Backcountry
Comparison table
Men’s
| MEN'S SKI JACKET | MSRP* | BEST USE | TYPE | INSULATION | SIZES | # POCKETS | SEAM SEAL | WATERPROOFING | PIT ZIPS | POWDER SKIRT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Research SkyTour Ascentshell | $379 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | S - XXL | 7 | Full | 3-Layer AscentShell Electrospun Membrane | Yes | No |
| Outdoor Research Hemispheres 2 | $649 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | S-XL | 5 | Full | GORE-TEX 3L with C-Knit | Yes | No |
| Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro | $799 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | S-XL | 4 | Full | GORE-TEX PRO | Yes | Yes, removable |
| Arc'teryx Alpha SV | $900 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | XS-XXL | 3 | Full | 3L GORE-TEX Pro | Yes | No |
| Patagonia Insulated Powder Town | $499 | Resort | 3-in-1 | 60g Full Range | XS - XXL | 8 | Full | H2No 2-layer | Yes | Yes |
Women’s
| WOMEN'S SKI JACKET | MSRP* | BEST FOR | TYPE | INSULATION | SIZES | POCKETS | SEAM SEAL | SHELL | PIT ZIPS? | POWDER SKIRT? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Research SkyTour Ascentshell | $399 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | XS - XL | 2 hand, 2 chest, 1 internal mesh, 1 interior zip chest, forearm | Full | 3-Layer AscentShell Electrospun Membrane | Yes | No |
| Outdoor Research Hemispheres 2 | $649 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | XS-XL | 4 | Full | GORE-TEX 3L with C-Knit | Yes | Yes |
| Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro | $799 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | XS-XL | 1 chest, 1 arm, 1 chest | Full | GORE-TEX Pro | Yes | Yes, removable |
| The North Face Summit Series Stimson Futurelight | $600 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | XS-XXL | High Napoleon Pockets, chest, 2 internal, keycard, overarm | Full | GORE-TEX Pro with Gore Liner backer | Yes | Yes, removable |
| Arc'teryx Alpha SV | $900 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | XS-XL | 2 hand pockets, 1 chest | Full | 3L GORE-TEX Pro | Yes | No |
What we liked
The Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell is a backcountry jacket that is so comfortable didn’t even notice I was wearing it, which is a great compliment for a jacket that prioritizes comfort, breathability, and movement. Photo by Owen Leeper.
Comfortable
Great cut
Generous pit zip vents
Breathability
Stretch
Reasonable price
PFAS-free DWR
What we didn't like
Not as weather protective as more expensive jackets
Main zipper is slightly sticky
Features
Ascentshell 3-layer membrane
Why is the Skytour AscentShell a winner even after six years? It starts with the material. In this jacket, Outdoor Research shirks GORE-TEX in favor of its proprietary three-layer AscentShell, which the company says “breathes faster, weighs less, stretches more, and far surpasses the comfort of traditional waterproof membranes.” We agree. The material provides nice weather protection for a non-GORE-TEX product. It moves well when doing backcountry things like digging a pit, using an ice axe, transitioning, charging, etc.
Outdoor Research uses a proprietary three-layer AscentShell, which is breathable, lightweight, comfortable, and offers excellent weather protection.
You can dive deeper into the science behind AscentShell material here, but we’ll give you the short version. Traditional GORE-TEX jackets (like the Outdoor Research Hemispheres or Arc’teryx Sentinel or Sabre, also winners in our Best Women’s Ski Jackets and Best Men’s Ski Jackets guides) are made with a breathable membrane that gets laminated to a shell’s outer face fabric.
This membrane has microscopic pores that allow moisture to seep out from inside the jacket once you start heating up and sweating. Electrospun fabrics like AscentShell, on the other hand, are like a web of fibers rather than a membrane layer incorporated into the jacket. This technique means that the jacket is air permeable and can be “breathable” before you start to heat up and sweat. So, it makes for a more breathable, comfortable, and lightweight shell material than standard shells, while maintaining excellent weatherproofing.
The face material is 93% nylon, 7% spandex with a polyester knit backer. It's got the feel of a softshell jacket and the functionality of a hardshell.
DWR coating (PFAS free)
In addition to the hardshell material, which is the primary protection against the elements, the Skytour also has a DWR coating that helps to repel moisture on the surface of the shell. The DWR coating used on this jacket is free of the most harmful PFAS chemicals, which makes it a little friendlier for the environment.
Hood
The Skytour has a fairly generous helmet-compatible hood. There is a drawcord at the back to help secure it in particularly windy or nasty conditions.
Pockets
Both the men’s and women’s Skytour jackets are loaded with pockets. There are two hand pockets, two chest pockets, a pass pocket on the forearm, and a spacious internal mesh pocket.
Fit
The fit of the Skytour for both the men’s and women’s models is loose and spacious, without being overly baggy. We’d say it’s slightly boxy and not particularly tailored in shape, and offers a fit and look that leans more on the freeride side. There is a drop hem, so the jacket is slightly longer in the back than the front, which we always prefer in a ski jacket.
Pit zips
There are generous pit zips on the underarms of the Skytour jacket that allow for ample venting on the skin track.
Generous pit zips add increased breathability and heat dumping while you work up a sweat.
Powder Skirt
The Skytour does not have a powder skirt, but our testers didn’t miss it. This is something that only adds weight and bulk when touring uphill. We found that the jacket’s length helped to keep snow out, and when paired with the Skytour bibs (or most other bibs), a powder skirt is simply unnecessary.
Performance in the Field
Our men’s tester guided a five-day ski-plane-accessed trip outside Haines, Alaska in the Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell. From skinning across glaciers, to ascending routes with crampons and axes, to digging pits, to descending, to chilling and eating lunch, this jacket was up to the task. His greatest compliment was not even noticing he was wearing a hardshell, which is ideal for a jacket that prioritizes comfort, breathability, and movement.
Our women’s tester used the jacket over dozens of days of backcountry and resort skiing, from frigid mid-winter ski tours to skiing the steeps in sunny spring weather. The Skytour quickly became her go-to shell for backcountry skiing thanks to the stretch, breathability, and overall comfort of the jacket.
Even though we prefer the Skytour for backcountry skiing, and that’s what Outdoor Research has designed it for, it holds its own in the resort too. We found it especially great for spring skiing, when in-bounds hike-to terrain is most often on the menu. In these situations, the Skytour shined like it does in the backcountry.
While this shell won’t be quite as weather resistant or durable as something like the Arc’teryx Sentinel and Sabre, or the Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX jacket, it is an excellent choice for skiers who want a versatile, comfortable, and well-made and designed jacket at an affordable price.
Breathability
The Ascentshell fabric on this men’s ski jacket moves well when doing backcountry things like digging a pit, using an ice axe, transitioning, and charging. Photo credit Keagan French.
The AscentShell fabric used in the Skytour jacket is among the best in class for breathable hardshell materials. We’ve tested other ski jackets with similar electrospun hardshell designs, including The North Face Futurelight shells and Polartec Neoshell jackets. AscentShell stands out as having the best combination of breathability, stretch, weatherproofing, and durability. It’s about equal in terms of breathability to Futurelight jackets we’ve tested, and slightly more breathable than Neoshell jackets we’ve used.
A GORE-TEX or other laminated hardshell jacket can’t really hold a candle to the breathability of AscentShell. If breathability is a top priority for you in a hardshell, this is an excellent choice.
The OR Skytour jacket is our pick if breathability is a top priority for you, whether you ski in the backcountry or at a ski resort.
Weatherproofness
One thing we will say about the price, though, is that while the Skytour offers great weather resistance, it falls short of some other more expensive backcountry options, like the Arc’teryx Alpha SV (see review in our Best Men's Ski Jackets guide), when it comes to holding up against the worst weather. While it manages to keep you dry underneath, it does hold more moisture than some 3-layer GORE-TEX products out there. So, if your adventures call for the most rugged protection from the elements, we strongly recommend the Arc’teryx Alpha SV.
Layering
The Skytour AscentShell leaves ample room for layers underneath—we’ve worn everything from lightweight fleece to big puffies underneath on cold days. It’s also not too big or baggy, making it easy to throw a puffy parka over it when transitioning on a ski tour.
Warmth
Because the Skytour is a shell, there is no insulation whatsoever. This jacket will block wind, but it won’t offer any additional insulation or warmth aside from that.
Durability
In our testing of both the men’s and women’s Skytour jackets over multiple seasons we did not encounter any durability issues. This jacket is meant to err on the lighter side and designed for the backcountry, so that inevitably means it’s probably not as durable as heavier weight shells with burlier face fabrics. But after plenty of hard use, we have no reason to be concerned about the durability of the Skytour. And we think that makes it even more of a good value considering the price.
The OR Skytour is our favorite backcountry ski jacket for dry climates.
Should I buy the Outdoor Research Skytour Ascentshell?
The Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell is a top-of-the-line backcountry ski jacket with an excellent bang-for-the-buck price. Photo by Keagan French.
Given its reasonable price in the world of ski gear, and especially in the world of backcountry-specific ski gear, we think the Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell offers an excellent value. If you want a ski shell specifically for backcountry skiing, this is our top choice, even with budget factored out. It’s simply our favorite hardshell for ski touring.
If you want a shell jacket that can perform well in both the resort and the backcountry, we also think this is a good choice. It is a durable and versatile shell that allows for easy layering. Especially at this price point, this is a great one-quiver shell option for ski season.
If you live in a particularly wet climate like the Pacific Northwest or need the best weather protection a hardshell can possibly give, the Skytour will probably come up a little short. Electrospun membranes are excellent at breathing and great for high-output activities like ski touring, but they can’t quite match the weatherproofing of a laminated GORE-TEX hardshell. If you want an excellent backcountry ski jacket that offers better waterproofing, consider the Outdoor Research Hemispheres. This is our favorite backcountry ski jacket for wet climates.
The OR Skytour is our favorite backcountry ski jacket for wet climates.
Another excellent choice that will do double duty in the backcountry and resort while offering top-of-the-line weather protection is the Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro jacket. But, both of these will cost significantly more than the Skytour (especially the Norrona), and they will sacrifice some breathability in favor of weather protection.
For the majority of backcountry users, though, the Skytour is an excellent choice at a very reasonable price. We think this shell punches above its price class and offers both great value and performance.
Where to buy
The Outdoor Research SkyTour Ascentshell ski jackets are popular, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
outdoor research
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the retailer. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the retailer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return, such as if there is a defect.
Advice on where to buy
In general for jackets, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns like REI or Zappos. Trying on shoes is an important way to get the sizing right. With both those retailers, if your funds allow, you can buy two sizes and easily return one. Additionally, check reviews to see whether other users recommend sizing up or down.
Other ski jackets to consider
Outdoor Research Hemispheres
Insulation material: none
Shell Material/Waterproofing: GORE-TEX 3L with C-Knit
Sizes: XS-XL
Pockets: two hand pockets, one chest pocket, one internal stash pocket
Pit Zippers: yes, pit-to-hem zippers
Powder Skirt: no
If you ski in particularly wet climates, GORE-TEXmay simply be necessary to help keep you dry for long days of chasing powder. This jacket has excellent design features that make it ideal for backcountry skiing, and it’s quite light for being a GORE-TEX shell. Stretch panels are used in key areas to help with freedom of movement.
And the fit? Chef’s kiss, no notes. There’s just enough room for warm layers underneath without the shell being baggy, the drop hem does double duty for function and style, and the collar is the most spacious, highest coverage, and most comfortable of any hardshell our women’s tester has ever used, period. Because this is a laminated GORE-TEX hardshell, it stands up incredibly well to wet and windy conditions, but it is noticeably less breathable than the Skytour.
Outdoor Research Hemispheres
Men's
Women's
Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro
Insulation material: none
Shell Material/Waterproofing: 40D X 20D 112 G/M² FUTURELIGHT™ 3L
Sizes: XS-XXL (women's)
Pockets: chest pocket, two internal mesh drop in, wrist pocket
Pit Zips: yes
Powder Skirt: yes, removable
This is a true top-of-the-line hardshell with a top-of-the-line price. Its ability to balance almost perfectly performance, weight, and features borders on a magic trick. While the GORE-TEX shell fabric is not as breathable as the Skytour AscentShell, it does have excellent vents, including underarms and a spacious chest vent next to the main font zipper. But this jacket does cost a premium—it’s among the most expensive we’ve ever tested for our men’s and women’s ski jacket reviews. However, if budget is no object, this is an excellent backcountry ski shell.
Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro
Men's
Women's
Insulation material: none
Shell Material/Waterproofing: GORE-TEX Pro with Gore Liner backer
Sizes: XS-XL
Pockets: High Napoleon Pockets, chest, 2 internal, keycard, overarm
Pit Zips: yes + front zip vent
Powder Skirt: yes, removable
This jacket, which also uses an air-permeable electrospun membrane like the Skytour, is a close runner up as a favorite ski touring shell. It’s buttery soft, breathes incredibly well, and has a fit that’s ideal for days on the skin track. We tested this jacket over dozens of days in the backcountry, and at the resort, and found it to be one of the most comfortable shell jackets we’ve ever worn for skiing (or otherwise). But, it’s more expensive than the Skytour, harder to find, and usually only available in one colorway. If you like the color and don’t mind the price, we think this is another excellent choice for a backcountry ski shell.
The North Face Summit Series Stimson Futurelight
Arc'teryx Alpha SV
Insulation: None
Shell material: 28k 3L GORE-TEX Pro
Sizes: XS-XXL
Pockets: 3 (2 hand pockets, 1 chest pocket)
Pit Zips: Yes
Powder skirt: No
If your ski jacket budget can accommodate a price jump, and if you are going to demand that your jacket hold up to the worst weather in the mountains for full-day stretches, we also like the Arc’teryx Alpha SV. But the Alpha SV will not provide the same breathability and uphill comfort as the Skytour, and it does not have ski-specific features and tailoring like the OR Hemispheres, our favorite GORE-TEX shell for backcountry skiing.
Arc'teryx Alpha SV
Men's
Women's
Why you should trust us
Author Matt McDonald in an Outdoor Research AscentShell ski jacket. Photo by Keagan French.
Our men’s tester, Matt McDonald, has written for various outdoor-industry publications like Outside, Freeskier, Powder, Mountain, and various smaller outlets in the outdoor and travel space.
He works by day at Powder7 Ski Shop in Golden, Colorado, and skis 60-90 days per season.
Recently, he’s skied in far-flung places like Alberta, Hokkaido, the Yukon, Chile, and Argentina, in addition to domestic haunts like Colorado and New England. You can read all of Matt's stories on his author page.
Our women’s tester, Stasia Stockwell, is an outdoors journalist, gear tester with over a decade of experience, and lifelong skier who has been sliding on snow since she learned to walk. Based below Colorado’s Tenmile Range in Breckenridge, she racks as many ski days as possible each winter, both at the resort and on the skin track. You can read all Stasia's stories on her author page or on her website. More of her work and adventures can be found on her website. To see all Stasia’s Treeline articles, see her author profile.
