Where you at, adventurers? If you’re anywhere in North America like us, you’re getting acclimated to winter. Now, what are you going to do about it? The wrong winter gear will ruin your season and your outdoor experience before you even get to the mountains, so choose wisely! What are you looking for? Warmth is a must. Waterproofing is always a good idea. Comfort is ideal. And fashion is a bonus. What if you could have: E) All of the above? Maybe it’s time you heard about the Slope Jacket from Orsden.
Orsden is the epitome of doing one thing and doing it well. The whole business came about when founder Sara Segall was shopping for a new ski jacket and just couldn’t find something that wasn’t outrageously priced or completely unflattering. So what did she do? She set out to make her own. First of all, who hasn’t wanted to do just that when a number of different products?! Second, who better to create a product than those who understand what we are all looking for in functionality, performance, and style, not just what is the cheapest to produce with the highest markup?
Let’s talk about the features that the Slope Jacket boasts:
1) Response – Orsden jackets are made with a 4-way stretch material. If you saw one of my recent videos, you’ll know that this is a big deal for me! I absolutely love this 4-way stretch material. I’ve had ski jackets before that were big, roomy, and bulky so that you could have the necessary room to move around. Not the case with the Slope Jacket because this 4-way stretch allows for complete freedom of movement and comfort. When you’re twisting, turning, bending, or stretching, it’s not going to hold you back. It also means you can have a slimmer and more fashionable look that you can wear on and off the mountain. Fantastic!
2) Breathable – If you’ve spent any time outside in the winter, you know that staying warm is key, but that you can be TOO warm. If you start to sweat and get wet on the inside, dropping temperatures can lead to hypothermia. That means it’s important for your shell to breathe. This helps keep your body temperature at a controlled state that keeps you from both overheating and getting too cold. Especially when you’re being active on the mountain, this will make sure your day or night isn’t cut short by discomfort.
3) Waterproof – This is kind of a no-brainer. Not only do you need to stay dry on the inside, but you need to keep the water from the outside out. The waterproof shell will keep out the rain, powder, slush, and more. That means you stay dry in the wettest of conditions.
4) Insulated – Just because you’re dry doesn’t mean your warm. This is where the Orsden insulation technology comes into play. This really is a warm jacket. I wore it out on some cold wet days and subzero temperature nights. I was especially warm through the chest, shoulders, and back and comfortable in the arms that kept my core temperature regulated. Even when sitting motionless, I felt like my body heat was held in while wind and cold was kept out. Amazing! While wearing the Slope Jacket, I never had any base layer other than a regular t-shirt and felt toasty. In the event that you do get too warm, the underarms are zipper vented.
There are a few other features that you should know about. The seams are all fully sealed to keep water, wind, and cold out. Pockets? There are five, yes FIVE, two hand, one sleeve, one exterior chest, and one interior chest for plenty of spaces to store your goodies. The powder skirt is actually detachable, which is really cool, and the hood is completely adjustable and helmet compatible. The sleeves have internal stretch cuffs with thumbholes to keep powder out of your gloves and keep your hands warm. And for the ladies out there, they make a Women’s model called the Lift. All the same features and specialties, made to fit a female body.
Bottom line is, Sara Segall and her team at Orsden created an incredible product. This is hands down the nicest coat I’ve ever owned. I absolutely love that it’s fully functional on the mountain and has plenty of style and comfort in the streets. I literally put my sleeve under the running water and watched in awe as it all ran off without a drop seeping through. Go to their website and you’ll see that they have one product. Like I said, they make one thing and they make it very well. Here’s to not hibernating!
– Jake
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the Slope Jacket for free from Orsden as coordinated by Deep Creek PR, an Outdoor Retailer Public Relations Company in consideration for review publication.
Backwoods Gear Review 