While big-name skiwear companies like The North Face, Spyder, and even Arc’teryx tend to dominate the sphere of what’s considered high-quality, a recently-launched company named Orsden quietly entered the field with one of the best new snow jackets.
Referred to simply as the Slope Jacket, Orsden’s foray into technical winter wear is a triumph in both performance and style that’s ready (right now) to challenge industry favorites. To get a true sense of just how well the Slope Jacket stacks up to its competition, we gave the thing a spin in what’s already been a particularly harsh Portland, Oregon winter. Needless to say, we walked away impressed.
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In any quality snow jacket, perhaps the single biggest feature it absolutely must possess is the ability to remain consistently waterproof. Regarding Orsden’s Slope Jacket, it does this in utter spades. Waterproof rated to 20,000 mm, the jacket proves especially proficient at beading any water that comes in contact with it. Because of this, water simply rolls right off the exterior, keeping any unwanted moisture from making its way inside.
Along with its high marks in waterproofing, the Slope Jacket also boasts a high breathability rating despite the manufacturer’s focusing on supreme insulation. Featuring 120g insulation in the body and 40g insulation in the hood and sleeves, its 4-way stretch material still allowed us to move as freely as needed. This may not seem like much but when you’re bending over several times a day to strap into a snowboard binding, it’s an extremely pleasing feature.
A specification wonder, no doubt, Orsden chose to give the jacket some functional prowess as well. Aside from its five pockets, the Slope also features built-in stretch cuffs with comfortable thumb holes, underarm vents for those sunny, bluebirdA days, and a hood which slides perfectly over a helmet without too much resistance. To make the jacket even more dynamic, Orsden also included a handy goggle wipe in its upper-left pocket, allowing for quick wipe downs in the event of any moisture build-up.
Orsden’s Slope Jacket is a bonafide hit that excels at keeping water out and warmth in while also shining in the department of minimalist style. It doesn’t come standard in some of the flashy prints a brand like Volcom or Burton might provide which — at least to us — makes the jacket all that much more desirable. At $330, it’s also an incredibly affordable option which leaves many top-tier companies in the dust. We enjoyed our time pushing the Slope to its limits and although Orsden is a new player in the industry of skiwear, it appears like it’s here to stay.
Disclosure of Material Connection: The Manual received the Slope Jacket for free from Orsden in consideration for a gear review.
