The Guardian Shell was already a favorite of ours thanks to 20K/20K waterproof, breathable, windproof Toray Dermizax EV Membrane fabric on its exterior and an interior backing laminated with Ortovox’s Merino wool for ultra-plush comfort. (Fun fact: Ortovox incorporates wool into all of its apparel, putting stock in the material’s all-natural durability and the overall soft, smooth feeling it provides.) Consider that the updated version of the Guardian Shell is 150 grams lighter than its previous iteration, and it’s enough to make you all googly-eyed. Additional tech specs like a helmet-compatible hood, wrist and waist gaiters, zippered underarm ventilation and two large front pockets with enough space to fit skins, snacks or a few beers for the summit make this jacket one of our go-tos for long treks and also the days when we’re unsure of what Mother Nature will bring to the table.