Mountain apparel company, Outdoor Research (OR), was born out of necessity. In 1980, late founder Ron Gregg and a climbing partner failed an attempt to reach the summit of Denali. Inadequate gear—causing frostbite—was the major culprit in the unsuccessful climb. Immediately following the mishap, Gregg, a physicist by trade, committed his time to developing adventure equipment. The ensuing products, created under the Outdoor Research umbrella, included many “firsts” such as insulated mountaineering gaiters, modular mittens with removable liners and a slew of outdoor accessories that we take for granted nowadays.
Marked by inspired, yet simple and functional construction, Outdoor Research gear has been a mainstay in the outdoor community since its inception—heading into winter 2020, the mantra rings true. Championed by the Hemispheres Kit for men and women, a stretchy, GORE-TEX combo made to adapt to the fluid movements of freeride skiing, OR’s lineup of outerwear is more flexible and comfortable than ever.
Hemispheres Jacket
Buy Now (Men’s) — $599
Buy Now (Women’s) — $599
The Hemispheres Jacket, designed with ski touring and freeride skiing in mind, offers another “first” from Outdoor Research. Here, unique stretch-woven GORE-TEX fabric lines the hood, back panel and underarms, ensuring a flexible, comfortable feel, even when you’re crouched in an athletic position on the downhill or outstretched while climbing toward your objective. Vertical zippers on both sides of the jacket’s torso provide big opportunities for ventilation—far better than many hard-to-access underarm vents—and three pockets leave enough room for smaller items you want to keep handy. Made in collaboration with the professional athletes on OR’s roster, this jacket is a tried-and-true workhorse for the most enduring ski missions and powder-laden adventures.
Hemispheres Bib
Buy Now (Men’s) — $599
Buy Now (Women’s) — $599
Designed in collaboration with the athlete team at Outdoor Research, the Hemispheres Bib is the ideal complement to its upper body counterpart. Utilizing the same GORE-TEX stretch fabric along the back panel, hips and inner thighs, the bib promotes ease of movement while you’re striding, boot-packing or skiing. Other thoughtful features include dedicated beacon pocket on the thigh, oversized outer-thigh vents, reinforced cuffs along the ankles, as well as thoughtful inner gaiters with a “power strap slot” that allows you to crank down on your boot’s ankle strap while simultaneously cinching the gaiter in place. Finally, but possibly of most importance, the Hemispheres Bib offers a full-zip drop seat for “when nature calls.”
