You know the saying “Look good, feel good?” Well, over at FREESKIER, we like to say, “Look good, ski good,” and that sentiment rings especially true for outerwear kits. Whether it’s a matching set or a jacket and pant pieced together from the same brand, we’re all for styling out your ski kit to be the best looking rider out there—no matter the conditions or your level of expertise.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite outerwear from brands, including Black Crows, Candide, Arc’teryx and 686, that not only meet our specific style qualifications but also deliver on performance. Keep reading for a full rundown of four FREESKIER-approved kits guaranteed to make you fly—or, at least, make you feel like it.
Black Crows Ora Body Map Jacket & Ora Xpore Ripstop Bib (Men’s)
Designed with big-mountain terrain in mind, the Ora Body Map Jacket and Xpore Ripstop Bib from Black Crows utilize ripstop fabric combined with Polartec Alpha Direct insulation in the jacket and an Xpore membrane in the bibs for top-tier performance in insulation as well as breathability. Specifically placed insulation in the body of the jacket ensures warmth when you need it most—namely, sitting on the chairlift—but also allows for hot air to be expelled when you get moving again. YKK zippers on the top and bottom keep moisture from seeping in while two large chest pockets and hand pockets in the jacket and a plethora of chest and thigh pockets in the bib keep all of your accessories in place. A kit that fits the front side but can easily be taken out of bounds, the mountain of possibilities are endless for the Ora jacket and bib.
Candide The C1 Jacket 3L & C1 Pants 3L Bib
A kit fit for the king—AKA Candide Thovex—the C1 Jacket and Pants are Candide’s most technical outerwear pieces. Designed for backcountry riding, the three-layer, seam-sealed shell jacket and pant are the lightest pieces in Candide’s collection but don’t let the weight—or lack thereof—fool you. The C1 jacket and pant can and will stand up to winter’s harshest weather while also helping to regulate core body temperature when the mission starts heating up. What’s even better? The C1 Pants come as a detachable bib and both pieces are available in men’s and women’s sizes, in both navy and tan colorways. Mix and match the colors or rock a full monochrome kit like Candide.
Arc’teryx Sabre AR Jacket & Pant (Men’s)
Did you know the AR in Arc’teryx’s Sabre AR Jacket and Pant stands for all-around? That means this kit is built for backcountry pursuits with big vert but it’s so versatile it can be worn virtually anywhere, in any conditions. Featuring GORE-TEX fabric with an ergonomic design made to move with you, the Sabre AR Jacket and Pant can be considered an all-around heavy hitter in the outerwear category. WaterTight pit zips allow for dumping extra body heat and the Slide’n Loc attachments create a seamless cohesion between the jacket and pant for when conditions warrant a single-unit kit.
686 Women’s GORE-TEX Paclite Jacket & GLCR GORE-TEX Utopia Insulated Pant
When it comes to marrying style and function, it’s hard to beat the offerings from 686. The Women’s GORE-TEX Paclite Jacket is a packable, two-layer GORE-TEX shell that looks just as good at aprés on the deck as it does shredding big lines in the backcountry. A removable Cross Strap System (CSS) makes it easy to dump a layer without ever having to take off your pack—simply slip the sleeves off and carry the jacket via the pack straps on the back. Paired with the GLCR GORE-TEX Utopia pant, which is insulated, this kit will keep you looking cool and feeling good, no matter what Mother Nature decides to provide that day.
