Soft shell jackets, made of a spongy, wetsuit-like material, have for years been worn by mountain climbers and skiers. But in many circumstances, I've discovered, they're perfect for travelers. The ...

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Expensive. Can't use the hand pockets with a climbing harness. Like most durable water repellents, it uses carcinogenic perfluorocarbons in the waterproofing process. When it comes to outdoor ...

Buying a jacket for the outdoors can be intimidating. Do you want soft shell or hard shell? Gore-Tex or Gore-Tex Pro? And, most confusing of all: waterproof or water-resistant? In this article, we ...