You bought a technical jacket in black because it looks professional and hides dirt. But then you're hiking at 10,000 feet on a clear day, the sun is intense, and suddenly you're overheating despite below-freezing air temperature. Meanwhile, your hiking partner in a light gray jacket stays ...

Most buying guides present soft and hard shells as a simple trade-off: soft shells are breathable but leak; hard shells are waterproof but stiff. The truth is more strategic. Research on mountaineering outerwear in extreme conditions shows that the "best" choice depends entirely on your activity ...