One shell for the entire snowboard season. That’s right. I said it. Some people like having a closet full of gear. A different jacket for every condition, temperature, and type of day on the mountain. I’m not one of those people. I only want one outerwear setup for the entire snowboard season. I hate packing or thinking too much when getting ready so this takes one more decision off the table. And that means one jacket that works whether I’m storm riding, bluebird days, spring sunshine, or frigid cold. Location can’t matter either. It still needs to be the same jacket inbounds or in the backcountry. That might sound unrealistic because it did to me when I first thought about it. Especially when temperatures can swing from 60-degree spring laps to –10-degree Wyoming powder days. But this season, I found a shell that handled it all: the Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket – Women’s Team Gore‑Tex 3L Shell.
Why a Shell Works for Every Condition
At first you might think, a shell with no insulation is not the most versatile choice. It’s like those people that insist on wearing shorts or flipflops year-round. I don’t understand them. But this is different (at least in my head). The no insulation feature is exactly why this does work. It’s all about layering and controlling your own warmth destiny. And big shocker here… I like to be in control.
Laboring over my outer layer as the alarm goes off is not what I want. I want that piece of gear to work in every situation. Then I adjust my base and mid-layers depending on the conditions and voila! One jacket – every scenario. Cold storm day? Add insulation. Spring riding? Strip it down. Your outer shell stays the same, which makes packing easier and ensures the most expensive layer in your kit works for it all. That’s probably everything you wanted to know, but keep reading if you want to full scoop behind my one jacket madness.
The OR Women’s Hemispheres Team Gore-Tex 3L Jacket Specs
Before I state my case for the one-jacket idea, here’s the official specs for this OR shell.
- Gore-Tex C-Knit 3L construction
- Waterproof rating: >28,000 mm (Gore-Tex)
- Breathability: >20,000 g/m2/24hr
- Weight: 15.9 oz
- Fully taped seams
- Highly articulated for mobility
- Price: $655
- Buy from: Backcountry.com | REI | EVO
What Stands Out About the Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket
A Longer Fit that Works for Snowboarding
One of the first things I noticed was the length. I’m not a tall gal but I carry my height in my torso so length matters. This jacket sits slightly longer, which means it doesn’t ride up when you squat, move, or ride aggressively. Plus, as a gal with a little extra in the trunk, I need the length to keep things even from the front to the back. The extra length also makes layering easier without the jacket feeling short around the waist. After I stack a base layer, vest, half-zip, and a puffy under there (and yes, Wyoming made me do that), I still expect the jacket to sit in the same place across my hips. And this one does.
Cuffs that Work With Any Glove Setup
Gloves are one accessory that I do have lots of options for. That has a lot to do with if I’m on a travel assignment with photography gear or just enjoying laps at our local resort. Sometimes I want a mitten or 3-finger glove/mitten combo. Other times I just want gloves with real fingers. And then there’s the choice of does the glove go under the jacket cuff or over. This OR shell doesn’t make your glove choice for you. The cuffs are roomy enough to go over gloves, but they can also cinch tight if you prefer running them inside your glove cuffs. I wore this jacket both ways this winter depending on how cold it was and if I had to keep taking my gloves on and off for photos. It’s a small feature, but it adds flexibility depending on how you like to run your hand situation.
A Helmet Hood that Doesn’t Limit Movement
Helmet-compatible hoods are on most jackets today, but when’s the last time you used it and could actually see and move like a human and not a half blind robot? This shell knows how to wear like a hood without taking away your natural movements. It fits comfortably over a helmet while still allowing good peripheral vision and natural neck movement, so you don’t feel restricted when turning your head. You could go an entire season without ever needing the hood, but that one day you do, you’ll praise the snow gods it was there. I had one very cold and snowy Wyoming day that this hood was called up for duty and answered my pleas for help like a champ.
My Issue with the Powder Skirt
My whole one-jacket mantra goes for location as much for weather. I’m not a fan of having separate gear for resort riding and backcountry ski days. Quality gear is expensive, and I just don’t want an overstuffed bag or a bled-dry wallet. I like one setup that works everywhere. I can’t state that enough. And that’s why I’m not a big powder skirt person. Yes, many jackets today have powder skirts that you can unzip and remove, but it still leaves behind extra weight and material for the zipper attachment. Powder skirts add bulk, and for a lot of women (especially those of us curvy gals), they tend to ride up and never really do their job anyway. Curves and elastic bands don’t function well together unless you stand still… forever. My bib pants handle snow protection just fine, so skipping the powder skirt keeps things simpler, lighter, and just more comfortable.
Function First… But This One Looks Good Too
I’m a big believer in function over beauty when it comes to gear. But this jacket manages both. Outdoor Research put out a design for this Hemispheres Team jacket that serves its functional meal and beauty cake too. The cut gives you room to move without looking boxy. And unlike some hardshells, it doesn’t make that loud crinkly sound every time you move. I really hate when you announce to all of Mother Nature that you’re coming. Because you’re so loud! It’s a true hardshell, just without the “hard” feeling. That’s thanks to the Gore-Tex C-Knit technology.
Lightweight Protection
Even though this shell is lightweight, it still delivers where it matters most: protection from the elements. I put it to the test in Lake Tahoe, Idaho, and Wyoming this season, and it flawlessly blocked wind, handled storms, let me breathe, and still felt comfortable enough to wear all day, even off the slopes. That’s exactly what I want from my outermost layer between me and the mountain.
Sizing for Layers (and Camera Gear)
Us ladies never like to talk about sizes, but what’s the point of having a great piece of gear if it’s the wrong size! Normally I’d choose a medium based on my measurements and what OR says on their website, but I went with a large for this jacket. A couple of reasons for that size up. First, I never want to be at the top of a sizing range. That makes me uncomfortable that it will feel tight and restrict my movements. Most importantly though is the extra space allows me to stack layers when temperatures drop. Odds are I’ll be riding a lot more days in the 20’s than in the 60’s. It also gives me room for a full-size camera on a chest harness during photo shoots. That may sound very specific that you think doesn’t apply to you, but it you wanted to carry your phone, snacks, a GoPro, or even take off a layer, the extra space is nice. And even when I’m not layering heavily, the jacket is cut to flatter you, not box you out and look like a trash bag.
What I’d Change
No piece of gear is perfect, and there are a couple small tweaks I wouldn’t mind seeing. My top two wants…
- More bright colors
- Two chest pockets instead of one
I just like color. Lots of color. So I’ll always ask for more colors. Now for the pockets. Sometimes it’s more comfortable to carry items higher on the chest, especially when bending over or riding low while snowboarding. This Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket has three outer pockets – one at the chest and two mid/lower body. The mid/lower pockets run the full length of the shell, top to bottom, which would be useful in backcountry ski jacket scenarios with layers or skins, but I still wish there were two upper chest pockets as an option.
It’s a Good Time to Pick One Up
If this shell sounds like your style of setup, now is actually a great time to grab one. Spring is when snow gear sales start showing up, which means you can score premium gear like this Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket at a discount and stash it for next season. And the faster you go after the spring sales, the more size and color options you’ll have. I know it’s hard to think about next season, but you’ll thank yourself next winter if you do.
What Makes a Single Jacket Work All Season
If you like having a different jacket for every condition, that system works for a lot of people. But if you prefer one reliable shell that can handle an entire snowboard season, this jacket does exactly that.
If I’m going to rely on one shell all winter, it has to hit a pretty high bar. It must be completely windproof and waterproof, but still flexible enough to move naturally when I’m carving or setting up for a shot. It has to be lightweight with no bulk. That means no extra pockets, zippers, or fabric bunching up where it shouldn’t. And, of course, it can’t be stiff or make horrible crinkle noises like you’re wearing a bag of chips. If I’m wearing the same jacket for the entire season, I need to actually love being in it, no matter the weather or situation.
