Review: Outdoor Research Cloudchaser 3L Kit

Outdoor Research Cloudchaser 3L Kit Specs

• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL (men's & women's)
• Fit: Relaxed fit
• Material: Pertex® Shield 3L 
• Men'sColors Available: Aurora/Black, Lingonberry, Atlantic, Black
• Women's Colors Available: Summit, Oyster/Sable, Rainforest, Lingonberry

Sizing and Fit

In the past, finding extremely breathable and stretchy backcountry ski apparel has historically led me to tight fitting "Euro-style" apparel, and Outdoor Research seems to have taken notice and bucked that trend with the new Cloudchaser Kit.

Both the jacket and bibs fall onto the roomy side of the spectrum, though I'm sure most members of newschoolers.com would not call them baggy. We're not talking XXXL Tall-T baggy, but let's say they fall squarely into the "modern freeride" fit paradigm.

I'm 6'0" 195lbs, and opted for the XL, as I most often do with brands like Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Mountain Hardwear, The North Face, or the like. I would say that it fits true to size, and resulted in the roomy fit I was looking for, with plenty of room for layers underneath and no constrictions anywhere.

In The Field

Backcountry ski touring can be quite demanding on your equipment, most of all outerwear. If you're going powder ski touring, odds are you'll be skinning uphill in a storm, managing moisture both on the inside and out. Depending on whether you live in cold, dry climate (like I do in the Tetons), or a much wetter and warmer environ (like the PNW), your choice of gear will differ. Many backcountry skiers in drier climates opt for more breathable softshell kits, while those who ski in heavy, wet snow will often go for the heaviest-duty waterproofing available. The new Cloudchaser 3L jacket and bibs might split that difference better than any other kit I've tried.

With the much-hyped release of Gore-Tex's new PFAS-free ePe membrane last year, I'd forgive you for forgetting about all the other waterproof/breathable fabrics out there. For the Cloudchaser kit, OR chose to build both the jacket and bibs from Pertex Shield 3L, one of the most storm-proof softshell fabrics out there. Good choice, in my opinion. It's stretchy, moves with you in all directions, and keeps you pretty damn dry.

The jacket is built with features found in most freeride jackets: a powder skirt, an oversized hood, zippered pit vents, inside drop pockets for skins, and a simple three-pocket layout on the exterior. Despite it being marketed as a "backcountry" kit, I'm stoked there's still a zippered lift pass sleeve on the left wrist.

On the bibs, the pocket layout is similarly well thought out, with two symmetrical bib pockets, plus two thigh pockets, a of which come with a sewn anchor point for an avalanche beacon. In my opinion, these pockets could be a little higher on the thigh, but that's just personal preference. Both legs feature zippered outside vents that open fully (no mesh)–the right leg zipper opens all the way to the bib to function as a bathroom flap. The back of the bibs also features a much more breathable mesh right where a backpack would hit, helping to alleviate that dreaded lower-back wet spot.

From a breathability standpoint, the Pertex Shielf 3L beats Gore-Tex hands down, even with a baggier fit. Most waterproof/breathable membranes work better the closer they are to your skin (more vapor pressure and less distance for moisture/vapor to cover that way), but this one still wins. However, it's not quite as waterproof as something like Gore-Tex Pro–so if you ski in the rain, or want something to just absolutely delete the elements from your experience, it might not be the best choice. For most high-output ski touring days, especially in drier climates, the Pertex Shield 3L fabric is an excellent option.

While I love the construction, fit, and features of the jacket and bibs, the one major drawback I found is that the jacket is not particularly compressible or packable. I spend a lot of time touring uphill in a baselayer or midlayer, with my shell stuffed inside my backpack. The Cloudchaser 3L is less compressible than most backcountry-oriented hardshell jackets I've worn. It's also quite a bit heavier. Perhaps a removable powder skirt could help remedy this? Given the fact that it's an extremely breathable softshell jacket that will likely stay on while uphilling, that's not a deal-breaker, but it's worth noting.

What Type Of Skier Is The OR Cloudchaser Kit Best For?

If you're a diehard backcountry freeride skier who's looking for softshell performance with a modern (read: not-tight) fit, and prefers long days on the skintrack to riding chairlifts, Outdoor Research's new limited-edition Cloudchaser 3L kit is for you. This is the answer for those of us looking for that perfect in-between kit for high-output days without looking like a skimo athlete.

It comes in a variety of colors, a stylishly baggy freeride fit, and has the right amount of pockets, vents, and other features (not too many!) to keep things minimalistic for big days in the snow.