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$gore-tex®$

Details

Designed for the Sidecountry skier who needs ultimate protection across the widest range of climates, the GORE-TEX® soft shell fabric of the Vanguard Jacket™ provides warmth and ultimate protection against wind, deep snow and wet storms.

Avg. Weight (oz./g): 35.7 / 1012 L

Features

Waterproof
Windproof
Breathable
Fully seam taped
Tonal seam treatment
Water-resistant zippers
Fully adjustable, removable and helmet-compatible hood
Double-separating front zipper with internal stormflap
CrossFlo™ chest-to-hip zippers
Zippered 3-D Napoleon pocket with media port
Zippered internal pocket with media port
Integrated RECCO® reflector
Removable powder skirt with LockDown™ technology
Articulated sleeves
Two large inner Shove-It™ pockets
Inner lift pass pocket with drawcord key-clip attachment
Two zippered hand pockets
ThumbDrive™ hook/loop cuff closures
Drawcord hem Fabric- 92% nylon, 8% elastane, 3L GORE-TEX® fleece-backed soft shell body // Tricot knit backer on hood/sleeves

Technology

CrossFlo™ Unprecedented chest-to-hip ventilation that allows for precise temperature regulation and access to inner pockets for stowing skins and goggles without needing to fully unzip jacket.
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$GORE-TEX®$

GORE-TEX® Apparel built with GORE-TEX® is waterproof and breathable, making it perfect for athletic activity in inclement weather.
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LockDown™ The Lockdown™ system is featured on Outdoor Research Sidecountry ski jackets and pants, and is designed to secure each to the other, eliminating the risk of exposure to snow and cold air.
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Recco® Recco® is a two-part avalanche rescue system utilized worldwide to facilitate the rapid location of burials.
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Shove-It™ Interior pockets designed to hold climbing skins, goggles, water bottles and other bulky items you need to keep warm and dry. Shove-It™ pockets have a drawcord closure for security.
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ThumbDrive™ An elegant solution to a common problem, the ThumbDrive™ cuffs featured on select Outdoor Research ski jackets can be used as standard cuff closures or as thumb loops, securing the position of the sleeves and preventing their riding up, eliminating the risk of exposure to snow, cold air and the elements.
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Lab Rat Reviews

Lab Rat Reviews

by PowerReviews

5.0

(based on 1 review)

Reviewed by 1 customer

Displaying review 1

1/11/2013

5.0

Bullet Proof Jacket

By Alpenguy

from North Bend, WA

Pros

Protection
Venting
Warm
Weather proof

Cons

Best Uses

Colder days
In Bounds
SIDECOUNTRY

I've exclusively used the Vanguard as my in-bounds jacket this season. For full disclosure, it was given to me test out. From the moment you put this jacket on, it oozes comfort and serious protection from the elements. It has a ton of good pocket options and small but cool details... I also really like the way it zips up and the way it feels around my neck and chin when the weather gets nasty. It has a lot of good venting which I've needed to use a couple of times when the temps get close to 32 degrees. If there's any downside to this jacket, it is that it can be almost too warm. However, the vents do well alleviating this issue. That, and careful layering under the jacket for the conditions of the day. I've still got a lot of season ahead of me and will continue to test this jacket but so far I've been really stoked with my Vanguard jacket.

Displaying review 1

Lab Rat Q & A

Have questions about this product?

Get answers from Lab Rats and in-house experts with Ask a Labrat.

8 Questions | 10 Answers

Displaying questions 1-8

Q:
While I know the Vanguard is not insulated, does the fleece backing provide a moderate increase in warmth? I was looking for a shell with a little more to it. And of course something that will keep me dry if I end up in freezing rain!
Asked on 12/10/2012 by KiterTodd
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2 answers
- A:
  The answer is yes, this jacket feels like it is very lightly insulated due to the fleece backing. I would say if you're looking for a shell with "a little more to it", this fits the bill in my opinion.
  Answered on 1/11/2013 by Alpenguy from North Bend, WA
- A:
  The general construction of the Vanguard will provide a little extra warmth compared to a traditional shell.
  Answered on 12/11/2012 by CS from Seattle
Q:
I am looking at purchasing the Vanguard or the Axcess jacket but I am having a hard time choosing which one. I like to ski between the trees and find as deep of powder I can find, but I also like groomers too. If I had to say, 70% of my time is in the trees/ 30% on groomers. Why whould I choose one over another? Also, which one would be warmer? I live in Seattle and usually ski at Crystal or Stevens.
Asked on 12/9/2012 by seattle skier
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1 answer
- A:
  If you're located in Seattle you are more than welcome to head down to our Retail Store and check out both jackets to get a better understanding of which jacket would be a better fit for you. The Axcess would be the warmer of the two and other than that it would come down to style and fit of the jackets.
  Answered on 12/11/2012 by CS from Seattle
Q:
I am 5' 8", 155 pounds. 39-40 inch chest, 32/32 sleeve and about 32 inch waist. I don't like my coat too baggy but want enough room to layer under. What size would you recommend?
Asked on 11/25/2012 by seattle skier
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1 answer
- A:
  Size Small should be appropriate.
  Answered on 11/26/2012 by CS from Seattle
Q:
How is the durability of this jacket? I am worried that the outer softshell will easily rip or tear if snagged.
Asked on 11/25/2012 by Nancy the Newbie from Salty City, UT
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1 answer
- A:
  The Vanguard is the more durable of jackets in the Sidecountry line.
  Answered on 11/26/2012 by CS from Seattle
Q:
I also ski and climb in the cascades. I know I'll need a real hard shell. Can I count on this jacket shedding water at the 20k mm H2O level? Why was the softshell material used versus Gore tex pro shell material? Will it really shed rain as well as the pro shell goretex?
Asked on 11/14/2012 by Portland cement shredder from Portland, OR
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1 answer
- A:
  The Vanguard is a 3-Layer Gore Tex fleece backed soft shell, is waterproof and features fully taped seams. The soft shell design was chosen due to style and function and to offer another Gore Tex model in our Sidecountry line.
  Answered on 11/20/2012 by CS from Seattle
Q:
I am a 46 chest, 35 sleeve, and 35 waist. What size best fits....L or XL? Also, is this jacket relax or regular fit? Lastly....what is length front and back?

Thanks!
Chris
Asked on 11/8/2012 by Chris from Nelson, BC
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1 answer
- A:
  I find that I typically go down one size from my normal size in our relaxed fit jackets. Your normal size would typically be an Outdoor Research size XL (46" chest and 37 1/2" sleeve length). The Vanguard Jacket has a relaxed fit with the following dimensions in size LG: chest 50" / sleeve length 37 3/4" (sleeve length is described as center back to center of cuff, straight measurement). Size XL has a chest measurement of 53" and a sleeve length of 38 3/4".
  
  Assuming your sleeve length measurement description is consistent with our sleeve length measurement description, you should fit well in a size LG. If you are looking for a baggy fit check out an XL.
  Answered on 11/12/2012 by Anonymous
Q:
I ski the WA Cascades where the snow days can be real wet. Will the soft shell outer saturate or bead up more like a hard shell?
I'm used to soft shells working in light, intermittent wet conditions rather than steady all day wet.
Asked on 10/11/2012 by old whiner from Lacey, WA
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2 answers
- A:
  This jacket isn't a soft shell in the sense you're thinking of; in fact, jackets made from GORE-TEX Soft Shell are as hard as hard shells come. It's a great material, but a poorly named one. It's essentially GORE-TEX Pro Shell, but with a distinctly smooth outer fabric and a hint of fleeciness on the inside. It doesn't have any stretch to speak of, like a "real" soft shell does. It won't absorb water in wet Cascades dumps, rest assured of that.
  Answered on 11/5/2012 by Mike from Burlington, VT
- A:
  Thanks for your question. All of our soft shells are treated with a Durable Water Replant (DWR) so water will bead off the fabric. The DWR does wear out over time/usage so I'd suggest using a rejuvenator after every season (Nikwax, G-Wash, etc...)
  Answered on 10/12/2012 by jpark cs from Seattle, WA
Q:
does this have pit zips
Asked on 9/13/2012 by rob
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1 answer
- A:
  The Vanguard has CrossFlo chest to hip venting enabling the user to dump heat considerably faster.
  
  Thanks for your question!
  Answered on 9/21/2012 by Outdoor Research CS