To some people, weekends in the winter mean sleeping late, cozying up with a blanket, and lazing the day away on the couch. But you’re less about binge-watching and sleeping in and more about sunrise coffee and bump runs. So instead of a blanket, we’re going to recommend that you slide into mountain ready snow gear from Wildhorn Outfitters… and here’s why.
A Little About Wildhorn Outfitters…
While Wildhorn Outfitters isn’t by any means the new kid on the block, we know that for some of you, this is still a bit of an introductory course to the brand. So grab a snack, your notebook and buckle up because we’re about to get in our daily dose of virtual learning.
Founded in 2015, Wildhorn Outfitters is part of the new breed of outdoor brands bent on shaking up the existing industry paradigms. The premise is simple: Make gear that is unique, affordable and accessible. Do good and invest a portion of your revenues into preserving wild spaces for generations to come.
In essence, its the type of foundational ideology we’d love all of favorite outdoor brands to embrace.
Featuring a combination of mountain savvy style and resort-worthy tech, Wildhorn Outfitters has everything you need to energize your winter kit. Which is why the brand is an official supplier of helmets, goggles and gloves to the US Ski and Snowboard Teams.
On Performance & Design…
We all know that a long day on the snow isn’t complete without a trusty shell, and the Dover and Frontera jackets step right in as a high-performing go-to for those who get out early and often. In these performance driven jackets, Wildhorn Outfitters set out to achieve the pinnacle piece for all-weather protection, equally at home earning turns or riding free refills at the resort.
We’ve spent the past several months riding hard with these jackets at resorts across Northern California and Utah. After all that time, we feel confident in saying these jackets are set to become a favored option by powder hounds everywhere based on their big performance, rugged waterproofing and sleek styling.
Truth be told, the Dover and Frontera are winners simply because of the outer shell alone. Outfit with a 12k waterproof rating and DuPont DWR coating you’ll keep dry on the deepest days, while the 2-way stretch performance construction makes every slash of powder effortless. But Wildhorn Outfitters also added a laundry list of thoughtful features to optimize the Dover and Frontera’s performance in the backcountry.
Consider these jackets fully pow-day prepared with an array of adjustments, pockets and water proof zippers so you can batten down the hatches when it really starts dumping. And when you find that deep, untouched snow, the powder skirt prevents all those fresh flakes from finding their way into your jacket and wetting your layers.
A light dose of insulation keeps you cozy warm while avoiding that dreaded Stay-Puft Marshmallow look. All the while, an ergonomic helmet compatible design offers a full range of motion and vision in and out of bounds.
If the day turns to bluebird and starts to heat up, generous underarm vents efficiently dump excess heat, meaning you don’t have to stop shredding to shed a layer.
One of our favorite features on these jackets is the easy access sleeve pass pocket. Listen, COVID may have thinned out some of the crowds at your favorite resort, but what’s true is that nobody wants to be the gaper who slows the lift line because they can’t scan their ski pass. Wildhorn’s easy access sleeve pass pocket makes life easy and your day on the slopes far more convenient.
And did we mention these jackets feature the most comfortable integrated thumbhole cuffs we’ve ever worn?
Despite all these features, what truly won us over with the Dover and Frontera Jackets is a clean aesthetic that’s still built for active comfort. Spend any time on the slopes, and it feels as though most resort ready gear is in an unspoken competition to win first place in the “can-you-see-me-now” contest. Truth be told, we prefer how the Dover and Frontera opt for a subtle yet savvy style that’s set to see you through both active and casual pursuits alike.
Now, when you have a jacket this good, you’re going to need a rockstar pant to match – enter the Bowman and Kessler. Featuring a rugged oxford weave, classic chino-esque styling, and modern relaxed fit these pants offer a casual, skate-inspired style.
The articulated 360° fit and feel of the Bowman and Kessler snow pant enables you to seek out the fresh stashes in comfort. Ergonomically designed for any type of skier or snowboarder, the articulated fit gives you easier and more fluid movement for bump runs and tight tree lines.
The 100% zoned warmth insulated liner features Wildhorn’s signature Wasatch camo print showcasing some of the design crews favorite local mountain peaks. The integrated inseam vents with breathable mesh gussets create a heat-release cool down for when the sun comes out. Whether you’re trekking the backcountry or making inbound runs our gripper elastic gaiters keep the soft powder out of your pants.
Outfitted with the same 12k waterproof rating and DuPont DWR coating as the Dover and Frontera, these performance insulated shells will keep you dry when conditions are deep. For added protection on those slushier days, all the critical seams are fully sealed ensuring your baselayers never suffer from winter intrusion.
Notes from the Field…
At the end of the day, the highest endorsement we can offer any brand, isn’t so much our gumption seal of approval — but rather the expenditure of our own consumer dollars. And what’s true is that in the middle of testing the gear provided by Wildhorn Outfitters, we jumped online and ordered more for family members. And it won’t be our last purchase either.
We’ve owned and tested gear from Helly Hansen, 686 and Patagonia — and while those are all exceptional brands with stellar products the Dover, Frontera, Bowman and Kessler cost significantly less, offer a solid fit and still provide many – if not all – the features of those other brands. Moreover, the 12K waterproof rating offered by Wildhorn Outfitters is better than what is offered on some Oakley, Volcom and 686 pants we’ve tried.
Our only qualms with the gear is as follows:
(1) You’ll need to pay extra attention to the sizing to ensure you get the perfect fit. For example our male tester that usually wears an XL jacket is a size L in the Dover. And while you have to pay a little more attention to the sizing, the tradeoff can prove to be a more streamlined fit;
(2) The only waistline adjustment on the Bownman and Kessler pant is a quick release stretch belt. While the stretch belt is an okay feature, it’s the one spot on all the gear that we feel needs a definitive upgrade. We believe both pants would benefit from an ability to adjust the actual waistline of the pants for a broader range of fit.
As an aside, if after reading this review, you decide to update your winter arsenal with Wildhorn Outfitters, then you might as well go all the way with their Pipeline Goggles. While these goggles aren’t the focus of this review, it would be a mistake to not mention them considering the are hands down some of the best we’ve ever worn.
Featuring the brand’s Aurora Lens Tech platform you get undistorted, maximum visibility and 100% UV protection. With a massive field of view, quick changing magnetic lenses and loads of style – trust us when we say you’ll likely upgrade the entire family’s goggle game.
Bottom Line…
With ski-specific features that eliminate any hesitation on the drop-in, Wildhorn Outfitters has your ticket to confidently tackling a season full of steep chutes. With a massive array of dependable features at an incredibly affordable price point, it looks like it’s time to upgrade your slope side wardrobe.