All winter we’ve been bringing you some of the best winter gear on the planet, but we’ve yet to detail our picks when it comes to winter apparel. Today, however, that’s all about to change, as we’ve got a look at some of the greatest skiwear mankind has ever seen. It comes from a little company by the name of Spyder, a brand that has become synonymous with greatness in the ski world.
Founded in 1978 by David Jacobs, former star and later head coach of the Canadian National Ski Team, Spyder burst onto the market in 1978, unveiling a padded slalom sweater designed “for racing, by racers.” Since then, Spyder has dominated race circuits across the globe, reaching the Olympic podium more than 20 times and becoming the gear of choice for the U.S. Alpine, Canadian Alpine, and Jamaican World Cup Ski Teams. Now based in Boulder, Colorado, Spyder is the largest ski-specialty brand in the world, and their skiwear is without question the best in the business.
I own a variety of products from Spyder, and to be honest, you can’t go wrong with anything they offer. But in an effort to help you narrow down your skiwear choices, here are our top picks for both men and women, all-mountain use.
Men’s Monterosa Jacket ($599)
When it comes to gear for men, I love the Monterosa Jacket, for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it’s breathable. Thanks to what Spyder calls OSMO technology, the Monterosa delivers the highest breathability on the market, with a rating of 20k/30k in waterproof/breathability. Inside, PrimaLoft One insulation does a fantastic job keeping you warm, while X-STATIC silver fiber technology helps keep your body temps regulated during intense runs (and also provides exceptional anti-microbial protection). And of course, from a style standpoint, the Monterosa jacket looks great, with my personal preference being the Volcano Red option (there’s also a black verision and a white version). As for other features of the Spyder Monterosa, here’s a more complete rundown:
- 360° Stretch Polyester with X-Static® 20k/30k Laminate
- Stretch Polyester Woven Lining with Custom Legend Embossed Pattern
- PrimaLoft® One (60g) Insulation
- 2 Way Center Front Zippers
- Abrasion Resistant Overlay by Bemis®
- Adjusable Cuffs
- Back Storage Pocket
- Brushed Microfiber Inner Collar
- Custom Chamois Lens Wipe on Shock Cord
- Drawcord Hem
- Engineered Stretch Interior
- Fully Seam Taped
- Internal Pass Pocket
- Internal Zippered Electronics Pocket with Cord Loop
- Laser Cut and Welded Construction Seams and Details
- Left Sleeve Data Card Pocket
- Mesh Goggle Pocket
- Molded Construction Details
- Recco® Avalanche Rescue System
- Removable Heavy Weather Hoods
- Ventilation System
- Welded Waterproof Zippers with Gaskets
- Zip-out Stretch Powder Skirt with Custom Snaps and Gripper Elastic
Men’s Davos Pant ($399)
Paired with the Spyder Monterosa jacket, the Davos pant is the perfect way to keep you protected from the elements. The Davos features almost identical technology in terms of insulation and construction, with highlights including OSMO technology rated at 20k/30k in waterproof/breathability , X-STATIC silver fiber technology to regulate body temperature, and PrimaLoft One insulation to keep you warm when the cooler temps hit. The Spyder Davos full list of features include:
- 360° Stretch Polyester with X-Static® 20k/30k Laminate
- Stretch Polyester Woven Lining
- PrimaLoft® Sport (40g)
- Abrasion Resistant Overlay by Bemis®
- Adjustable Waist with Stretch Gusset
- Cuff Anchors
- Custom Spyder Logos, Hardware and Zipper Pulls”
- Full Seam Taped
- Inner Snow Cuffs with Logo Jacquard Gripper Elastic
- Laser Cut and Welded Construction Details
- Lower Leg Zippers
- Multiple Pockets
- Recco® Avalanche Rescue System
- Removable High Back Suspenders with Mesh Insert
- Scuff Guards
- Ventilation Zippers
- Waterproof Zippers
Women’s Zermatt Jacket ($499)
For the women, our choice has to be the Zermatt jacket, an incredibly good-looking jacket boasting the best winter apparel technology in the business. As with the men’s gear, the women’s Zermatt features OSMO fabric technology delivering the highest breathability on the market (rated at 20k/30k in waterproof/breathability tests). Inside, X-STATIC silver fiber technology again helps regulate body temperature and dissipates static electricity, while PrimaLoft® One insulation is super soft and provides ample warming in the cooler temperatures. Additional features of the Sypder Zermatt jacket include:
- 360° Stretch Polyester with X-Static® 20k/30k Laminate
- Silver Flax Abrasion Overlay Tape
- Custom Spyder Knit Jacquard
- PrimaLoft® One (60g)
- 2 way zipper at center front
- Adjustable cuffs with gussets for glove room
- Anti-Counterfeit Spyder Authenticity Label
- Cozy micro fiber inner collar that detaches to launder
- Custom Spyder logos, hardware and zipper pulls
- Drawcord adjustable hem
- Fully seam taped
- Internal lip care pocket
- Internal mesh goggle pocket
- Internal zip pocket
- Laser cut and welded construction details
- Left sleeve waterproof data card pocket with custom chamois lens wipe
- Removable heavy weather hood
- Snap back feature holds powder skirt away when not in use
- Stretch inner cuffs with thumbholes
- Underarm ventilation system
- Waterproof hand pocket zippers with key clasp inside
- Zip-out stretch powder skirt with custom snaps and gripper elastic.
- Zippered chest pocket
Women’s Davos Pant ($299)
Complimenting the Zermatt jacket, we again chose the Davos pant – this time the women’s variant. Several members of our staff use and love the Davos, with much of their praise stemming from the Davos’ fit. Featuring what Spyder calls an Athletic Fit, there’s the perfect amount of room in the waist, hips and thighs for female athletes, and our staffers all adore them. In addition to their superior fit, other highlights of the women’s Davos include OSMO fabric technology for superb breathability, PrimaLoft Sport insulation to keep you warm, and X-STATIC silver fiber technology to regulate body temperature. More features of the Spyder Women’s Davos Pant include:
- 360° Stretch Polyester with X-Static® 20k/30k Laminate
- Stretch Polyester Woven Lining
- PrimaLoft® Sport (40g)
- Anti-Counterfeit Spyder Authenticity Label
- Custom Spyder logos, hardware and zipper pulls
- Fully seam taped
- Hand pocket zippers
- Hem gusset under the zipper keeps you extra dry
- Hem zippers make it easier to put your boots on
- Inner snow cuffs with gripper elastic and cuff anchors ensure protection from moisture
- Lower leg stash pocket
- Removable stretch suspenders
For more information on any of the Spyder all-mountain gear we’ve told you and to view the rest of the current collection, head over to the official Spyder website for the full details and ordering info.
