Review: Peak Performance Women's Vertec HIPE 3L Shell Jacket & Pants
Founded in 1986, the Swedish outerwear brand Peak Performance started to gain significant popularity in North America a few years back, particularly in parts of Canada. As they really broke into the North American market and I started to see more of their products in the wild, I found myself wondering what would set them apart from other high-end outerwear brands like Arc’teryx or The North Face.
There’s no doubt that Peak Performance has worked hard in the last few years to cement their place in the ski industry as a top brand, securing a title sponsorship of the FWT and athletes like WeiTien Ho, Max Palm, and Hedvig Wessel on their team. After all, a brand with these accolades has to make top-tier products to support athletes and events of that caliber. But over the last two-ish years specifically, it seems Peak Performance has found quite the unique niche in the industry. Certain products, like their Helium Utility Down Jacket, have gained a kind of gorpcore cult fandom. Further, they’ve broken the age-old stereotype that European outerwear is always fitted and decidedly un-steezy, and instead have created products that have an instant cool factor, elevated by skiers like Palm and Svea Irving.
All signs point to an outerwear kit right up my alley, but I remained skeptical that it was worth the hype until I got my hands on a Vertec HIPE 3L Shell jacket and pants this season. Both pieces of the kit use Peak Performance’s 3L HIPE membrane to keep it breathable and waterproof. The Vertec HIPE kit is geared towards skiers who want one kit for both resort skiing and the backcountry that does it all and has the features to support both.
Peak Performance Vertec HIPE 3L Kit Specs
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Fit: Relaxed fit
- Material: 3L 20k/20k HIPE Membrane
- Women's Colors Available: Black, Sand Fog, Vertical Zenith
Sizing and Fit
At last year’s Gear Week, Max and I were mercilessly ridiculed by the Newschoolers crew for our ski kits being "euro tight." While I dispute that claim, I did want my outerwear to trend towards a baggier fit this year to stay true to my Gen Z roots. I might be old for Gen Z, but whatever. As a result, I got this kit in a size medium for both the jacket and pants. Peak Performance says it fits "true to size" and they would be right. As a 5’5”, 120lb person, a size small in this kit would fit me great, but alas, I prefer a baggier fit and thought their Euro roots would trend it a bit more slim fit so I’d have no issue sizing up.
Mckinley Pillsbury
The jacket fits pretty much exactly how I’d want for a ski jacket to be roomy and a bit baggy, but that’s a preference. A friend of mine who is 5’8” tried it on and it fit her perfectly and with plenty of room for layers underneath. The pants are also perfectly baggy to my liking, but I’m wearing them with an Arcade belt that cinches the waist way down. Again, I am loving the steeze on this kit, but it’s sizing is definitely true and roomy at that. The short of it–if you want a standard "relaxed" fit feel, go true to size. If you want extra steezey, Newschoolers approved steeze, size up.
In the Field
The first day I wore this kit was an unseasonably warm, December day in Jackson Hole. Yet, even with a light puffy underneath the shell, that was likely overkill for the temperatures, the fabric on the Vertec kit proved to be breathable enough to off-gas any extra heat without allowing too much of a breeze through it. Continued testing at my home mountain in the Pacific Northwest brought me to snowy, wet, and rimey conditions. The shell’s fabric continued to be breathable when worn for uphill laps but retained heat and protected nicely from Bachelor’s often windy conditions. It also kept me nice and dry when the snow falling was a little closer to rain or when ice built up on my layers, as it often does on storm days in Oregon.
The Vertec HIPE 3L Shell Jacket had a few handy features that I came to appreciate quickly while wearing it. The chest pocket has a goggle wipe on a leash sewn into the pocket for easy access and without worry of losing the cloth. It also has two generously sized besom-style front pockets with zipper closures, big enough to store a disposable camera, bag of candy, pair of liner gloves, or whatever else you plan to cram in the pockets of your ski jacket. Pit zips, a large helmet-compatible hood, and an RFID pass pocket round out the essential features.
Mckinley Pillsbury
The Vertec Shell Pants aren’t quite as feature-rich, but in some ways, their simplicity is a selling point. They have two large zippered slant pockets on the legs, but nothing else. For some, this might mean they don’t fit the bill for a backcountry pant without a thigh pocket or beacon hard point, but it’s really a matter of preference, They also have a velcro adjustable waist band and belt loops if like me, you sized up enough to require belt too. Inner thigh zippers also allow for extra ventilation when hiking or on warmer days. The gasket cuffs are nice and stretchy with ample room for unbuckled boots underneath.
What Type of Skier is the Vertec Kit Best For?
I’ll be honest, this kit has truly stolen my heart, and not just because it comes with a steezy fit in all black. I was truly impressed with the fabric weight, feeling, and breathability. It feels like it has just enough features without being inundated by them. The Vertec kit is a perfect do-it-all kit for skiers who want high performance outerwear in a variety of conditions for resort skiing, side country, and even backcountry missions. Ski areas like Jackson Hole, Mt. Baker, or Banff Sunshine are where the kit would truly shine, with its versatility as an inbounds kit that can be easily pushed into the backcountry. Those who want to focus on skiing and not whether or not their outerwear is soaking through or durable enough will love this kit for its high quality and simplicity.