The fabric revolution marches on and, with all the attendant technical mumbo-jumbo, it seems the savvy consumer needs more than just greenbacks to make good on a trip to their nearest outdoor-gear store. But if those stands of jackets and shells and shirts make your head swim, just breathe deeply and think, It's only clothing.

If that doesn't do it for you, you'd better bean up on our little red book of handy reviews—all jackets are not created equal, comrades, and a base layer by any other name (no matter how funky the moniker) will not perform the same. Yes, it's a world of acronyms and jazzy marketing-speak, but step into the welter of choices safe in the knowledge that our virtual coat rack's got you covered.

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