Channel Jacket

Pearl Izumi Channel Jacket
With April showers fast approaching, the Channel Jacket ($200; www.pearlizumi.com) is this season's essential. First in its wet-weather class, the new 11-ounce jacket is the latest offspring in Pearl Izumi's fraternity of eVENT apparel. In 2001 Pearl Izumi introduced the world to eVENT, a fabric that's lightweight, waterproof, and most importantly, wicks away perspiration before it can saturate clothing. The Channel offers not only unsurpassed breathability, but also a durable resistance to oil with its oleophobic fabric (your sweat contains oil, which builds up and begins to clog most laminated jackets). And for insomniac athletes, the Channel's reflective piping will keep you conspicuous and safe at night.
Best Use: Its good fit and oleophobic fabric make the Channel a must for the sweatiest of pursuits like running and biking.

Phantom Anorak

Mountain Hardwear Phantom Anorak
Following in the footsteps of the Phantom Down Jacket, its wintered relative, the Phantom Anorak ($95; www.mountainhardwear.com) comes for the first time to Mountain Hardwear's spring line. The lightweight, windproof parka is, as its name purports, ghoulishly ethereal. Weighing in at only three ounces, it compacts down to the size of a cell phone (though with better service on the trail). The jacket's deep front zipper adds ventilation as needed and a cord cinches at the waist for a snug fit and added draft exclusion. Mountain Hardwear originally introduced its 15-denier (a measurement denoting the weight of a continuous filament fiber) ripstop fabric in the shell of their down sleeping bags, but found the super-light fabric worthy of active pursuits beyond catching Z's. Be warned, however, something this light can only offer an edge of water protection—those commonly caught in a South Asian monsoon or Pac Northwestern downpour would do well do opt for extra coverage of a piece like Helly Hansen's Kiel Jacket ($140; www.hellyhansen.com), specifically designed for aquatic enthusiasts.
Best Use: The Phantom Anorak's relatively nonexistent weight makes it the perfect last-minute extra to toss in your pack or pocket for modest day hikes.

Photon Jacket

Outdoor Research Photon Jacket
The Photon's ($90; www.orgear.com) 5.5-ounce mass is straight out of the Isaac Newton playbook of "less is more." It offers articulated shoulders (meaning more room to lift your arms without taking the whole jacket with them), dual pulls for the waistband, and a Napoleon pocket that doubles as a stuffsack—with plenty of room for energy food and a digital camera when you're on the go. Mesh underarms increase the ventilation and a WickLine-lined collar is ergonomically cut for added comfort. Made with ultra-light Shadowbox fabric, you will trade some abrasion durability for that weight-saving wispiness.
Best Use: An optimal emergency shell for non-contact aerobic sports like running, trekking, and cycling.

Elite Jacket

Lowe Alpine Elite Jacket
Need to just vent? Hit the ground running with Lowe Alpine's 21-ounce Elite Jacket ($365; www.lowealpine.com). Quickly following Pearl Izumi, Lowe Alpine developed its own line of eVENT apparel, manufacturing gear with maximum breathability. The swivel hood, brushed chin guard, and water-shedding seamless shoulders put this jacket in the highest weatherproof category, and its gumdrop zippers are so accessible—even with bulky gloves—that it's as cold-weather friendly as it is climate effective. A pair of external mesh-lined pockets and two secure internal pockets offer plenty of packing space, and packs will rest comfortably on those seamless shoulders.
Best Use: Take this one on the slopes and off into the backcountry—it can handle it all.

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