RailRiders WeatherTop

I primarily use this for backcountry skiing. It is great for those early and late season days when it's way too warm to wear your winter coat.

This is a remake of an old RailRiders layer brought back with some new improvements. It's a very unique piece, a soft-shell-ish pullover that does a decent job of keeping out water and an excellent job of keeping out wind. I got one for christmas last year and used it sporadically for the rest of the winter.

The best use I found for this top is backcountry skiing (and, I imagine, nordic skiing as well). The best part about it is its ventilation. When opened, the venting system cools you off very effectively, and when closed, the thick nylon outer layer does a good job of trapping heat in.

I tend to get very warm while going up and very cold while going down. The Weathertop is perfect, because it has chest zips, pit zips, and a back cape vent so you can open them all up while climbing. I hate stopping to change layers, and this way you can stay comfortable without taking a layer-stop. Then, when you reach your destination, you can rip off your skins, zip up your vents, and ski down comfortably.

Another great feature, for skiing and also for cold-weather fishing, is that it has shoulder gussets. I hate when a lack of arm space inhibits your ability to move both arms at will - a must when casting a fly rod - and the extra gusset on the shoulder allows you to do any crazy aerobic activity without being limited by your jacket. Plus, like everything with RailRiders, it is functional as well as bombproof.

The downside is that it is not 100% waterproof and it has no hood, so in a heavy rain/snow it would not be very useful. I have used it on days when it is lightly snowing and not experienced any issues, and it survives powder splash fine, but I wouldn't wear it over a true rainjacket or winter shell if it's coming down.

Overall, this won't replace your winter jacket or your rain jacket. But it will outperform both during those pesky in-between seasons when neither gets it done. Definitely a worthwhile piece for someone who is outside year-round and needs a variety of options as their outer layer.

[I am a current RailRiders employee but a longtime wearer. I was not an employee when I received and tested this piece]

This is my preferred outer layer for shoulder season mountain biking. It cuts the wind when I need it to and vents when I want it to. I am never worried about abusing it hitting branches because it's so burly, yet it is light enough that I'm not bothered while wearing it.

I love this jacket. I'm a hardcore proponent of windshirts as a layer of just about any system and this is a valuable one in my quiver any time I am doing something that mind find me scraping against branches or other abrasive surfaces.

For mountain biking, longboarding, and off-trail time in the woods this is a great layer because it is tough enough that I don't need to think about protecting it, it's light enough that I don't have to fret about bringing it or not, and it has ventilation that makes it downright civil in comparison with other tough outer layers.  

The fit is great with ample but not excessive space. The high collar offers good protection when desired but is never constricting. It can fit over a layer and is light enough that it can also slip under a heavier jacket or shell when necessary. With the venting features it's a jacket you might never take off.  

This isn't a layer that keeps me warm without any excess insulation. It's for protection from the elements when on the move. For this it does a darn good job at totally cutting wind and shedding light rain. In winter, snow flies right off of it and keeps me dry and warm.

Disclosure: The reviewer is a member of the brand's Team RailRiders.

A highly durable, comfortable, pullover that does not restrict arm movements.

I wore this piece every day for a 7-day fly fishing excursion in the Amur River Basin of the Khentii Province in Mongolia. It was great in the mid-October cold weather and wind of the Mongolian Steppe and Mongolia Siberia where we ended up.

We were fly fishing with large rods and heavy streamers which requires high arm motion double haul casting. The casting motion never felt restricted and kept me comfortable and protected from the weather.

Disclosure: The reviewer is a member of the brand's Team RailRiders.