I’ve been looking for a well-made, technical hardshell and I’ve finally found one. It’s the Elevated hardshell jacket from Shred Dog and it is a winner. I like it so much that I’m especially happy to be giving away this same women’s jacket today!
First, a little background. I’ve known Shred Dog since 2019 when this direct-to-consumer company launched its technical children’s skiwear line. Shred Dog has since expanded with limited offerings for men and women. This year, they offer both a women’s and men’s hardshell, which come in two colors — fire orange and night blue. Shred Dog also offers an insulating puffy layer for men. This, in addition to the full Shred Dog line for children and youth which includes hardshells, puffys, bib pants, zip-off ski pants (this ski mom’s favorite!), base layers, and fleece. Head-to-ankle, Shred Dog has technical gear for your kids.
Women’s Elevated Hardshell Jacket From Shred Dog
Here are ten reasons why I recommend the Shred Dog Elevated hardshell.
- Superior Waterproofing and Breathability. While hardshells are uninsulated, good ones aren’t made of just one layer of fabric. This shell has a waterproof exterior and a breathable membrane. This means you will stay dry when the day is wet, and when you get hot, the heat you generate can get out. The rating is 20k/20k which is high, and exceeds ratings for many other brands.
- Fully Taped Seams (and I do mean FULLY). Turn a shell inside out and sometimes some of the seams will be taped. But not all of them. Turn the Elevated hardshell inside out and all the seams are taped. Even the branding embroidery is taped. Why is this important? Because it enhances the waterproofing of the jacket, eliminating weak spots and holes where the weather can get in.
- Pit Zips. I’ve seen a lot of women’s ski clothing that doesn’t include pit zips. And I always wonder why. Is the assumption that women don’t work up a sweat? I don’t get it. What I do get is that when testing this jacket over the weekend, I decided to mix it up and wear it cross-country skiing on a cold day. When I got warm, I opened the vents and cooled down appropriately. I love pit zips.
- A Snappy Powder Skirt. I tend to use a powder skirt most of the time, often snapping it on just to get it out of my way. With this powder skirt, I can use it if I want, or stow it away, snapping it behind two nifty panels — one on each side of the zipper. This is a little feature that makes a big difference.
- Good Pockets. Pockets are another feature that sometimes get short-changed in women’s jackets. Not this one. With two roomy exterior slash pockets, a pass pocket, a chest pocket, and an interior stash pocket, the Elevated hardshell can carry a lot of stuff. One more interior pocket would have been nice, but its omission doesn’t dampen my enthusiasm for this hardshell.
- The Right Size Hood. The right size hood for a ski jacket is one that fits over a ski helmet without compressing your head into your neck. Comfort and warmth are key. This adjustable hood is the right size.
- Backside Coverage and Adjustable Wrists. A longer hemline in the back means protection for your backside when riding the lift and skiing. Adjustable wrists mean protection for your hands, keeping snow out and warmth in.
- A Trim Silhouette. We’ve all seen brands that offer women’s clothing which is shaped just like men’s clothing, only a bit smaller. You know — those shapeless, unflattering jackets which make about as much sense for women as “unisex” t-shirts (don’t get me started all of you 5k and 10k run organizers!). The Elevated hardshell was designed in cooperation with Olympian Julia Mancuso — you know — a woman who rips. It is narrow where it needs to be and wider where it needs to be. In other words, it fits.
- Color! I love the bright two-toned color blocking of this jacket in fire orange. It looks fantastic with black ski pants and is a nice change from “regular” red. It caught my eye immediately. The other option is Night Blue, an equally attractive dark solid, tempered with a bit of gray. No color blocking on the Night Blue option, but it is beautiful.
- The Logo. Not a technical feature and not strictly a fashion enhancement, I love the Shred Dog logo, because well…DOG! It’s adorable.
Why A Hardshell Jacket
If you don’t own a hardshell, you may be wondering why you want one. In a word, versatility. A hardshell provides weather protection on warm ski days, when an insulated ski jacket would be too much. Add a puffy insulating layer on colder days and you’re good to go. While I would never wear a hardshell alpine skiing in Colorado during the depths of winter, there are plenty of times when I’m headed out for nordic skiing and the hardshell over a fleece is the perfect combination of weather protection and breathability for a vigorous ski.
Shred Dog Women’s Elevated Hardshell Giveaway and Coupon Code
I’m biased, but the timing seems about perfect for holiday shopping. Use coupon code BSM-25 for 25% off anything on the Shred Dog website.
Additionally, enter today’s giveaway! It’s a quick turnaround random drawing for a Women’s Elevated Hardshell, size Medium! One lucky winner from all eligible entries will win this jacket and I will ship it at the end of this week so you’ll have it before the holidays. I apologize, but I can only ship to US addresses due to postage expenses. Thank you for understanding.
Good luck!
Ski Essentials: Shred Dog’s Elevated Hardshell Jacket, Women’s Size Medium© 2022, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.
Tracy says
I would love a jacket with a hood that fits over my helmet. This would be a great update to my gear.
braveskimom says
I used to scoff at wearing a hood while skiing. Not any more. A hood will really keep you warm!
northpond says
What a comprehesive review on what sounds like a great jacket! I love wearing this weight jacket when X-C skiing as well as the later months – and pit zips are a must!
braveskimom says
Thank you! I think you’d find this jacket works perfectly!
lakelili says
I love the fact that Shred Dog has plus sizes! It is so hard to find great looking skiwear when you don’t fit the preconceived notion of what a skier looks like.
braveskimom says
I must say I am always impressed with Shred Dog! Great company!
Andrea Davis says
Favorite essential is mittens with leashes, so I don’t lose them on the lift! I would like to try Nordic skiing this year, so this jacket would be perfect.
braveskimom says
I love mittens with leashes, too! Good luck!
Shannon says
Thanks for the recs! Always good to get solid recs from a fellow ski mom. Be brave and stay safe!
braveskimom says
Right back at you! Thanks!
Sara says
Been eyeing the kids jackets for a few years too! They look great.
braveskimom says
Definitely use that coupon code: BSM-25!
Emmy Leone says
I am very interested in checking this brand out more. Especially their kids line.
braveskimom says
Definitely worth a look!
Michelle says
In need of a new hardshell – the timing couldn’t be more perfect! 🙂
braveskimom says
Yay! Good luck!
Caroline Leonardo says
Kristen- What a great detailed review and it looks fab on you! I would love the red like yours! The men’s insulator looks like a great deal too.
braveskimom says
The quality is great. I don’t think you would ever be disappointed!
drfsingleton says
Loved your review of this jacket! Pockets are essential and glad to know they are practical and useful. I also like the idea of a powder skirt that can be stowed away, that is pretty nifty. I know what you mean about hardshell jackets that seem to work but not all the seams are sealed. I like the idea that the inner layer is breathable and there are pit zips.
Great review and good to see you out there on the skinny skis. Here’s to hoping some winter storms grace us here in the banana belt (western North Carolina) this year. At least our local ski hill is a wiz at snowmaking!
braveskimom says
Fingers crossed for snow in NC — just for you! Enjoy!
Martha says
I’ve been eyeing hardshells for years bc my brother says I can’t live without one. But guess what? I can. HOWEVER you make a much more compelling argument (not the last anyone is arguing) and if I had one that I liked, he could smugly say “I told you so”. (Plus, it would just make sense for the activities I do.) There are many things about this jacket that appeal and make sense. Bravo!
braveskimom says
Thank you and this sounds like it would make your brother happy too! :0)
Matthew Sawyer says
So nice of you to work with quality vendors and provide the opportunity for someone to win a cool Shred Dog Jacket. If I win – I’ll give this to my Darling Daughter who lives in Michigan.
Happy Holidays to you and all who entered.
braveskimom says
What a lucky daughter you have!
Ian Lummis says
Looks like a great jacket!
braveskimom says
Good luck!
lcorrick says
Favorite ski essentials: silk liners under leather mittens.
Reasons to want the Shred Dog Jacket: Fantastic, gorgeous red! And great pockets, Pit Zips and powder skirt–much more functional than my old spring skiing jacket.
braveskimom says
Silk liners sound great! I need to try them!