REVIEW: Orsden Slope Jacket
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Orsden is new on the scene and we had a chance to test out their debut Slope Jacket. The name “Orsden” comes from a French mythological snow bear. “Our mythical snow bear possesses a unique combination of toughness and playfulness and it’s that spirit that inspires Orsden.” Their minimalist designs are all about staying comfortable and warm while providing the flexibility needed to hit the slopes with no restrictions. Through the process of intense testing over three continents, the shock of price tags on current premium skiwear, and uninterested in outdated skiwear designs, Orsden strives to bring their consumers more flattering and affordable premium skiwear.
Functionality (5) ★★★★★
The Slope Jacket is both waterproof and comfortable, allowing you to layer up or down depending on the weather, without worrying about anything getting wet. I found that it had plenty of pockets (5 to be exact) to carry all of my goods and they were large enough to fit my gloves, without feeling too bulky. I also like that it includes a conveniently attached microfiber cloth within the external chest pocket. This makes cleaning your goggles or sunglasses incredibly simple with minimal movement to get to it.
The liner is a soft polyester/spandex mix and includes a stretchy inner sleeve that slips over your thumb to keep snow from getting under your gloves. I did find myself getting a little warm at times, but the underarm zips and their easy-access zippers made cooling down pretty easy. To take it even further, the powder skirt is removable, making it very customize-able for various temperatures.
Design and Aesthetics (5) ★★★★★
I think this is an incredibly classy looking jacket with its minimalist design. I went with the “nightfall” blue color and it goes with anything. It isn’t too flashy and gives off a kind of sophisticated look. I also went with a size medium as I am only about 5’8”, 150, and it is a bit snug. I personally prefer a tighter fit, but if you are teetering between sizes, maybe go with a size larger than you normally do. This debut jacket by Orsden comes in the colors Red, White, & Blue… because America!
One thing of note is the removable hood. At first I thought, “this hood is way too small to fit a helmet” but alas I was proven wrong and it fit perfectly over my helmet. The hood is also removable, which is nice because I can take it off and wear it over my work clothes for a little more “business casual” look.
Durability (5) ★★★★★
From my solid month of wearing this jacket almost every day, I’ve had quite a bit of time to try to ruin it. From the snow to the bar to the office (over and over again) it still looks exactly the same as the day I received it. They did not cut any corners in making this jacket. The sealed seams are still perfectly waterproof and show no signs of wear or tear. Even more importantly, all of the zippers are very durable and I’ve yet to get anything caught in them.
Value (5) ★★★★★
At $330 this jacket isn’t exactly pocket change, but for what you are getting, this jacket is totally worth the price. I would compare it to a high-end Patagonia jacket, without the lifetime warranty, but also without paying double the price. If you are looking for a great quality jacket, with every feature a ski jacket should have, while also looking classy, this is probably the best option out there right now. As their website says this jacket is made, “for those who don’t hibernate.” Since it’s also perfect for a day on the slope and for throwing on to head to the office, at $330, this jacket is an all-around jacket that can be used for every occasion.
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