If you're seeking the ultimate ski kit that combines versatility, durability, and warmth, look no further than Orage. Known for blending style and practicality, Orage delivers exceptional performance in harsh ski conditions. This review delves into the features, fit, and overall performance of several key pieces, including the Corbet's Shell Jacket, Gibson Shell Bib, and Women's Nina Jacket.
Corbet’s Shell Jacket and Gibson Shell Bib
My one-quiver set this season included the Corbet’s Shell Jacket and Gibson Shell Bib made by Orage. I’ve also found the exterior material of the Corbet’s Jacket to be durable. The longer fit of the Corbet’s Shell is something I really like, and for the really weather-y days, it helps keep me warm and dry. You’ll stay warm and dry all day no matter your mode of transportation.
The pockets on the Corbet’s Shell are well thought out and I go into detail in the video on each one. It’s worth reiterating here though, that I really like how the hand pockets are almost layered.
Gilltek Technology
One of the coolest features of the Corbet’s Shell is that it comes with a removable vest. The vest is developed with Orage’s Gilltek technology. Gilltek is an incredible concept and unlike anything I’ve ever worn or seen. The vest is built with Primaloft’s Thermoplume synthetic insulation but it doesn’t stop there. It’s hard to explain but the insulated baffles are almost scale-like in that they cover over one another but with a mesh layer in between.
This allows for maximum breathability while maintaining warmth. It’s an incredible system that helps keep your temperature regulated no matter what activity you’re doing. I love that I can wear the vest under the jacket for an extra layer of warmth but then remove it for Apres skiing or around town.
Read also: Winter Adventure Packing List
If you’re looking for the ultimate ski kit that is versatile, durable, and warm, the Corbet’s Shell Jacket paired with the Gibson bib are the ultimate layers for the harshest ski weather.
However, when the collar is zipped all the way up, the hood kind of interferes with my helmet and feels too restrictive.
Women’s Summit Gilltek Jacket
The newly introduced Women’s Summit Gilltek Jacket stands out as an ideal insulated mid-layer, striking the perfect balance between warmth and breathability through its innovative Gilltek technology. Mimicking the gills of a fish, Gilltek incorporates mesh vents between each Primaloft® insulated layer on the jacket’s back, ensuring efficient heat dissipation when needed. Gilltek vents in the back of the jacket.
This lightly insulated jacket is not only effective but also lightweight, featuring a 100% recycled nylon outer layer and 100% recycled polyester insulation. Practicality meets convenience with two zippered hand pockets, a single zippered chest pocket, and a large hidden zippered stash pocket at the back-ideal for storing skins or gloves. For added versatility, the jacket can be easily stuffed for storage or transformed into a travel pillow.
Soft stretch elastic at the cuffs and hood opening enhances comfort, while the adjustable synching hem allows for a personalized fit. The jacket’s articulated elbows and relaxed fit body ensure ease of movement, making it a reliable companion for various outdoor activities.
Read also: Stay Warm on the Trails: Clothing Guide
The Look and Fit
To start, this ski kit not only delivers on functionality but also boasts a striking aesthetic. Personally, I love with the Women’s MTN-X Panorama 3L Jacket in the color Iris. The light lavender hue, coupled with the darker purple zippers, creates a beautiful combination. Admittedly, the lighter color might pick up dirt a bit more easily, but the jacket’s washability proved to be a lifesaver. A minor après ski mishap involving French fries resulted in a grease stain, which came out effortlessly with a bit of soap and water.
Pairing seamlessly with the jacket is the Women’s MTN-X Cliff 3L Bibs in Boreal, a rich dark olive green. This versatile color complements a variety of styles, making it a practical and stylish choice for any ski adventure. Great looking ski kit!
The fit of this ski fit is spot-on, offering a perfect blend of function and style. Standing at 5′ 6″ and weighing around 110 lbs. with broader shoulders and long arms, the Women’s MTN-X Panorama 3L Jacket in size Small suits me well. It provides enough room to layer comfortably, easily accommodating either the Women’s Summit Gilltek Jacket or a thicker down puffy without hindering my range of motion. Sleeve length is a crucial factor for me, and the jacket excels in this department, featuring longer cuffs at the back of the hand and adjustable wrists with a hook and loop enclosure to snugly secure the jacket over my gloves.
The Women’s Summit Gilltek Jacket in Small also offers a good fit in the shoulders and sleeves, with a more relaxed body. While I would prefer a slightly tighter fit in the body of the jacket, the adjustable hem synch comes in handy for tailoring the waist. After considering an XS for a snugger under layer, I opted for the Small to ensure ample room for my shoulders and sleeves.
Opting for the Women’s MTN-X Cliff 3L Bibs in XS, I found the fit to be just right. Initially, I thought the legs might be a tad short, but they align perfectly with my ski boots, eliminating any concerns. The elastic stretch material at the waist is a standout feature, allowing me to comfortably wear the Women’s Summit Gilltek Jacket underneath the bibs without any tightness around the belly-an added bonus for both comfort and ease of movement.
Read also: The Perfect Ski Jacket
Orage Nina Jacket Review
Our lady testers love the Orage Nina. It is a flattering design and has soft and comfortable materials that keep you warm and looking good. You'll want to be wearing the Nina from the first chair to après ski. The Nina is a great choice for any lady ripper. The colors are updated for this season, too. We've tested many incarnations of this jacket over the years and love it for its comfort and cute style. The latest version features Dermizax waterproof breathable fabric.
The Nina uses a 100% polyester “Prime 20 4Way Stretch” fabric with a Durable Water Repellent coating (DWR). This combination seems to repel water nicely, and it beads on the fabric's surface. We have started to notice that the DWR may be wearing off and will need to be re-treated for next season because this jacket has seen so much use and is popular with our testers.
The Nina's detachable hood fits pretty well over a helmet. Because the fabric is so soft and stretchy, snow seems to stick to it when it is warm outside, which is slightly annoying. We did not notice any drafts through the zippers when traveling at high speeds, and it has a cute little draft collar around the back of the neck to keep icy cold air from creeping down your spine. The Nina's hood goes over a helmet relatively well, although it doesn't have quite as much coverage as we'd like. We love the Nina's easy to use hood draw cords.
The Nina's fabric has a nice feel and is soft and stretchy, although not as durable as other jackets we tested. It moves well with us when skiing, and we never noticed any restricted movements. This jacket fits true to size, and we could fit a thin extra layer underneath when needed.
However, Orage has toned it down in its latest iteration. The Nina has enough insulation to keep you warm but still fits in a flattering way and feels feminine. You can get it in black for a more understated look, especially with crazy-colored ski pants. Many consider skiing to be an aesthetic sport. If you do too, consider style in your purchase decision.
The Nina is middle of the pack regarding warmth. You can probably get by wearing it in most conditions if you have enough room to layer underneath. It has 100 grams of synthetic insulation in the torso and 80 grams in the arms. The Nina kept us warm and we didn't experience any drafts through the zipper at high speed. The Nina's hood is thinly insulated, which will add an extra layer of warmth when things get burly and warm thumbholes for your wrists to keep drafts from going up your sleeves.
The Orage Nina is equipped with pit zips for ventilation. These pit zips are mesh-lined, a polarizing feature. The mesh intends to keep snow out when you take a tumble in the powder - the downside is that it does not allow the pit zips to open very wide, and the mesh reduces the potential for air to enter and exit. That said, the Nina has decent ventilation, but its pit zips do not work as well as unlined ones. The Nina's synthetic insulation and soft outer materials seem to breathe as well as can be expected.
Orage has given the Nina several thoughtful and unique features to help you perform - and look good - on the mountain. A unique feature is the “snow phone leash,” so you won't drop your phone off the chairlift. We also really like the cool inner zipper flap that you can snap across the zipper opening near your face. The Nina's snow phone leash.
The Nina also has standard ski features like a powder skirt and pass pocket. We wish the powder skirt was removable and find that this skirt rides up and can pull your layers up with it. We like the Nina's cozy wrist gaiters but don't understand why the hood needs to be detachable - it seems unnecessary and adds weight. The Nina has some great pockets, including one media pocket with an interior headphone gasket. Still, we wish that there was an interior zipper pocket for stashing things like keys and credit cards.
This year, we also noticed an interesting safety feature called “Rescue Sleeves.” The inside material of the sleeves is bright orange, and the jacket is meant to be turned inside out so you can signal a helicopter with your bright arms. The Nina is loaded with great ski features including a large drop in pocket and snow skirt.
If you are looking for a stylish, solid-performing, all-around ski jacket at a great price, the Orage Nina is a reasonable option. Our tester ladies loved its comfort and fit, the clever ski features, and the soft, stretchy fabric. But it's not nearly as durable as some of the other jackets we tested - we accidentally sliced a little hole in the sleeve when handling skis with sharp edges. We were also a bit disappointed in the warmth offered by this insulated jacket.
Orage does a good job giving the Nina great ski features while keeping the price tag down, but other jackets offer better performance at a similar price point. If you want a single-piece, insulated jacket, the award-winning Helly Hansen Powderqueen 3.0 is a significant improvement for just a bit more money. You will stand out in a crowd in this jacket!
Here’s a summary of the key features of the Orage Nina Jacket:
Orage Rambler Jacket
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 100% polyester “Prime 20 4Way Stretch” with DWR coating |
| Insulation | 100g synthetic in torso, 80g in arms |
| Hood | Detachable, helmet-compatible |
| Ventilation | Pit zips with mesh lining |
| Pockets | Media pocket with headphone gasket, pass pocket, large drop-in pocket |
| Special Features | Snow phone leash, Rescue Sleeves, powder skirt, wrist gaiters |