Ski Style: Chic and Cheap, Lowe Alpine

Last season we highlighted the best ski jackets available for $299 and less in the October Style department. Though much of the response was excellent, there were quite a few readers who felt that $299 was still too much to pay for a ski jacket. “I could outfit myself and three daughters for less than the price of one parka reviewed in your magazine,” wrote a dismayed father from California.

So we went hunting for even greater values and found some fantastic options for as low as $100. Here are six of our picks, ranging from lightweight shells to fully insulated jackets, all affordably priced at $199 or less.

The most technical choice among this year’s picks is once again a Lowe Alpine jacket. Better known for its backpacks, Lowe is nonetheless a formidable manufacturer of technical outerwear. The women’s Stellar Three-in-One Jacket ($199) comes with a zip-in/zip-out fleece layer that can be worn as a separate jacket. The mesh-lined shell has waterproof/breathable Triple Point fabric as well as a drawcord waist and hem. The adjustable, stowable hood can leave the collar feeling a little bulky, but that’s a small price to pay if it’s warmth you’re after. Additional features include adjustable Velcro cuffs and a double storm placket over the front zipper.
Lowe Alpine (303) 465-0522; www.lowealpine.com