It was Alma Wheeler who once said “Design is intelligence made visible.” There may be no better quote to describe the beauty, form and function of the Ridge Shell and Hybridge Lite Jacket from Canada Goose.
On Performance and Design…
Alpine climbing, hiking, boarding, and ski mountaineering are all altogether different monsters. But one thing they all have in common is the necessity of ideal protective layers, that cover the body with extreme durability, stretch and breathability.
Designed to perform and thrive in some of the harshest environments on earth, Canada Goose is setting new standards for performance in the outdoors realm. Our team had the opportunity to put the Ridge Shell and Hybridge Lite Jacket through the paces. Whether worn together as a singular fortress against the elements, or as stand alone pieces of technical mastery, these garments never failed to disappoint.
Ridge Technical Shell…
The Canada Goose Ridge Shell embodies the spirit of multi-functionality. Consider it a go-to option that transitions seamlessly from winter alpine climbs to spring hikes and back to fall treks through the Napa Valley. There hasn’t been a day or adventure we’ve left home without it, and for good reason; The Ridge Shell provides lightweight, waterproof performance with enough toughness to withstand the amount of abuse you dish out in the wilderness.
The smart kids on the Canada Goose design team gave this shell all the bells and whistles you need (3-way stretch hood, adjustable waist, reflective tape for added visibility) without weighing you down or leaving you ‘feature rich’ but ‘function poor’. But the true beauty of the Ridge Shell is that you’ll never sacrifice warmth or protection from the elements for freedom of movement. To date, no technical shell we’ve tested has performed better over a wider array of environments, climates and activities.
Hybridge Lite Jacket…
Want proof that lightweight design and abundant warmth are not mutually exclusive? Look no further than the Canada Goose Hybridge Lite Jacket. This Jacket offers ultimate minimalist design, maximum warmth and a greater range of motion than anyone should rightfully expect from a down jacket.
From shredding Squaw Valley to trekking the Santa Cruz Mountains amidst winter storm warnings, the Hybridge Lite’s 800-fill power Hutterite goose down was like packing our own personal furnace into the backcountry. Why Hutterite down? A premium Canadian down, Hutterite retains more warm air thereby resulting in a lighter weight jacket.
Polartec power stretch side panels ensures mad dynamism while also allowing excess heat to escape thereby curbing the risk of overheating. But when the sun breaks free and the internal engine starts cranking on all cylinders, it was a simple effort to slip the Hybridge Lite off the shoulders and pack it away into its own sleeve pocket. Weighing in at under one pound, you’ll never even notice it when stashed away in your pack.
Notes from the Trail…
Unfortunately most outdoor enthusiasts have become accustomed to boxy cut apparel that fits over the body rather than fit with the body. As a 6’3” outdoor junkie, finding the right fit can be more difficult than solving a rubix cube blindfolded. As a result I constantly find myself living in the grey-zone between the L and XL letters, hoping for the best. But Canada Goose has the fit feature dialed in offering some of the best form fitting apparel our team has put through the paces.
So what could possibly be the downside of apparel this good? The answer comes in the form of significant sticker shock. With the Ridge Shell retailing around $650 and the Hybridge Lite around $500, the price points will unfortunately keep these garments out of reach for a significant portion of outdoor enthusiasts. That being said, they are absolutely worth every penny and come with our highest recommendation.
Bottom Line…
The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail. With the Ridge Shell and Hybridge Lite Jacket, Canada Goose is offering you a serious dose of greatness so you can layer up, head out, and embrace the call of your adventure.
*Gumption Gear Review received the product samples featured in this review from Canada Goose. The items featured were provided solely in exchange for testing the products and providing our honest views and opinions. We received no other form of compensation for this or any related review.