Photo courtesy of Nivis
The boutique skiwear company Nivis makes limited runs of high-performing outerwear with a focus on mobility, comfort, and exceptional waterproof construction. Nivis recently launched two new jackets the company hails as “ground breaking,” one of which is the Protego Pro Shell that I got the chance to try out. While an extra-busy work schedule torpedoed most of my early-season ski plans, I wore the Protego Pro on one of the most test-worthy days on skis I’ve had in years. Heading up the skin track, the near-perfect fit immediately caught my attention. Since I’m somewhere between a medium and large in most ski jackets, I was stoked that the Protego Pro is offered in a size-bridging ML. Climbing higher, I deployed the deep pit zips, which kept me from sweating out. As the wind and blowing snow starting going off, I battened down the hatches and was pleased that even with the jacket partially unzipped for venting, the storm hood, once cinched, kept insane gusts from ripping the hood and my hat off my head.
While the Protego Pro is more jacket than I would typically wear in the backcountry, on extreme weather days I wouldn’t wear anything else. The jacket’s premium waterproofing and wind blocking capabilities make it an easy choice, however, for riding the lifts on all but the most pleasant bluebird days. The jacket features three-layer, four-way stretch waterproof-breathable fabric that has a more relaxed and comfortable feel than other bomber ski shells. The many thoughtful features—like a stiff weighted hood brim that keeps snow melt from fogging up goggles, massive sealable drop pockets, a stretchy removable powder skirt, and fleece-lined hand pockets on top of pockets for your pass and phone and multiple chest pockets—make it the ideal resort shell that will be my go-to for years to come. MSRP: $690.00. Nivisgear.com
