Outdoor Research Sonata Ultra coat

The saying, “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing,” rings true if you’ve ever tried to enjoy an outing in extreme conditions.

Outdoor Research’s superior products are among the best options on the market. And, for winter fun, the company’s outstanding Sonata Ultra jacket for women excels with its thoughtful features, responsibly sourced down and flattering cut.

The Sonata Ultra delivers exceptional warmth with its 800 fill down, making it the ideal weight for cold days. Yet, the garment breathes well during high activity. The coat is trim for all its warmth, making it a flattering garment that doesn’t swallow the wearer.

The kicker with this coat is it’s wind- and water-proof, a one-two punch that makes it even more versatile than the regular Sonata jacket. And the whole garment packs down small, compressing into its own pocket for easy stowing. Bring this on a backpacking trip, for example, and it’s certainly not going to take up more than its fair share of space or weight.

The coat also has an adjustable hood, zippered chest and internal pockets for stowing lift tickets, cell phones and other personal items. A key clip helps keep you further organized without too many unnecessary bells and whistles. Elastic cuffs eliminate the need for Velcro, and make it easier to put the coat on and take it off.

The coat’s price point of just $224 makes it a steal among its competitors.