Outdoor Research Skyward II - Review 2022

There’s a lot in an inspiring name like the Skyward. The Skyward II is a versatile and very weatherproof pair of pants perfect for extended tours or days at the resort. Their proprietary shell technology offers top of the line weatherproofing, excellent breathability, and a little bit of stretch, to boot.

The Skyward II is a well-rounded touring pant, suitable for use in all but the worst weather conditions. It’s not as wind resistant when compared to some of heavier or Gore-Tex options like the Arc’teryx Sabre AR. In unrelenting wind, you might find yourself getting cold, but it retains it’s weatherproof qualities nonetheless, it does well enough for most people’s tastes.

They excel in the breathability category. Other pants will have bigger vents, or have more in total. But they have a hard time matching the Skyward II in terms of the breathability. Their proprietary Ascent Shell is more permeable than the rest, making it a great option for skiing hard in the spring or climbing in any conditions. They also have one the better functioning beacon pockets in the market.