Outdoor Research Interstellar Shell

Pros:

The Interstellar Shell is the lightest shell that we’ve tested. Unsurprisingly, it’s also the most packable. These pros are major, and for backcountry skiers who are extremely conscious about the weight and volume of their kit, this shell is an excellent choice.

Cons:

Due to the thin fabric, the Interstellar is not the most durable of shells in this Buyer’s Guide. While we’ve yet to put a hole in it over the past two months of testing, durability is certainly a concern. Also, the Interstellar waterproof rating is only 15,000mm—many of the other shells in this buyer’s guide are rated to 20,000mm or even higher. It will get the job done in run-of-the-mill snow storms, but in wet snow or thick rain it is prone to fail. Also, there are no pit zips (although the fabric is extremely breathable and you likely won’t need underarm vents).

Favorite Feature:

Outdoor Research’s adventure-fueled R&D led to the creation of their AscentShell technology, which essentially uses an electrospinning process to craft a fabric that is both breathable and waterproof. Breathable and waterproof is the basic recipe for any decent shell, but where the AscentShell fabric truly wins is the stretch and weight—the Interstellar is extremely stretchy and weighs next to nothing (11.8 ounces, as measured by OR).

Tester Comment:

“I keep thinking that outdoor companies have reached a ceiling when it comes to shaving weight—the Interstellar shatters that ceiling. At 11.8 ounces, this jacket is perfect for stashing in your pack while ski touring or splitboarding. It’s not ever going to be something I wear to the resort, but for backcountry and adventure travel, it’s my new go-to.”

Bottom Line:

While the Interstellar isn’t the most waterproof or durable of shells, it is the lightest. And for some backcountry skiers and splitboarders, that makes all the difference.