The PowSlayer Kit: 3 Months In

Read the PowSlayer first look.

Japan in January. It seemed like everyone from both hemispheres had the same idea this year. A lean snow year across much of the Western U.S. and Europe had me browsing flights to Japan by mid-December, and luckily, prices were still fairly reasonable.

I tossed my 118-underfoot Moment Bibby Tours mounted with Shifts into my ski bag, along with Zero G Tour Pros and my dark green Patagonia PowSlayer ski costume. Maximizing versatility while minimizing baggage fees, I also packed a pair of puffy knickers for the lift-access laps I had planned in Hokkaido, where the forecast looked downright frigid.

The dark green Patagonia kit had already served me well through Central Oregon’s stormy start to the season, keeping me dry during mixed-precipitation days in late December. I had high hopes for its performance in colder, deeper environments. 

Now, six weeks into a stint at a backcountry lodge in Canada, touring daily, wrestling luggage in and out of helicopters, pumping water from a frozen lake, and participating in the unending Sisyphean task of shoveling snow off decks and walkways, I can’t find much fault with the PowSlayer kit.

Maybe the most notable thing is how little I’ve thought about it. There’s something to be said for outerwear that disappears into the background. I’ve had complete confidence in the setup, needing only to dial the right layers underneath for the day’s objectives.

Notes from 3 Months of Use

Deep, pleated chest pockets

A standout feature. They easily swallow my skins, even for the 190cm x 118mm powder skis that kept me afloat in Japan. I usually unzip the main zip stuff skins inside my jacket, which works fine, but having waterproof, zipper-secured pockets is better. My base layers stay drier, my skins stay warmer, and I never worry about dropping them out of the bottom of my jacket if my pack’s waist belt loosens or my jacket rides up.

Elasticized beacon pockets in both hip pockets

I appreciate having the option to carry my beacon on either side of my body, especially when accounting for the standardized 20 cm of separation from other electronics when transmitting. For resort days, the pockets also keep my phone and radio secure without them sloshing around in the otherwise generous pant storage.

The pants vs. bibs conundrum

Although the pants haven’t fallen down, they tend to settle lower on my waist than I’d prefer, despite significantly tightening the waist adjusters. I appreciate the cooler feel of a lower cut Gore-Tex pant, but for me, bibs are still preferable.

Relying on a tight waistband to keep pants up isn’t as comfortable, and my pack’s waist strap sits right at the same level as the top of the pants, slowly pushing them downward while skinning. Bibs would allow more breathing room through the midsection and reduce bulk at the waist. A guide in Canada told me: If you’re wearing bibs, a beacon in your hip pocket is fine. If you’re only wearing pants, you’re better off with a chest holster. Pants can and have been torn off in an avalanche, taking your beacon with them.

TL;DR

The PowSlayer kit is nearly perfect for me. The fit is baggy but not overly so. The pocket design, hood, generous thigh and underarm vents, and overall ergonomics are exceptionally dialed. If the pants were an equally thoughtful bib design, this might be my all-time perfect ski costume.

As it stands, I won’t stop wearing it; I just find myself hitching my pants up a bit more often than I’d like, which is mildly annoying. Maybe if you have more hip/butt protrusion than I do, pants are fine, but I am built like a 2×4.

Four color options let you mix and match to your fashionista heart’s desire. Excellent design and functionality for both lift-access and touring days, and (for me) a great fit. Patagonia’s lifetime warranty against leaks and workmanship, plus free lifetime repairs, only sweetens the deal.

For wet climates where Gore-Tex is the go-to, I’d be hard-pressed to think of a better touring kit than the PowSlayer. The 3-layer GORE-TEX Pro ePE has been performing as advertised: stormproof.  

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to shop for some suspenders.

Specs

Fabric: 100% Recycled 3-Layer GORE-TEX ePE Pro Shell Fabric

Hood: Two-way adjustable helmet-compatible hood.

The fine details: Weatherproof zippers, ample pit zips, and side vents that efficiently dump heat when the pace quickens. There are many pockets highlighted in the first look, but worth mentioning are the stretch-woven interior pockets—if you need to stash an items, there will be a pocket for it.