JP Auclair effortlessly blends impeccable park skiing with big mountain aptitude and backcountry prowess. JP’s no one-trick pony and is one of the very few complete skiers in the game today. I like to think that he perfectly merges the styling of all of these types of skiing into the new 12/13 JP Pro jacket. The JP Pro jacket not only looks good, but will keep you warm and dry no matter what nasty conditions Mother Nature throws at you.
The 12/13 JP Pro is easily one of the best new jackets for this season and I hope that people will not write Orage off as a park skier-only brand because they’ll miss out on this gem. Orage clearly focused on functionality and performance with the JP Pro. This is evident through features like four-way stretch GORE-TEX Pro Shell 3-Ply fabric (I love this stuff!), silicone shoulder patches to lock down your backpack straps, intelligently laid out pockets that can easily be accessed with a pack on and comfortable wrist gaiters to keep the cold and snow out.
One of my favorite things about this jacket is the amazing Orage “performance fit.” It’s loose enough to be comfortable, but not too big to be tall-t-esque. Due to the stretch fabric and appropriate room in the arms and shoulders, this jacket will not hinder any of your movements on the hill. I find the arm pockets, removable powder skirt and built-in goggle pocket with lens cloth to be extremely convenient and smart. If you’re looking for a high-end performance shell this season and are willing to look outside the usual suspect high-performance outerwear brands, don’t be surprised if you find yourself gravitating toward the JP Pro. Pair it with the Orage Gibson pants and you’ll have one of the best complete outfits for the 12/13 season.
