If you're kitting up for a winter trip and your current midlayer has seen better days, there's a one-day only price drop worth knowing about. Backcountry has knocked 20% off the Ortovox Ravine Metawool 90 jacket — but the discount expires today, October 5, so there's no sleeping on it.
Why the fuss? The Ravine Metawool 90 was named 2026's most sustainable insulated midlayer by Outside's gear testers, and it earned that title on two counts. The wool insulation comes exclusively from sheep raised in the German Alps, and the outer shell is made entirely from recycled polyester. For anyone trying to buy less and buy better before a ski season, that's a meaningful combination rather than greenwashing on a hangtag.
Sustainability aside, the jacket performs where it counts. It's insulated with a merino wool fibre fill blend, which keeps insulating even when it gets damp — a genuine advantage on wet snow days or sweaty skin-track climbs — and wool's natural odour resistance means it can go days between washes. Testers rated it among the warmest midlayers they tried, holding up on backcountry slopes in temperatures around five degrees. The shell adds weather protection too, with a durable face fabric, a roomy hood, and a DWR finish that shrugs off light precipitation.
Fit and looks get a mention as well. The freeride cut is generous enough to layer over a base layer or under a shell, and it works across a wide range of body shapes. Style-wise, it breaks from the usual earth-tone outdoor palette: expect cobalt blue, pastel lilac and clean white options, plus geometric stitching that reads more streetwear than summit. If you've ever felt every ski jacket looks identical, this one doesn't.
For travellers, the timing matters. Ski and snowboard season is around the corner, and a solid midlayer is the piece that makes or breaks a cold day on the mountain — whether you're touring in the Alps, lapping resort runs in North America, or just walking a frosty city on a winter city break. Wool insulation that stays warm when wet also travels well: it handles everything from drizzle on a layover to a dump of snow at altitude without turning into a clammy mess.
The practical takeaway: if the Ravine Metawool 90 was already on your wishlist, today's 20% discount at Backcountry is the moment to buy. One-day gear deals rarely return at the same price, and this is an award-winning piece rather than a clearance leftover. Check your size early — popular colours in a limited-run sale tend to sell through quickly, and the distinctive shades are half the appeal.
Story via Outside Online.
