hohm Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 I am just about to pull the trigger on a Patagonia Element Jacket....sort of a hybrid between a bomber Goretex Expedition Jacket and a soft-shell. Does anyone have experience with the Element? Quote
wdietsch Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 If you are talking about the "Stretch Element" ... I picked one these up about 6 months ago from Sierra Trading Post for $200 ... so far I am really digging it. . Fairly light weight, compresses well. Not the prettiest thing to look at but I have never been accused of being a fashion queen. I figure it will make the carcass easier to locate. No frills ... the hood fits a helmet well even on my large melon. The combo pit zips-handwarmer pockets take a little getting used to. Quote
iain Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 Finally! Another opportunity to speak Pataguc'ise. The fickle weather of the Great Trango Tower can bring new meaning to the definition of commitment. The Stretch Element jacket won't let you down on your latest project, whether jugging the lines in Kzyrghstshtian, sipping mochas in the Pearl District, or catching a taxicab in Borneo. Quote
ChrisT Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 I rather prefer Wes' description - he had me sold with his big melon. Quote
iain Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 Bah! Has his non-organic, non-fair-trade certified melon even been to Kyrsblakistan? I doubt it. Quote
hohm Posted October 26, 2004 Author Posted October 26, 2004 Ummm.....Iain, are you speaking from personal experience about the Element, or does your comment sound suspiciously like a Patagonia Catalog blurb? Quote
iain Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 No, sorry I have never sipped mochas wearing this jacket. I just take opportunities to practice the dialect. I do have a friend who has that jacket and likes it very much though. My guess is if it fits you you will like it. And even if you don't like it, you can take it back and get something else. That's why it costs 4 billion dollars. Well, that and because it has been worn in Kyberzizygistan and has hitchhiked the karakoram highway. Quote
hohm Posted October 26, 2004 Author Posted October 26, 2004 How about from Belltown to the Beckey Route, from Lexus to Liberty Ridge, or from Downtown to Denali? Will it do all that? Quote
iain Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 Well of course, but try to avoid the alliteration, it's a bit hackish. Quote
Dru Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 That would be the Hellement model with the nifty flame embroidery. Quote
iain Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 Oh! Oh! And the softshell pitchfork and matching Synchilla Cerberus stuffed animal! I smell a Pulitzer (or whatever award you win for doing that kind of thing) Quote
iain Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 So depressing when the best thread to ruin is a gear critic one. Quote
Dru Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 You could use Met5 technology to make sure your Hellement simulated the proper temperature too. Quote
Dru Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 So depressing when the best thread to ruin is a gear critic one. Ruining? More like "Improving" Quote
iain Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 I heard about a guy who fell into a glacier due to a Met5 malfunction. He leaned back to relax on the ice and just melted a hole straight through Quote
Dru Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 Maybe they can make a rope with the same technology, no more frozen cables on drippy iceclimbs. Why they could even call it the Hotline! Quote
slothrop Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 You can always tell who's hiding a Met5 vest under his jacket by the raptors riding the thermal over his head. Quote
Camilo Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 I have this jacket. It's great, but good thing they got rid of the mouth flap thing. The zipper only goes up to the top of your chest, and then a velcro flap closes the rest. It sucks because if you want some extra ventilation the stupid flap flaps around in the wind. Also, the drawstrings for the hood are right inside and rest on your cheeks. That was annoying. They redesigned both things for their 2004 model (I got mine last fall on closeout). The one pictured above is the one that I have. Other than that, it's a sweet jacket, kept me plenty dry. Quote
iain Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 Maybe they can make a rope with the same technology Brilliant! And you could coil it up and bake gu muffins in the morning. I was surprised the met5 did not include a poptart toasting pocket. Warm pastry on a climb? Seems like a no-brainer to me. Quote
cj001f Posted October 26, 2004 Posted October 26, 2004 You could use Met5 technology to make sure your Hellement simulated the proper temperature too. Marmot Phenomenon is all the "rave" Quote
hohm Posted October 27, 2004 Author Posted October 27, 2004 (edited) OK...I just padded the evil empires pockets.....purchased an Element from REI-outlet.com.....reduced from $360 to $199.....Thanks for all the salient and linguistic advice.....Chimbaroza here I come! Edited October 27, 2004 by hohm Quote
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