snoboy Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 Must be 3 layer Gore for warranty replacement... What have you liked, or not liked? This will be used for skiing mostly - weight not too important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlaskaNative Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 I spent quite a bit of time looking at jackets for hiking and light climbing last fall. Sounds like your needs have two main differences, which is that you would probably want a powder skirt inside the jacket, and don't care about a belt covering the outside pockets (you didn't say backcountry skiing so I assume you're not wearing descent backpacks). If it really has to be Gore, then you can ignore my recommended jacket, but hopefully the criteria and comments will still help you do your own evaluation. GoreTex waterproofing is the same as everything else (except eVent), which is a stretched Teflon with a coating to protect it from body oils and abrasion. I created a list of criteria I used to measure them, but it's not necessarily complete. I listed it at the bottom. I'll get to the point right off. I liked the Mountain Hardwear Backcountry Recon the best and it won for my needs. Of course I'm just one opinion, and no single jacket will suit all needs, but I've been very happy with it. I personally have a requirement for waterproofing under extremely high winds, or extreme downpours for many hours. In fact, the women's version is extremely light at about 1 pound, but is very strong. I often carry one myself since it's lighter weight and nearly as tough as the men's, and the only difference is it's missing one outer chest pocket (which overlaps a lower pocket, so it's useless for anything other than paper anyway). Major vendors: - Arc'teryx - Integral Designs - Marmot - Mountain Hardwear - North Face - Outdoor Research - Patagonia - REI - Sierra Designs There's also vendors that focus more on climbing gear, like - Mammut - Montbell - Wild Things - etc Short opinions below (not a complete list, just some random thoughts): - I checked all the web sites, and some sucked really bad, like Patagonia - I called several of the vendors and was disappointed they couldn't give better answers about their own products - there is little agreement on how waterproof the new zippers are - most hood adjustments suck because of cord locations and poor locks - Arc'teryx appears to be the fashion show jacket, because of the cool factor they so desperately strive for, the extreme pricing, and the fact that they fare so poorly using the criteria below, although they do make some good climbing jackets - North Face is the fading fashion show vendor (similar to what Arc'teryx is now) - Mountain Hardwear has something like 27 jackets and it's difficult to tell why you would pick one over the other, although all the vendors with an extensive product line have this problem - Marmot has many jackets that are hard to pick from, but mostly their zippers made me nervous for high wind situations, and they are also very expensive - Patagonia has a confusing market position, but probably wins the award for ugly and bulky - it is shocking how many of these jackets have useless pockets once you put on a pack! ----------------------------------------------------------------- Price Weatherproofing - seams (welded or taped) - zips (water-resistant or double-flapped) - pockets (drip flaps, water-resistant zips) - membrane (all the same as GoreTex, except eVent) Pockets (outside) - above belt (still accessible while wearing a pack) Hood - adjustable cords, cord locks that hold and work with mittens - fit - helmet compatible - coverage (partial face coverage for severe wind/cold) - brim (stiff enough for rain/wind) Inside - fuzzy lining, slick lining, etc - pockets - total number, waterproof, any for bottle-holding - snow skirt (for skiing, but bulky under a pack) Fit - Sleeves (articulated, meaning made with a pre-bent elbow) - Shoulders (allows easy movement) - Waist (forms without being constraining) - Cuffs (to keep cold air out and to work with your glove choice) Fabric - durable (shoulder/elbow reinforcement) - quiet - soft feel - breathable - stiffness (under arms) - stiffness (when frozen) - welded vs stitched seams - laminated 2-layer vs 3-layer Weight/Size (size means compressed-size) Style/Color (personal choice) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj001f Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 You win the useless post of the day award obvious product of Alaskan schools nobody wants powderskirts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlaskaNative Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 Hey, I said "probably", and he did say Womens. Most women I've known want powder skirts. I don't make the rules, I just offer my best guess... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj001f Posted June 2, 2007 Share Posted June 2, 2007 I was trying to figure out where you came up with Patagonia and bulky and ugly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoboy Posted June 2, 2007 Author Share Posted June 2, 2007 Actually a powder skirt might be OK, as my GF doesn't like to wear bib pants. Like I said in my first post it has to be Gore, due to warranty... Yes, a backpack will get worn with this. Mostly I am looking for jackets that people really liked or disliked, in case there's anything obvious I have not thought of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-spotter Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 Helly Hansen Whisp - $100 on sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat_Roslyn Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 Coming from a woman, I think fit is the most important. I like the patagonia stuff fits, I am smaller and it seems to fit well in men's extra smalls. North face and most other stuff is too long in the arms and legs. But with patagucci, I have big shoulders so I am still able to move wearing their stuff. If it is for downhill skiing, I would look at Marmot for good price and fit. They also have stuff that is stylish. Check out proguide.com, they seem to have good deals.Yes, definitly marmot stuff. BTW, I would NOT want a powder skirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 cloudveil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Frieh Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 snoboy: whatever she wants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFed Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 nah John, tell her what she wants... then play hard to get. BLING! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Frieh Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 what if she's already playing hard to get? can i play it at the same time? and is their a way to tell if she's just playing hard to get or if she actually thinks I am a moron? :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFed Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Yo, just drop some DOPE lyrics on her and she'll be like playdough. like butta. no... like plaaaabutta. yeah kid! that's the shizz I'm talkin bout!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pandora Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 ..and is their a way to tell if she's just playing hard to get or if she actually thinks I am a moron? :confused: Short answer: No! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoboy Posted June 13, 2007 Author Share Posted June 13, 2007 Hey look who's back! BTW - the jacket is chosen, so lease feel free to turn this thread into pure Spray! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFed Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 Short answer: No! WORD. Dem ladies couldn't never tell you were a mormon unless you showed them yo' super secret underwear kid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Frieh Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 Does Patagonia make super secret capilene mormon underwear? I could see the wicking ability be highly desirable when walking for miles on one's mission... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj001f Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 the jacket is chosen divinely impregnated Goretex? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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