Soft Shell Jackets

[wdietsch]

considering a soft shell (finally) jacket, wondering what everyone out there thinks .. what do you like and why?

[Dru]

for winter use arcteryx gamma sv (powershield)

or summer or all-round use arcteryx gamma lt (schoeller)

[sk]

But why dru???? I get a new shell this winter, And I need to pick one for all around everything, from goofing arround in a down pour to my first snowboard and iceclimbing lessons. why soft shell? why hard? come on help a girl out.

[rbw1966]

I've got one of the north face synthetic fill jackets and like it ok. I got it specifically because it will retain its warmth when wet and so far it has. The down is more comfy though.

 

I really wish I had the ducats for one of them there Wild Things belay jacket.

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

quote:

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Originally posted by sk:

But why dru???? I get a new shell this winter, And I need to pick one for all around everything, from goofing arround in a down pour to my first snowboard and iceclimbing lessons. why soft shell? why hard? come on help a girl out.

---

Soft shells aren't going to keep you dry, but they are windproof (or at least resistant, see manufacturer's overly optimistic information for details), and you can beat the living fuck out of them without hurting them.

 

Regular (i.e. "hard") shells are your typical (or not-so-typical) fully-waterproof, stand-under-a-waterfall-and-stay-dry garments, made of less bomber materials (i.e. don't expect to get dragged behind a truck and not wear a few holes in your jacket).

 

The Doctor has been wanting a soft shell type jacket for days, but they're way too spendy and not all that practical for DFA's needs, i.e. sitting around at Smith for hours freezing balls in late Fall. Thank God for down jackets!

[sk]

DFA>>>>As I will be freezing my uhhh somethings off at smith this fall too I EXPECT TO MEET YOU, and borrow you down jacket

 

you rule... thanks for the info

[allthumbs]

SK, I plan to spend some time at Smith this winter. You may warm up by my fire anytime.

[sk]

okay, but I am bringing my atack dog to presurve/protect my honor

[fern]

I also have a Arc'teryx Gamma SV. It doesn't breath well, so not so useful in warm temps. It is not very insulated so not so useful in cold temps. But it makes me look cool and outdoorsy when I walk around campus.

[cj001f]

quote:

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Originally posted by wdietsch:

considering a soft shell (finally) jacket, wondering what everyone out there thinks .. what do you like and why?

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Go with the Classic - Cloudveil Serendipity. Nice cut, durable - and on sale at their website right now!

[allthumbs]

Post deleted by Lambone

[allison]

My MEC Shoeller Dryskin Jacket (model is the Ferrata) is wind- and water-resistant. Can't tell you how well it works in winter conditions yet, as I bought it in the summer. So far though I've had it in light rain and moderate wind (sailing) and it's performed like a champ. Water beads right off. Not as cool as the Arc'Teryx softshells, but I think with the exchange rate I paid $82 for mine. Manageable.

 

SK, you're probably not going to find one jacket that does everything. You've got to look at your clothes as, pardon the media-invented term, 'layering system.'For what it's worth though, most of the layers don't have to cost you the sun and the moon.

[Rainier_Wolfscastle]

Old Navy has some nice stuff. Trendy, yet affordable.

[thelawgoddess]

quote:

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Originally posted by rbw1966:

I really wish I had the ducats for one of them there Wild Things belay jacket.

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they are nice, aren't they? they also make less expensive options that are fairly warm ... for "regular" cragging situations where you're not worried about 60 mph winds at altitude. i'm just waiting for them to come out with the right color ...

[Bronco]

I have a Patagonia dimension jacket which hasn't let me down yet. I've worn it in downpours, groveling through wet brush, wet snow, office meetings, rock climbing, snow shoeing, skiing trundling in the rain, whatever. Breaths great (I sweat a lot) and very tough. I got mine through the Pata outlet in Dillon MT for $165 or so.

 

Don't throw away your goretex though.

[sk]

pink BAAAAH!!!!

 

I've been looking at a cupple of patagucci shells

 

the Essenshell Jacket(soft shell) and the Microburst(storm/hard shell), I'm just not sure it is worth the MAJOR cash flow I'm not sure wich is better.

 

I don't have any gortex, Is that a bad thing???

 

[ 09-16-2002, 01:51 PM: Message edited by: sk ]

[cj001f]

Essenshell != Major Cash Flow !

 

Call the Outlet in Dillon - the Jacket & Pullover (which is almost the same, and climbs better) have been on special often (as low as $59 or so)

 

Carl

[Dru]

Post deleted by Lambone

[freeclimb9]

I've used MEC's Shoeller Dryskin Ferrata jacket and tights for a couple years. It's more versatile than pile (eg. polarplus, or synchilla) since snow and light rain don't stick. It's kind of wind resistant, too. And it makes a great first, or second layer. But it's not a substitute for a "hard" shell. It's what Twight would call and "Action Suit", I guess. Too bad it doesn't come in any day-glo colors.

[Dru]

quote:

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Originally posted by freeclimb9:

I've used MEC's Shoeller Dryskin Ferrata jacket and tights for a couple years. It's more versatile than pile (eg. polarplus, or synchilla) since snow and light rain don't stick. It's kind of wind resistant, too. And it makes a great first, or second layer. But it's not a substitute for a "hard" shell. It's what Twight would call and "Action Suit", I guess. Too bad it doesn't come in any day-glo colors.

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cloudveil makes a womens schoeller jacket in pink

[Figger_Eight]

Arcteryx Gamma SV jackets are great for skiing at resorts. That's about it. It might have more applications in the Rockies or Sierras, but I wouldn't recommend it for the PNW.

[Dru]

quote:

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Originally posted by Figger Eight:

Arcteryx Gamma SV jackets are great for skiing at resorts. That's about it. It might have more applications in the Rockies or Sierras, but I wouldn't recommend it for the PNW.

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I wear it to ice climb in and it rocks for that except you get slightly wetter than with a goretex jacket when you go under the shower bath on a spraying unformed slush pile.

[wdietsch]

Thanks for the feedback ..... Not being totally up on all the brands and models, what else is out there, other than the Arc'Teryx Gamma MX Hoody, Cloudveil IceFloe and the Patagonia Dimension and Essenshell, that have a hood?

 

[ 09-17-2002, 12:48 PM: Message edited by: wdietsch ]

[sk]

quote:

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Originally posted by cj001f:

Essenshell != Major Cash Flow !

 

Call the Outlet in Dillon - the Jacket & Pullover (which is almost the same, and climbs better) have been on special often (as low as $59 or so)

 

Carl

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That is a GREAT IDEA!!!! thanks

[Dru]

Yes I do not pack it in to wear but wear it for ice cragging where you put it on when you get out of the car, put your harness on, and go climb.

 

Its also a chick magnet when you go clubbing.