What is the best ski jacket????

I am looking to buy new ski jacket. I am considering a Marker or Spyder jacket. Both of which are very expensive jackets. I am willing to pay the price,but the jacket must be well worth it. I prefer one that has the iPod antennea on the chest and no longer than the waist. What do you reccommend?????

I've used North Face (Mountain Jacket - the classic!) and Columbia (the Selkirk - great bang for the buck if it's not too cold) for years, but I had a Spyder when I was instructing. The Spyder was nice until it got warm. It wore like IRON!

I usually like to ski in a Marmot or Mountain Hardwear shell with a fleece liner, with pitzips on both. But this year I forked over big change for a Spyder Verbier jacket and think it's the best, bar none. Some of the places who still have a few sizes and colors are selling them at 20% off the SRP of $500, and I'd have to say it's worth every penny, imo.

Some of the spyder jackets are pricey for not much quality. On the other hand though spyder makes some sick jackets. I know they have one , I think the price is 800 bucks..as crazy as that is...but it has ipod controls on the sleve, like you wanted...just use headphones under your jacket, its cheaper.
I use A north face summit series goose down jacket with hood, underneath an EMS Series 3 waterproof/windproof shell. Warmest combo of jacket that ive ever owned. I also have a huge goose down jacket with hood by Mountain hardware which I use on really cold days up north. Id look at some other companys before you go with spyder unless you are really set on something.

-JMK

Actually, the Spyder jacket with the ipod controls on the sleeves retails for $2,200.00!! But it does come with a 60 gig ipod, if that's any consolation.

Of my high end stuff, I have 3 Spyder jackets and matching pants, 2 Killy jackets and a Killy suit, a couple Bogner jackets, and a Karbon jacket, all from the last two seasons.

The Killy stuff is by far my favorite. Everything about them I just love. And they are loaded with some incredible features. There's a place here in SoCal that you can get them very reasonably too. The Karbon stuff is great too. The Spyder stuff now sits in my closet. I loved them when i first got them, but now with the other stuff, the Spyder doesn't make it out of the moth balls unless I go on a trip for over a week.

I think it depends on where you ski and how often you ski. The more you ski, the more you want a high quality suit. Where I ski, we are often hit with -10 or -15 weather (5 Fahrenheit) so you can never be to warm.

I think a high end suit is definitely worth the money. Spyder, Karbon, and Phenix are great. I think Spyder has one of the highest threadcounts in the industry. Many Karbon suits are right up there though. These suits are high quality and should last a few seasons.

Another comment was right in that the suits can be a bit uncomfortable during warmer weather. Most jackets and pants have zippers to create air vents which help cool you down - you'll especially notice them on cold days when they may be accidentaly open.

Look for coated zippers on both jacket and pants (many are only found on the jackets) which add to the waterproofness and warmth of the suits. Also - some suits have wrist cuffs in the sleeves which are a nice touch.

Other things to consider - if you get a lot of spring skiing in, consider a jacket the zips off into a vest - and depending on your preference, some suits may not have "real" hoods.

Although suits are reduced now, I find that they are even cheaper in April. And if you can wait, there are ridiculous bargains to be had at the end of the summer. But, you risk the chance that the longer you wait, the store may not have the suit/size you want.

the best??

Arc'Teryx Sidewinder SV.

Problem solved.


At least that's what I'd get if I had a regular full-time job.

I had a Descente (brand new) when I was a ski instructor last season. I loved that jacket. I want one. It was perfect, all the bells & whistles you could want. (Well, ok, mine didn't have the ipod antennae, but I was supposed to be a professional, ok?)

But, I think any of the brands suggested would be great.

Oh yeah. LOVE my sidewinder. I don't really consider that a jacket though. Maybe a light weight jacket.

Light weight jacket?? I can't think of a single beefier shell than the sidewinder SV...

I'm quite happy with my Eider XD jacket : It's quite good looking, 'breathable', very warm with a detachable primaloft liner, not too expensive (no gore tex but some Eider copy). No Ipod anntenae though, nor built-in radio or GPS...:

Phenix jackets are top notch in terms of quality. they go for the price of mid/high end spyders but they are alot better quality and are certainly a step up.

I have heard you will never look out of style on the slope in your favorite NFL Team's Jacket!

I agree Arc'Teryx is simply the best. My buddy has the Sidewinder SV and I am very jealous. The best thing about buying Arc'Teryx is those guys will stand behind their product 100%. This same buddy had an issue on an older shell (probably 5 yrs old) and they replaced it with the Sidewinder he wears now.

The North Face Free Thinker kicks the Sidewinder's tail, IMO.

Too many pockets and I think the fit of Arc'Teryx is generally bettter. Plus, I don't buy TNF on principle.

In general, I think fit, finish, and overall quality are more important than features.

Karbon

:

Uh-oh, looks like brand snobbery has set in!

My take after a couple dozen years of skiing, mountaineering, rock climbing and backpacking is that Arcteryx, Cloudveil, Mountain Hardware, and Marmot are all top drawer, The North Face has fallen somewhat but can still produce great products, while the more "mass market" brands like Patagonia and Helly Hanson are a step down for the most part but still can be very good.

Certain products from one may be better than another, and absolute claims of superiority across the board don't really hold up and are not really necessary.

As a pure ski jacket, I would take my Spyder Verbier over anything from the above manufacturers, mostly because it was designer expressly for skiing and has useful features than a more general purpose jacket doesn't have.

How can you have too many pockets?

I have always like spyders, and my new rival is no exception. I am pretty much never too cold or hot while wearing it. If it is really warm, I just zip off the sleeves. It isn't something to wear in a rainstorm though.

Arcteryx makes the best stuff hands down. It is incredibly lightweight breathable and warm. I own the sidewinder ar and their softshell coat, both if which i love very much.

Buy what ever looks good and is on sale over on Sierra Trading post.com. Watch what you buy on EBay there are a great many knockoffs of Spyder, TNF and other name brand jackets and ski pants.

BTW, which model was that?:

With sequins?

Pockets add weight because of all the extra fabric and zippers. They also make the fit more baggy. Talking about zippers, I don't like them if I plan on spending hours in the rain for several days straight.

I like my jackets simple and functional that work well for a variety of outdoor activites.

North Face Mountain Light.

I have used it for about five years now. Layer underneath and you can go from below zero to spring conditions. Very flexible, lightweight, waterproof, and durable.

All brands make good jackets.

Everyone has made good recs.

I have an insulated Colmar ski jacket (very hard to find) that has been phenomenal.

Killy, Karbon, Descente, some North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Cloudveil, Marmot, and ArcTerx are all good stuff.

Higher prices doesn't mean higher quality. ArcTerx stuff is a bit better cut in general, and sometimes cooler looking - their designers put more time and thought into their garments, but it is not any better functionally.

Figure out what features you must have and go from there. I ski in a Moonstone shell in the Spring.

Jkts ?

Arcteryx and Cloudveil...quality of construction and real deal warranty coverage...can't touch that

North face has become a tjMaxx off brand imho

Spyder Legend Series gets my pick, they have the style, function, and durability. Best thing is that it's backed by a lifetime waranty....I ripped a pair of pants and sent it back for a replacement. I was delighted to see that the company stood behind it's product and without any hassle I recieved a new pair.

re: Descente model. OK, this is lame, I don't know!!! I figured when I finally decided to go shopping, maybe I would recognize it and/or find something else in the line that I loved as much, so I never bothered to check what model it was...

The North Face Mountain Guide. I look forward to the snowing, blowing cold as hell days when everybody sits in the lodge and leaves all the incredible new snow for me. Too much for spring though. Then I like my NF softshell.