What is the best ski jacket???? - Page 8

I personally have always been a fan of Burton's looks and quality; I use the Indecent Exposure jack and pants in True Black. Not only is it incredibly functional and warm with more pockets than I could ever use, it is possibly the most subtly stylish piece of winter wear I have worn.

It might be a little too cool for aging hipsters, but I'm still in my early thirties, so I'm still cool right?

Seriously though, try stuff on and whatever feels warm, fits snugly but comfortably, and has an appealing look to your eyes.

I came across this brand named Cross, as I was looking for a new pair of ski pants and backcountry.com has them on sale.

http://www.backcountry.com/cross

The fabric is smooth, durable, breathable, and warm.  Superb attention to details; playful colour; European fit, and construction is excellent as well.

Over the years, I've had good luck with Arcteryx and Patagonia.  I've had hit/miss experiences with Spyder, Mountain Hardware, Phenix, The North Face, and Cloudveil.  YMMV, depending on model/construction and the stage that the company is in at the time. 

I have an Armada Galactic jacket (the black one, not the milky way job).  http://www.backcountry.com/armada-galactic-jacket-mens.  I love it.  It's insanely light, but I've never been cold once.  And when temps are up, it doesn't get too hot either.  It's almost perfectly waterproof too.  I think it looks pretty cool, but what do I know.  It's also way too expensive, but you can find it for less than the ridiculous MSRP. 

I don't know if it's been mentioned yet, but I've been impressed by the Rab Latok Tour jacket.  Made in the UK and looks very durable.  Checked one out at EMS but it was too small for me.  They said the only reason that one was still in the shop is because it's a small and the UK tends to be sized smaller than the US.  Haven't been able to find a bad review on it.  It was designed for mountaineering so the sleeves are too long.  I have the Rab Exodus soft shell and love it.  It's a Large and I usually wear a Medium.  I have talked to one person (skier) that has the Latok and he loves it so much I'm pretty sure he sleeps with it.  It's $350 for just the shell so you really have to want it or at least be able to justify it.

Go onto Backcountry.com live chat and explain to them the situation.  They should take care of you.  I bought my Helley Hansen of SAC and after a season the zippers busted.  HH wanted nothing to do w me when i contacted them, Backcountry took it back even though they have the 1month SAC return policy.  Best customer service i have ever dealt with.

About three summers ago I was on the Oregon coast and found myself without enough cooler weather clothing. I bought a light shell with the name Free Country at a Fred Meyer store in Scappoose for about $30. That winter it became my primary ski jacket. The Columbia jacket that I had been using was always too warm except when it was below about 20°, and even then I wore it with only a T-shirt to keep from overheating. Ski gear is where you find it.

ilikebeer,

Good input and things to consider.  Through research I found that the UK sizes to run smaller than US.  I usually wear a Medium (I'm 5'7" and 175#) but have a Large  Rab soft shell.  The sleeves are ridiculously long.  The sleeve design is for mountaineering so it needs to be long, but I have about 4 more inches of sleeve than I need.

When I was trying on the soft shells, I was wearing a three layers of techwick shirts (EMS) and made sure my EMS Mercury liner fit underneath it too.

The Latok Tour is more about rain than warmth, but I have so many different layer thicknesses and liners to choose from, I wasn't that concerned.  Maybe I should reconsider that.

I started this quest of a better shell because I was setting the gates for race courses and it is a very aerobic activity.  Within 30 minutes my first layer or two would be soaked.  Going to the Rab Exodus (soft shell) changed that, but it isn't the warmest thing around.  The water repellency is top notch though.  It isn't designed to be in a down pour, but the water beads up nice on it.  I've been in light rain with no issues.

I talked to one person that has one and he stated that it is very durable and has used it skiing and was surprised the abuse it has taken.  When I checked it out in the store, it appeared to be very durable.

Doesn't seem to be a lot of them around right now so I have time to do more research.

Ken

I have used a 2 shells from Arcteryx - Sabre & Stingray. Both are strictly shells with no insulation but, they are wind and water proof. I prefer a lighter

shell that allows me to layer underneath.

With the plethora of options, I really don't know how anyone would have trouble finding the right ski outerwear. 

Personally, I have an OR Alterego with proshell that I really like for lift served skiing. I have skied through tree branches plenty of times with out ripping it up. For touring / XC skiing, the hardshell stays in my pack.

Define best?

Best?  Bar none, the Stearns Walleye Hunter jacket, bunch of roomy pockets, pits zips, wind and waterproof, heavy duty fabric on the wear areas, heavy duty zipper, steezy Stearns logo embroidered on the left breast, and as a bonus it'll only set you back 80-90 bones.  More $'s for PBR's.

As much as I love my red Walleye Hunter ski jacket, I broke down and bought a TNF Varius Guide Jacket in Taxicab Yellow no less.  I think of it as a glorified Stearns Walleye hunter with better fabric, but fewer pockets.  I'm hoping the Taxicab Yellow sets me apart from the red jacket crowd (patroller wannabes).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Custar 

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?????

The Kjus jackets seem to be very good. Not sure if they have it with ipod antenna though.

http://www.kjus.com/#/en/menjackets/winter

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownie_bear 

This depends on your definition of "best".   Some people consider the best to mean most expensive. I think the best is a jacket that has the features I want for a reasonable price. 

Me too.

I think there are two viable strategies to buying ski clothing, and they are somewhat analogous to strategies for buying a personal computer for your home use.  You can buy a top-or-near-top-of-the-line PC and hope it lasts you for years and years before being obsolete or failing, or you can buy a value brand & replace it every 12-18 months; over a long period of time, you may end up paying about the same total dollars following either strategy.

I tend to use the latter strategy for buying both PCs and also ski clothing (buy value brand & expect it not to last that long).

I've skied 62 days this season in Park City with a Wal-Mart house brand jacket for which I paid $20 (not a typo - twenty bucks) last spring during their season close out.   Lots of features including powder skirt multiple inside & outside pockets, water proof pocket, detachable hood, pit zips, etc etc -- all the features you find on a high end ski jacket; the shell is water proof, wind proof, breathable -- at least that's what its tags say, but they don't really give any details to tell you what the materials are.  I've found it to quite good and lives up to its claim.  At first I was concerned about its main zipper, but I learned the trick to starting it & it has since been flawless.    On the coldest days (low single digits F) I typically reach for a warmer jacket.

It has held up extremely well and I couldn't be happier.

A local shop has a Marker Helios Gore-Tex shell jacket on sale for $180. I tried one on and it fit great, has some nice features (zips, pockets, etc) and seems to be well constructed.

Here's a link to the jacket with specs (not the place that has it for sale).

Anyone have one of these? Looking for feedback.

TIA.

$180 for a Goretex jacket thats normally $400, it would be hard to go wrong. Nice deal. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc-ski 

A local shop has a Marker Helios Gore-Tex shell jacket on sale for $180. I tried one on and it fit great, has some nice features (zips, pockets, etc) and seems to be well constructed.

 

Here's a link to the jacket with specs (not the place that has it for sale).

 

Anyone have one of these? Looking for feedback.

 

TIA.

In an attempt to avoid being a shill I'll start this post with.  I work for this company.  Move to the next post or read on at your own risk. 

Two seasons ago a company cought my eye that is a clothing manufacturer for other industries.  Ansai is known for making bomber clothing for a number of industries most that have to adhere to much stricter function tests than the outdoor or snow sports industry.  Since they own the sewing machines, they have the capital to invest in new product and new marterial.  Fast forward two years and they are introducing a new fabric called Nanomax to our market.  This fabric tests above 100000/100000... that isn't a typo, there are 5 zeros after the 1.   I gave a few test pieces to Glen Plake this summer as he was heading down to South America.  I needed someone to test this product at altitude in use and I knew he would put it through its paces.  When Glen returned he simply said that is the best clothing I have ever used.., I want to learn a bit more.  Glen is now skiing for Ansai and helping to further develope the line.  I know there have been many claims to the Gortex throne over the years and quite honestly many of those fabrics are quite good.  Some maybe even could be argued to be a little better;  however, not enough to over-throw decades of marketing and millions in advertising.  Ansai's Nanomax is exponentially superior in waterproof and breathable function it won't happen overnight but even the mighty horse was replaced by the airplane.   Ansai's outerwear is that much better. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by NVMXSKIER 

In an attempt to avoid being a shill I'll start this post with.  I work for this company.  Move to the next post or read on at your own risk. 

Two seasons ago a company cought my eye that is a clothing manufacturer for other industries.  Ansai is known for making bomber clothing for a number of industries most that have to adhere to much stricter function tests than the outdoor or snow sports industry.  Since they own the sewing machines, they have the capital to invest in new product and new marterial.  Fast forward two years and they are introducing a new fabric called Nanomax to our market.  This fabric tests above 100000/100000... that isn't a typo, there are 5 zeros after the 1.   I gave a few test pieces to Glen Plake this summer as he was heading down to South America.  I needed someone to test this product at altitude in use and I knew he would put it through its paces.  When Glen returned he simply said that is the best clothing I have ever used.., I want to learn a bit more.  Glen is now skiing for Ansai and helping to further develope the line.  I know there have been many claims to the Gortex throne over the years and quite honestly many of those fabrics are quite good.  Some maybe even could be argued to be a little better;  however, not enough to over-throw decades of marketing and millions in advertising.  Ansai's Nanomax is exponentially superior in waterproof and breathable function it won't happen overnight but even the mighty horse was replaced by the airplane.   Ansai's outerwear is that much better. 

 

In the interest of you not coming off as a company shill, feel free to send me few samples and I will gladly offer my unbiased opinion here.

DITTO!

Quote:

Originally Posted by aschick 

In the interest of you not coming off as a company shill, feel free to send me few samples and I will gladly offer my unbiased opinion here.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by NVMXSKIER 

In an attempt to avoid being a shill I'll start this post with.  I work for this company.  Move to the next post or read on at your own risk. 

Two seasons ago a company cought my eye that is a clothing manufacturer for other industries.  Ansai is known for making bomber clothing for a number of industries most that have to adhere to much stricter function tests than the outdoor or snow sports industry.  Since they own the sewing machines, they have the capital to invest in new product and new marterial.  Fast forward two years and they are introducing a new fabric called Nanomax to our market.  This fabric tests above 100000/100000... that isn't a typo, there are 5 zeros after the 1.   I gave a few test pieces to Glen Plake this summer as he was heading down to South America.  I needed someone to test this product at altitude in use and I knew he would put it through its paces.  When Glen returned he simply said that is the best clothing I have ever used.., I want to learn a bit more.  Glen is now skiing for Ansai and helping to further develope the line.  I know there have been many claims to the Gortex throne over the years and quite honestly many of those fabrics are quite good.  Some maybe even could be argued to be a little better;  however, not enough to over-throw decades of marketing and millions in advertising.  Ansai's Nanomax is exponentially superior in waterproof and breathable function it won't happen overnight but even the mighty horse was replaced by the airplane.   Ansai's outerwear is that much better. 

 

I skip the sample.  I don't need anything over 10K anyway.  The extra zero is pretty useless for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by agent.5 

I skip the sample.  I don't need anything over 10K anyway.  The extra zero is pretty useless for me.

 

What I'd like to see, rather than a more "waterproof" fabric, is a better (more durable) DWR.  Existing fabrics are waterproof enough, but give me something nice and breathable like eVent with a seriously bomber DWR, and I'm there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaobrien6 

What I'd like to see, rather than a more "waterproof" fabric, is a better (more durable) DWR.  Existing fabrics are waterproof enough, but give me something nice and breathable like eVent with a seriously bomber DWR, and I'm there.

I can see more breathable can be good too.  I also like jacket to add lightness.  Many jackets are just too heavy, with all the useless pockets and why not.  I used this as my outer layer for 3 days last week and it survived all my falls on the mogul runs at full speed.  This thing is super light, yet warm.

http://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-ultralight-down-shirt-mens

I don't think higher breathability than GTX Performance is really needed or desireable for resort riding. If its raining or 32f and snowing, having good DWR is what raly matters. I haven't gotten wet or even seriosuly damp in the last 2 seasons and I have skied plenty of warm stormy days (where the snow melts on you and doesn't brush off).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wangta 

Does anybody know where to buy the Orage Soren jacket?  I realize I'm about a year late to the party, but I'm new to buying ski gear and really like the look/reviews of the jacket.  

 

Seems like its sold out everywhere?  Is it possible to order from another country?

I wish I knew a place you could get one.  I still love mine; in fact, even moreso after a year of use.  I got a great deal on it when I bought it b/c it was the last year for the line.  The last one I saw for sale was a small on Sierra Trading Post about 6 months ago.  I nosed around a bit when I got your note today, and I don't see any for sale anywhere.  While I love my jacket, there are plenty of other great jackets out there, and I hope you find one you enjoy as much or more.  

Good luck,

Mike

Andrew, can you tell me what shop in Park City you bought your Mountain Force jacket?  Thanks, diane

I bought one of the new Columbia jackets with the omni-heat liner (silver with black dots).  Most comfortable jacket I have ever owned, warm in below zero, but breathes and great at above freezing. 

ColonelB

The North Face Free Thinker.

Having owned Arcteryx, Marmot and TNF,the TNF Free Thinker Shell sets the bar & has exceeded my expectations. Please keep in mind TNF makes several "grades" of gear to meet various market niches.