What is the best ski jacket???? - Page 3

Ha ha me too !!! (although I have to admit the I-phones/touches are pretty nice)

I also have a SanDisk, but I doubt it can be found for $10, the thing is great and it does also have a tuner, but no place for an external antennae. The tuner in it is not designed for one.

this guy said I-pod which makes me think that is what he has or is thinking of buying one and is one of those people that think I-pods are a unique product. Guess what folks, other companies make Mp3 players, Ipod is a brand name...

watch buy.com and woot.com

the one I got is going for $40 on buy.com, which is an effin killer deal. I found this thing to be a bargain at the $99 I paid.

Yeah I've been pretty happy. Watch woot when you want another one.

Phenix

I have owned many many expensive ski outfits over my years or skiing and I am finally down to owning two from about 6, a newish Descent, a 10 year old Phenix, I sold and passed on two couloirs in the past couple years, skied in Spyder at one point and have had various other brands as uniforms while instructing. I love my Phenix, it still looks great, like new, after teaching three years in the 90's ( 96 to 99 i believe) and using for many years since. It is usually my take on trips with me suit, since it's so versatile. It has pants, coat and vest that go together in various configurations to wear in any weather. Washes and drys in the dryer, comes out looking awesome (only wash and dry suit I ever owned, no hanging to dry, etc), and i still get compliments every time I wear it. BTW, my husband has a matching suit (but doesn't fit him right now) as he taught at the resort where we originally bought them. They were a $1400.00 CAD suit at retail, we paid $700.00 for them as a Ski School Uniform deal supplied to the whole ski school.

I also like Descent,but mostly as a decent quality fashion ski coat. I paid $600.00 for my Descent jacket 3 years ago. It is extremely light weight, but still keeps me warm at minus 25, but it just isn't as versatile as the phenix (but it's very fashionable!).

Buy what you love, but try on some Phenix.

As far as combining an excellent balance of fashion and functionality, my vote goes to Cloudveil. They make possibly the most comfortable winter wear I've seen, and it's warm and looks very stylish.

I guess Cloudveil hasn't taken a nosedive in quality/value since they were bought by Spyder (who moved most if not all of their mfg to China)?

in response to Docjoque:

ok, so when you casually listed all your supposed high-end jackets i was skeptical of you owning them all. now i am convinced you are full of it! saying the sidewinder is not a jacket that it is light weight? hahahaha!

 

They got  bought out?

 

Well, good for them... but bummer for the rest of us. I just bought a cloudveil neoprene (or something) spring jacket, on sale at Watson's... it's nice, and still has the "fabrique au canada" tag on it... so perhaps it was made prior to the buyout.
 

 

 

Wow, I'm agreeing with Chaos. That's a first.

 

i'll 3rd that vote. very impressed with the quality, materials and funtionality of their stuff. looking at a koven plus right now.

 

I personally really liked the quality of the Cloudveil line, particularly their stuff that was made of the really breathable Schoeller Dynamic material. But their sizing was all over the place. I normally take the large, but sometimes the sleeves would just fit (I am 6'2", 185 lbs with 35" sleeve lenght). One year's model in a large almost had sleeves too long, but that was fine by me; but the chest, OTOH was huge. Then, the same model and size (large) next year had the same huge body, but a sleeve length that was more like a midget.

 

Very nonsensical....

 

I eventually returned the jacket becausee it would have been too expensive to modify the body. Then they got bought out by Spyder. I haven't looked recently.

 

Nick

All the brands mentioned appear to be excellent, and i would agree that top honors would go to phenix, cloudveil, arcteryx and spyder. i am curious to know if anyone has kjus or can comment on them? the fit and quality look great but very pricey....

I think that it's hard to beat the comfort and style of the Kjus jackets.  I have had Cloudveil, Spyder, Descente (though the older ones), and Arc'Teryx.  I got rid of pretty much all of it except for my Kjus jacket and pants.

 

CJ

Good grief!  $800, $1400, $2200!  Worth it, bang for the buck?!  Some of you people are nuts.  Skiing is an expensive deal, but you don't have to just throw your money away.  I bought a real good Marker jacket for $120.  It was on the rack in the back of the ski shop where the "old" models were.  It was brand new, but it was two years out of date.  A little bit of searching was worth it for me.  I went to four ski shops in town until I found a deal that I felt good about.  A good jacket is important and below a certain level just would not do.  Maybe it is just me, but there is no jacket in existence that I would buy for over a thousand dollars.

Starter (R)

 

My main ski jacket is a SubZero.  I got it at a ski shop in 1990.  I've always been quite comfortable in it.  I like they way the pockets are laid out, except the side pockets zip upwards.  I prefer that they zip down so gravity or a fall doesn't help them open without my permission.  But, they seem to stay closed fine.  And, after almost 20 years of wearing it as my main cold weather winter coat in addition to skiing it is still immaculate, no problems with zippers or pockets whatsoever. It also doesn't stain and washes easily without losing its water repellency.  I think I paid about $60.00 for it back in 1990. I'd say I should have bought two, but I don't think I'll ever need another one

 

I never said how much I paid for it :)

 

CJ

Halti FIS

 

http://www.halti.fi/dynamic/2/productdetail/10/0/20/4938.html

Some great deals are around for top quality stuff, don't forget Mammut (different from Marmot) too!

 

Arc' teryx Sidewinder AR. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,1611C_Arc’Teryx-Sidewinder-Gore-Tex-Pro-Jacket-Waterproof-Shell-For-Men.html  Use this with the coupons that are around for 205 and free shipping, it's a killer deal.

 

Also, check out the deals on Cloudveil direct store for the Koven Plus, a fantasitc shell with temperature regulating fabics, outdoor mag to pick in 08'. http://www.cloudveil.com/backroom/mens/jackets/koven+plus+jacket--CV04601/

 

RPK shell is another fantastic softshell. http://www.cloudveil.com/backroom/mens/jackets/rpk+parka--CV05601/

 

 Other deals out there too! Moutain Gear has some great deals including 298 on the Sidewinder AR.   http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/product/Search_Results_Endeca_New.asp?lpos=leftnav&N=789&Nao=0&Nu=p%5Frollup&Ntx=mode%5Fmatchallpartial&Ns=p%5Fpopular%7C0%7C%7Cp%5Fname%7C0&Ntk=s%5Fsearch

 

 

Burton is a personal fave. They make some great lined shells and pants.   Steezey looks, comfy fit, fucntional, and rock solid construction. Picked up next to new one's for the entire family for stupidly cheap prices.

Hardshells + layering are the only way to go.

 

Westcomb makes sick jackets, very similar to Arc'Teryx, but using the more breathable eVent fabric instead of Gore-Tex.

 

Also made in Canada, whereas Arc now makes their jacket in China.

Westcomb, yes! That's the one I was trying to remember. Very nice stuff. I also want to add RAB, another euro-line of stuff super solid construction, EVENT membrane which is so much better than Gore-tex. There are several really nice technical lines out there that haven't hit our shores yet. Montaine is another. They also use EVENT.

 

FWIW, EV3, Scholler C and Event all beat Gore-tex hands down.

 

Spyder, Pheonix? No, not any longer, Just not in the same class as many listed here.
 

 

Kjus is top notch stuff. Uber expensive but almost worth the price if you want that kind of jacket. (OK, with a 20% discount). If you got the cash, why not?

 

some of the tops out there- no particular order

Arc

Cloud

Mammut

RAB

Westcomb

Mtn Hardware (top stuff)

Eider (top stuff)

kjus

SOS- excellent Aussie brand. Like Phil said, nearly impossible to get in the states.

Edited by Finndog - 5/7/2009 at 04:39 pm GMT

I also really like the construction of the Mammut line. It is also more reasnably priced than most of the others. I just wished they would make their Hoodie with the Schoeller Dynamic rather than the Windstopper. They would have had a sale with me - it would be a really nice breathable jacket for active backcountry type of skiing.

 

Nick

 

I had a Mammut Transmission Hybrid Pro that was made with Schoeller Dynamic and Schoeller WB-400.  It was very lightweight and breathable.  The construction was good, but not as good as Arc or some of the others.  It looks like the Verglas is made from Schoeller Dryskin.
 

 

My wife has a Westcomb jacket who's construction is top knotch.  However, depending on the conditions, I don't like the EVENT as much as the Gore-Tex.  It is so breathable that you have to wear thicker layers underneath to keep warm.

 

CJ

interesting comment regarding the Event. So are you saying it let too much heat out? Can you comment on the breatheability and windproofness?

Yeah, I saw the Verglas on the Mammut website too. The material is perfect, BUT they removed the pit zips that they had on the Ultimate Hoody. I hate it when they do that! It really would have been the perfect combination.

 

Nick

Great post!  Thanks.

 

I just received the Arc' Sidewinder AR and the Cloudveil Koven PLUS (there is a Koven, and a Koven Plus) and here's my .02

 

Sidewinder: http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?Mens/Jackets-Vests/Sidewinder-AR-Jacket

great workmanship, clean, typical utilitarian Arc' design. 2 large hand pockets, one chest and one sleeve pocket with clear window. One internal neoprene pocket which is very small. Powder skirt, stowable hood. FABRIC: Gore-tex Pro shell. Cut is pretty full and covers butt.

 

I like this jacket very much and rate it highly but here's the good and bad and I wish list

 

WISH LIST:

I wish it had a larger internal pocket that was on the opposite side of the external chest pocket. If you use both, it's bulky.

 

I wish the chin flap was backed witha fleece or soft fabric, It's just the plain material.

 

I wish the neck was about 1" higher, I hate neck gaitors and if it was a little higher, I could duck my chin and nose under the collar.

 

I wish I could somehow secure the flap if I don't zip the jacket all the way up. I can just imagine this piece of material slapping me in the face as I am skiing (maybe this isn't true but it seems like this could happen)

 

What I Like

 

Great workmanship, clean lines, no wasted materials and lightweight. Great zipps, Lifetime warrenty great resale value. ProShell is bombproof but (see below). Also, great overall design and fit. Not overly snug, allows room to layer.

 

What I don't like

 

the stowable hood is very stiff and with a helmet, interferes with neck movement, it rubs and pushes on the base of the helmet. Not huge issue but worth mentioning.

 

Proshell fabric is too stiff and krinkly, just too loud.

 

could really use another internal pocket or stow pouch.

 

Internal pocket is on the same side as the external chest pocket - too bulky to use both at same time.

 

 

Cloudveil Koven Plus- http://www.cloudveil.com/backroom/mens/jackets/koven+plus+jacket--CV04601/

Excellent jacket, clean, well constructed. Excellent hand-feel, Great fit and unique features.  2 very large hand pockets, one chest pocket, one sleeve pocket by hand. Internal pocket on opposite side of chest pocket!, two decent sized mesh stow pockets. Strech EV3 and Schoeller C-Change fabric. Fixed hood. strategically placed 100wt fleece on back and chest areas. two Passive internal vents at shoulders- allows heat exchange- nothing open and completely wind proof.

 

Wish List: Higher collar- same as above

I wish the did away with the Zipper flap on the front of the jacket.

 

What I like:

fantasitc, innovative materials, soft- slightly stretchy (2-way) EV3 fabric in key areas, Schoeller C-Change materials are very cool and actually work. Very soft and very quiet! feels like a comfortable pair of jeans.

 

chin area is fleece lined! Zipper is covered from inside and not an issue- very soft.

 

Strategically placed 100wt fleece in back panel and chest.

 

vents on top of shoulders-meshbacked thin panels allow heat and moisture exchange)-h20/wind proof 

 

Two-way front zipper.

 

Pockets are well thought-through and functional- with the exception of the sleeve pocket.

 

Hood works very well and can be cinched up and partially rolled. fits over helmet well with one complaint (see below)

 

Great cut to the jacket, covers butt well and is bit lower in front which I like.

 

Clean and funtional.

 

Not everyone has it.

 

What I don't like

 

No need for the front zipper flap

 

Hood is great but to put it up over helmet, you need to partially unzip. Once on, it won't fly off in breeze.

 

Sleeve pocket- down by hand, not really funtional, Ski pass can be scanned through in very limited resorts but what else does anyone use for? (Please don't say maps...)

 

I went with the Koven Plus.  For me just a better fit- functionally speaking. No wrong choice; both are great jackets.

Edited by Finndog - 5/8/2009 at 05:44 pm GMT