Jacket/Shell Suggestions

[GimmeTrails]

Man, I love this site...anywhere else you can get a wide range of advice (that's free AND unbiased) on gear from a bunch of people who practically live outdoors?? Well, here's what I'm curious about...shells (or jackets, whatever you want to call them). I currently have a North Face Mountain Lite and am looking to pick up a new shell. Looking for something with a 3 layer waterproof/windproof coating, i.e. Gore-Tex, that has an attached hood. Obviously looking for pit zips, front pockets, etc. but would also like to find something with a two-way front zipper. Always makes it nice to be able to zip half way up from the bottom for ventilation and, silly as it sounds, it's nice for in the car or sitting somewhere...keeps the jacket from bunching up in the middle like you've got a basketball underneath it. I'm surprised how many companies are no longer putting them on jackets (come on, how much weight does one more zipper pull really add??). Just curious what you all would recommend.

Thanks!

[Neil]

After getting lots of info here
I bought a Go-Lite Phantom shell. I've used it walking and jogging in real bad weather around Montreal a lot and on a couple of hikes so far. It's very well designed. Weighs a pound. The hood dosn't extend forward, protecting the face, as much as other heavier shells but if you want to go lite you have to accept a few things. I'll use it all winter as my only shell.

[mediclimber]

I suggest you hit E-Bay and try and find a Lowe Alpine Alpine Flash Jacket. It's triple point ceramic material which is very similar to Gortex. It has a 2 way front zip, attached hood, pit zips, ventilating pockets, reinforced elbows and shoulders, and a net trick set of loos so you can tie the bottom of the coat through your legs so it doesn't end up over your head if you invert in a harness. They don't make them anymore or don't import them, but they are great.

[llawhsoj]

just a heads up on gortex and its friends, they all work the same. so lowe alpine's triple point veramin, TNF hyvent, EMS system 3, patagonia h2no, mt. hardware conduit, all preform the same. There are some small variations but as a general whole when gortex lost their patent a couple years back everyone's variant is about the same. Also the small differences really only show up in labs, in blind tests there has yet be be shown a signficant improvement (this incluides gortex XCR).

This is directly from a marmot representitive, so as you shop if its got something that functions the same as gortex and you like it... done!

Everyone's got their pet jacket but the reality is that they are basically the same, happy hunting. (ebay can be nice as long as you know what your getting, but you can get some good deals. Or an cheap option at an EMS would be the wildcat ridge (125 I think).

[wanderingspirit]

I just purchased the llbean Mountain Guide parka. Very nice shell; Gortex XCR, two way zipper, front pockets, nice roomy cut, and cut nice and long in the back to protect against the wind. The pit zips are some of the longest I've seen and unzip from either end, which is a nice feature.

[JJW]

We have a couple of shells SierraWest, Moonstone and Marmot.


our requirements
1. good Venting!!!
2. Quiet fabric!!!
3. two way zippers
4.correct/enough Pockets
5.working Hood design (when you turn your head)
6. sleeve velcro that holds, but is not too big and stiff

Good Luck,
John