What hardshell are you wearing?
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Hello. Looking for what everyone is wearing in terms of your hard shell jacket. I'm in the market and there's so much in terms of fabric technology that it's a bit mind-boggling. When you list what you're wearing, if you would please list some pros and cons? |
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dead bird beta AR |
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I have an REI entry-level shell that I got on sale. It's whatever Gore-Tex equivalent they use. It's fine and perfectly functional. REI Elements or some such? Are any of these waterproof/breathable fabrics truly different? |
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sierratradingpost.com/avala…
30 bucks at Serria. Tested by me at the base of the Sharkstooth. Hail, Snow, then pounding rain all the way back to the car. Heavy enough it will break some wind in the mtns. |
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Thanks for all the quick replies guys. I have been looking at TNF shells but just haven't been super impressed. To clarify, I will be mostly alpine climbing and mountaineering. |
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arcteryx Alpha SL: as light weight as you can go unless you're opting for a "Houdini" style layer. Is very lightweight (~10.8 oz), packable (stuffs into small sack) for carrying/clipping, incredibly well built/articulated for remarkable fit, long enough to stay below your harness (even has a seam to prevent pulling through), highly effective shell for its weight (Paclite GORE-TEX). Its made for climbing. |
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BonhommeRichard wrote:arcteryx Alpha SL: as light weight as you can go unless you're opting for a "Houdini" style layer. Is very lightweight (~10.8 oz)I beg to differ. The Mont Bell Torrent Flier is Gore Paclite and only 8.6 oz. Not that 2 oz really makes that big of a difference, but I got rid of my Alpha SL, replaced it with the Torrent Flier and it does pack down substantially smaller (although the SL was a burlier denier I think). Plus the Torrent Flier is at least $50 cheaper; the MB website actually has last seasons colors (L and XL only though) for $150. Smoking deal on a great jacket. To the OP, the Torrent Flier is my summer thunderstorm and shoulder season wind/precip layer. In winter for ski touring, mountaineering or alpine and ice climbing I wear a soft shell (a hardshell isn't really needed in CO winters). When skiing at the resort I wear an OR Mentor which is a burly 3-layer Goretex Pro shell that can take a ton of abuse. Might switch that out for a Gore Windstopper or other laminate softy this year. |
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Guchi alpine pro, over kill for most things but really nice when you need it. |
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Mountain Hardwear drystein. |
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Rab stretch neo. On backcountry for $200. I like it a lot. Fit is good for me. Breathable, but I haven't worn the high end gortex to compare it. Harness compatible pockets. |
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i'd avoid anything made by Gore. if you do your research (check out Backpacking Light) or google Army Natick Labs waterproof-breathable tests, you'll see it doesn't start breathing until the interior environment is 100% humid (you're wearing like a motherfucker) and it's not air permeable. the newest barriers are air permeable, meaning you get a bit of air moving through the fabric, keeping you far cooler. the main two fabrics are Polartec's NeoShell (check out Rab for pieces made of this) and Mt Hardwear's DryQ Elite. they're both air permeable and outperform Gore by 200% or so, depending on the outside environment. |
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Marmot Precip. You don't need a $200+++ shell for summer alpine or mountaineering. |
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I really really like my Westcomb Shift LT Hoody. |
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I do like what Mountain Hardwear is doing with the Dry Q. Does anyone have experience wearing the MH Torsun jacket? I saw it on their website and it looks like it's gotten good reviews. |
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I've tried on the Mountain Hardwear Torsun Jacket. Material is definitely different than the tradition Gore-Tex jacket. I liked it a lot. The men's medium was spot on. I'm 5'10, 170 pounds. |
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doligo wrote:Marmot Precip. You don't need a $200+++ shell for summer alpine or mountaineering.If he's in the market in October, he may not be shopping for a summer jacket :) I have a deadbird alpha sv for the nasty stuff (zero degrees and high winds? check!), and an rei eVent for beater duty. They are both fairly heavy, not too cheap, and probably not good all-rounder choices. I'm orange |
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I've been testing the Torsun for a couple months now...in/around Colorado and two trips to the Cascades. Waterproof and it breathes far better than any Gore product. I hate hard shells and rarely wear them. The NeoShell stuff (only worn pieces by Rab) is great and the DryQ seems close to it in terms of breathability. |
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Awesome review coppolillo, thanks for sharing that. I've been highly recommended to the Neoshell stuff so I may just go with that. Sounds pretty legit. Keep em coming guys, I really appreciate all the feedback. |
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My current favourite shell is an EMS Helix Anorak - it's neoshell, super light, really well thought out features, fits me really well. It has pit zips (which I've never used and would rather they had left out) and a nice kangaroo pocket in the front. They make a full-zip version as well that also looks really good. Plus you can't beat the price. |
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3rd hardshell- Solstice, 2nd gen Goretex, 4 ext pockets high enough for harness, Cordura reinforced shoulders to wrists. Pits zips. BEST ever. Didn't breathe worth stink in the rain, had to use the zips. Cold dry weather? Awesome. Bullet proof, wore it til the Goretex failed, about ten years of climbing & construction... daily use, 6 months per year. 3rd least packable - I think the relatively light taslan fabric of the majority allowed pretty good packing, which the Cordura bulked out. It had huge wrist velcro, which never failed. 2 cargo pockets were top access, with flaps, the two hand warmers were a titch small. (I have XXL bear paw hands), 4.9/5 stars |
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Let's keep this going! I like hearing everyone's opinions because there are so many on a vast subject like this. |