'Bombproof' HardShell Suggestions

I plan on hiking the AT next year, and doing more in the Sierras this year and I'm looking for a athletic fit, Lightweight Hardshell - gortex or eVent preferable. Budget of about $325, open to all brands or suggestions, I read through some of the forums but maybe you have a link to a similar subject - Thanks!

Patagonia M10.

It's a bit higher than your initial price range, but I'm sure you can find it on sale sometime in the time frame you are looking for.

Rab Momentum is a great solid and light hardshell made of Event. 13 oz.

It's not lightweight but the most bombproof shell I've ever worn. Arcteryx Alpha SV. You literally feel like putting on a layer of armor.

Don't think you want a "bombproof" WBP jacket on the AT trail, too heavy. Probably something with Gore packlight or some other ultra light eVent jacket (like the Uli Steck pullover) is going to fit that need better.

+1 for the Alpha SV. Its a bit heavy, but it really keeps you dry. Ive cimbed a soaking wet multipitch ice climb and had my sv jacket, sv gloves ans lt bibs, and i didnt even come close to getting wet. My partner im sure wishes he could say the same. As for price, its steep, but well worth it. Always been a fan of gor-tex...

Outdoor research axiom which has Gore tex active. Lightweight, very breathable/durable.

Outdoor Research Foray Jacket MSRP $200 Gortex shell. They have designed the jacket with zippers that run from under the armpit all the way down the the hips so it opens up like a poncho and becomes very breathable. They also raised the pockets a little so they are above the hip belt when its buckled. I actually just purchased mine today before posting this

+2 for the Alpha/Theta SV from Arcteryx. Not what you want for the AT though. For a through hike check the Arcteryx Alpha SL ( not SV ) it has GoreTex Pro in the shoulders, elbows and around zippers, and GoreTex PacLite everywhere else $350 retial... Lovin mine:)

All of the Arcteryx models mentioned are excellent I am sure. I bought a pair of Beta AR pants last year but never got to use them so I can't speak to their performance in the field. I think they are $350. Check out the specs and reviews on their site/backcountry/etc.

Thanks for all the replies - does anyone have experience with Montbell Hardshells? I have a few of their items including the ul down hoody that I really like. Also I agree I don't need anything as heavy duty as the alpha sv, maybe the theta or alpha sl is a good option. I want it to be as lightweight and durable(doesnt everyone haha) as possible (under 18oz). Also would like it to be able to withstand some early winter alpine climbs. Maybe I just need two jackets - thanks again MPers

No really... Alpha SL pullover.

Lightweight? Check.
Durable? Check.
Athletic fit? Check.
Under 18 ounces? 11.3 check.

No bells and whistles. Simple and bombproof.

arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?l…

But don't take my word for it.

alpinist.com/doc/web10s/ms-…

What size are you? I have a very lightly used Marmot Exum jacket, black, Mens Medium, that I'd let go for far less than $325. Like $150 shipped in you're in the lower 48. Gore-tex Proshell yadda yadda, big hood, great hardshell but I seem to never wear it...

My OR Axiom performs better than any hard shell I've had. No need for pit zips. Light but durable. OR has an even lighter, less expensive shell with the same gore tex active fabric called the Transonic.

Zirkel wrote:No really... Alpha SL pullover. Lightweight? Check. Durable? Check. Athletic fit? Check. Under 18 ounces? 11.3 check. No bells and whistles. Simple and bombproof. arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?l… But don't take my word for it. alpinist.com/doc/web10s/ms-…

Been looking at this.... I'm gonna try it on at my gear shop. Thanks for the info

NorCalNomad wrote:Don't think you want a "bombproof" WBP jacket on the AT trail, too heavy. Probably something with Gore packlight or some other ultra light eVent jacket (like the Uli Steck pullover) is going to fit that need better.

Definitely agree with this. Check with other AT thru hikers on WhiteBlaze or with the gurus on BackpackingLight, and I think you'll find that most send this sort of luxury item home within the first couple weeks. My preference is to carry a windshirt and umbrella - more breathable, more flexible, and much lighter.

It depends somewhat on when you leave. I started Mar 13th and ran into snow a few times. Freezing rain is the real killer though. I had a fairly heavy fully taped rain jacket ($120 columbia) which was not very breathable but had some vents. I wore it maybe 5 or 6 times in 10 weeks.

If I were starting again and had that budget to work with I would probably opt for a jacket similar to the one I had for the start and than a lightweight pullover for the rest of the trail. Maybe get the heavier jacket again when approaching Katahdin, depending on how late in the year it is.

Many of the things you bring you will probably find you do not need. Some big ones for me were:

Heavy mid height hiking boots - totally unnecessary once you get pack weight down.

Tons of fuel - test how much you will use in a day so you aren't carrying 3 weeks worth.

Rope / big knives / gun / bow and arrow (I didn't bring a weapons but plenty of people do.) - you are not Grizzly Adams. You aren't going to be hunting or defending yourself from wild animals. A 3 finger knife and some 550 cord is more than enough.

Water filter - not worth the weight, use tablets.

Whisper Lite - I started with one and it's great, but most meals are made by boiling water, so an alcohol stove is much lighter and does the trick. If you are going to get fancy, than a whisper or simmer light is probably worth it. You can only eat so much Ramen and Tuna.

Try to get fruit and veggies in whenever you can. You should indulge a bit when you're in town, you'll be dropping a lot of weight, but don't eat too much greasy shit. After eating clean for weeks you will get sick.

I have the Arc'teryx alpha SL. I like it quite a bit. Simple and lightweight. My two complaints are (1) the hood is enormous, not even my ski helment fills the space and (2) it's cut a bit short in the front and will ride up and come out from under a harness.

You could also consider the Patagonia super cell which is similar to the alpha SL but cheaper and cut longer.

Nevertheless, in my opinion and in my system a hard shell is more of an emergency piece that comes out when either my softshell outer layer ain't enough or it starts raining. In other words, the hardshell stays in the bottom of my pack 99.9% of the time.

I know it will rain on the AT, but I just don't think goretex is necessary so it might behoove you to look into lighter weight shells. A couple suggestions:

Marmot Super Mica

Marmot Hyper

Dane at Cold Thistle was a big fan of the hyper.

Sdm1568 wrote:I plan on hiking the AT next year, and doing more in the Sierras this year and I'm looking for a athletic fit, Lightweight Hardshell - gortex or eVent preferable. Budget of about $325, open to all brands or suggestions, I read through some of the forums but maybe you have a link to a similar subject - Thanks!

i have heard that poncho's are very effective in keeping you dry on the AT and can be used as tarps as well. Problem with the east coast is it is so humid making gore/event an almost gaurantee to get soaked with sweat if your moving hard in the rain

The Arcteryx sidewinder is bad ass and light, but not ultra light:

bentgate.com/shop/arcteryx/…

rock_fencer wrote: i have heard that poncho's are very effective in keeping you dry on the AT and can be used as tarps as well. Problem with the east coast is it is so humid making gore/event an almost gaurantee to get soaked with sweat if your moving hard in the rain

+1