durable. heavy shell

Any suggestions for durable hardshell? I already have a fairly robust ground extension hard shell with eVent fabric and schoeller. I use it mountaineering. I had an old columbia titanium jacket that was like 16 years old. It was super tough, super heavy, and lasted forever. The omni tech quit working awhile ago and the zipper fabric is falling apart finally. I would love something to replace that. I would be happier if I could get event, neo shell, or the eVent renames. It seems like everyone is focused on light weight which is great, but I want something I can bust through brush without worrying about. HugE pit zips are a plus. I definitely used it like a poncho some with arms sticking out of the pot zips.

I was thinking I might need to look at either hunting our snowboard jackets, but was unsure. Any suggestions would be nice.

Mountain hardware chinley 3L

I was gonna say that ski/snowboard jackets, as long as they're shell-only, are a good way to go if you're not particularly features-needy. They're going to generally be burly. If you want something you can beat up, there's some heavy duty shit on steepandcheap from time to time so you'd be getting something tough at a price that makes you not worry about dinging it if you do.

The Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Hooded Jacket is really bomber and it's Dry.Q Elite, which is an eVent derivative. Unfortunately, no pit zips, but the shell is next-near bullet proof and it breathes very well.

Outdoor Research shells have "torso flow" vents, which is about as close to a poncho as you can get while still having a full-on mountaineering jacket. I have one with a combo of Gore-tex PRo-Shell and Paclite, it has lasted about 5 years of heavy travel and I imagine it will keep on going.

OR Furio

I got a EMS gore tex XCR shell that's 21 years old. Sometimes I wear it instead of my fancy Arcteryx jacket. It's cool to hear others with similar gear.

I have a Rab Latok (original, not the Alpine), and I adore it. Very tough, huge pit-zips, and it's eVent, which you said you preferred.

If you're a Men's Medium, I have a NWOT Columbia shell that fits that description that I'm looking to sell.

I've got a Mountain Hardware Ethereal FTX goretex that's bombproof. I've walked through blackberry bushes without a scratch. It's got the largest pit zips I've ever seen as well as chest vents. 2 napoleon pockets, 2 hand pockets, 2 huge mesh inside pockets, snow skirt, a hood w stiff brim that'll fit any helmet. It's been sitting in my closet for years, size M if you're interested. I haven't weighed it but it's probably over 2lbs. If I skied more often then it'd be my go to storm shell

If you're willing to dump the cash I'd go with an Arcteryx Alpha SV. Super bomber, and the new Gore Pro is much more breathable than previous GoreTex I've used

Trekkin has Alpha SVs for way less than full price - I think I'm getting the Alpha FL for like 300 after shipping and I think the SV is around 500

Check out the EMS Helix shell. I've had one for about three years and it's held up well to heavy use, I work outside in all conditions and my clothing gets heavier use at work than it does climbing. I think the newest version has neoshell, mine is not, but hopefully it'll be as durable.

Thank you so much everyone. I apologize for not responding earlier, I had it set to notify me of replies, but I just got the email today for some reason (maybe the rest went to junk mail).

I will definitely be looking at some of these. To those offering to sell sorry I wear a large, and the old shell was actually XL b/c I got it when I was a teenager and teenagers sometime think they will just keep growing :) It came in handy when I commuted in 33 degree rain on my bike though as most jacket pull up over your backside when you lean forward.

A lot of the suggestions seem very nice. The EMS helix especially has a much more reasonable price than the Arc teryx SV