Hard Shell Jacket for the Pear Shaped

[Puppyski]

I am looking to retire my beloved primary ski jacket, after twenty years of use. It is a Northface Gortex shell with a little bit of warm lining, and designed to have a fleece zipped in as a liner. I always wear the fleece separated from the shell, so I figured looking for a hard shell for my new jacket made the most sense.

I thought I might be able to score an end of
season deal, so started looking about a month ago. Sadly, it seems that modern shells with two way zips, and that cover one’s posterior are no longer made for pear-shaped women. At least the ones I have tried.

I had high hopes for a Helly Hanson jacket that had so many great features. But even the XL was tight in the hips—and huge everywhere else.

I am 5’6” and wear a US size 10/12 and would love any suggestions. Features like pit zips, a two way zip for the main zip, great pockets, and a water/windproof shell that is on the longer side are all things I love in my current jacket.

Thank you! I realize I will probably be waiting until next season to go jacket hunting

 

[MrsPlow]

Same problem here. I'm trying to convince myself that it's good being this shape - pear plus long torso - because it lowers my centre of gravity and is my secret to impeccable balance while skiing.

I tried on a Patagonia Triolet jacket last week which was pretty long and I didn't have to go up to XL for it to be comfortable. Very roomy over the hips. Rab are also worth a look, nice quality and good fit for me as well.

Avoid men's jackets especially if they're for climbing - tend to be long but very straight cut. The annoying thing is that women's shells don't seem to come in bright colours, only the men's do. I personally want to be very visible so subtle earth tones are out.

Good luck, interested to hear what you find.

 

[Verve]

I’m very hippy and the Norrona Tamok fits me really well. Fit is otherwise very Scandinavian (long arms). I’m 5’11” and the medium fits but I wish I’d done the large for a more oversized look. Not cheap but the quality is all there.

Other jackets from the brand fit very differently and I can be a L or XL depending but this style is designed as a relaxed fit.

 

[Puppyski]

Same problem here. I'm trying to convince myself that it's good being this shape - pear plus long torso - because it lowers my centre of gravity and is my secret to impeccable balance while skiing.

I tried on a Patagonia Triolet jacket last week which was pretty long and I didn't have to go up to XL for it to be comfortable. Very roomy over the hips. Rab are also worth a look, nice quality and good fit for me as well.

Avoid men's jackets especially if they're for climbing - tend to be long but very straight cut. The annoying thing is that women's shells don't seem to come in bright colours, only the men's do. I personally want to be very visible so subtle earth tones are out.

Good luck, interested to hear what you find.

Thank you for this great advice! I have never looked at Rab before, and I can see a couple of possible options on their website.

There is a Patagonia store near where I work, so I will stop by and see if they still have any Triolets in.

And I am with you on color. My current jacket is very visible on the slopes, and I need to try and replicate that for safety.

 

[Puppyski]

I’m very hippy and the Norrona Tamok fits me really well. Fit is otherwise very Scandinavian (long arms). I’m 5’11” and the medium fits but I wish I’d done the large for a more oversized look. Not cheap but the quality is all there.

Other jackets from the brand fit very differently and I can be a L or XL depending but this style is designed as a relaxed fit.

Thanks for this! It looks like a great jacket. I do not have the longest arms, but with the big mittens in the end of them, maybe that would be ok.

I like that there are some relaxed fit options out there, as a lot of what I am seeing is very fitted. That would be fine for me if the jacket ended at the waist. But not so good for a longer length.

 

[snowy_owl]

I love my Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket. It's an unlined shell, and I wear a puffy underneath it when it's cold and recently in the spring I've worn just a wool shirt. I am 5'7", typically wear 10/12 on the bottom and I got a size L. Mine is a nice yellow color. I tried Helly Hansen shells and the armpits were too high up for me (it was a weird fit) and I tried the Trew brand, and Trew was definitely not hip friendly. Trew was super tight on the hips and huge in the waist.

 

[CarolB79]

So glad to see this thread. I've been having the same struggle with hips. I am only 5 feet tall, so L or XL won't work well for me. Has anyone found a solution for a shell size M?

 

[Puppyski]

I love my Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket. It's an unlined shell, and I wear a puffy underneath it when it's cold and recently in the spring I've worn just a wool shirt. I am 5'7", typically wear 10/12 on the bottom and I got a size L. Mine is a nice yellow color. I tried Helly Hansen shells and the armpits were too high up for me (it was a weird fit) and I tried the Trew brand, and Trew was definitely not hip friendly. Trew was super tight on the hips and huge in the waist.

Thanks for the heads up on Trew. I love the term hip friendly! I will check out the OR jacket too!

 

[Puppyski]

So glad to see this thread. I've been having the same struggle with hips. I am only 5 feet tall, so L or XL won't work well for me. Has anyone found a solution for a shell size M?

I wonder if a looser cut waist length jacket would work for you? I don’t have any in mind, but I was thinking the length might be good for your height. I was also told in one store that I should look for Free Ride jackets, as those are less fitted. I do not know if some North Face Jackets still have a waist adjustment feature. My current jacket does, and it allowed me to lend my size Large shell to a friend who was just a few inches taller than you, and who wore a US size 2. It was a little big on her, but with a warm mid-layer, it worked.

 

[DebD2]

I'm in the same situation. Please keep us posted on what you find that works for you. Always looking and since I don't live near a ski shop, I have to order online. So frustrating to get something that fits, even when using their size charts.

 

[SnowHot]

@mustski and I have both been comparing notes on this topic.
Outdoor research has touted a full figured line which has offered a few options that have room for boobs and hips.
The most recent shell I purchased that has plenty of room for my boobs and hips is my FlyLow shell.
I got this shell from Sierra Trading post and love it.
The link I found is on poshmark so maybe its a find for you, but seriously the FlyLow Lucy Full Zip shell has been really comfortable and has plenty of "hourglass" room.

Flylow Lucy shell jacket, medium

Shop sebousq's closet or find the perfect look from millions of stylists. Fast shipping and buyer protection. Ski / snowboard shell, flylow lucy. Size medium. NWT.

poshmark.com

 

[skinnyfootskis]

@mustski and I have both been comparing notes on this topic.
Outdoor research has touted a full figured line which has offered a few options that have room for boobs and hips.
The most recent shell I purchased that has plenty of room for my boobs and hips is my FlyLow shell.
I got this shell from Sierra Trading post and love it.
The link I found is on poshmark so maybe its a find for you, but seriously the FlyLow Lucy Full Zip shell has been really comfortable and has plenty of "hourglass" room.

Flylow Lucy shell jacket, medium

Shop sebousq's closet or find the perfect look from millions of stylists. Fast shipping and buyer protection. Ski / snowboard shell, flylow lucy. Size medium. NWT.

poshmark.com

But why are all ski jackets so long...am I the only one that likes them at the hip. Flylow, especially.

 

[santacruz skier]

I’m wearing the Flylow Lucy shell and Foxy bibs in my avatar and I’m pretty petite ! So fits many body types!

 

[elemmac]

Count me in the Flylow Lucy club. I love mine, and I'd consider myself somewhere between pear and hourglass figured. Size charts that fit my bust and waist, are rarely large enough in the hips. @Puppyski - the only thing the Lucy doesn't hit on your list is a double-direction zipper.

 

[Puppyski]

Count me in the Flylow Lucy club. I love mine, and I'd consider myself somewhere between pear and hourglass figured. Size charts that fit my bust and waist, are rarely large enough in the hips. @Puppyski - the only thing the Lucy doesn't hit on your list is a double-direction zipper.

I was just looking at the Lucy and noticed that! I really do love the double direction zipper. I have read such great things about this jacket and brand, but I have noticed that a lot of jackets these days don’t have the double direction zipper. Even the North Face ones I was looking at.

 

[Puppyski]

But why are all ski jackets so long...am I the only one that likes them at the hip. Flylow, especially.

It looks like you can sort by jacket length on Evo. Below is a filter for waist length, but they also have a hip length filter.

Women's Jackets | evo

Shop Women's Jackets at evo. Best selection, authentic reviews, and helpful humans. Enjoy Fast FREE SHIPPING on qualifying orders and our Lowest Price Guarantee.

www.evo.com

Right now, I did not see any shells, but maybe check it out as they get next season’s products in?

 

[J9maus]

Check out the Australian made Nobody’s Princess line made for all shapes and sizes. Got to meet the founder and creator Maria at a special event at our mountain.https://nobodysprincess.com.au/. Great colors and great fit features. Lots of parts that are shiny in the sun!

 

[Puppyski]

I just purchased a Rab Khroma Converge Gortex Shell. I ordered a L and XL from Alpinistas—a great women’s mountain/outdoor clothing store out of Reno. Jackets were also 25 percent off

The Khroma Converge ticks all the boxes for me: two- way primary zip, pit zips, good pockets, a hood that covers my helmet, and enough room in the hips. It even has a powder skirt that can be removed.

The L was a nice fit without my warmest fleece. But too tight with. The XL was great even when I was fully layered up and the powder skirt was done up. The arms are a little long, but they tuck in nicely to my mittens, and there is an adjustment at the wrists. It is also a bit too big in the back area, but I can live with that. I usually have a small hydration pack on, so a little extra give in that area does not bother me.

The jacket is Gortex and I got it in a blue that is somewhere between Royal and Navy. They also have it in an orange/red-ish color for those looking for brighter tones. And a nice two-tone green.

I like my jackets on the longer side, and this one fully covers my posterior, and has a cord where you can tighten the bottom of the jacket to keep the snow out, along with the powder skirt. There are also adjustments for the hood, so I feel this will serve me well even in the worst weather.

I think the fit for this would be too long on anyone shorter than me (5’6”), unless they have a longer torso—mine is on the shorter side. Also it probably would not be a hit with anyone who does not like their jackets to hit below the hip area.

I am going to keep the XL and look forward to wearing it next season!

I may end up springing for a Flylow jacket at some point in the future, the colors are so fun. And Nobody’s Princess is on my list for when my ski pants need replacing. I love that they are built for specific body types and that their models are all shapes and sizes.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful ideas! I love having a list to consult in the future.

 

[DebD2]

I too just found a shell that fits me from Mountain Hardware. Better yet, 50% from REI! Color is black and no ski pass pocket, but I can live with it.

 

[Puppyski]

I am so glad you found a jacket you like! And what a great deal at 50 percent off!