Now keeping an eye out for a red/orange in my size with a good discount on it!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.
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Hard Shell Jacket for the Pear Shaped
- Thread starter Puppyski
- Start date
They currently have it on sale on Evo, in sizes M, L, XL in the red/orange. I forgot to mention it also has a pass pocket.
I’ve been frustrated online shopping for a new shell jacket this week, I dislike the shopping process and the time spent shopping. Definiteley have grown picky about what I want in a jacket over the years: preferably big chest pockets and removable powder skirt, length not any longer than my crotch, and interesting color(s).
Thanks to @SnowHot for the pointer to look at Flow Lucy and the discussion here. I ordered a few items to try out, only have done that once before in my life.
Then I read more about the company and absolutely love its founding story, their distinctive product names, plus how its owner lives in Tahoe!
www.skimag.com
Thanks to @SnowHot for the pointer to look at Flow Lucy and the discussion here. I ordered a few items to try out, only have done that once before in my life.
Then I read more about the company and absolutely love its founding story, their distinctive product names, plus how its owner lives in Tahoe!
How Flylow Comes Up With Whacky Product Names (Like the Pierogi Jacket)
We’ve always wondered how Flylow thinks up out-of-bounds names so we called up the owner and asked.
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J9maus
Diva in Training
Look at NoBody's Princess. https://nobodysprincess.com.au/ This is an Australian company woman-owned. She makes ski clothing for every body shape. I personally met her and got to see her clothing at special womens event at Whitetail Resort in PA in February. Beautiful clothing, very well made and very adjustable. There are great colors as well. The black irridecent jacket sparkles in the sun. Check it out.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
elemmac
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
The Lucy jacket checks most of your boxes…unless they’ve changed it in recent years, it’s missing your “big chest pockets” preference. But 100% still worth a look. I also love their story, how they stand behind their product, customer service is amazing, and their willingness to take customer feedback.
If you want to prioritize pockets (but willing to concede the removable powder skirt, and may or not be too long depending on how it fits you), take a look at the Armada Pavara…the pockets are second to none. HUGE! The side zips you can see in my picture below fits skins comfortably folded up. And there are two more good sized chest pockets.
I like mine a little longer possibly because of the amount of wind we experience out here in the Sierra.
However, I don't like them too long.
Nobody’s Princess has fantastic gear that really takes the shape of a woman’s body into account. They currently do not have any shell jackets in their range, but it looks like they are adding one for the next southern hemisphere season. It’s an anorak though, and I don’t think it has the powder skirt. I have a pair of their pants. I have not worn them out on the snow yet, but I can attest to their fit, and the customer service you get to help identify the right size and style is top notch.
I was sad they did not have a shell jacket this season, because I love the colors and patterns they use, and I also imagine a jacket of theirs would have a great fit.
The Rab jacket I have (Khromo Converge) has a powder skirt and huge chest pockets. I did have to size up to XL so I could still be comfortable in the hip area with my warmest fleece. It is hard shell. It may be a little long for you, but also may not. Especially if you wear a smaller size. It would be worth trying, I think.
I also have not worn it yet. I got all new gear for this season since my old pants were 13 years old and my old jacket, 20 years old.
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I was sad they did not have a shell jacket this season, because I love the colors and patterns they use, and I also imagine a jacket of theirs would have a great fit.
The Rab jacket I have (Khromo Converge) has a powder skirt and huge chest pockets. I did have to size up to XL so I could still be comfortable in the hip area with my warmest fleece. It is hard shell. It may be a little long for you, but also may not. Especially if you wear a smaller size. It would be worth trying, I think.
I also have not worn it yet. I got all new gear for this season
since my old pants were 13 years old and my old jacket, 20 years old. .
I like shorter jackets too. Generally Spyder jackets are shorter. It seems they have offer more in the way of insulated jackets rather than shells, also my preference. You might find some deals as I think that company went bankrupt then was bought out. No idea where it’s going in the future.
Further thread drift… a guy buddy has been sending me Toni Sailer images this past year. He’s been teasing me because he knows I’m too utilitarian. Then I saw a huge billboard in Ortesei for the brand this summer which totally cracked me up:
Ugh, I have a similar issue. I love the look and details of Helly Hansen jackets but have never found one that fits me. The Tungsten II by Outdoor Research checked all my boxes and was a great fit but the color block that’s been popular the past couple of years isn’t flattering on me. Argh!
Emms
Certified Ski Diva
Trew’s measurements are dead on, I had to replace all my outerwear after I started weightlifting this off season and just hulked right out of all my pants in the hips.
I was really nervous ordering from Canada knowing I couldn’t return but they are perfect and very accommodating for my new even more hip forward shape haha.
I was really nervous ordering from Canada knowing I couldn’t return but they are perfect and very accommodating for my new even more hip forward shape haha.
What about this shell jacket? It's 2L Goretex. I am wondering if I should hold out for a 3L Goretex.
How much time do you spend skiing in the rain and super storming days?
I feel like all my hard shell jackets are adequate for all weather, I do treat them every year. However, the gloves are way trickier to stay dry.
I received the Flyflow jackets in the mail, sadly they are too long in the sleeve and length for my preference at 5’ 4.5”. Narrowing down to Stio Environs and Strafe Bliss, both less than 28 inches in the back.
In addition to the actual age of my clothing, the amount of use makes the most difference. Some of my ski boots wear out after 2-3 years, sure, when I’m skiing 100+ days a season.
This is 28 inches
I have this insulated one in wine color and it is short at 26 inches
I have this insulated one in wine color and it is short at 26 inches
Thank you, @santacruz skier. REI does a great job displaying all features in a standardized fashion across brands when I’ve only relied on individual brand sites.
