Jacket-purchasing Anxiety

[RachelV]

So I went to backcountryoutlet last night all set to buy a new ski jacket and was totally overwhelmed by the choices. Shell only? Shell with zip-in compatibility? Insulated shell? I bought my current ski jacket before I really skied very much, so I didn't give it a lot of thought. This time around I'm totally overthinking it and I can't decide what to get.

My current jacket is a shell with a zip-in fleece, but I NEVER take the fleece out while skiing. The fleece came with the jacket - would it necessarily fit well if I were to buy a new shell as long as they're roughly the same size, or are these things brand/jacket specific?

What do you ladies use? Any particular brand you recommend?

I'm tempted to just get a totally waterproof and warm-ish shell and use my existing fleece, since I'm happy with its internal pockets and everything.

Thanks!

 

[altagirl]

So I went to backcountryoutlet last night all set to buy a new ski jacket and was totally overwhelmed by the choices. Shell only? Shell with zip-in compatibility? Insulated shell? I bought my current ski jacket before I really skied very much, so I didn't give it a lot of thought. This time around I'm totally overthinking it and I can't decide what to get.

My current jacket is a shell with a zip-in fleece, but I NEVER take the fleece out while skiing. The fleece came with the jacket - would it necessarily fit well if I were to buy a new shell as long as they're roughly the same size, or are these things brand/jacket specific?

What do you ladies use? Any particular brand you recommend?

I'm tempted to just get a totally waterproof and warm-ish shell and use my existing fleece, since I'm happy with its internal pockets and everything.

Thanks!

I wouldn't buy anything but a shell. I like the versatility of being able to use various fleece jackets under it, or my down puffy jacket under if it's really cold, or just a smartwool shirt or two if it's warm. Take the fleece you have with you when you shop and try it on under the shells to make sure you have enough room.

I have this Arc'teryx shell:

 

[Pequenita]

The fleece came with the jacket - would it necessarily fit well if I were to buy a new shell as long as they're roughly the same size, or are these things brand/jacket specific?

It depends on what you mean by "fit." Some shells (I assume the one you have right now is one of these) have an inner zipper that allows a fleece or mid-layer to zip in and then the are both closed up by the shell's outer zipper. A one-zip solution is not necessary. My fleece and shell are not compatible in this way. I zip my fleece on and the shell has its own separate zip.

I have an older version of this Marmot PreCip jacket. I use it for everything that I do that requires spending time in colder or windy weather.

 

[IntheClouds]

My current jacket is a shell with a zip-in fleece, but I NEVER take the fleece out while skiing. The fleece came with the jacket - would it necessarily fit well if I were to buy a new shell as long as they're roughly the same size, or are these things brand/jacket specific?

I don't know about brand specific , but there has to be zipper compatibility. There are about 3 sizes of zipper teeth out there, at least at Patagonia, and I'm sure different lenghts. I took my Goretex Patagonia rain coat to the outlet and found 2 different liners, fleece & and insulated that worked. All three pieces were different sizes but worked. In the end , we decided I needed an entirely new outer wardrobe & skipped the liner. Keeping the coat for it's original purpose & can still use skiing in the Calif. warmer temps. I had to grin when the 30 something salesman said , " If it were up to me, I'd put you in a whole new wardrobe." Guys can be so fashion conscious !

 

[Jilly]

3 in 1 coats, shell and fleece liner are brand and type specific. I've a Sierra Design shell and many different fleeces from SD, but only 1 fits in right. The rest I can use, but they go in inside-out to match zips. Or you can do like pequenita and use your fleece liner like a layer not attached. Personally I have insulated ski jackets 1 by Rossignol and 2 by Phenix. What out for technical stuff. My one Phenix is a fashion product - not waterproof or warm enough for eastern Canada. Looks great, but its spring time only. I find the 3 in 1's not warm enough for me.

 

[cloudpeak]

I prefer a shell so that I can control layering for different temps. I like waterproof zippers (it rains in the PNW), and pit zips.

Currently, I'm using the Cloudveil RPK jacket.

 

[ski now work later]

The Cloudveil products are super high quality, but they don't fit me particularly well and are pretty expensive.

I have a North Face insulated parka with pit zips that's nice and warm, and at the end of last season I finally found a softshell that I like (40% off) made by Burton. I'm really looking forward to having two options this season. Underneath, I have some base layer tops and 3 fleece zip neck tops, 2 Polartec 100 weight and a third by Mountain Hardwear that's warmer. The combination of these items (all in neutral black, brown, white, etc.) should be good! I also have a Marmot PreCip jacket (best rain jacket ever made) that I could use in Spring/rainy conditions.

I think a lot has to do with where you ski. In the East, it's damper and colder so a thin shell requires a lot of bundling underneath. Out West (in the Rockies) I find that I keep warmer with less clothing and off piste/powder conditions require waterproof materials for my outerwear.

Have fun shopping!:D

 

[Little Lightning]

Not me! I'm not warmer here with just a shell. Maybe in Nov., early Dec. and spring but most of the winter I wear jackets with linings in them with my base layer and a fleece layer. It gets very cold at 11,000 ft.

So I have both, shells and warm jackets.

Kathi

 

[RachelV]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm still not quite sure which way I'm going to go, but at least now I have more to think about. I'll update when I decide!

 

[Kimmyt]

I ski with a shell. Optional layers are softshell, fleece vest. On dry/warmer days I can wear the softshell. I'm still trying to figure out sizing, my shell feels slightly snug when I have all my layers underneath of it, but I do look rather sexy.

The good thing about jackets is that you can usually unload them fairly easily if they don't fit right (and you're willing to take a slight loss). Between advertising here and on epic, my 2 jackets I'd ordered from SAC (different sizes) were sold within a few hours of posting.

I've got a Marmot something jacket and the pit zips are a must. Arc'Teryx softshell. REI fleece vest. Some decent base layers and I am set.

K.

 

[Gloria]

I feel like I am wearing a too small power suit w/zipins

I am not a big fan of the zip in shells. I always feel like my arms are restricted in tehm for some reason. I had a coat about fifteen years ago that anyting could zip into, and you could zip anything into it. There were some questions regarding inside out etc. No, they install the zippers in the jacket so that the jacket zips right in. My sister gave me a columbia shell thing with a bunch of stuff you could zip in and out, she gave it to me because she didn't like it, and aside from being free, I didn't enjoy it either. Simply because my movement felt restricted in the arms and back, and I felt a little bulky. I have the capability of zipping a layer into one of my shells but I never do, once I zipped a vest in when it was really cold, but I still got that binding feeling, no pun intended. So anyway the point is don't dis a jacket just because an inner layer you like and already have won't zip in, you may find you are more comfortable simply layering them.

 

[RachelV]

Check it out, it's 2+ years later (whoa) and I'm buying a new jacket again! (Guess I don't qualify for the jacket slut thread, huh? ;) )

I am embarrassed to admit that I totally do not know the difference between a soft shell and a hard shell. Is it whether or not the jacket's waterproof? How breathable it is? Help me out, here.

 

[abc]

What did you get 2 years ago (that you need to buy AGAIN)?

Sorry, can't resist...

 

[Kimmyt]

softshell = breathable and somewhat waterproof. Looks like fabric but has a coating for waterproofing. Most can be used as insulating layers as well. Think the ubiquitous arc'teryx jackets.
https://www.backcountryoutlet.com/o...yrider-Insulated-Softshell-Jacket-Womens.html

hardshell = more waterproof, less breathable. Like a rain jacket but thicker material. Not usually insulating. might be referred to as a 'technical shell' as on the backcountry.com website.
https://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/MAR1177/Marmot-Fjell-Jacket-Womens.html

 

[geargrrl]

I'd adjust the softshell thing to say, water repellent, not proof. Even if my good arcteryx soft shells.... I would not want to be caught in real wet situations in them. They will wet out and soak through. They have a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) surface treatment, but I wouldn't call it a waterproof coating.

Also, softshells typically have a stretch and or wicking component built into them, plus many have a fleecy inside. You could think of them as the uber high tech version of windproof fleece.

Most of us get softshells as an addition to the jacket quivver, not the primary coat. They are great for layering, warmer weather, blue bird days, that sort of thing.

 

[Christy]

I've never seen anyone use a softshell as a shell for skiing, not here at least. That's what people in Seattle wear to work. It doesn't seem like it would be waterproof--aren't those mostly "water resistant"? Unless the new ones are better than last time I shopped.

 

[geargrrl]

I've never seen anyone use a softshell as a shell for skiing, not here at least. That's what people in Seattle wear to work. It doesn't seem like it would be waterproof--aren't those mostly "water resistant"? Unless the new ones are better than last time I shopped.

We'll wear soft shells for sunny spring skiing. One problem is that at any real speed, the wind will still go through them.

 

[RachelV]

Thanks everyone! Since I am not a jacket quiver kind of person (yet! ;) ) it looks like I want a hard shell. I am officially on Tramdock/SAC watch.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Smart move. In addition to getting more water and wind resistance, you'll also get more.....POCKETS. For some reason, most of the soft shells I have seen have a serious lack thereof. Maybe there's some appeal in the stretch factor? Just not versatile enough, IMO. Get a hard shell with pit zips and you're good to ventilate - no need for yet another semi-redundant jacket.

p.s. more "soft shell" pants hitting the market as well. Again But...I hang around a very cold mountain that gets, at best, 2 weeks of "spring" skiing, after mid-April.

 

[Christy]

I have a pair of soft shell pants, but not for skiing. I got them for shoulder season hiking. But they aren't even that great for that--they aren't waterproof enough if it rains or if wet brush along the trail gets your legs wet. Rainpants over long underwear is better.