Marker ski jackets

[bettei]

I only ski on our week long Colorado trips anymore, but I am getting tired of my old jacket. Finding a womens XL in a ski jacket is "slim pickens" in most sporting goods stores. They are usually full of size 8 and 10's. And they tend to run smaller than coats in department stores, I have found.
Anyway....I ran across a Marker jacket in a Marshall's store of all places, and it actually fits. It has a powder skirt, pit zips, D ring, storm flap on the zipper, nice inside pockets. But it seems pretty light weight, even though it says it is an insulated jacket.
If I were going on the trip in March, I wouldn't hesitate, but I'm just wondering how it could be warm enough if it is that light.
I do have room to layer a polar fleece top with a thermal shirt on under it, so I'm wondering if that will be enough.

I did come home and look the style of the jacket (Liz), and they are selling it online in a couple places. The only thing it doesn't have is a fleece lined collar, but I wear a fleece gator anyway. So I thought I'd ask in these forums if anyone has any info on Marker jackets.....and would I be unwise to buy a ski jacket in a store like Marshalls?
Any input would be appreciated...
Thanks!

 

[Quiver Queen]

I bought a Marker shell once at Ocean State Job Lot, a deep discounter that makes Marshalls look like Saks 5th Ave, so maybe you got a great deal! It sounds like yours is probably the right weight for most days, but for the super cold ones you would probably need a 1) base layer, 2) turtle neck of a mid- or light-weight fleece, plus a 3) middle layer of thick fleece, thin down sweater, or wool, or maybe a middle layer vest depending on your coat's own insulation.

 

[bettei]

Thanks! If I had more room in my suitcase, I'd take along my old one too. I've gotten too hot a few times, but I was also too cold once in Winter Park, and that's what I remember the most. Man, I couldn't wait to get to the bottom of that mountain.

 

[Robyn]

I agree, the key to skiing comfortably is the layering and I wouldn't hesitate to use the jacket you bought. In fact, I don't like the idea of having a heavily insulated outer jacket because you have less control over adding or removing layers. Here in Colorado my typical set up on all but the coldest days is a wicking tank, technical baselayer of some sort (current favorite is a Columbia titanium shirt) or fleece zip turtle neck when slightly colder, a softshell jacket and an outer shell.

 

[bettei]

Being from the midwest, I envy you.... I love that area of Copper/Keystone/Breck the best of all the places I have been so far.

 

[perma-grin]

Marker uses Primaloft alot for their insulations and their fabrics tend to have a very tight denier to them (tightness of weave and thread count) it serves two purposes, 1. Adds in the fabrics wind proof /water resistant quality then they inhance it with a wpb coating the tightness of the weave of fabric helps in accepting the wpb coating application. In the upper tier jackets and pants they critically tape the seams ( shoulders and crotch). 2. the tighter the denier the better the hand and drape of the fabric on your body. Marker tends to fit us more shapely women better, because their clothing ( or at least their clothing use to be) all "made" in the USA. And their patterns our cut off of our sizing standards, they also cut in Womens (6,8,10 ect.) and some Junior (3/4, 5/6, 7/8 ect.) different cut through the hip and thigh. When I was buying for the store they where a well made quality garment even though they have went a little "Big box" lately. Marshalls buy's their last year's over-runs nothing wrong with the jackets, just last year's goods. They had some great deals on spyder and columbia this fall also! Good score!!

 

[SueNJ]

Bettei, I was looking at that exact jacket (the brown and white version) in a local Marshall's just before Christmas! I ended up putting it back on the rack, and have been mildly annoyed at myself ever since for doing it. I already have 2 ski jackets, 3 if you count the one I bought the year I was 25 pounds heavier--it's now my snow-shoveling jacket, but I have a new pair of skis (my Queen Attivas that my sweetie surprised me with on Christmas morning), and I don't have a jacket that coordinates with it. I'm tempted to go back to see if it's still on the rack...

 

[bettei]

It just seemed too light weight to be warm enough And it has a pure white cloth collar, no fleece which is not a good point either. Don't know what I'll do.
And you should go back, they had it in white with black markings too. Looked sharp!
And congrats on your weight loss!

 

[SueNJ]

I've got a few items I need to return to Marshall's. I'm planning a trip tomorrow--if it's meant to be that I have the jacket, it'll still be there waiting for me.

If your jacket fits so it allows layering, that may be the way to go--a good base layer that fits close to your skin (I like UnderArmour's winter-weight mock turtleneck tops) with a mid- to heavy-weight fleece over that and the jacket should keep you warm in most conditions--a TurtleFur neck gaiter will make up for the lack of fleece in the jacket collar. I've seen lighter weight neck gaiters as well, for days when it's not super cold. I bought a fleece vest that was on sale, to use as an extra layer on my torso for those really cold days.

Thanks--it's amazing what a difference 25 pounds makes on a person's skiing ability!

 

[gypsabelle]

I bought the exact same jacket in black with white markings at Marshalls about a month ago, for similar reasons as you. I left the tags on for a couple of weeks because I also thought it would be too light. After searching for a jacket I might like better, I finally gave in and used it on my first day out about a week ago. The weather was in the high 20s & I layerd with a thin base layer and a light fleece underneath. I was plenty warm & would be comfortable wearing it in colder weather with warmer layers. I do have a heavier coat I might wear in super-cold temps, but we don't get that too often here. It was comfy & I'm very happy I decided not to return (especially for the price!).

 

[HotChocolate]

I bought a Marker shell once at Ocean State Job Lot, a deep discounter that makes Marshalls look like Saks 5th Ave,

I just googled Ocean State Job Lot and dangit there were two under 20 minutes from me when I lived in Clifton Park, NY and I never knew about them.

I love a sale!