Shell Recs

[rach93]

Hi y'all,

I am looking for some recommendations for outer shells. Ideally with longer sleeve lengths, powder skirt, lots of pockets, and material that can deal with soggy new england conditions.

Best,

 

[lisamamot]

Needing longer sleeve lengths is my major fit issue! I am only 5'9" but I have the arm length of someone inches taller, lol.

A few I own:
Stio Environ XT Anorak - the full zip Environ shell had shorter sleeves and was exchanged for the anorak
FlyLow Lucy - fully featured, but it is a lighter weight shell. I will use touring and in the spring.
Scott - I have a down jacket and a rain shell and sleeve length is perfect

A few I have tried, but do not own:
Norrona - if you are tall with narrow hips/shoulders this may be spot on for you.
Arcteryx Sentinel - the newest version I recently tried on had a nice sleeve length.
Elevenate - on a recent trip I tried on several jackets and they are now on my future purchase radar.

 

[jmfd84]

I have considered the Stio Credential and loved the fit, it was longer in both back length and the sleeves than the Environ. However, there is no pass pocket, which is a deal breaker for me.

 

[rach93]

Needing longer sleeve lengths is my major fit issue! I am only 5'9" but I have the arm length of someone inches taller, lol.

A few I own:
Stio Environ XT Anorak - the full zip Environ shell had shorter sleeves and was exchanged for the anorak
FlyLow Lucy - fully featured, but it is a lighter weight shell. I will use touring and in the spring.
Scott - I have a down jacket and a rain shell and sleeve length is perfect

A few I have tried, but do not own:
Norrona - if you are tall with narrow hips/shoulders this may be spot on for you.
Arcteryx Sentinel - the newest version I recently tried on had a nice sleeve length.
Elevenate - on a recent trip I tried on several jackets and they are now on my future purchase radar.

Yeah notice, sadly, a lot brands as you size up the sleeve length does not change. I am super wary of that at this point.

I am currently looking at the TNF Ceptor as an option. Have you ever tried that?

Norrona - I will have to check them out thanks!

 

[Verve]

I feel you! I’m 5’11” and the woman who buys for our ski shop is 6’+ and slender. As a result, we stock both Elevenate & Norrona (shout out to the Swedes).

I always want Patagonia outerwear to work for me bc I love their commitment to sustainability but only their “athletic” fit seems lanky enough (and then doesn’t fit my apparently unathletic hips, haha).

I own an (old) Arteryx Alpha SV coat and a new Norrona Tamok. 50% off at my store now fyi if you come to the Sugarbush area. The good stuff is rarely cheap.

re: The North Face - I haven’t tried their technical shells but find their fleeces to be fairly boxy and don’t come all the way down my wrists. Love that they make more inclusive size runs in nice gear though!

 

[MrsPlow]

I've had a Rab shell for the past couple of years and it fits nicely for a long torso and long arms. No powder skirt as it's a hiking jacket, but several large pockets. It's holding up well too.

 

[Peppermint]

Hi I am also in New England and wear the Patagonia Powder Bowl shell and it fits nicely with longer sleeves and powder skirt. It's got 2L Gore-Tex, 3 pockets - 2 inside, 1 outside and holds up to any conditions I have been out in.

 

[rach93]

I feel you! I’m 5’11” and the woman who buys for our ski shop is 6’+ and slender. As a result, we stock both Elevenate & Norrona (shout out to the Swedes).

I always want Patagonia outerwear to work for me bc I love their commitment to sustainability but only their “athletic” fit seems lanky enough (and then doesn’t fit my apparently unathletic hips, haha).

I own an (old) Arteryx Alpha SV coat and a new Norrona Tamok. 50% off at my store now fyi if you come to the Sugarbush area. The good stuff is rarely cheap.

re: The North Face - I haven’t tried their technical shells but find their fleeces to be fairly boxy and don’t come all the way down my wrists. Love that they make more inclusive size runs in nice gear though!

Yeah i love the Norrona stuff I have looked at so far. That is great rec for my body type. Just applied for their Pro program so fingers crossed.

 

[Verve]

Yeah i love the Norrona stuff I have looked at so far. That is great rec for my body type. Just applied for their Pro program so fingers crossed.

Keep us posted!

 

[lisamamot]

I have considered the Stio Credential and loved the fit, it was longer in both back length and the sleeves than the Environ. However, there is no pass pocket, which is a deal breaker for me.

Both models of the Environ have a pass pocket as does the Figment. Per the salesperson I spoke to, the Figment fits more like the Environ Anorak XT, but I wanted a solid color rather than color blocked so I did not try it.

 

[lisamamot]

Yeah notice, sadly, a lot brands as you size up the sleeve length does not change. I am super wary of that at this point.

I am currently looking at the TNF Ceptor as an option. Have you ever tried that?

Norrona - I will have to check them out thanks!

We have an older TNF down jacket that fits us well (us = me and my daughter, she is 5'11"). I don't believe I have tried the Ceptor though.

I cannot seem to get Norrona to fit me. When I size up to get hip/shoulder room, the sleeves/body length are actually too long -it feels like it was made for someone 6'+.

Elevenate - tried on my usual size in multiple items and they were all divine. Big wish list items!

Hi I am also in New England and wear the Patagonia Powder Bowl shell and it fits nicely with longer sleeves and powder skirt. It's got 2L Gore-Tex, 3 pockets - 2 inside, 1 outside and holds up to any conditions I have been out in.

Yes, we have an older Powder Bowl shell too and it fits both my daughter and I and has a related fit with room for layering. I didn't list it as it is discontinued. Unsure which one replaced it.

 

[Bookworm]

I have 2 from Black Crows and love them. Very good quality and prices when bought on sale.