After watching all this snow fall yesterday, I noticed that my North Face softshell jacket just won't cut it. I went by LL Bean over the weekend, and grabbed one of their Weather Channel jackets, and it seems to be pretty decent, but I might just end up returning it. I've been partial to North Face for the last couple years, they had a North Face jacket at LL Bean, that I liked, but they didn't have it in my size. I was willing to pay the extra $110 for it also because the Bean one, I bought was $169 vs the NF one, which was $279. Am I missing something or there better brands out there? I'm just looking for something with layers (like a 3 in 1 etc). If they sell it at LL Bean, it even better because of their superior return policy.
LL Bean Ascent. gore tex outer shell layer: http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=56543&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr primaloft insulated layer: http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=56544&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr and/or there's a fleece inner layer. i wear the primaloft by itself all the time, and use the gore text all the time in warmer wet weather. together they're absolutely killer. g/l. doody.
I have a number of coats - my wife claims I have a coat fetish. I like North Face especially their Summit Series. I recently bought a Karbon Ski coat at Watchusett and its the best coat I've ever had. Check them out if you can find a dealer. - Ron
I wear a primaloft (Heater) jacket from Eastern Mountain Sports and an LL Bean 3-layer Gore- tex Mountain Guide Parka. They keep me warm and totally dry. Aidan
i have the previous model REI Shuksan shell, the new one is even better, made of E-vent, still $280. Mine is a year old, got it on sale at $160, it is extremely waterproof, and supposedly windproof to 60mph. I wear this for winter hiking in bad weather and for skiing. Usually wear a 200 weight fleece and a base layer under it for skiing. if temps are mild but there is heavy precip i break it out because it is so weatherproof, but it gets hot fast if your working hard. has never let me down, great piece. this one is not compatible with zip in liners but i dont find i need it that much. if you want the cream of the crop for outer shells look at arc'teryx. amazing stuff but very expensive. keep in mind shells like this don't insulate, if you want warmth go with a down or synthetic insulator, but they arent always weatherproof. if you like to layer, like me, wear them with a shell when the skies open. if you want a single weatherproof and warm jacket, look at ski jackets. PS, my friends who work at REI refer to it as Return Everything, Inc. because they will ALWAYS accept returns, no questions asked and no receipt for REI items, may need a receipt sometimes for non REI products. buy anything from them without fear. they carry a lot of brands online including north face and will ship for free to any store for pickup. plus members get a dividend which is nice.
North Face has recently gone to sort of a layering system...you need the inner and outer shell both to really 'get there'. And they'll be half price at end of season...!! I also have a Bogner ski suit but it's more of a fashion accessory....there's some hunting lines now that offer better weather protection.....I can't seem to call the one I am thinking of, to mind....
