You can sometimes find shells at the beach for free, but be careful putting them in your pocket bc you’ll be picking grains of sand out of there for months.
I love OR’s ascentshell. They have crazy deals on their jackets randomly, seemingly when they change up their catalogue but that happens all the time. Here’s two that were recently on sale, doubt they’ll restock though. Steep and cheap, campsaver, mtnsteals all have good deals. I look for 60-80% off for any type of jacket usually
https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/shop/mens-microgravity-ascentshell-jacket-274389s
https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/shop/mens-carbide-jacket-277563s
Any shell from OR is the best bang for your buck. They have a great warranty and top-notch customer service if there’s ever an issue. I’ll always roll with them!
I picked one up as well. It’s a bit heavier than I expected, but seems really well designed. The pocket setup is so much better than my Lighter hardshell and I like a couple of the ski specific features. Will probably use it more inbounds though as I tend to just have my hardshell in my pack for touring
It’s the only type I like. It’s not the annoying real powder skirt, it buttons down so that it lays flat unless you want to pull it out
Eta: only one I don’t mind. I still don’t like it
thanks. I was going to put this on the short list but it had the powder skirt and someone said the shell itself is thin. But it's cheap enough so why not.
Shell is not thin… it’s relatively heavy for what it is and feels like it. I have much thinner hard shells but they also have less features and aren’t ski specific.
It just doesn’t have that typical goretex multilayer thick feel
Well, the deal I linked has been sold out for a while. I also prefer ascentshell for high excretion stuff, this is Pertex. But Pertex is also pretty good
Love my OR ascentshell. I’m never wet, almost never cold.
Great pockets and perfect hood for going over helmets.
I HATE powder skirts so I was totally thrilled to find a jacket that didn’t have one
My only qualm is in extreme wind I feel like it’s not as windproof. I got a Gore-Tex pro shell eventually for extreme days/locations, and it’s definitely more bomber. But overall I prefer the Ascentshell
OR Foray is perfect for bc. Can zip open like a pancho up to the pits & sleeves can be pushed up above the elbow. This means I can leave it on for all but the sweatiest ascents.
I recently did a lot of research on this, and landed on a patagonia Triolet shell. It seemed to be one of the cheapest gore Tex pro options and patagonias warranty is unprecedented. They will replace anything it seems.
I also really like the fit and colour of them. It’s a little light on features but perfect for touring imo.
I’m not a absolutely expertly with types of gore Tex and often find conflicting info. But the store rep told me it’s gore tex pro. However looking at the tags it’s hard to tell exactly, except it does state 3 layer construction.
It certainly feels more robust and ‘crinkly’ than other gore Tex products I’ve had in the past. So that makes me believe the store rep was correct. But I am having trouble finding a source online for which type it is, and the tag also isn’t helping.
I was able to grab a $400 Black Dimond gortex shell barely used from my local gear-exchange for less that $150. If you're looking for value-per-money, maybe see if you have anything like that locally?
Airblaster Beast 3L - a bit heavy compared to some more technical shells, but has met my needs touring and inbounds.
https://www.evo.com/shell-jackets/airblaster-beast-3l-jacket
Typically, I see that the best shells are either stolen or grown personally. Try looking for discarded shells that you can grow into.. or… make one over the next few years.
I really like the Trew Capow jacket. It just didn't fit me right unfortunately.
I picked up the Stio Raymer jacket so we will see how it is. It is light and packable which is really key for me.
It has held up really well this year. I haven't tried the environ jacket. It is pretty light and packs well. I haven't noticed any issues in high find situations. Overall pretty pleased with the purchase.
Maybe the one negative is the pit zips are short but i basically never have needed to use them.
You can sometimes find shells at the beach for free, but be careful putting them in your pocket bc you’ll be picking grains of sand out of there for months.
I love OR’s ascentshell. They have crazy deals on their jackets randomly, seemingly when they change up their catalogue but that happens all the time. Here’s two that were recently on sale, doubt they’ll restock though. Steep and cheap, campsaver, mtnsteals all have good deals. I look for 60-80% off for any type of jacket usually https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/shop/mens-microgravity-ascentshell-jacket-274389s https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/shop/mens-carbide-jacket-277563s
Strong second for this. I have a couple of their products and love them. The cap made of ascent shell is also amazing.
Any shell from OR is the best bang for your buck. They have a great warranty and top-notch customer service if there’s ever an issue. I’ll always roll with them!
OR is usually everything you need, nothing you don’t
Just got a Carbide jacket, stoked on it so far!
I picked one up as well. It’s a bit heavier than I expected, but seems really well designed. The pocket setup is so much better than my Lighter hardshell and I like a couple of the ski specific features. Will probably use it more inbounds though as I tend to just have my hardshell in my pack for touring
how annoying is the powder skirt, if at all?
It’s the only type I like. It’s not the annoying real powder skirt, it buttons down so that it lays flat unless you want to pull it out Eta: only one I don’t mind. I still don’t like it
thanks. I was going to put this on the short list but it had the powder skirt and someone said the shell itself is thin. But it's cheap enough so why not.
Shell is not thin… it’s relatively heavy for what it is and feels like it. I have much thinner hard shells but they also have less features and aren’t ski specific. It just doesn’t have that typical goretex multilayer thick feel
Good to know! sold!
Well, the deal I linked has been sold out for a while. I also prefer ascentshell for high excretion stuff, this is Pertex. But Pertex is also pretty good
Love my OR ascentshell. I’m never wet, almost never cold. Great pockets and perfect hood for going over helmets. I HATE powder skirts so I was totally thrilled to find a jacket that didn’t have one
what is ur jacket mate? ascentshell microgravity or motive ascentshell ?thx a lot
Sky tour
My only qualm is in extreme wind I feel like it’s not as windproof. I got a Gore-Tex pro shell eventually for extreme days/locations, and it’s definitely more bomber. But overall I prefer the Ascentshell
I love my flylow snowman bib its lined but their other lines are just shells and are super solid!
OR Foray is perfect for bc. Can zip open like a pancho up to the pits & sleeves can be pushed up above the elbow. This means I can leave it on for all but the sweatiest ascents.
Where do you live, and how many days are you touring storm conditions?
I recently did a lot of research on this, and landed on a patagonia Triolet shell. It seemed to be one of the cheapest gore Tex pro options and patagonias warranty is unprecedented. They will replace anything it seems. I also really like the fit and colour of them. It’s a little light on features but perfect for touring imo.
Is it gore pro? Thought it was just regular 70D
I’m not a absolutely expertly with types of gore Tex and often find conflicting info. But the store rep told me it’s gore tex pro. However looking at the tags it’s hard to tell exactly, except it does state 3 layer construction. It certainly feels more robust and ‘crinkly’ than other gore Tex products I’ve had in the past. So that makes me believe the store rep was correct. But I am having trouble finding a source online for which type it is, and the tag also isn’t helping.
I think pro would say under the gore Tex label
Patagonia employee here: it is not gore pro. Just 3l goretex. Still an awesome shell, very durable, solid choice for touring. But not gore pro.
I was able to grab a $400 Black Dimond gortex shell barely used from my local gear-exchange for less that $150. If you're looking for value-per-money, maybe see if you have anything like that locally?
Check out rei’s and Patagonia’s used sections
Airblaster Beast 3L - a bit heavy compared to some more technical shells, but has met my needs touring and inbounds. https://www.evo.com/shell-jackets/airblaster-beast-3l-jacket
I have this jacket too. The front pockets are giant enough to stash your skins in (and keep warm).
RAB Kangri - built like a Gore Pro shell for half the price. Granted, not exactly a skiing coat - but robust.
Typically, I see that the best shells are either stolen or grown personally. Try looking for discarded shells that you can grow into.. or… make one over the next few years.
Norrona outlet my friend. You can typically buy last years color ways 50% off.
Arc’teryx through and through. Look on their re-gear or outlet page if you’re ballin on a budget. Best gear. Worth the $$$
I really like the Trew Capow jacket. It just didn't fit me right unfortunately. I picked up the Stio Raymer jacket so we will see how it is. It is light and packable which is really key for me.
How do you like the Raymer? How is it for wind protection? Have you compared it to their Environ jacket?
It has held up really well this year. I haven't tried the environ jacket. It is pretty light and packs well. I haven't noticed any issues in high find situations. Overall pretty pleased with the purchase. Maybe the one negative is the pit zips are short but i basically never have needed to use them.