Help Me Pick A Ski Jacket

[jyl]

I don’t often get analysis paralysis, but apparently clothes shopping will do it. Even “technical” garments. Footwear, no problem, I am a master of decision. But if it has sleeves, forget it. Especially if it is potentially rather spendy.

But I need a new ski jacket.

Yeah, in our consumerist society that usually means he has four or five perfectly good ski jackets but just wants to blow money on another. In my case, however, since I just resumed skiing last year after almost three decades off, my perfectly good ski jackets are some 30 years old. The stylish shorty jackets were gotten rid of long ago, the backcountry GoreTex shells are no longer waterproof, and the puffy down ones are sadly deflated and leaking feathers.

So, what to buy.

Pacific Northwest. Resort skiier. Maybe some XC too. Wide range of temps on the mountains. I don’t want a thick insulated jacket, but a shell I can layer over insulation under a shell. Don’t want to ski with a backpack, so need decent pocket capacity. Ideally a jacket that can be used off the slopes too.

I do want to buy something NOW, because it’s the middle of summer and there are deals on skigear. I am blowing close to $2K on skis and bindings, so saving money on clothing seems a very good idea.

I have found various possibilities; here are a couple that are fairly contrasty.

https://mountainuniforms.com/product/ops-jacket-royal-black-with-reflective/

$249 “Mountain Ops” jacket from Mountain Uniforms, a little Tahoe business that makes clothing for ski patrol, SAR, etc. They usually do custom orders, but have a limited selection of off-the-shelf items. Their stuff has lots of pockets, accomodates radios and gear, with a rather utilitarian look. I won’t buy the patrol jackets, and in general I think red is a color to be avoided unless you are actually ski patrol, but they have jackets meant for, I guess, maintenance workers?

https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_us/odin-9-worlds-20-jacket-62938?color=628942

$250 “Odin” shell by Helly Hansen, who won’t sell their ski patrol/SAR kit to the public (AFAIK) but do have lots of ski jackets for normal folks. Their civilian stuff has a sleeker look than their institutional stuff.

https://outlet.arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/sabre-jacket

$550 “Sabre” shell by Arcteryx, which I guess is a premium brand? judging from the price. Stylish, but what makes it worth 2X the Helly Hansen shell?

https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/ski-guide-jacket

$900 Arcteryx does sell their “pro” gear, here is their “Ski Guide” jacket, which I’m not actually considering ($$$) but put here if anyone can make a case that it’s actually worth a thousand dollars more or less.

https://www.columbia.com/p/mens-timberturner-ii-ski-jacket-2011251_S.html?dwvar_2011251_S_color=613

$100 Columbia “Timberturner” jacket. This is inexpensive indeed. Other than the walking billboard part, is it any worse than the stuff at 3-9X more?

You can see why I’m analyzed-paralyzed. My attention span for clothes shopping is about 15 minutes and has long been overrun.

[Zeke]

There seams to be many choices at Columbia w/o the billboard and at the same price point. It's been years but Columbia has always done right by me.

[stevej37]

I'll second the Columbia jacket....the copper/black looks great.
I've had a couple Columbia ski jackets over the years and they are quality built.

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by jyl

I don’t often get analysis paralysis, but apparently clothes shopping will do it. Even “technical” garments. Footwear, no problem, I am a master of decision. But if it has sleeves, forget it. Especially if it is potentially rather spendy.

But I need a new ski jacket.

Yeah, in our consumerist society that usually means he has four or five perfectly good ski jackets but just wants to blow money on another. In my case, however, since I just resumed skiing last year after almost three decades off, my perfectly good ski jackets are some 30 years old. The stylish shorty jackets were gotten rid of long ago, the backcountry GoreTex shells are no longer waterproof, and the puffy down ones are sadly deflated and leaking feathers.

So, what to buy.

Pacific Northwest. Resort skiier. Maybe some XC too. Wide range of temps on the mountains. I don’t want a thick insulated jacket, but a shell I can layer over insulation under a shell. Don’t want to ski with a backpack, so need decent pocket capacity. Ideally a jacket that can be used off the slopes too.

I do want to buy something NOW, because it’s the middle of summer and there are deals on skigear. I am blowing close to $2K on skis and bindings, so saving money on clothing seems a very good idea.

I have found various possibilities; here are a couple that are fairly contrasty.

https://mountainuniforms.com/product/ops-jacket-royal-black-with-reflective/

$249 “Mountain Ops” jacket from Mountain Uniforms, a little Tahoe business that makes clothing for ski patrol, SAR, etc. They usually do custom orders, but have a limited selection of off-the-shelf items. Their stuff has lots of pockets, accomodates radios and gear, with a rather utilitarian look. I won’t buy the patrol jackets, and in general I think red is a color to be avoided unless you are actually ski patrol, but they have jackets meant for, I guess, maintenance workers?

https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_us/odin-9-worlds-20-jacket-62938?color=628942

$250 “Odin” shell by Helly Hansen, who won’t sell their ski patrol/SAR kit to the public (AFAIK) but do have lots of ski jackets for normal folks. Their civilian stuff has a sleeker look than their institutional stuff.

https://outlet.arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/sabre-jacket

$550 “Sabre” shell by Arcteryx, which I guess is a premium brand? judging from the price. Stylish, but what makes it worth 2X the Helly Hansen shell?

https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/ski-guide-jacket

$900 Arcteryx does sell their “pro” gear, here is their “Ski Guide” jacket, which I’m not actually considering ($$$) but put here if anyone can make a case that it’s actually worth a thousand dollars more or less.

https://www.columbia.com/p/mens-timberturner-ii-ski-jacket-2011251_S.html?dwvar_2011251_S_color=613

$100 Columbia “Timberturner” jacket. This is inexpensive indeed. Other than the walking billboard part, is it any worse than the stuff at 3-9X more?

You can see why I’m analyzed-paralyzed. My attention span for clothes shopping is about 15 minutes and has long been overrun.

Some nice choices there. A couple of observations:

1) I can't tell, but it doesn't look like the HH has a storm/powder skirt or adjustable hem. If not, I'd rule it out.

2) For the terrain & uses you outlined, I'd definitely want pit zips -- especially ones that are easy to zip/unzip w/gloves on. Actually, I'd personally rule out anything that doesn't have them.

3) Arc'teryx has a longstanding reputation as nearly bombproof, quality but $$$ outerwear. I think they're still located in Vancouver BC, in case you need repair/warranty work.

4) The Mountain Uniforms gear looks awesome, and at a really good price for quality/design, too. Looks beefy & burly, but I wonder if something in this pro/patroller line might be too heavy & bulky for XC? Would definitely be a tradeoff.

One other suggestion: IIRC, you're in the Portland area, yes? If so, see if you know someone who can get you into the Columbia employee store in Beaverton. Sure, they'll have Columbia gear but they also own Mountain Hardwear, which is a higher-end winter sports line. Might have just what you're looking for and save you a couple $$.

[jcwade]

I have used a Mountain Hardwear since before Columbia bought them in 2003.
A shell with a fleece vest has always kept me warm. A great combination that I still have and use every winter.
I have a couple of their sleeping bags too.

[jyl]

That HH does not seem to have a powder skirt. Their “Alpha 3.0” ski jacket $357 does, as well as all the other features (lots of pockets, RFID arm pocket, pit zips, hood removes, etc) but it also has insulation (not a pure shell).

https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_us/alpha-30-jacket-65551?color=627679

Mountain Hardware has the “Firefall/2” $150 (all prices are the current summer sale prices) shell with skirt, arm RFID pocket, pit zips, maybe fewer pockets than I’d ideally like. Hood doesn’t remove.

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/mens-firefall%2F2-jacket-1942881_S.html?dwvar_1942881_S_color=831

[billybek]

I have a variety of ski stuff. Shells that I don't use so much anymore and some insulated gear.
Spyder ski stuff has always worked well for my son and I bought a pair of spyder pants last year that worked out very well.
I do like shells and the idea of shells but if you ski in cold weather like we do here, some decent insulated gear works well. YMMV

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by jyl

Mountain Hardware has the “Firefall/2” $150 (all prices are the current summer sale prices) shell with skirt, arm RFID pocket, pit zips, maybe fewer pockets than I’d ideally like. Hood doesn’t remove.

Nice. Seems like a great price on a decent jacket. Didn't see this on some of the other jackets you mentioned, but the Firefall/2 has a nice feature to adjust the hood (the shock-corded tab on the back) so it won't compromise your peripheral vision.

[unclebilly]

I ski 30-50 days per year (kids ski race)…

I am very lucky to have got a Helly Hanson jacket that is a left over competitors jacket made for the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, it fits perfectly and is awesome.

You want a jacket with a hood that fits over your ski helmet in case the lift gets stuck with you on it. You should have something with a recco transponder in it (or some gear that has one), and I like black or orange so you can be easily seen in the event of a rescue situation.

[unclebilly]

[LWJ]

So I have been skiing since 1976 or so and have opinions. Here is what I do - and I ski in Oregon where the weather is wet and unpleasant.

A nice goretex parka shell. Currently using a Mountain Hardware I got at the outlet store for under $100. Layers of fleece, down, wool, and / or quick dry synthetic stuff. Layers depend on the weather. Cold be a t-shirt if warm enough.

Works great.

Also, I am CRAZY happy with my Volkl Mantra (not sure what name goes here) skis I picked up two years ago. Wow. I had one of my best days ever this year on them. And, they perform every time.

I promise the over analyzing won’t get you any benefit. I have a huge bag with all sorts of layer options. It goes in the truck and I make it work on the mountain. It all works out.

Have fun!

[jyl]

LWJ, I ended up ordering some 2024 Stockli Montero AR skis. Pretty much a carver ski, figure I’ll get a second ski later for other stuff. Looking forward to the season! Getting a Mt Hood Meadows pass. Summer has been a bust for fun, unless stripping siding is fun, so this winter I’m taking revenge.

[Baz]

I have a Rip Curl I really like but also a vintage Lightning Bolt ski jacket with sleeves that are attached with zippers and can be removed to leave just the vest part - really cool collector item!

[jyl]

Originally Posted by Baz

I have a Rip Curl I really like but also a vintage Lightning Bolt ski jacket with sleeves that are attached with zippers and can be removed to leave just the vest part - really cool collector item!

I kind of wish I’d kept my now-vintage ski kit, it would be a hoot today. IIRC it was Sypder sweater, Obermeyer jacket, O’Neill pants, various K2 and Rossignol skis, Marker bindings, and Hanson Spyder boots.

For pants, I have insulated bib snow pants from Marmot (the old good Marmot), they are functional although might be a little too warm some days.

[LWJ]

Nice! I have had a pass at Ski Bowl last two years. Not sure my plan this winter. I considered instructing for a free pass. Decisions.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

From a quality data point, I've got 2 HH's that are over 15 years old and still great jackets, one I wear reliably every October through December until it gets cold.

These are old jackets so quality may have been better than today, who knows, but worth looking into.

It looks like HH sources materials from China, etc. and makes their gear in Norway.

[gtc]

You could get by with some cheap gear for a couple of years, but the softshells and cheaper hardshells just don't stay waterproof that long. You'll just end up buying the good stuff eventually. I'd suggest a 2-3 layer hardshell and bibs.

I picked up the Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket and Bibs a couple of years ago during one of their sales for 50% off. Lots of pockets for all the gear (beacon, skins, etc), roomy enough for layering, huge pit and leg vents, and zero leaks so far.
https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/hemispheres-collection

Also, don't expect to use the same gear for cross county. I tried that once and was miserable.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

From a quality data point, I've got 2 HH's… It looks like HH sources materials from China, etc. and makes their gear in Norway.

I’m not sure that HH makes anion Norway. How could they afford to? I don’t think my top of the end jacket made for the Canadian Olympic Team was made in Norway…

Regardless, HH is now owned by Canadian Tire.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

I’m not sure that HH makes anion Norway. How could they afford to? I don’t think my top of the end jacket made for the Canadian Olympic Team was made in Norway…

Regardless, HH is now owned by Canadian Tire.

Their web site is ambiguous but a little googling shows it is all made in China, etc.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by gtc

You could get by with some cheap gear for a couple of years, but the softshells and cheaper hardshells just don't stay waterproof that long. You'll just end up buying the good stuff eventually. I'd suggest a 2-3 layer hardshell and bibs.

I picked up the Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket and Bibs a couple of years ago during one of their sales for 50% off. Lots of pockets for all the gear (beacon, skins, etc), roomy enough for layering, huge pit and leg vents, and zero leaks so far.
https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/hemispheres-collection

Also, don't expect to use the same gear for cross county. I tried that once and was miserable.

What is “hardshell” vs “softshell”? I don’t know the lingo anymore.