[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 $$.