Posted: 11/30/2016 8:57:56 AM EDT
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I need one. Every year I suffer through cold miserable rain here in VA by switching between my Patagonia synthetic puffy coat and my patagonia shell. I've decided to leave my heathen ways behind me and learn to layer for winter.
So who is the Tier 1 shell maker for around $300 |
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i didn't listen to arfcom and purchased a north face jacket.
it has a 2 layer system. 2 jackets.. and its awesome link |
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Quoted: I need one. Every year I suffer through cold miserable rain here in VA by switching between my Patagonia synthetic puffy coat and my patagonia shell. I've decided to leave my heathen ways behind me and learn to layer for winter. So who is the Tier 1 shell maker for around $300 It's more than $300, and worth the extra. Outstanding jacket. |
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Want tough? Get a dirt bike riding shell jacket. Mine is going on 15 years old, and still looks great. I've beat the heck out of it and I swear it's the toughest jacket I've ever owned. Just an awesome shell and I never expected it to be as great as it performs. It's bounded off more trees than I can count at speed during cold harescrambles. I even prefer it over my $400 EMS Ski jacket for ski trips above 10 degrees. The vent zipper system is awesome if you are getting hot and moving.
Mid priced one I own the cheap one like this. It's even been great in rain and sleet. |
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I got one of theirs to keep in my car. It's not bad at all, especially for the money. I'm not sure how well it would hold up to hard use though.
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Seems like the wrong choice for Virginia winters.
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I bought this recently. Still waiting on arrival.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/88174?feat=3-in-1-SR0&page=men-s-storm-chaser-3-in-1-jacket-multicolor 
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Any of the Big Name brands will work just fine. Sounds like you are looking for a hardshell Gore Tex or equivalent
outwear garment. Below is a list of discount portals, see if there is anything you like. http://www.theclymb.com/ https://www.rei.com/rei-garage http://www.steepandcheap.com/ North Face, Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, REI etcetera... |
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Quoted:
I bought this recently. Still waiting on arrival. http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/88174?feat=3-in-1-SR0&page=men-s-storm-chaser-3-in-1-jacket-multicolor https://cdni.llbean.net/is/image/wim/295912_43830_41?rgn=0,0,1950,2250&scl=4.202586206896552&id=IobcF0 I like that! |
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Triple Aught Design Stealth LT It's more than $300, and worth the extra. Outstanding jacket. Quoted:
Quoted:
I need one. Every year I suffer through cold miserable rain here in VA by switching between my Patagonia synthetic puffy coat and my patagonia shell. I've decided to leave my heathen ways behind me and learn to layer for winter. So who is the Tier 1 shell maker for around $300 It's more than $300, and worth the extra. Outstanding jacket. I've had my eye on one for a while... |
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Patagonia is a great brand, may be worthwhile to check out their other offerings.
Check out backcountry.com and backcountrygear.com. They both have good sales and often have last years models at significant discounts. Off the top of my head, mountainhardwear, arc'teryx, black diamond, Kuhl, marmot, cloudveil, and a handful of others all offer good jackets. |
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Quoted: Any of the Big Name brands will work just fine. Sounds like you are looking for a hardshell Gore Tex or equivalent outwear garment. Below is a list of discount portals, see if there is anything you like. http://www.theclymb.com/ https://www.rei.com/rei-garage http://www.steepandcheap.com/ North Face, Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, REI etcetera... This ^ Everything you wanted to know about Shells http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hardshell-Jacket-Reviews/Buying-Advice I'll add http://www.sierratradingpost.com/ Not as good as when Richardson owned it but still some decent stuff at times. W L Gore's entire package is hard to beat, although other systems performance are very similar. I have a DriQ Elite Ampato I bought on closeout. It works fine as an EDC jacket. I prefer an older Arc'Teryx Appha SV Pro Shell out of everything I own - its been extremely durable, but probably overkill for most needs. |
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Quoted: I've had my eye on one for a while... Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I need one. Every year I suffer through cold miserable rain here in VA by switching between my Patagonia synthetic puffy coat and my patagonia shell. I've decided to leave my heathen ways behind me and learn to layer for winter. So who is the Tier 1 shell maker for around $300 It's more than $300, and worth the extra. Outstanding jacket. I've had my eye on one for a while... |
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Quoted:
When I worked outside I used to wear an Archteryx shell over a Carhartt jacket. That worked to temps into the 20s and was rain proof. This should cause heads to explode. Normally, people who wear Carhartt do not understand the point of Arcteryx, whIle people who own Arcteryx do not need Carhattt. This the layering opposite of dividing by zero. |
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Quoted: This should cause heads to explode. Normally, people who wear Carhartt do not understand the point of Arcteryx, whIle people who own Arcteryx do not need Carhattt. This the layering opposite of dividing by zero. Quoted: Quoted: When I worked outside I used to wear an Archteryx shell over a Carhartt jacket. That worked to temps into the 20s and was rain proof. This should cause heads to explode. Normally, people who wear Carhartt do not understand the point of Arcteryx, whIle people who own Arcteryx do not need Carhattt. This the layering opposite of dividing by zero.  |
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I have plenty of soft shells, looking for a hard shell. Leaning towards Patagonia or Mountain Hardwear.. Arfcommers don't understand softshells. Probably because they don't understand being active. I'm happy with my Marmot hardshell. Not sure what model. Taped seams, pit zips, "waterproof" zippers, ProShell Gore-Tex, front pockets are nice and high, it is cut to clear a harness. It is also a single layer and breathes much better than the Performance Shell G-T hardshell I have of theirs that has some sort of wicking lining sewn into it. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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i bought a columbia nearly 20 years ago. i am still wearing the damn thing! need to fix the zipper though - the tab broke off a couple years ago and I have a paperclip in it. dunno if the quality now is what it was back then... Paracord, figure 8 follow through. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Narrowed it down to the Marmot Troll Wall and the Arcteryx Beta AR GTX. I'm 5'11 190lbs. Any input on whether I should size up to an XL? If the Beta AR is an option, I would check the other pro shell offerings like Patagonia's Super Alpine and Marmot's Alpinist. At that price level the features and quality are very close and fit nuances between brands make or break it. My $0.02 |
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Narrowed it down to the Marmot Troll Wall and the Arcteryx Beta AR GTX. I'm 5'11 190lbs. Any input on whether I should size up to an XL? I have the Beta AR in large. It fits fine over light puffies like a Mountain Hardwear Nitrous or a Arcteryx Atom Lt Hoody. I am 5'8" and 202. Hence I think XL is going to be too big unless your down jacket is one of those heavy 600 fill thick ones. I would also suggest getting the Theta AR instead. I find the Beta AR is not long enough to cover the back of my mid layer sometimes. |