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Thread: Hardshell Jacket ?
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6 October 2016, 17:04 #1
Hardshell Jacket ?
I'm looking for a new hard shell jacket for the rain and would like your suggestions especially my PNW people .
On my move up from Ca I brought my 3 Tadgear softshells which worked great in Ca but turned out to be to warm & not water proof enough for our weather . I picked up an OR Foray which did the trick but lost most of it's dwr and seams started to fall apart after a year of lazy use so It's time to get something new.
I've been looking at the TAD Raptor http://store.tripleaughtdesign.com/Raptor-Hoodie
Arc'teryx Alpha not sure regular or lt http://leaf.arcteryx.com/ProductFind...gory=Hardshell
And the not as fashionable Columbia OUTDRY™ EX DIAMOND SHELL http://www.columbia.com/mens-outdry-...2=Dry&start=11
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6 October 2016, 21:02 #2
There is some good gear tailored for hunting applications that might interestyou. The Sitka Stormfront has a good reputation: https://www.sitkagear.com/products/s...rmfront-jacket
Personally, I'm probably going to pick up a First Lite Vapor Stormlight for my next piece of rain gear: http://www.firstlite.com/vapor-jacket.html
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6 October 2016, 21:47 #3
I'm a Arcteryx LEAF and Otte Gear kind of guy.
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6 October 2016, 21:54 #4
I like that Sitka but don't mention what gore-tex they use & First lite doesn't look like it has taped seams although it mentions waterproof zippers .
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6 October 2016, 21:55 #5
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6 October 2016, 21:56 #6
Do you work outdoors? I don't find our weather bad enough where a softshell isn't enough for daily wear/rain.
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6 October 2016, 22:01 #7
No , but I spend a lot of time outdoors shooting/fishing/hiking out here on the Olympic Peninsula ,I'm not sure what our rainfall is compared to you .
I have several soft shells from Tad but they are all very old and insulated so they get sweaty and the dwr treatments aren't holding up .
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6 October 2016, 22:12 #8
Otte Gear Patrol Parka 31oz e-vent $495
Tad Gear Raptor 14.46 oz neoshell $425
Beyond A-6 Alt1 ? ? $569
Arc'teryx Lt Alpha 14.5 oz N40p-X $589
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7 October 2016, 01:03 #9
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7 October 2016, 01:36 #10
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7 October 2016, 06:54 #11
I'd be really surprised if the seams aren't taped on the First Lite. I'm leaning towards the light weight jacket because I hunt in Eastern WA. If I was going to be out on the Olympic Penninsula I'd go with a full featured jacket like the Sitka or First Lite's SEAK. Here is a review on the First Lite jackets: http://www.rokslide.com/gear/clothin...aingear-review
I'm intrigued by the First Lite's in part because they use Cocona 37.5 fabric which is the only real competition to Gore and it is reportedly more breathable and I like an underdog. I have sever wool items from First Lite and it is all fantastically well built and designed.
Of course, there is always Pata-gucci. It's trendy, but based on a well earned reputation for quality and performance so should be considered. http://www.patagonia.com/product/men...inwear#start=1
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7 October 2016, 08:19 #12
Have you refreshed the DWR at any point? DWR doesn't last forever, you'll have to reapply it every so often. Without DWR, the membrane may still be waterproof, but the outer surface gets wetted out, and it is no longer able to breathe, and thus condensation and sweat builds up inside the jacket, and you end up getting wet.
After that, I'd also get in contact with Outdoor Research's customer service. I've had very good experiences with them thus far, so I think it's worth trying out.
Beyond that, I don't think the Arc'teryx LEAF Alpha would be the right choice if you're not going to be using it very hard; the Alpha LT should last you a lifetime if you're not climbing mountains/warfighting. One of the SMU guys I know said this:
Originally Posted by basicload
I'll note that other brands with quality hardshells include Mountain Hardware, Wild Things, and Westcomb.
I personally used an Arc'teryx LEAF Alpha Jacket and Alpha Bib on my mountaineering class, and they held up fine, and seemed pretty close to brand new even after 6 days of use, with some fairly shitty weather thrown in (enough to cancel a summit attempt of Mt. Baker).
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7 October 2016, 09:51 #13
Marmot Gravity Jacket. Only $150, as good as many of the flashy bullshit brands for a lot less money. Try the Precip if you just want a shell.
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7 October 2016, 10:45 #14
I have 1 Arcteryx LEAF jacket I bought a year ago from SKD.
Jacket is nice, but honestly, not really all that better than a standard Soft Shell jacket from the North Face. Seems like a lot of cash for stuff made in China. Also I've always thought it was odd that Arcteryx would use "LEAF" for Law Enforcement and Armed Forces. Yet, they don't offer their Industry/PRO deals to either group or Firefighters.
Anyhow OP, I really like the North Face's Steep Tech Line. Have worn their Transformer Jacket for several years https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/me...ormer-jacket-2
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7 October 2016, 11:17 #15
Are you sure Arc'teryx doesn't offer a pro deal to military and law enforcement? Their website explicitly states that they allow LEAF account purchasing for:
- Military, all active duty service personnel and units
- Law enforcement, all active duty law enforcement officers and agencies
- Select other government personnel and agencies
- Security personnel and companies on government contracts
- Employees of select LEAF equipment manufacturers
Their standard pro purchase program is mostly oriented toward outdoor professionals. It sucks that they don't offer any deals for EMS or fire, but c'est la vie. One of my good friends has a LEAF account, and he's just an infantryman with a gear fetish, no SOF background.
IIRC, Patagonia is even worse, as I recall only SOF and federal LE got access to pro deals through them (along with your usual outdoor professionals).