Outer Shell (backpacking/mountaineering)

[UDRider]

I am slowly expanding my wardrobe and gear for backpacking and mountaineering. Right now I am missing a good outer shell.
Since I know some folks here are more in to it, I thought I would ask.
What should I be looking for when buying one?
I realize it needs to be durable, more or less light. It's not insulated as that comes from layering underneath. The hood needs to be helmet compatible.

Anything else?

What materials should I be looking at? I guess Gore-tex, but there seems to be varieties.

Thanks.

 

[Bowling4Bikes]

adjustable hood is helpful. think little elastic cinch cords. Positioning of the hood and how it sits on you while zipped up is pretty key for me.

I'm not too brand specific. I'm more into the feel, so I gotta try them on before buying. I like to start at the rei clearance section, then go from there.

 

[Blankpage]

I occasionally drop into the Arc'teryx store to laugh at the ridiculously high price tags on their basic shell jackets. I assume those prices make for a quality product

 

[UDRider]

adjustable hood is helpful. think little elastic cinch cords. Positioning of the hood and how it sits on you while zipped up is pretty key for me.

I'm not too brand specific. I'm more into the feel, so I gotta try them on before buying. I like to start at the rei clearance section, then go from there.

Thanks.

I occasionally drop into the Arc'teryx store to laugh at the ridiculously high price tags on their basic shell jackets. I assume those prices make for a quality product

Don't forget street cred while chilling in Starbucks in the California "winter". :cool

 

[Blankpage]

A hood that works with a helmet can be too big and in your eyes when not using a helmet.
The thing that can ruin any jacket is a crappy zipper. Cheap jackets obvious have cheap zippers.

 

[RightCoastBias]

Folks can talk shit on Arc'teryx, but their products are leaps and bounds beyond what other folks are making. Not to mention they're to thank for most advances in outerwear, and continue to innovate.

For most folks, probably not worth the cost for casual use.

 

[UDRider]

A hood that works with a helmet can be too big and in your eyes when not using a helmet.
The thing that can ruin any jacket is a crappy zipper. Cheap jackets obvious have cheap zippers.

That is true. One of my puffies is kind of that way. Not that bad, but somewhat annoying.

One of the ones I was eyeing has the draw string thing in the hood B4B has mentioned.

 

[Silence]

NOTE: I backpack around the treeline, but I also limit myself to spring through fall.

I double duty my ski jackets as they have all the features I'm looking for and I already own them. The added benefit here is that you can get "brand name" jackets that are rebranded under ski gear brands (think Marker, Salomon, etc) that get deeply discounted on an annual basis.

With water and wind-proofed gear, you *must* have vents because you will be exerting yourself. Otherwise, you will be drenched in sweat if you're humping your pack in the rain which is obviously uncomfortable but could be dangerous to you if the temps fall. It may seem obvious, but it's not always the case, but the vents should be configured to not allow water in to your jacket.

Wrist and waist gators allow you to retain warmth better when wind speeds are higher and I pair this with a long sleeved winter base layer and a full down vest or long sleeved down jacket depending on the conditions.

Every season, make sure to stick it on a patio chair or something and drench it with your waterproofing treatment of choice and give it a healthy coating of your mosquito repellent while you're at it.

 

[Demoni]

You are going to have a hard time with that "fit a helmet" requirement. Backpacking specific shell layers are built with lightweight as a big focus, all the options I have tried on have hoods that are form fitting.

A few of my friends have Marmot Minimalist jackets and have nothing but nice things to say about them. I went with a Columbia 3in1 the shell it is a bit larger and doubles as my skiing outer layer also (will fit a ski helmet under the hood).

A few general things to look for:
- Ultralightweight backpacking gear is amazing but super fragil. It will probably suffer with daily use.
- Pit zips, pit zips, pit zips! Nothing else will cool you off faster.
- Breathability is king, cheepo waterproof jackets will trap your sweat and soak your insulation layers. Just like moto gear most manufactures have their own in house tech, most also offer a gore tex option for more $$.

 

[mercurial]

light and as minimalist as possible. I like to climber 14ers and do off trail sierra shit. I have a really lightweight marmot one (maybe the one Demoni talks about; I don't know.) You'll never wear your shell except if the weather catches you by surprise. plan for it to be at the bottom of your pack 99% of the time.

 

[KrustyKruser]

As someone that hunts I really like the layering options by Kuiu (www.kuiu.com I haven't really had many good experiences with goretex long term. It seems to work good for one winter then loses its waterproofness soon after. I have the Kuiu Yukon rain jacket and pants and they have worked amazing in the two winters I've had them.

 

[Blankpage]

I have a few different versions of Kuhl jackets, Burr, Double Kross, & Kollusion. Haven't put them through much of a ruggedness test but they do seem like quality inexpensive products that would holdup well.
They make several other styles for different purposes. Might be worth checking out.

 

[lefty]

20 years ago I used to work for The North Face. I have a closet full of thewir gear. I love the Mtn Light Jackets. They are nice because you can zipper in a fleece.

I have not purchased any of their stuff in 20 years, so I have no idea what is out there. Mountain Hardware was started by some friends of mine. They also make high quality gear, higher quality than North Face.

 

[CABilly]

As someone that hunts I really like the layering options by Kuiu (www.kuiu.com I haven't really had many good experiences with goretex long term. It seems to work good for one winter then loses its waterproofness soon after. I have the Kuiu Yukon rain jacket and pants and they have worked amazing in the two winters I've had them.

Heh, I've been team FirstLite for the last several years. I love the base and insulation layers but haven't had much need for a real solid shell (thanks to CA general deer seasons being balls deep in the summer heat).

I overall think GoreTex is a marketing scam. Especially when it comes to footwear. Plan your layers to withstand being wet and don't rely on anything being "waterproof."

OP also check out Sitka for sturdy outer shell. I know many hunters swear by it for durability.

 

[UDRider]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Will take them in to consideration.

@Lefty Ah yeah, they make some nice stuff. I still have a tent and sleeping bag I bought in their store at Alameda years ago. It is a very well designed.