jacket advice

Dr Nic

Any comments?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0057AVZ02/ref=mp_s_a_1_27?qid=1377471600&sr=8-27&pi=AC_SX110_SY165

I'm getting something better. This brand has many good reviews
What ye think?

petronius

Some shops who often have good deals on jackets
TK Maxx
Pamela Scotts
the of course its the Army Bargins, Great Outdoors or the scout shop in liffey street

when getting a jacket I look for a pocket on the arm or upper chest suitable for the ski pass
Zippers with material, rubber/plastic handles - you dont want to touch metal in sub zero temperatures - good to have a large zipper attachement pullable using a ski glove or mit

I also look for inner selves which wrap round your thumb to insulate you better and to have a waste elastic part which will stop any snow and cold getting up ur jacket - especially relevant when you fall as much as me

Fattes

I also look for inner selves which wrap round your thumb to insulate you better and to have a waste elastic part which will stop any snow and cold getting up ur jacket

Shocking advice, the thumb wraps increase the risk of serious injury in falls as they turn your arm into a lever multiplying the force on your digits. As for snow skirts only snow skirts with buttons are of any real use and even then they are limited unless teamed with suitable pants. Generally the only people that will ever use them or need them are High end pro skiers in back country deep powder terrain as they don’t fall a lot and the snow is so deep you need them.

Dr Nic; No idea about the jackets you have listed as I have never heard of the company, price seems very reasonable if it is suitable for you.

A few basic rules for buying a ski jacket –

Minimum 10,000mm Water proofing – Ideally closer to 20,000 the better

10,000 -15,000 Breathability index (Different manufactures use different scales but easy to find on line)

Tapered Zips, stops water getting in vulnerable areas,

Enough pockets with tapered zips for passes (Ideally on the left side), and anything else you need during the day.

Ideally you want all of the above in a hard shell jacket, which you can layer up underneath with fleece base layers mid layers for the best performance.

petronius

I find the arm seal around the thumb adds to insulation ( i am still trying to figure out the lever aspect increasing injury risk) if your concerned about this then maybe the sleeves inner lining is elasticised around you wrist.

The skirt with buttons i also find more insulating, especially showboarding when your on your rear end a good deal of the time (well i am).

If you are using the jacket for snowboarding having a durable lower back part is beneficial to help your salapets insulate you when your on your rear end in the snow

Fattes

( i am still trying to figure out the lever aspect increasing injury risk)

Fairly simple If the digit is pushed back in the fall the jacket on that arm pulls tight and increases the force on the thumb, there is so much research on this that all manufactures of FIS Race suits have removed thumb loops in the past few seasons. As above the particular feature is designed for seriously deep conditions in big mountain environments, normally used by athletes that don’t fall, most jackets have variable size cuffs that allow you to tighten them over your gloves.

Same logic applies to loops on ski poles, unless you are skiing deep snow you probably shouldnt use them again increases injuries in falls dramatically.

Snow Skirt provide zero insulation their sole purpose is to stop you getting a back full of snow, but are pretty much redundant unless you are wearing a bib pant to compliment them.

petronius

I take your advice on the thumb so - and not put my thumb through it in future

I do find the skirt beneficial - especially having skied at high altitude and on chair lifts with no cover or just a visor getting the wind blow up ya, i found the skirt added to insulation kept the seal of the air inside, and the jacket close to the body.

hawkwind23

one sort of dopey thing that Fattes alluded to.

try get a jacket with the left hand pass pocket.
maybe its only the resorts ive been to but mine is on the right and its a real hassle.
even better would be the pass holder on the lower arm.

patagonia had a few jackets on sale the last time in was in.

CardinalJ

The main use I get from the snow skirt in my jacket is catching stuff from falling out of the inside pockets. Has saved my phone a few times. I reckon if you fall at any sort of speed, nothing (bar a one piece) is really stopping snow getting in around your waist.

Main thing to look for is that it is in some way water resistant, has a chest or arm pocket for your ski pass, has a decent amount of pockets and obviously is warm. I've a Salomon ski jacket that cost a few quid, but it'll last an age and I wear it in Ireland during the winter. I've had it for 3 years and I'll probably have it for quite a few more. I'm a firm believer that you get what you pay for when it comes to any outdoor gear, but if you're only starting out I wouldn't go wild on pricey gear.

Fattes

petronius; I actually use them but only when I am doing steep and deep rarely on piste. Its habit and I am trying to ween myself off doing it.

hawkwind23; Pretty sure you are on the money there most resorts now mount the scanners on the left, but with some of the better pass systems it will pick it up once its in the jacket.

a148pro

People get very excited when it comes to ski jackets, but really it's about layering - thermal base layer, highly breathable mid fleece layer that you can take off if too hot, or take jacket off instead, and then waterproof highly breathable jacket layer. Personally I don't like any thickness or weight in my jacket layer at all whereas most ski jackets are heavy and thick because 95 per cent of purchasers think that's what they need. For me light weight and high performance is key.

Last while i've been using more or less the cheapest north face waterproof jacket (70 euro) over a good north face summit series polartech fleece, over a good base layer. Sometimes I carry a packable down jacket but it'd only be the coldest day of the year I'd really need it, though it can be handy in resort at night.

That setup has done me fine so far but I think waterproofing is now going in the jacket. If buying again I'd get mountain hardware or rab or some brand built by people who actually go into the mountains rather than the north face which is essentially a high street label at this point. But it's done me grand.

So op assuming you're not going on some exhibition if you have a good brand that is light waterproof and breathable you'll be fine. I say good brand because you will find all these terms on a lidl special or one of the capel street discount shops but the breathability particularly will be poor on cheap stuff, notwithstanding what it says on the label.

Russman

Not to threadjack, but re the thumb loops mentioned above - are ye talking about the things that are like extra long, slightly elasticated cuffs sticking out of the sleeves, with a little hole for your thumb to go through and the bigger hole for the rest of your hand ?

Just want to get it straight in my head

Fattes

Thats them

Dr Nic

I just bought a cheap goretex army seconds jacket off ebay. Its mainly for mucking around and cycling etc, but i really like a148pro's advice about keeping the layers thin and just doubling up...

Why not eh?
I dont really get too cold, but i flipping hate wet! Goretex is as good as you'll get for waterproof right?

Northern Monkey

Sportpursuit.com normally have some good deals on jackets. You have to signup to see the current sales and they send you a mail a couple of times a week telling you what has been added.

Send me a PM with your email address if you want £10 off your first order and I will send you a referal link (this also gets me a £10 voucher if you order anything).

CardinalJ

Northern Monkey wrote: »

Sportpursuit.com normally have some good deals on jackets. You have to signup to see the current sales and they send you a mail a couple of times a week telling you what has been added.

Send me a PM with your email address if you want £10 off your first order and I will send you a referal link (this also gets me a £10 voucher if you order anything).

Damn you, I was going to put my referral link up. :rolleyes:

a148pro

Dr Nic wrote: »

Goretex is as good as you'll get for waterproof right?

Well its certainly waterproof, but the next stage of the argument is that we shouldn't be wearing waterproof at all (!) because its not really breathable enough for any medium to high intensity activity. ever take your ski jacket off after a day's skiing and the inside is soaked? This is because your perspiration has nowhere to escape, your're generating more moisture inside the jacket than can pass out through the supposedly breathable fabric (or vents).

Now this isn't usually a problem because we're going to a nice ski lodge which is heated and the jacket dries overnight and is nice and warm next morning. But if you were staying out in the backcountry in a tent, or if you got into difficulty and ended up spending the night out in the open it might become a problem. I've never been in either situation (despite my best efforts :pac:) so I don't know how realistic this problem is.

The next step of the theory is that we should instead be wearing a (more breathable) water repellant soft shell. You often don't actually need waterproof when skiing, unless its bitty / sleety snow or very deep powder that you're falling in. Often it isn't snowing at all or if it does the snow is dry and you don't get wet.

But that's an argument for another day - I reckon (and I will) stick to the waterproof for the moment and hopefully your purchase serves you well!

Fattes

Well its certainly waterproof, but the next stage of the argument is that we shouldn't be wearing waterproof at all (!) because its not really breathable enough for any medium to high intensity activity. ever take your ski jacket off after a day's skiing and the inside is soaked? This is because your perspiration has nowhere to escape, your're generating more moisture inside the jacket than can pass out through the supposedly breathable fabric (or vents).The next step of the theory is that we should instead be wearing a (more breathable) water repellant soft shell. You often don't actually need waterproof when skiing, unless its bitty / sleety snow or very deep powder that you're falling in. Often it isn't snowing at all or if it does the snow is dry and you don't get wet.

a148pro; Kind off Hard Shells are best as they protect against wind, Gortex & its other alternatives, North Face, Salomon, Arytex etc all have their own versions are becoming more and more breathable. Will try and get some pics up tonight of my layering system and jackets the various types and versions

Spoke to a guy last year who has sold a plasma layer technology to decathlon that is completely breathable and water repellent! Probably the next big thing.

hawkwind23

another bit of newbie advice ......

on my first trip i wore my north face waterproof jacket, it was a mistake.
i was extending loads of energy side walking and falling and general tomfoolery not to mention getting to grips with t-bars etc.

reason its relevant is that i was sweating a lot and that wasn't a good feeling.
so id recommend breathable

fobster

+1 for Patagonia jackets, picked one up a few months back. The thing has pockets and zips everywhere including one on the left arm for the ski-pass. Have yet to use it though... that's the real test!