advice on new ski jacket

[MR. evil]

I agree with the salesman. If you don't want to spend $300 and have any TJ Maxx or Marshalls by you, check them out.

Good call, just got back from TJ Maxx. I scored a pretty sweet Spyder Team Venom jacket for $120. The original price was $300.

 

[andyzee]

Good call, just got back from TJ Maxx. I scored a pretty sweet Spyder Team Venom jacket for $120. The original price was $300.

Cool.

 

[andyzee]

Is that picture on the drive to Hunter..nice deal on that jacket..I have the Oakley Ultimate Shell..which I like..lots of features like a zipoff hood and lots of pockets..vents..Ipod hole..way steezier than the heli-hansons I used to rock..

I sort of wish they had jacket demos..it's hard to tell the right jacket in the store..

Good eye, yes that's Kaaterskill Falls

 

[madskier6]

Good call, just got back from TJ Maxx. I scored a pretty sweet Spyder Team Venom jacket for $120. The original price was $300.

Good deal, Tim. I'm not familiar with that particular jacket but lighter is definitely the way to go. It gives you more flexibility to do layers based on the weather plus they're warmer by themselves than they used to be.

Which TJ's did you go to? I gotta get my son a new jacket & they don't have much selection left at the West Springfield store (at least in his size).

 

[Warp Daddy]

Good call, just got back from TJ Maxx. I scored a pretty sweet Spyder Team Venom jacket for $120. The original price was $300.

Yeah-- TJ 's rocks !!

I got a $500 Atomic shell for $199 for Xmas gonna try it out tomorrow

 

[riverc0il]

I was about to pipe in and suggest avoiding Spyder like the plauge but it looks like you already took the plunge. Hope you have better luck than I did... their Quality Control division has gone SERIOUSLY downhill.

 

[andyzee]

I was about to pipe in and suggest avoiding Spyder like the plauge but it looks like you already took the plunge. Hope you have better luck than I did... their Quality Control division has gone SERIOUSLY downhill.

I've had a couple of Spyders and no problems, but then again that was a couple of years ago.

 

[MRGisevil]

Good deal, Tim. I'm not familiar with that particular jacket but lighter is definitely the way to go. It gives you more flexibility to do layers based on the weather plus they're warmer by themselves than they used to be.

Which TJ's did you go to? I gotta get my son a new jacket & they don't have much selection left at the West Springfield store (at least in his size).

The one in Westfield @ the shops (across from the new Home Depot). We're about 5 minutes down the road.

 

[bigbog]

....

..just a personal observation,
Windproof-ability is a given need, but the lined jackets I've tried on in the past just don't seem to possess the breatheability that I get from having the warm fleece nearer to the wicking skin-layer with a larger "breathing-cavity" of air between fleece and the shell.
As to any definitive answer....beats me...
$.01


STeveD

 

[Geoff]

I've been in shells for almost 20 years and don't own anything with insulation. I vary the thickness of my polypro inner layer and polartec middle layer depending on the outside temperature.

My requirements for a shell:

A hood that fits over my helmet. This is the ultimate thermal control. On a cold lift ride, I pop up the hood. It's also there for skiing in snow guns, powder, and sleet/freezing r@in/r@in.

Armpit zips. Yet more thermal control.

A powder cuff at the waist and a system to keep the cuffs snug at your sleeves.

I have big brand loyalty to Gore Tex fabrics. They are durable. They are waterproof. They breathe.


Edited:
Once you find what you want, eBay is your friend. If you watch it for a few months, chances are that you will find exactly what you are looking for at a huge discount. I bought a $500.00 Arc'Teryx softshell with this year's colors on eBay for $205.60 including shipping in December.

 

[bigbog]

..and in cold temps...

During the months of colder temps a tighter/"Hard"-shell shell seems to stop the wind/outside-air much better for me than some softshells. I picked up a Patagonia softshell on sale ~3-4 summers ago. Seems to work well down to ~10F (that's with mid-fleece and a vest), but once in single digits and below...my Marmot hardshell is worth its weight in gold....in doing anything outside;-)
$.01