• Welcome to AlpineZone, the largest online community of skiers and snowboarders in the Northeast!

    You may have to REGISTER before you can post. Registering is FREE, gets rid of the majority of advertisements, and lets you participate in giveaways and other AlpineZone events!

best truly waterproof outerwear and gloves?

deadheadskier

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Mar 6, 2005
Messages
27,966
Points
113
Location
Southeast NH
Actually I have one complaint about my Flylow jackets. The hoods can't zip off. They are perfectly designed to fit over a helmet, but I've never liked doing that. Makes me feel claustrophobic and hot. I like a little breeze around my neck and between the helmet and the hood, it just feels hot and humid. The hoods are always down and just collecting precipitation while I ski.

But I also use both jackets casually and obviously without a helmet on and in that use, having a hood is beneficial and used frequently in wet weather.

I think all top end jackets should have zip off hoods.
 

Terry

Well-known member
Joined
May 9, 2004
Messages
2,201
Points
48
Location
Fryeburg Maine
I have a pair of rubber? Coated gloves that oil truck drivers wear that work great on rainy days. I think they are kinkos.
 

drjeff

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 18, 2006
Messages
19,217
Points
113
Location
Brooklyn, CT
For true rainy ski days, like yesterday, glove wise I have a pair of what many snowmakers wear, Joka Polar Extremes. Think they were less than $50 when I got my pair via Amazon a few years ago.

I had on a pair of my Patagonia gore tex shell pants and my Arcteryx Gore tex shell over my Mountain Hardware soft shell in the almost 3hrs of continuous moderate rain I skied in yesterday and was bone dry
 

JDMRoma

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2013
Messages
1,258
Points
48
Location
Hudson NH
Seems like this stuff will become more and more useful....these days. :(
Yup ! last year I had a few rain days, not fun when you equipment doesnt keep you dry. over the summer I bought a Marmot Gor-tex KT Jacket, tested it out yesterday and it did the job. 3 plus hours of consistent rain and I was dry, just ordered the pants. Still need to Snow seal my gloves too but getting there !
 

abc

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
5,862
Points
113
Location
Lower Hudson Valley
link me an example or two of the type of rain jackets you are referring to please?
I have a Showers Pass cycling rain jacket that I use for more than just cycling: https://www.rei.com/product/203722/showers-pass-refuge-cycling-jacket-womens I assume there must be a man’s model, or two.

I believe Arcteryx also has a line of uninsulated jackets.

None of them are any less expensive than ski jackets. But I like the fact I can use them in the summer. For skiing, a lot of the time when it’s raining, it’s not all that cold. I already own several mid-layer that would keep me very warm when it’s above 30 degrees.
 

kbroderick

Active member
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
714
Points
43
Location
Maine
I have a Showers Pass cycling rain jacket that I use for more than just cycling: https://www.rei.com/product/203722/showers-pass-refuge-cycling-jacket-womens I assume there must be a man’s model, or two.

I believe Arcteryx also has a line of uninsulated jackets.

None of them are any less expensive than ski jackets. But I like the fact I can use them in the summer. For skiing, a lot of the time when it’s raining, it’s not all that cold. I already own several mid-layer that would keep me very warm when it’s above 30 degrees.
I also find that, if it's truly pouring, I'd rather have a shell on because it will dry out more quickly. Even with Goretex, insulated jackets tend to hold moisture longer (IME), and a shell allows actual air gaps between layers to better fend off the damp feeling.
 

180

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2004
Messages
1,940
Points
48
Location
mahopac, ny
Glove, Outdoor Research Mt Baker mittens with liners. $150, never wear out. Worth every penny for rain.
Paints Arcteryx
Jacket Patogonia - Gortex rain shell.
 

abc

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
5,862
Points
113
Location
Lower Hudson Valley
Uninsulated shells are the way to go in every condition. Layer under it for what ever temp you encounter.
I disagree with the “every condition” part.

I’ve own a couple of insulated jackets. When it’s the right temperature, there’s no need for any mid-layer. Less stuff to bunch up underneath. Less stuff to take off when needing to use the bathroom or lunch break. Just less hassle.

Also, insulated jackets are great for winter day to day use. Say what you will about people wearing their Arcteryx to the supermarket. It’s convenient, warm, easy to clean spills off (thanks to waterproof). And since these are made to be quite durable, anyone who skis less than 100 day a season really need to use it even when not skiing in order to get their money’s worth.
 

Former Sunday Rivah Rat

Active member
Joined
Mar 26, 2020
Messages
199
Points
28
Uninsulated Gore tex outer layer over a good shell works for me. I pair something like these with cheap raingear pants over regular ski pants and I stay dry. Sat. was the best ski day this weekend.



 

Smellytele

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2006
Messages
9,951
Points
113
Location
Right where I want to be
I disagree with the “every condition” part.

I’ve own a couple of insulated jackets. When it’s the right temperature, there’s no need for any mid-layer. Less stuff to bunch up underneath. Less stuff to take off when needing to use the bathroom or lunch break. Just less hassle.

Also, insulated jackets are great for winter day to day use. Say what you will about people wearing their Arcteryx to the supermarket. It’s convenient, warm, easy to clean spills off (thanks to waterproof). And since these are made to be quite durable, anyone who skis less than 100 day a season really need to use it even when not skiing in order to get their money’s worth.
If you have the right insulating layers then it it no more bulky than an insulated jacket. I have multiple insulating layers to choose from to get it right.
 

deadheadskier

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Mar 6, 2005
Messages
27,966
Points
113
Location
Southeast NH
I can get onboard with uninsulated only for jackets even though I do own a very lightly insulated Flylow for cold days that I love. I can make myself just as warm with the my uninsulated Flylow with a different underlayer combo and not feel to bulky.

Pants are different. I don't like three layers below the waist and my heaviest base layer plus shell isn't enough for skiing below 5 degrees. Well really just the lift rides. So, I definitely like having an insulated pant for those bitter days.
 

Kingslug20

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 14, 2021
Messages
2,506
Points
113
I've used up to 5 layers when Stowe hit 48 below windchill last year...worked pretty well..the shell keeps that damn wind out.
And it gets pretty windy up there...
 

PAabe

Active member
Joined
Jan 20, 2021
Messages
430
Points
43
Location
Lancaster, PA
The only gloves I've used that are 100% waterproof are those rubber-coated work gloves

5922_A.jpg


And the only raincoats I've worn that are 100% waterproof are also rubber but those are not practical for skiing because they have zero breatheability. I do wear my (not rubber) regular rain jacket and rain pants skiing sometimes if it is raining. If nothing else it dries out faster than the insulation in my ski gear. And if I'm wearing non cotton polypropylene layers or whatever underneath I stay pretty warm even if I get a bit damp. +Wool socks

Gore text is great, it breathes and will stay dry to a point but will not when submerged or constantly covered in pouring rain all day
 
Last edited:

PAabe

Active member
Joined
Jan 20, 2021
Messages
430
Points
43
Location
Lancaster, PA
Skiing in the rain has some redeeming points if the snow is soft but not slushy. And it usually is not crowded and not bitter cold if it's raining. Although snowing is obvs better
 
Top