User preferences- Apparel

[Marc]

Sorry if this has been discussed before. Feel free to delete it if it has.

I was wondering what everybody prefers for brands for coats and pants. My list may not be very complete, but I don't buy this stuff very often (actually, because of Christmas gifts, I never have technically bought it) so I'm just going by stuff I've seen on other people.

After I graduated from some cheap no name stuff, I've been with Karbon ever since. Pants and coat. The coat has detachable sleeves, hood and powder skirt. More pockets then anyone could ever use, very comfortable liner, and the thing I may like the most (little item): the neoprene wristlets. We have these in our firefighter coats and when I saw them on ski coats, I was thrilled. And it is a very durable and rugged coat, all seam sealed, and very tough nylon blend shell.

Same goes for pants in terms of quality of construction. Very wide soft and comfortable suspend straps, adustable everything, zips all the way up the sides (made really for racing, but makes for some creative vent possiblities), seam sealed, multipaneled, take up straps every where. Quality stuff.

I realize Karbon and Spyder target mostly racers but I've worn this stuff everywhere and I think the features and qualtiy make it fine all mountain (and doable BC) ski apparel.

So what's your stuff and why do you like it?

 

[nancie2k]

i have had a few by nils-

 

[dmc]

I've bought Mountain Hardwear and Arc'teryx stuff lately...

 

[thetrailboss]

Man, too many to be listed.

EMS
Sierra Designs
TNF (regrettably) :roll:
Black Diamond, VT
Patagonia
LL Bean


I also was using a pair of Bombardier Ski Doo Snow pants from like 1980 until last season...they finally died

 

[dmc]

Also pretty much have bought pants from Burton the last few years...

 

[ctenidae]

I've been digging the Helly Hanson stuff lately. Seems to be well made, well thought out, and works well.

Spyder is always snappy looking, but I don't have any of their gear (my wife does, but is an unreliable reviewer of clothing).

I have a Dynastar jacket I like a lot, mostly because it has monkey paws, though they are a tiny bit too short.

Have an Oberrmeyer coat that is the bee's knees in cold weather. Plenty of room for good layers, not too bulky. Same for my Obermeyer pants. Good stuff.

Always like Columbia (more so in the past than the present), though I do have a pair of ski pants I like a lot.

 

[skijay]

TNF
Bogner

 

[Sparky]

My last two uniform jackets have been Karbons, and they have held up well. The first one I had for 5 years and the current one for 3. Some folks claim that they don't stay water resistant after they as washed, but I have not noticed that experienced that problem. My personal Jacket is a CB,much cheaper then a Karbon (ther is a CB outlet in Bennington). I have not warn this Jacket as much as the Karbons, but it seems to perform just as well.

 

[Brettski]

Whatever quality gear that's on sale.

Currently a Columbia Jacket that's grey and rust...I really don't like it, but it's functional....damn velcro pocket flaps always stick to the inner pocket....

 

[ozskier]

Starter jacket. Boston Bruins or my San Jose Sharks.
Nuff said.

 

[Geoff]

Mountain Equipment Co-op 3-ply Gore-Tex XCR shells. Fabrique au Canada.

Until the US dollar crashed last year, they were the best value on the market.

 

[kickstand]

Couloir jacket (mid-winter) or Karbon shell (spring)
Nordica pants
various brands for undergarments

the Nordica pants rock. They are the only ones I have found that make short length inseams. Most pants that fit me well up top end up covering my feet. I think TNF makes some, but I haven't found any. Come to think of it, I haven't seen the Nordica's in short since I bought them.

 

[Marc]

Some folks claim that they don't stay water resistant after they as washed, but I have not noticed that experienced that problem.

I have not had that problem either...

As far as I know, there should be no reason for it either. Mine, and afaik, all their new stuff is just a nylon/poly blend shell. It's not treated for water resistance or anything, it's just a very tight weave.

The likely reason for this rumor to start is not from the washing but from the drying. Full heat drying ruins the seam sealing adhesive and will cause the seams to leak.

I'd air dry anything with seam sealing, no matter what the brand.

 

[Geoff]

Some folks claim that they don't stay water resistant after they as washed, but I have not noticed that experienced that problem.

I have not had that problem either...

As far as I know, there should be no reason for it either. Mine, and afaik, all their new stuff is just a nylon/poly blend shell. It's not treated for water resistance or anything, it's just a very tight weave.

The likely reason for this rumor to start is not from the washing but from the drying. Full heat drying ruins the seam sealing adhesive and will cause the seams to leak.

I'd air dry anything with seam sealing, no matter what the brand.

Use NicWax

 

[Treeliner]

EMS, TNF, Burton are my three regulars...

also, specifically what do you guys wear for gloves? It's so hard to wade through the marketing BS and find a seriously waterproof, warm glove for a reasonable price.

 

[Geoff]

EMS, TNF, Burton are my three regulars...

also, specifically what do you guys wear for gloves? It's so hard to wade through the marketing BS and find a seriously waterproof, warm glove for a reasonable price.

I recommend any brand that has a removable liner wo you can get them completely dry overnight. Most of the time, it's sweat that makes them wet. I've been using Grandoe component gloves for a bunch of years.

 

[Sparky]

I have two pair of Swanys. One gloves one mittens. Both are warm and have pockets for warmers. The gloves have a removable liner, and I have to agree with Geoff, sweat seems to be the biggest culpert when it comes to wet cold hands.

 

[dmc]

I have to agree with Geoff, sweat seems to be the biggest culpert when it comes to wet cold hands.

Sweat is the biggest culprit when it comes to cold wet anything..

When I'm skinning - I wear super wicking shirts..
The sweat comes through the shirt and crystalizes on the outside... I can just brush it off...
amazing..

anyrate...
When I snowboard I wear mittens when I ski I wear gloves...

 

[awf170]

i dont really care, all the top companies ski clothing seems to be the same. I have a rossi jacket right now that i like. Before that i had an awsome 15 year, $40 anorak jacket from MVP sports

 

[Birdman829]

Fur that I trap myself.....with my teeth. GRRRRRRR.