what Wet/Cold weather jackets do you recommend?

[Dspec]

Can anyone recommend a quality waterproof cold weather jacket?
I have been posted down south to a place called Albany in Western Australia, It rains a lot and the temp is usually between 8 - 16 degrees during the day with a significant wind chill factor, it gets quite windy due to its proximity to the southern ocean.

I am chasing something that comes in black, that way i can wear it for work and in civvies (also maybe something for hunting and camping)

I have had a bit of a scout around and some of the 5.11 stuff looks good if anyone has any experience with that?

[Laconian]

I have a Blauer Goretex jackets and trousers that are both warm and water resistant. Mine are in Navy blue not black and are pretty good

[fac3s]

What are the wind chill temperatures? At 8-16 degrees I usually sleep in the ****.

[JJC]

You can never go wrong with North Face. I have a 5.11 jacket and it's good, especially the bells and whistles like pockets. I only wish you can remove that Velcro pocket compartments.

[Crimsonel]

Arc'Teryx Alpha Jacket (Hardshell) semi tactical comes in black and coyote you cant beat it for an all around wet wx and hardshell Jacket.

[Albatross]

Get a warm jacket and a gore-tex shell. That way you can get rid of the shell when it isn't raining.

[theholeinthedonut]

Arc'Teryx Alpha Jacket (Hardshell) semi tactical comes in black and coyote you cant beat it for an all around wet wx and hardshell Jacket.
X2 I have one myself and it's surely the best Goretex I ever had!! Combine it with a midweight fleece or a windbreaker and you will be allright.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/theholeinthedonut/brennerei/Alpha-Jacket.jpg

[rooks]

Get a warm jacket and a gore-tex shell. That way you can get rid of the shell when it isn't raining.


Spot on.

Buy a Fleece & a Hardshell separately.

It's more expensive, but you'll get a hell of a lot more use out of both items. Cold & Wet, rock both. Just cold, wear the fleece. Also handy as 90% of the time when it's raining in Oz, it's still humid as ****, so walking around in a Hardshell with a built in fleece liner will kill you.

What you buy will depend on what your budget is. Arc'teryx, TAD, Beyond are all excellent choices, and work superbly, but they're very expensive. Cheapest one is the TAD Predator @ $295 US.

If you just want decent, cheap & black, look at Tru-Spec. You can get they're ECWCS parka (Hardshell with removable fleece liner) for about $150 US (that's retail. look around and you'll find them cheaper). Probably as cheap as you'll get in the 'tactical' market, and the quality is decent enough. If you don't want to spend $500, it's your best choice, unless you find some old surplus stuff. Though, even then that'll more than likely be in a Camo pattern.

[AROUETLJ]

My only gripe with Goretex jackets nowadays is that they seemed to be styled for rock climbing with a harness, and most of them only have a bottom drawcord. Does anyone know of a smock-style Goretex jacket?

[theholeinthedonut]

My only gripe with Goretex jackets nowadays is that they seemed to be styled for rock climbing with a harness, and most of them only have a bottom drawcord. Does anyone know of a smock-style Goretex jacket?

Try www.arktis.co.uk they have smocks.

[andreen]

If you realy want a good jacket go for the scandinavian brand Klättermusen (climbermouse, strange name I know). They are in my opinion the leading manufacture of alpine shell clothes. The price tag is a bit steep but if you get one you have a damned good jacket form meny year to come.

Choose between 4 jackets
NOATUN 532 €
http://www.klattermusen.se/img/produkter_maxi/Noatun_DarkSlate.jpg
FROSTE 608 €
http://www.klattermusen.se/img/produkter_maxi/Froste_Black.jpg
DRIVA 603 €
http://www.klattermusen.se/img/produkter_maxi/Driva_Black.jpg
BREDE Price: 593 €
http://www.klattermusen.se/img/produkter_maxi/Brede_Black.jpg

http://www.klattermusen.se/
You can by direct from the webpage, and they ship abroad.

[Scrim]

Try www.arktis.co.uk (http://www.arktis.co.uk) they have smocks.

They've got some serious backorder issues going on. Been waiting 3 months for my waterproof smock (Arktis USA)

[TacoDelRio]

As said, layered, a soft shell and a hard shell. Soft shells keep ya warm if it's not especially windy, or very wet.

[orange]

I just bought myself a North Face Summit Series GoreTex Soft Shell! I think it owns. I don't like wearing a Hard Shell because it tends to rub alot againt the neck so that you get sour there after a while.

Arc'Teryx make great jackets but, they tend to cost a hell of alot more than for example North Face.

http://www.northface.com (http://www.northface.com/)

[theholeinthedonut]

They've got some serious backorder issues going on. Been waiting 3 months for my waterproof smock (Arktis USA)
This problem is well known...same thing on this side of the pond.

I just bought myself a North Face Summit Series GoreTex Soft Shell! I think it owns. I don't like wearing a Hard Shell because it tends to rub alot againt the neck so that you get sour there after a while.

Arc'Teryx make great jackets but, they tend to cost a hell of alot more than for example North Face.

http://www.northface.com (http://www.northface.com/)

The price difference is, IMHO, only half of the quality difference. I've been let down by north-face goretex shells twice, for the last five years they have been exclusively producing stuff that makes Rappers and other Mofo's look cool......sorry mabe I had just bad luck with my gear but TNF is a major no-no for me.

[TacoDelRio]

A lot of NF stuff is more marketted towards soccer folks than hardcore outdoorsman, IMHO. However, since everyone (including Arc'teryx) is outsourcing to China... kinda a moot point.

My favorite layering system for most all cold conditions while mountaineering is a pair of 5050 wool/cotton (yes, cotton!) long john pants (old issue ones), wooly pully top, Smartwool socks, and a rain shell top and bottom. Very cheap, $60 for the rainshell set (hardshell). Warm when I'm still, moving, or still after moving. Works for me 90% of the time.

[He219]

I'll second Taco's sentiments.
Simplicity at it's best.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/TacoDelRio/20071215-16%20Harwood%20NE%20Ridge/DSC05872.jpg

Hard to find clothing not made in China; I do my best to avoid them.

Arcteryx makes some awesome stuff - if it's made in Canada.
Too pricey for me though.

Either way, look for taped/welded seams for whatever shell.
Not like you'll be sitting in a bucket of water or anything, but it makes a big difference.

I use a NF Kitchatna extreme wet weather jacket as an outer shell.
It has a powder bib with removable zip-in fleece liner. Very light, abrasion zoned, modular and practical.

Also totally pleased with it and my new NF Apex softshell.

[TacoDelRio]

Only reason I have a $180 Arc'teryx softshell is because it's used, for $40. Nice piece of Canadian gear though.

I'd say it's worth spending "lots" of money if you'll be wearing it on a daily, or nearly daily basis. I've spent $300 on a knife before, for crying out loud, and I don't even use it anymore. Coulda spent that money better. A jacket typically lasts a long time.

[James]

I've been pleased with a Patagonia fleece/shell I got on sale from Diamondback Tactical:
http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/MARS-Clothing-Line-C292.aspx

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/5227/jacketyn6.jpg
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/6678/shellmt7.jpg

It's a soft shell, so it's more water repellent than waterproof; I wouldn't wear it in hard rain for too long, but it is great in wind and drizzle, and cozy warm with a fleece underneath.

[He219]

I just saw some Patagonia stuff at Adventure16 the other day.
Primo first class stuff (http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/product_focus.jsp?OPTION=PRODUCT_FOCUS_DISPLAY_HANDLER&style_color=29326-052&patcatcode=MAIN_FA07_US.CLOTHING_GEAR.MENS.JACKETS.SKIING).

My best jacket, a 686 Smarty Northline (http://www.686.com/2007/#/MensWinter/?cat_id=81&product_id=456), was given to me by a College bro wrote his business plan at entrepreneur school.
He's been nice enough to let me field test his stuff.

[TacoDelRio]

That website is attacking my mind! That complete jacket looks good.

[theholeinthedonut]

I had loads of Pata stuff when I picked up mountaineering....good stuff, but that's 20 years ago now.
I wear my Alpha jacket not on a daily basis but everytime it is raining, which is nearly every third day in Luxusbourg. Till now it has not let me down,and allthough I try to be careful with it it quite gets the wear when going trough undergrowth etc. Really good stuff whorth every cent. (But then again that's easy to say if you did not have to pay for it yourself!)

[Merfeller]

I don't do a lot of hiking or whatever, but I do go out sailing on Lake Michigan in Autumn and early Spring and find simple layers best. I use an old Bauer hockey long sleeve turtle neck undershirt, a Marmot 200 weight fleece, and a soft shell Helly Hansen Helly Tech sailing rain suit. The seams are double taped and the thing is water and wind proof, with an extra large hood, so unless I take a 10 foot swell broadside way out on the lake, I stay warm and dry.

[He219]

HH rainsuits are badass.


That website is attacking my mind! That complete jacket looks good.

Ten years ago I bulit a prototype of their first tootlbelt (http://www.686.com/2007/#/MensWinter/?cat_id=94&product_id=536), hehe.
Funny stuff. I used a magnetic bit-holder, they switched to parallel fixed bits.

I've got an original production, want it?

[TacoDelRio]

Pretty high speed design, brotha!

If you meant if I'd like it, reckon I won't use it. :(

[Crimsonel]

Its hard to beat good quality when its all you have between yourself and being miserable. I like to buy American when I can but when I cant get the best quality here I go elsewhere. Most of the ArcTeryx LEAF gear is still made in Canada and the articulation and fit is second to none, but I also like the lightweight tactical gear coming out of Integral designs.

btw Smartwool is also made by the communist Chinese

[TacoDelRio]

Yeah! :(

My hardshell is Vietnamese. I don't care that much unless it's big bucks. Then I prefer USA, Canadian, French (YES FRENCH, damnit, they make great stuff, usually), German, them crazy Swedes, etc.

[antagonist22]

For your type of 8-16 degrees I would wear my gore-tex shell that comes with a detachable goose down liner. And if need be on chilly mornings camping I would wear my $20 polar fleece underneath all that.

[Andreas]

http://www.bergans.com/sider_eng/start.htm

[James]

You might try www.beyondclothing.com - American made in Seattle, WA. I haven't tried any of their outer wear, but their utility uniforms are very well made.

[Dspec]

I think the separate waterproof outer shell combined with a jumper/fleece liner is definatley the way to go. good responses from everyone so far that X2 looks the business !

I guess its all a matter of price at the end of the day, great to see and hear about the gear that people swear by, thats why forums like this are so invaluable for gear choice, real world tested and recommended makes it a lot easier to choose something that will actually do the job right.

keep em coming.

[Dspec]

james, mate you said you rated the patagonia stuff, i found this jacket the patagonia eco rain shell jacket only $200 looks quite reasonable any opinions?

[James]

I haven't ever used that exact jacket, but I think Patagonia is a great company; their stuff might be a little spendy compared to others, but the quality, in my experience, has always been top notch.

[California Joe]

I've got a Columbia Bugaboo Vertex jacket that I wear pretty much all winter long. Skiing etc. It's got a zip out liner, hood etc. Very warm with the liner, water proof.

[LillaMy]

Here are my two cents...

If your primary use is daily within a city, go for the Arc'Teryx Alpha...

On the other hand if you plan to get out into the bush and mess around some (military, hunting etc.).. I would try to get something that doesn't have the tight fit of the more modern mountaineering/fashion/alpine jackets. Personally I use the Norröna Recon, made for Norwegian rangers.

http://www.norrona.com/web/products.nsf/web/hunting_shell_stor/$file/408_0_003_stor.jpg

[Dspec]

well i went out and bit the bullet today and bought a jacket.

I went to my local Arc'Teryx dealer to get the Alpha jacket, they wanted $1200 AUS for it so i mumbled an excuse and fled for the hills,

luckily I stumbled across a local surplus store who had the columbia bugaboo vertex, a la california joe. was $275 the lady took pity on me and gave it to me for $220 woohoo!

its got the shell and zip out warm liner that is actually a second jacket so bonus! im pleased as punch with it

so a big thankyou for everyones input and thanks for the suggestion california joe.

[aaronlow]

$1200?!!! Holy crap. Is that the going price in Australia or did they just try to rip you off? I know Arc'Teryx is expensive (I have several pieces) but that's just outrageous.

[California Joe]

Cool. I hope it serves you well. I got mine on sale a couple of years ago. I don't have much basis for comparison with most of the other jackets mentioned but I like mine. And it get's pretty damned cold and wet here in Vermont in the winter...:)

[Mister_manji]

I don't do a lot of hiking or whatever, but I do go out sailing on Lake Michigan in Autumn and early Spring and find simple layers best. I use an old Bauer hockey long sleeve turtle neck undershirt, a Marmot 200 weight fleece, and a soft shell Helly Hansen Helly Tech sailing rain suit. The seams are double taped and the thing is water and wind proof, with an extra large hood, so unless I take a 10 foot swell broadside way out on the lake, I stay warm and dry.


HH rainsuits are badass.

X2 on HH. I've had this jacket for several years now, and its never let me down. Of course, I don't do all that hiking and mountain climbing and stuff like you guys do, but I do wear it on every day it rains, and go on the occasional hike. I live in Portland, Oregon, so we get quite a bit of rain here, and the coat has seen much use.
[img=http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/1036/jacketmc9.th.jpg] (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jacketmc9.jpg)

[Trunk_Monkey]

I found an Arcteryx Theta SL on ebay. It's just about the lightest shell around. It was just under 300 CAD all said and done. It's made in China but has performed well for the 3 or so months I've used it in mostly rainy and snowy weather around freezing temp. in Southern Ontario. It has performed v. well, although the urethane coating on the main zip has pealed a bit-it hasn't affected the waterproofness to any noticeable extent. It has pit-zips which are essential if you're going to be active (esp. in 8-16 degrees). I have not bought Tru-spec before, but buddies who have have had nothing but bad stories to tell. ECWCS gen. 1 or 2 on ebay are usually pretty inexpensive (prolly 30-50 USD used)but it's just about impossible to find one in black (they're all woodland).

[FROGFOOT-MKDN]

What are your opinions and maybe user reviews on these:

Columbia Snow Patrol Parka-55$, Columbia Piston Parka-60$, Cabela Cimarron Peak WINDSTOPPER® Jacket-30$.

Already purchased the last one, so is this review fair:

http://www.jacketreviews.com/Reviews/Wind-Shells/Cabela's-Cimarron-Peak-Windstopper-Jacket

[BLUE THOR]

http://www.sordaustralia.com/SORD/Clothing/SORD_HARDFACE_JACKET/1sm.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:LargePic('/SORD/Clothing/SORD_HARDFACE_JACKET/1.jpg'))
SORD jacket. waterproof, waterproofed zips, dries out nice and quick, has a 100 weight thermal liner, windproof too, which cuts down on heat loss. has pit zips to assist rapid cooling if you get too hot. good bit of kit.
www.sordaustralia.com

[Scrim]

They've got some serious backorder issues going on. Been waiting 3 months for my waterproof smock (Arktis USA)
Still waiting....
I bought a cheapo from Lands End in the meantime, I'm actually pleasantly surprised.

[EIREGOBRACH]

Does anybody know if this M-65 Field Jacket comes in 'Woodland Camouflage'. This spec - with velcro. Like the Tru-Spec Tactical Response shirt/jacket?

Thank you.

[OUTLAW-ONE]

Tad Gear predator or ranger hoodie.