Help Purchasing a Jacket

Submitted by Snazzy_Apples t3_z9e1we in BuyItForLife

I am trying to purchase a mountaineering/ski jacket and have been looking at these two jackets:

My criteria is fairly simple. The jacket needs to be a hard shell, breathable, versatile (something that would work for mountaineering but also skiing), colorful (not black or something that would blend into the environment), and more on the lightweight side. I am really struggling to find jackets that are lightweight that I like (both of these jackets are over 1lb).

I don't mind spending the extra money for a good quality jacket. Are these jackets good, or are there better options out there?

Thanks!

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Comments

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donnie-stingray t1_iyhivit wrote

Something about the story behind patagonia would make me choose it over other brands. Looks a bit nicer too.

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Crafty_Ranger_2917 t1_iyj2wkv wrote

Probably even with fit being tie-breaker.

Get your hands on both and see which shell material you like better.

All else equal, Patagonia wins because chest pockets.

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I_H8_Celery t1_iyge2v8 wrote

Honestly can’t go wrong with either, the triolet is the lightest gore Tex coat that Patagonia makes and mammoth is seen very frequently on skilled mountaineers. I’ve had great experiences with both companies so I’d just go with whichever one has the colors and pockets you want.

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Snazzy_Apples OP t1_iygffpi wrote

Cool! I have a though decision to make then haha. I like them both. Thanks for the insight.

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Quinquilharia t1_iygw4il wrote

Look at the warranty on both jackets. I believe Patagonia has a lifetime thing

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suckmydicktonight t1_iyh5ij8 wrote

Dunno where you live. The principle of cold weather protection is in layers.

You need a fleece layer under your GoreTex. You need a wool tee under your fleece. When you get hot from activity you can shed layers to cool down and not have to stop.

No one layer of protection will ever suffice. For lightest weight option look up Backpacking magazines. They review low weight everything in there.

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Snazzy_Apples OP t1_iyhkep8 wrote

Oh yeah. I know to layer. The only layer that I don’t have is a hard shell, which just so happens to be the most expensive. I Just don’t know what to buy.

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suckmydicktonight t1_iyhlw08 wrote

Any GoreTex would work equally well. I like Marmot, they have a GoreTex soft shell that I’ve had for probably 10 years.

Usually per my experience soft shell > hard shell because the cloth has a lot of give and allows for activities. Hard shell get restrictive and you tend to lose it very fast unless you are stuck in frigid conditions for a long time.

REI usually has end of ski season sales, and they have a ton of hard shells on clearance.

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Buffalo_Cottage t1_iyhdse8 wrote

I vote for the Patagonia jacket. I own 4 Patagonias—a rain jacket, a fleece, a lightweight puffer, and an amazingly lightweight winter coat (DAS Parka)—and love them all. What I love best, outside of the company's values, is that you can send your coat to them for repair. I had a zipper break on my puffer and sent it in. They sent it back in a month with a new, perfectly matched zipper. If I remember correctly, it cost me $5 to ship it to them. Glorious.

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Snazzy_Apples OP t1_iyhkk7c wrote

I actually didn’t know Patagonia did that with their products. That’s good to know!

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Buffalo_Cottage t1_iyhtejk wrote

It's the best! Also check out their Worn Wear page for past season styles at awesome discounts. My fleece and a couple of recycled wool sweaters came from there and they look brand new.

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ratty_mum t1_iyny4r4 wrote

Don’t have one of these but I want one and they have a lifetime repairs guarantee.

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