I am after a decent waterproof jacket that I can use for walking, climbing or skiing. A decent hood, a few pockets and a snow skirt etc.. The ME Changabang would be ideal but the fabric is much too thin! Was the older version made out of a thicker gore-tex fabric? The Arcteryx Sidewinder SV looks great but again the fabric seems a little thin. Any sugesstions would be greatfully recived,
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 I would suggest you don't ski in a waterproof jacket. Most of the time, even in Scotland, skiing doesn't happen much when it's raining so you have the limited breathability associated with waterproofs so you stew a bit for little real advantage. An exception would be Paramo, as it's much more breathable than Goretex, eVent etc. The usual downside of Paramo is the extra weight of the pump liner, but since it'll be cold and the pump liner is warm that becomes a non-issue. Same for winter climbing. Another alternative would be a soft-shell of some description. It'll keep out dreich and sleet if need be, snow shouldn't be a problem and it'll bemore breathable and comfortable than a waterproof. Pete.
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 Mike,
I use the Changabang for skiing fairly regularly as well as my main mountain jacket (I also have a regular ski jacket, but I run quite hot and actually get too warm wearing it in europe).
I can't say I've had any problems with the thickness of the fabric (mine is the proshell model, so the same as this years one but in brighter yellow!) The only issue I have had is the snowskirt has a little bit of poor stitching to the zip, could be better. Aside from that, no complaints.
John
edit to add as far as the previous poster's comments are concerned, I spent two days skiing in the alps in the peeing rain in feb this year, and was laughing all the way to the bank while my mates got soaked! No probs with the breathability of the jacket either, and it has pit zips for extra comfort
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| Edited: 07/07/09 21:11 |
I definatly need a waterproof - I normally ski and snowboard in the French Alps and have been out in everything from a clear sunny blue sky to weather so bad you can't see 5 meters!
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Note that Paramo stuff is waterproof, and is considerably more breathable than Goretex/eVent. So you still stay dry, but it's not nearly so sweaty when you're working. Pete.
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Yep - I have been searching around but nothing yet!
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 If you want bombproof, then I'd second John's Klattermusen suggestion in the other thread. Quite a few people I know who have been to Svalbard for any lengths of time have them and the fabric really is pretty thick and sturdy. As to skiing in a waterproof jacket: I usually start the season in a softshell and then change to a light hardshell (Montane Superfly) when it gets to spring. Partly that is because I find the softshell too heavy and big to stick in my pack when the weather is nice, especially uphill. But the other reason are conditions around freezing where you end up either with wet snow or rain.
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I am after a decent waterproof jacket that I can use for walking, climbing or skiing. A decent hood, a few pockets and a snow skirt etc.. The ME Changabang would be ideal but the fabric is much too thin! Was the older version made out of a thicker gore-tex fabric? The Arcteryx Sidewinder SV looks great but again the fabric seems a little thin. Any sugesstions would be greatfully recived,
Sidewinder SV? Thin? Lol. That's, like, the top-grade nylon you get anywhere, much more abrasion-resistant than the lighter ripstop stuff on the Changabang. Plus it's a 3-layer construction. If that doesn't do the trick for you then nothing will, nothing from Gore nor eVent nor Paramo. And I'm not really sure the old XCR was any tougher than Pro Shell is now. It just feels tougher because it's heavier.
But yeah. I would second the suggestions of others in recommending a membrane-based soft shell. Something like WINDSTOPPER is virtually identical to the other Gore membranes: only difference is that the seams aren't taped and the membrane itself is more breathable (no thin PU smear). It's only snow, FFS. There's no way the seams are going to leak under relatively light pressure. The Haglofs Jaw jacket or the Arc'teryx Fury SV are the top picks, I guess, but there are loads of others.
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Sidewinder SV? Thin? Lol. That's, like, the top-grade nylon you get anywhere, much more abrasion-resistant than the lighter ripstop stuff on the Changabang. Plus it's a 3-layer construction. If that doesn't do the trick for you then nothing will, nothing from Gore nor eVent nor Paramo.
And if indestructable really is your goal then you should try to find a Klattermusen Mithril Kevlar... but I can't imagine why you'd need something that beefy
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And if indestructable really is your goal then you should try to find a Klattermusen Mithril Kevlar... but I can't imagine why you'd need something that beefy
Wow. That's pretty awe-inspiring. Kevlar-and-Keprotec combination to stop pain from motorcycle crashes. God to be overkill for ski, though, unless it's one crowded piste...
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 Its on my fantasy kit list that. If nothing else it'd be fun to actually test out just how invincible it actually is  Got to love a company who puts stuff like 'buy this and be prepared to leave it in your will' in their catalogue....
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| Edited: 08/07/09 15:49 |
I will do some more digging on the Klattermusen, Cheers guys
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read everyone comments, thinking of buying a arcteryx sv fury jacket. do you think it will be ok for climbing (crags grintstone) and walking in scottish winters and snowboarding in europe. i run hot but tend to cool quickly. have a paclite shell if it really come down hard. Has anyone tried the arcteryx alpha comp hoody with the waterproof panels. Any help greatly appriecated. john
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I was unable to find a jacket that would do everything I wanted so I have ended up with an Arcteryx Fury SV Jacket which I think is great - I am going to get a Montane Superfly XT for hiking, Cheers for everyones help
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I know it's a rather specialist design, but the eVent Wildthingsgear Snowkite jacket should be good for skiing and make the crossover for alpine & hiking use. Apart from it's lack of wired hood it looks like it ticks a lot of boxes... and is currently half price at their newly opened online outlet...
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