 Poster: A snowHead
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After spending the past few weeks deliberating on whether to go for either a hard or soft shell (and trawling through every thread on here I can find), I've come down firmly on the side of a soft shell, mainly due to the increase in breathability, and that they are a lot cheaper (allowing me to spend more on other layers). I've decided I'm not too concerned about it being waterproof - just able to handle snow.
I've narrowed my search down to two Rab pieces, the Exodus and the Vapour Rise (not the alpine or lite versions). The Exodus has the benefit of a lift pass pocket, but the VR is lighter and more weather resistant as well as more breathable. Does anyone have experience of these two? Is there anything else around the £120 that offers hand warmer pockets, pit zips and bright colour choices in similar fabrics?
I'm thinking I'll get a Rab Meco 120 baselayer, and then am wondering what to do about a mid layer? I had thought about something like the Patagonia R1, ME Eclipse or Rab PS Zip, but reading about how VR works maybe I would be better served with a VR Stretch - to maintain the wicking as well as possible. Will I need a mid layer at all (probably going to the Alps in March this season)?
I'm also quite keen on getting a synthetic jacket for cold days/inactive moments or around resort, either a Rab Xenon X, Rab Strata or if I really want to treat myself an Arcteryx Atom LT. Seems like the Strata and Atom could be worn as a beefy midlayer as well as on their own. The Atom has the benefit of being something I would be able to wear about town too.
Lots of Rab gear mentioned, not bought any before but from trying it on in the shop it seems well made and at a great price.
Would be grateful if anybody else can help with thoughts/experience of the above.
Cheers
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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A couple of weeks ago I was thinking about a soft shell as a change from a hard shell (gave up the padded jackets back in the 80s and used goretex walking jackets ever since). I use a Gul soft shell as my main daytime jacket which is also good for sailing and casual cycling and love it.
Did a bit of an Internet search and found out about the Flylow Higgins jacket. Has fab reviews and cheaper than the Arc'teryx options. And can buy in black!! Bought one from a Colorado ski shop for £167 including P&P (Powder 7). The £74 import tax VAT was a shock  There is a Euro Flylow website - 319 euros
This should be fine for my planned off piste adventures this year. Will carry a pack able hard shell for massive dumps.
I have a Rab mid-layer fleece which is great. Also have Musto mid layer fleeces too. I use Ice breakers merino T-shirts. Never see the need for more layers.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Had a look at the Rab range. The Baltero looks very suitable for skiing too. All great prices too. Should be able to get a deal.
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Dibergio, ha it's uncanny as I'm in exactly the same frame of mind as you and have been looking at replacing my old softshell for a rab exodus and my current midlayer (mammut kain jacket) to a rab ps zip top.....
Is it true the vapour rise is more breathable that the exodus
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Thu 10-10-13 11:20; edited 2 times in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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tomb, I don't know about 'true', having learnt from my research that there is no definitive answer when it comes to breathability (or anything else regarding outdoor clothing).
However it was reading this article (http://www.andy-kirkpatrick.com/articles/view/the_best_softshell_in_the_world) that persuaded me that the Vapour Rise is a closer match to his perfect soft shell (shelled micro-pile).
Another comment I read about the Exodus was that the hood can weigh down the jacket, making it slip off the shoulders a bit if unzipped.
I wish Rab did either the VR or Exodus in Orange, the VR's vivid blue is too much like purple (on my monitor) for my liking.
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Ah thanks for info.... I've browsed over that Andy Kirkpatrick article before, but isn't the article a few years old now??
You considered the scimitar jacket? It's a combo of the exodus and sawtooth so is more lightweight than the exodus, but seems more robust than the sawtooth jacket, which seems more of a 'walkers' jacket.
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Went to Cotswolds today looking to try on the VR and Exodus - tried the Exodus and think it's pretty good, however could only find the VR Lite to try in a larger size. I did have trouble with the liner sticking on my arms, so I think I might just go for the Exodus.
Have you come across any other soft shells with arm pockets, that come in bright colours? The Montane Tigertooth Pro only comes in black annoyingly.
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Personally I'm really liking the exodus.... In the neutral black I think it looks good with my lime green salomon salopettes!
As far as other brands go haglofs and mountain equipment both have particularly vibrant colour schemes.
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I can't tell you the number of times I've changed my mind over this over the last few weeks, but as the Nov 30 bash departure looms large, I took advantage of the fact that I had few hours to kill in London. I headed over to Covent Garden and did the rounds of all the ski 'super' stores.
Anyway whilst not wishing to bore you with all of the details, suffice it to say, I have settled for an Arc'Teryx Gamma LT softshell backed up with an Alpha SL Hybrid hardshell.
These items are by no means the most technical garments available, but after weighing up their relative merits, my requirements and of course cost (the 10% Ellis Brigham discount helped here!) these stood out by some distance from the competition.
Anyway, I guess time will tell 
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andyman, what EB 10% discount?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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andyman, I thought arcteryx gear was as technical as it comes? 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Wow there are a lot of jacket threads going on here.
The Arc'Teryx Gamma LT looks just about perfect for me - just that it doesn't have a sleeve pocket (now thinking about the Gamma MX instead). Just when I was about ready to splurge on the Exodus again. Would love to be bored by the details andyman!
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| Dibergio wrote: |
Wow there are a lot of jacket threads going on here.
The Arc'Teryx Gamma LT looks just about perfect for me - just that it doesn't have a sleeve pocket (now thinking about the Gamma MX instead). Just when I was about ready to splurge on the Exodus again. Would love to be bored by the details andyman! |
I think the LT has a sleeve pocket from the pictures that I've seen?
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You know it makes sense.
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swishtony, nah, the MX does, but not the LT and SL.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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andyman, tried on the MX and LT today and whilst they are both great, I favour the MX because of its sleeve pocket (don't know if I'm being silly about that). Why did you go for the LT?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Dibergio, Agreed the lack of arm pocket is a minor annoyance but what made my mind up finally? I think it's the look of the chest pockets on the MX, there's something about them that I just, well, not sure but def preferred the LT in looks and general feel.
I should also say that the lack of insulation on the LT (compared to the MX) was of no importance as the fit of the LT meant I could wear a thin mid layer under it which actually give me even more flexibility! I guess it's horses for courses they are both awesome shells.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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andyman, I think I know what you mean - they aren't your typical look. Hmmm.
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| andyman wrote: |
Dibergio, Agreed the lack of arm pocket is a minor annoyance but what made my mind up finally? I think it's the look of the chest pockets on the MX, there's something about them that I just, well, not sure but def preferred the LT in looks and general feel.
I should also say that the lack of insulation on the LT (compared to the MX) was of no importance as the fit of the LT meant I could wear a thin mid layer under it which actually give me even more flexibility! I guess it's horses for courses they are both awesome shells. |
Am I missing something here.... another thread also says the LT has no sleeve pocket..... according to this there is one:
http://www.ellis-brigham.com/products/arcteryx/mens-gamma-lt-jacket/233195
Or is this an older model?
Love the look of the LT, other than the pocket issue is this a good ski jacket, just wondering about how waterproof it will be. Is it quite a slim fit?
Thanks!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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swishtony, the LT without a hood does have a pocket. The LT with the hood, doesn't. For what reason I don't know.
Had a thought today that I would just go for the hoodless LT, but I want to get it in the Orange colour they have, and apart from importing from the US I'm buggered on that one - only black/grey available here.
I tried on the MX again yesterday and I still can't decide. I did though buy a Arcteryx Aphix hoody today - which will be my warm layer for winter here in the UK, might put the shell on hold for now...
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| Dibergio wrote: |
swishtony, the LT without a hood does have a pocket. The LT with the hood, doesn't. For what reason I don't know.
Had a thought today that I would just go for the hoodless LT, but I want to get it in the Orange colour they have, and apart from importing from the US I'm buggered on that one - only black/grey available here.
I tried on the MX again yesterday and I still can't decide. I did though buy a Arcteryx Aphix hoody today - which will be my warm layer for winter here in the UK, might put the shell on hold for now... |
Thanks! I'm so struggling on deciding! I do like the MX as well and like the idea of either jackets with the hoods, the only thing I dont like with the hooded jackets (generally) is that when you fully close them the jacket covers the whole bottom 2/3 of your face, I like to choose whether to have that covered or not so figured the non hooded ones would be better?
Have you tried the hooded ones on, if so how far up did the collar come when fully zipped up?
Cheer
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| andyman wrote: |
| swishtony, I have a similar dislike with hoods, but as I try at all costs to avoid using my hard shell and as a result use the softie pretty well all the time I am skiing, I really wanted the hood. Obviously not tested yet but I am hoping the volume adjustment will keep things under control in that area |
So do you feel with this jacket the collar is not too in your face, if you'll pardon the pun! Because it is a soft shell is is kinda easier to scrunch it down and out of the way - hope that makes sense??
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