 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all!
I've had the same NoFear jacket serve me well for a number of years longer than it ought to have but it's beginning to show wear and tear and I feel like it's time for a replacement. I'm looking really for some recommendations for good male ski jackets within a budget of about £150 but I'd be willing to spend a bit more if, for example, there is an incredible jacket for £170 etc.
A number of things I'm looking for: Suggestions must have a removable hood, an arm pocket for my lift pass, venting since I often find myself getting quite hot even with only one other layer on. I also only own black salopettes so a colour that goes with them.
Secondly I have two friends on my next trip who have never been skiing before and obviously need a fair bit of gear. I've suggested they don't shell out on anything extravagant incase they never use it again. We're going to visit a few places such as mountain warehouse, trespass and sports direct. Any suggestions of other places to look at or places to avoid?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Aldi/Lidl will be stocking their Ski gear shortly -- ideal if you don't want to spend too much
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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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^^ +1
Also if your first timers already have decent waterproof walking jackets, they will work fine so long as they get some thermal base layers (Uniqlo / Aldi etc...), though proper trousers wouldn't hurt. Plus ski socks are essential in my view as they will lower the risk of newbie blisters.
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Rab Exodus circa £100-140. . .get a fleece/insulating layer for cold snaps otherwise decent base layer will do if you run hot - job done. Plus if you get a sane colour you can wear it down the pub when you get home . . .hood is large and cant be removed but can be rolled back with a clip . . .
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@Jord92, Dainese make jackets matching the brief outlined; sport pursuit have a sale on them currently, but you might need to stretch a bit to get a really good one. They are Italian, uncommon on slopes and come up about a size smaller (e.g. if you are medium get large). I have several and apart from the way they look, they are warm and waterproof with ability to open vents and remove hoods and lining (depending on model).
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Black diamond recon hybrid shell £190 on SP
https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/801706
Some of the ex Arcteryx crew moved here its good kit .
If it fits across the shoulders you wont believe the rubbish you wore previously .
With ease of cohaesive adjusters too !
I wouldn't worry about the hood just cinch it up tight and it will sit well for when the weather comes in one day up high on a chair you will be very pleased you had it .
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Mon 31-10-16 21:48; edited 3 times in total
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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In exactly the same position (same budget too) with my old faithful jacket needing replaced, it's served me well but is more like a bag o'rags than a performance piece!
Spent the past two days searching and researching everything and shouting at the screen, settled on a mountain hardwear shell from sport pursuit for £130 (spent the remainder on new smartwool socks - can't have too many good socks!).
Also got the youngling new top and bottoms for less than £100.
There's something there for every budget/need so you and your mates should be able to get sorted without too much difficulty, however, if you want to hand over cash in a physical shop would suggest a rummage around tkmaxx & the likes of aldi before sportsdirect (recently replaced my 8 year old £15 aldi salopettes with another pair of aldi salopettes...)
I like sportpursuit but the website is not great, find it clumsy and full of glitches but they have good stuff at decent prices & deliver when they say they will in my experience.
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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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Thanks for the advice so far guys! I think somewhere like trespass or mountain warehouse will do for the beginners, we will have a look in the shops so they can figure out sizes but most likely buy the stuff online if we can find it cheaper.
I've had a good scout out on sites like sportpursuit and there's tonnes of stuff which looks great but the issue I'm having is that a lot of these brands I've never heard of as they seem to be specialised in skiing and mountaineering equipment. There's a lot of stuff on sale but I don't know what is considered a bargain and what's a rip off so are there any brands I should look out for over others and are there any I should avoid?
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You know it makes sense.
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IMO. There is certainly diminishing returns when it comes to ski gear...especially for stuff that's needed for a week a year. If you do full seasons or climb mountains, then shelling out for brands like Arcteryx is worthwhile.
This is where no-nonsense brands like Trespass and Surfanic give solid value. If you can find "better" brands (like Berghaus, North face, Colmar, Salomon, Colombia, Helly Hensen, Eider, Scott, Patagonia etc) at discounted prices (from places listed above), then this is also a good way to go.
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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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agree with @Old Fartbag, in principle but then some of the more premium brands can be worn when not actually skiing (if you pick the right product/colourway) and therefore potentially can add more value in the long run. I prefer the climbing based kit as it generally 'performs' better and the cuts look better down the pub!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Another vote for Sport Pursuit here; I've bought three jackets and two pairs of ski trousers from them and been delighted with price, quality and delivery. For jackets: Bergans and Kilpi, the trousers are the 2117 brand. Very pleased with all of them.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Same position with my old Columbia. Have tried a Dainese through Sports Pursuit, but despite ordering a 4XL (supposedly 50+ inch chest) it was tight across chest and shoulders.
Local Ski shop had v limited stock and nothing to try in my size. Tried Salomon in Go Outdoors, but too small. 2XL similar size to Dainese 4XL.
Will now look for a new Columbia (hopefully finding a style I can feel happy wearing  ) as trying to find jackets for a male of larger proportions is proving tricky.
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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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@knackered knees,
I'm about a 49" chest and I have 2 Adidas shells that are a good fit. I got one from sportsshoes.com and another from them via Amazon. They advertised the size as 4XL, but inside the jacket it has GB size of 48-50", American XL, Euro 204 or 58.
All the Scandi makes are too small for me as are a lot of the other big names, but the US and German companies seem to go bigger for some unknown reason 
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I'd just add that many brands (Burton for snowboarders for example) have multiple ranges. So you can get the the fancy label (or a version of it), but the cheap stuff's not intended to last a whole season even. That stuff also tends to be more fashion dependent (brighter, with fancy patterns etc) presumably as it doesn't last as long.
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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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I'm sure there are some great online deals but as a 'well covered' skier, I always like to try things on before shelling out my hard earned.
I popped into TK Maxx last week and they had quite a few jackets in already. My other half picked up a lovely Salomon jacket for about £60 and I'm quite jealous. I know that place is a bit hit and miss, and when you see something you have to buy it there and then, but I've always done very well there. Just go armed with your phone to check the 'real' RRP.
Also, someone told me that Decathlon (https://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-604763-ski-jackets) are pretty good for cheaper stuff, especially for kids. Haven't tried them yet but planning a trip to look at helmets soon.
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@SlidingAbout,
Decathlon are certainly good for kids stuff. The salopettes are brilliant as the leg length is adjustable, you just let them down for next season.
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+1 for decathlon "own brand" stuff. seems to be good quality materials and durable for a budget. Also have a look at European brands that are less common in UK. I have a Maier jacket which has been excellent and a fraction of the price of "top brand" stuff in the UK.
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As HoneyBunny has mentioned ekosport.co.uk look at their Dare2B Fervent Trail Pro jackets. this is an arm of Regatta who make really excellent low cost outdoor gear, this jacket would tick all your boxes for well under £100.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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i still have my good old dependable Mountain Equipment Changabang goretex shell, but the last few years I've skied in the higher end range of the Dare2Be uninsulated softshells. Unless it was ski mountaineering in severe blizzards I will stick to softshells for my future skiing, the breathability increases over shells is very useful for someone who skis hot.
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If you have a Trespass shop in the neighbourhood,
They always have a sale on of their already cheap kit.
It is serviceable gear and the only reason you would not want to wear it is because its not a sought after label.
As you can see on all the comments on the thread ... you dont have to pay a fortune for good ski clothing.
Good value brands I can think of are:
Tog 24
ProTest
Beware of false Chinese rip offs of Spyder & Mamut you can often tell by the quality of the zips.
I'm a bit wary of some of the "designer" stuff in TK Max ... but you cant beat their Helly Hanson merino Ski Socks at 2 pairs for £10 !
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Decathlon again for cheap (ish) but often pretty good gear. Look at the walking/climbing/mountaineering stuff as well as pure designated ski-ing.
Dare 2 Be can also do cheap but reasonable.
Or CCC / Go Outdoor if you have one near.
Hate to say it but, um, E Bay? 
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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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Have to say I was impressed by the quality of some of the Mountain Warehouse ski gear - cut above Trespass, Surfanic. etc I think
Personally I tend to buy top brand mountaineering kit when it is on sale but that is still a higher price point.
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cut above Trespass, Surfanic. etc I think
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But should have said - those are perfectly adequate for skiing holidays
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You know it makes sense.
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Yup. I like Mountain Equipment gear for more serious stuff, the Randonee gloves are amazing for £50. Pile lining which is great for stuffing in your wet hands and still getting comfort and warmth.
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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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I've used the same Paramo walking jacket for the last ten years for winter walking, as a winter coat around town, sledging, skiing, etc. etc. and it's still going strong. Could see it lasting another ten years. Needs treatment every now and then, but that just coincides with necessary washes due it's massive use. The large map pocket has proved useful in many situations as well. Their stuff isn't for everyone though, so if you can, borrow before you buy.
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FAQ
