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New Ski Wear

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Me and the handbrake are looking to buy new outfits, just interested to know what snowHead's favourite brands & retailers are and why.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
must....resist.....posting..... Twisted Evil
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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?
Shell or insulated?
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Guvnor,
Quote:
must....resist.....posting.....


you must post....you must post.....you must post..... Madeye-Smiley

go on you know you want to Laughing
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
rob@rar,
Quote:

Shell or insulated?


Either, I'm open to suggestions.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
Peak Performance, but no specific reason.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Gregd wrote:
rob@rar,
Quote:

Shell or insulated?


Either, I'm open to suggestions.


I switched to a goretex shell last season, after always wearing regular insulated skiwear. Much preferred the shell: more flexibility about how many layers, less bulky than an insulated jacket, etc. I tried on a few different brands and they all seemed much of a muchness. Ended up with a North Face Freethinker because I got a good price on a couple of jackets. Worked well all season, keeping the weather out in all sorts of conditions from hot & sunny through to torrential rain.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Gregd, .... rob@rar, has summarised the benefits of 'Shell'.

I 'converted' three seasons ago & would recommend Arc'teryx gear as the best I know of.

I bought a 'Sidewinder SV' jacket and similar SV bib type pants - can't remember the name off-hand - I think it was Arc'teryx Theta SV Bib.

I have used them in conjunction with Icebreaker wool base layers, for three seasons of about 90 days skiing each season. All weathers, all conditions. Apart from my AGA prepared porridge, the best thing since sliced bread ..... Laughing
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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.
rob@rar, [quote]
I switched to a goretex shell last season, after always wearing regular insulated skiwear. Much preferred the shell: more flexibility about how many layers, less bulky than an insulated jacket, etc. I tried on a few different brands and they all seemed much of a muchness. Ended up with a North Face Freethinker because I got a good price on a couple of jackets. Worked well all season, keeping the weather out in all sorts of conditions from hot & sunny through to torrential rain.

BernardC,I'll have a look at the brand you mentioned between you and rob@rar, you are doing a good job of converting me to the other side Laughing

I think I may well go down the shell route to be honest, I have seen a Spyder jacket I like the look of with a zip out fleece liner and I do like North Face too, my mate has had one for years and swears by it.
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Gregd, the Spyder jackets aren't a true shell jacket (unless they have brought out a new jacket) as they have a lining of some kind, even if it doesn't have much/any insulation.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Shell, if you are a fashion victim Peak Performance and Norrona seem to be the hip brands. Arc'tryx if you are of the right (skinny) build.

Best retailer for bargains - Decathlon, REI in US or MEC in Canada or TK Maxx for Cross/Helly Hansen/ACG stuff
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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.
Gregd, rob@rar, Has hit the nail on the head North Face Free Thinker it is on sale in Ellis Bingham on line at the moment for a pretty good price jacket is amazing and I think it may even be bullet proof!!! Laughing Laughing Laughing Great allround jacket even for very wet days or just out and about rolls up real small to


Plus you have the freedom of putting base layer fleece etc underneath or taking it all off and using it on a glacier.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
rob@rar wrote:
Gregd, the Spyder jackets aren't a true shell jacket (unless they have brought out a new jacket) as they have a lining of some kind, even if it doesn't have much/any insulation.


Thanks for the info what exactly is a "true shell" Embarassed

fatbob, looks like Arc'tryx is out of the question for me then Laughing
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Gregd, just the outer layer. No lining, no insulation.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Quote:

if you are a fashion victim Peak Performance


Damn Sad
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
hey i'm rounded and Arc'Teryx works for me, just got the ladies sidewinder for my chile/argentina trip. . . i was half price too, yay!
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Gregd, arc'teryx is goood. The fleece they have kicking about is one of the best/warmest-£150. My other stuff is Eider/Spyder(the more freeride cut stuff none of the classic spyder style sh*t)
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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?
jonm wrote:
Quote:

if you are a fashion victim Peak Performance


Damn Sad


Looks like quality schmutter and the Scandi ladies look luvverly in it so its not all bad wink
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
Quote:

the Scandi ladies look luvverly in it


Yeah, the girl in the pale blue bikini on their website looks very luvverly indeed Toofy Grin
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Can you stop calling me the handbrake!!! Toofy Grin
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You'll need to Register first of course.
louised, ... welcome to snowHeads ... Very Happy

I wondered about 'The Handbrake' ..... ? Laughing
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Can't beat Rodeo or Nevica for me wink
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
The jacket I wear most is a Decathlon softshell. In bad weather I put a Salomon ankle length rain shell over it.
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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.
louised,
Quote:

Can you stop calling me the handbrake!!!


You tell 'im! Laughing Laughing

Guvnor, rob@rar, Ordhan, Gregd, I'd second the North Face Free Thinker gear! It's brilliant stuff.

I have always used North Face after a lot of my customers in the Army seemed to be a fan of North Face, and after using their insulated Women's Alpine Freedom Pant for a few years, (non Gore-Tex but they were excellent) I wanted a Gore Tex shell pant with a bib on it that wasn't too high up your chest but that goes up your back quite high though to keep the wind/snow out. I looked everywhere and couldn't find a Ladies pant that a) I liked and b) that had the features I was looking for, and not in North Face Gore Tex anyway.

Eventually I thought "Oh what the heck if it's Men's not Ladies" and went for the Men's FreeThinker Gore Tex Pant. I have to say they were absolutely fantastic, so comfortable and actually just as warm as my insulated trousers, even without the insulation, although I obviously wear my Helly Hansen leggings underneath but then again I did with the insulated trousers as well. Brilliant piece of kit and got those pants from Nevisport I think for £200 reduced from £310 as I recall. I've never felt too hot or too cold with those Free Thinker pants on.

They wash really well too, (I turn them inside out so the grey bits don't get scuffed wink ) and because they were so good I found the Free Thinker Jacket also in Men's Small on the Ellis Brigham offer. Again that was £215 reduced from £360 originally I think. Got the nice green coloured one, it looks nice on mind you despite it being a men's jacket really. I haven't tried it out yet and so the sleeves might be a little bit too long for me but other than that it fits a treat round the bod and what a bargain. What I like about it as well is that it comes down low over your bum without it feeling restrictive.
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VolklAttivaS5, out of curiousity, what size are you in girlie North Face kit? I would love a Freethinker jacket but have never come across a small one locally.

I currently use a ladies North Face shell jacket that is a couple of years old and has been fab! It is a size medium. I am pretty much a size 12 on top.

I have however found a red Freethinker in red (slope colours) in a size small for £200 at Two Seasons.

Would appreciate any views!


Gregd, go for a shell, by far the most versatile way to go. I've been in a shell now for about 15 years or so and would never go back. My shells have been tested to the limits.

If you want a bit of extra warmth, buy a jacket like The North Face Redpoint to go underneath. Salomon did one last year which I got and it was fab. Sometimes instructing can involve not moving around enough and the combination of my shell and my very low bulk Salomon jacket was superb!!
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
North Face Redpoint Jacket for sale for men for £79 with the hood from Two Seasons!

Two jackets for the price of one for less than the price of a full price Freethinker! Bargain - you boys get all the good deals!!
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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.
The North Face outlet store in Bicester had some good deals of Freethinkers, Redpoints and Freedom pants last autumn. I picked up a bit of stuff there, plus a couple of very cheap buys from eBay.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
rob@rar wrote:
Gregd, the Spyder jackets aren't a true shell jacket (unless they have brought out a new jacket) as they have a lining of some kind, even if it doesn't have much/any insulation.


True 'Shell' Spyder Jackets are available, in the Big Mountain & Venom range, as well as lined uninsulated ones. Gore-tex pro shell or Dermizaz-EV.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I've got a Spyder jacket, it's a nice length, keeps me at a comfortable teperature and dry, but best of all it has a large number of pockets for me to put bits and pieces in.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
snowaddict, I have a Medium Women's jacket and normally Medium Women's trousers as well. Sounds like I'm same size as you at size 12.

I bought a Small Men's Free Thinker Jacket, fits a treat apart from the sleeves as I say and a Medium Men's would have been way too big for me anyway, the sleeves would have been over the ends of my hands! They had Small Men's sizes left at Ellis Brigham as the Mediums had all sold out, but it was £250 I paid, not £215, just had a look at the original receipt, but anyway lots cheaper than £360 for the original price.

I think the Free Thinker Pants I bought were Medium, again just checked the receipt and they were £217 actually not £200 as I wrote earlier reduced from £310. To be fair a Small in the Men's Pants would have been too slim in the bum and the hips for me and probably most women unless very slender, so a Medium was just right and plenty of room underneath for a layer or two. I've worn two pairs of Helly leggings underneath with comfort.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Schoffel is IMHO top quality gear.

Ski wear really depends upon what you are going to be doing.

Eg, if i am just on the slopes for the day then its Schoffel jacket and JCC or North face pants. If its enything else then its Haglofs and Mammut. I still layer up irrespective of what i am doing and just adhere to the layers principle to keep on top of things.

Have found that these have been good to me in the past:

http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com
http://www.facewest.co.uk
http://www.alpineroomshop.co.uk
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com
http://www.gaynors.co.uk
http://www.fellandmountain.co.uk

But always think that its worth a trip to a decent outdoors retailer and keep going back, i have been shoping at my local outdoors shop for ages now and as its a independant retailer (none of this Blacks m'larky) they will order things in for me - and i get discount too!
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Another good thing about the North Face Free Thinker gear is that I've seen a few BASI Trainers wandering around with my trousers on.

Ok, ok, not my own personal trousers, but exactly the same ones so they must be good if those guys have them. I expect it has had something to do with the BASI North Face kit offer but I should imagine they could have chosen something else if they really wanted to. wink


Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Fri 18-07-08 20:25; edited 1 time in total
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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?
VolklAttivaS5 wrote:
Ok, ok, not my own personal trousers, but exactly the same ones so they must be good if those guys have them. I expect it has had something to do with the BASI North Face kit offer but I should imagine they could have chosen something else if they wanted to. wink

I think they are changing from North Face to something else next season. They got a pretty good deal from NF to wear their stuff Wink
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
Quote:

I think they are changing from North Face to something else next season. They got a pretty good deal from NF to wear their stuff


rob@rar, yes I heard. Thing is, despite the discount it's really good stuff too, mine has always been ever so comfortable. When it's worn out or I fancy a change then I'll try Arcteryx next though and see how that feels.

Thing is, from what I had seen from April and June (not the Trainers' names Laughing -the months in which I saw them wearing their gear! Laughing Laughing ) their stuff was still in very good/excellent condition so it seems a shame to buy more for next season when they don't really need to. I don't suppose they have to buy the latest stuff on offer though.

I am looking forward to when I can get the BASI kit offer, not too long now.


Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Fri 18-07-08 21:02; edited 1 time in total
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
snobunni wrote:
hey i'm rounded and Arc'Teryx works for me...

Me too.
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If anyone is interested, ladies in particular, just called the North Face outlet store at Cheshire oaks and they have Freethinker Jackets small only in red or green at £182
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
rob@rar wrote:
VolklAttivaS5 wrote:
Ok, ok, not my own personal trousers, but exactly the same ones so they must be good if those guys have them. I expect it has had something to do with the BASI North Face kit offer but I should imagine they could have chosen something else if they wanted to. wink

I think they are changing from North Face to something else next season. They got a pretty good deal from NF to wear their stuff Wink



Was it not something odd like Timberland? I'm sure it was in the BASI news, just stuck in the middle of a report or something.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
VolklAttivaS5, Thank you so much for the info on your kit.

I'm almost tempted by the jacket I must admit, I'm just worried by the sleeve length as I don't have the longest arms in the world. If only I could find a small in Scotland to try on without going through the expense of buying one, paying for postage and then potentially paying for it to go back. We'll see.

Gregd, that sounds like a bargain! I so wish we had North Face outlet stores up here. I take it these guys don't do mail order do they?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
So we've established that "shell" is the way to go, would i need to go up a size on what I would normally buy to allow for layering?


snowaddict wrote:
VolklAttivaS5, Thank you so much for the info on your kit.

I'm almost tempted by the jacket I must admit, I'm just worried by the sleeve length as I don't have the longest arms in the world. If only I could find a small in Scotland to try on without going through the expense of buying one, paying for postage and then potentially paying for it to go back. We'll see.

Gregd, that sounds like a bargain! I so wish we had North Face outlet stores up here. I take it these guys don't do mail order do they?


snowaddict, I'm not sure but you could give them a call and ask 0151 556914, If not I am passing there on Wednesday if you called and paid for it over the phone I would be quite happy pick it up and post it to you myself.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
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So whats wrong with my 20+ year old Tenson air push jacket, still keeps me dry and warm Very Happy
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