Decent Shell not for $500

**PhishingME** · 12-13-2006, 06:07 PM

Looking for:

-Hardshell
-Something w/Gortex
-no insulation

Seems like most Arcteryx is an arm and a leg. Same for Marmot. Won't consider TNF.

**naedward81** · 12-13-2006, 06:25 PM

mountain hardward, cloudveil

**El Chupacabra** · 12-13-2006, 06:29 PM

SAC up? or have you seen any of the daily Sierra Trading Post deals over the past week? (today: Lowe Alpine, Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, all 20% off outlet prices, plus stackable 20% additional codes and $20 off $50 google checkout discount = kickass deals)

**Toby** · 12-13-2006, 06:34 PM

I just picked up a Cloudveil Koven shell. It's not GoreTex, it's "Cloudveil EV3 Stretch". There's a line on one of the labels that implies it's a Toray fabric called Dermizax, which I know falls between GoreTex and GoreTex XCR for breathability. Waterproofness, not sure. You'll find last year's models for a reasonable price. RRP is $300. The shell is awesome but minimalist. Super lightweight, great for backcountry, probably less so for resort.

**Bud** · 12-13-2006, 10:50 PM

Arcteryx Theta SL jacket is only about $350 retail.... really lightweight, and is goretex. Bought mine originally for just backcountry/ski mtneering trips, but I use it all the time for in-bounds skiing. Going on two years years old and its held up extremely well so far.
Outdoor Research has some nice jackets too that are really lightweight and only about $200-$240.

**smalls** · 12-13-2006, 11:20 PM

thirded on cloudveil. i have the zorro hardshell ($70) and black ice soft shell ($100) from STP. you just need to wait for the sickter sales and discount codes and such.

**cj001f** · 12-13-2006, 11:24 PM

Arc'teryx & Patagonia > Cloudveil, both offer things in the ~$300 range, $200 if you find it on closeout or SAC

**ubertele** · 12-13-2006, 11:35 PM

Just check into ballSAC in the next couple of days, there should be something coming up. I mean......What's SAC?

**birdman829** · 12-13-2006, 11:36 PM

I'm pretty pleased with my $250 Marmot shell so far.

**Viva** · 12-14-2006, 12:10 AM

I have the Koven pants and I think that they suck. Very tear-prone. I still use them for skiing, but not when ice tools, crampons, etc., are nearby. Cloudveil make great softshells, but...I dunno, maybe the RPK (RKP?)is good, but I'd never trust Koven anything.

Arc'teryx stuff is bomber. Chlorophylle (Quebec) and Mammut(Europe) make great hardshells, too. I also have Mountain Hard-On pants (Conduit) from 9 years ago and they're still going strong.

**Toby** · 12-14-2006, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by Viva

I have the Koven pants and I think that they suck. Very tear-prone. I still use them for skiing, but not when ice tools, crampons, etc., are nearby. Cloudveil make great softshells, but...I dunno, maybe the RPK (RKP?)is good, but I'd never trust Koven anything.

Thanks for posting that after I just bought them

. Lucky I don't ice climb.

**PhishingME** · 12-17-2006, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by cj001f

Arc'teryx & Patagonia > Cloudveil, both offer things in the ~$300 range, $200 if you find it on closeout or SAC

I always seem to miss the sac. Only been able to find them at one store in my immediate area. So the whole supply and demand thing comes into play. I thought the SL's wouldn't hold up. Good to know they are durable.

I'm hoping to find something in an after x-mas sale. I you have any specific models post em. Lets keep this SFW though.

**Orphic Seth** · 12-18-2006, 07:28 AM

MEC Spectre

MEC Aegis

Awesome company, bomber gear. I've got an older Gore-Tex XCR parka from them and love it. When LL Bean destroyed their All-Conditions line I went here and found the quality product I was looking for. It's a co-op, so you have to join for five dollars, which is good for life.

**peterslovo** · 12-18-2006, 10:39 AM

There's a pretty decent selection of Marmot shells at really good prices at backcountrygear

http://www.backcountrygear.com/catal...fm?cat=Apparel

Not sure of your size, but check out the Typhoon, Predator, and Storm King.

(I have the Rubicon (last year's jacket), and really like it. This year's uses XCR instead of regular GoreTex. I'd highly recommend it if you can find deals on last year's somewhere)