Westcomb

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Thanks for the input so far. Does the Westcomb hood fit over a helmet? That may be a deal breaker for me b/w a Theta AR or the Mirage. HUGE bonus if it does.

[doublet]

I'm a huge fan of my Mirage. I think it's durable and eVent lives up to the hype.

I know the hood fits over my climbing helmet...pretty sure it fits over my ski helmet but it's a fairly tight fit.

It's super light too. Perfect for alpine climbing.

I got a screamin' deal on mine so it was a no brainer.

[oftpiste]

Hood does fit over skid lid, but it's not super roomy.

[Dug]

Had the mirage jacket and the "no name for now" bibs (had a different "name" last season, I forget what), since last season. Bomber stuff, couldn't be happier.

[Ted Striker]

I have a Mirage and like it alot. Event works really well. No durability issues with mine though I pretty much only wear it in wet-ish conditions. My only VERY minor gripe is that the zig-zag in the zipper can, though doesn't always make the zipper difficult to one-hand. It looks cool though.

That is exactly my gripe too. Very minor really, otherwise, I like mine too.

Yeah, I am looking to replace a TNF Gortex Pro Shell. Would be used as a hardshell for in-bounds use, but also to fold up and throw in my pack when touring. I always wear my Cloudveil Rayzer softshell as an underlayer and primary layer when touring.

Pretty much what I am looking for is:

1. Durability - can withstand in-bounds use.

2. Weight - would be good to minimize weight/pack space when I throw at bottom of bag for touring

3. Breahabilty - everything I have read makes it clear eVent tops the Gortex Pro Shell in this regard

4. Waterproof - I am in Cali, so this is a big issue. Want bomber waterproof in my hardshell. Event seems to fit the bill.

Given the price of say the Arcteryx Alpha/Beta/Theta ARs and the Westcomb Mirage, I don't want something falling a part either. So build quality/warranty department is signficant too.

To the zipper point, I have read that in other reviews, but frankly, I usually just two hand the zipper anyway. Is that really THAT big of a deal?

1. Yes, no question.

2. Lighter than 3 layer goretex. Heavier than paclite. Tougher than paclite though - no worries about carrying a pack. Probably on par with gore proshell (but that's a guess).

3. It's quite simply the most breathable hard shell I've owned (and I didn't just stay at a Holiday Inn last night). They say the breathability is about on par with first-gen goretex, but I owned one back in the day, and this jacket is better (probably due to better material). It is not as breathable as a good non-windstop softshell though, but it does have pitzips.

4. It's as waterproof as any goretex (or other brand w/b) shell. I've worn it in a PNW downpour and stayed dry as a bone.

I also own the original Dead Bird Sidewinder (circa late 90s? Gore XCR, made in Vancouver) and here are some comparisons...

The mirage breathes some - the sidewinder doesn't breathe at all. Any skinning or bootpacking results in sweat for me. Sometimes I sweat while skiing in the sidewinder, but never have in the mirage.

The zipper on the sidewinder is angled, but straight. It's easy to pull with one hand. The zipper on the mirage has an s-turn that presents a bit of a challenge for one hand. That said, for some reason I've had problems with the sidewinder's zipper occasionally coming open from the bottom. The mirage stays shut.

Both have nice high collars with the zipper away from your chin, and velcro at the arm holes, and powder skirts, so snow never gets inside. Actually, both of them fit well enough that I don't even do the power skirts up.

Both have nice hoods that turn well with your head, but neither will fit over a smith variant helmet.

Both jackets look/fit great done up. They both have a trim, athletic style (no tall tee steeze here). But they both look/feel stupid and billow in the wind like a sail when not zipped.

The mirage has a couple of features that I like better than the sidewinder. The first is that it's longer in the back and shorter in front. The second is the "Napoleon" pocket.

The westcomb colors look pretty bad... if you care about that.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

^^^^^^^^^^^ Now THAT is a Tech Talk response! Great info. I am pretty much set on the Mirage as I have done a good amount of other research and it fits the bill perfectly on what I am looking for. Now if I could only find one that is in stock, and cheap......

How about sizing? I generally wear a Large in most things. I am 6'4", 190. 16-16 1/2 neck and 35-36 sleeves (long arms). No idea on shoulder width, but not huge.

I assume go with a Large in the Mirage, but let me know otherwise.


Interesting on the colors. I though the reddish orange looked good. Crazy bright green too.

[oftpiste]

I'm a 50+ geezer about your size with a bit more of a pencilneck and a bit of a tummy depending on what part of the season it is. I have an XL. I wanted room to layer which is there, but even with minimal layers underneath I feel like it fits well. Not bulky and baggy, but roomy. I wanted room for a serious insulating layer which it affords but I wear it frequently without a lot of layers because when it's wet snow or rain/snow in the PNW it's usually pretty warm. I would recommend an XL for you if you want to be able to layer at all.

I'm also under the impression that the newer models do not have pit zips, but mine does.I like them because I - being not always in the best of condition - go really hot to cold depending on exertion. I use the pit zips but some Event experts say it breathes so well you don't need them or it fouled up the way the barrier is supposed to function. Not sure I agree, but I'm no expert. When I'm working hard the jacket does get damp on the inside (I'm a pig) but dries very quickly when opened up. For the record mine's the burnt orange and it's pretty subdued.

^^^^^^^^^^^ Now THAT is a Tech Talk response! Great info. I am pretty much set on the Mirage as I have done a good amount of other research and it fits the bill perfectly on what I am looking for. Now if I could only find one that is in stock, and cheap......

How about sizing? I generally wear a Large in most things. I am 6'4", 190. 16-16 1/2 neck and 35-36 sleeves (long arms). No idea on shoulder width, but not huge.

I assume go with a Large in the Mirage, but let me know otherwise.


Interesting on the colors. I though the reddish orange looked good. Crazy bright green too.

[Ted Striker]

Thanks UCL, anytime.

As for the sizing, I'm just shy of 6'1" and just shy of 170 lbs, also a pencilneck, no gut, and I've got the medium. With that size there is very little room for layering, but I bought it specifically for higher exertion days (skinning, climbing, etc.) where I typically wear a light wool shirt, and a lightweight fleece. I'm also a bit of a furnace. When I was trying them on, the large wasn't totally out of the question on me (and my arc is a large), so I'm inclined to agree with oftpiste that you may want an XL.

Interesting that there are no pit-zips on the new ones. I'm no expert either, but I use mine, and am glad that they are there.

The colors comment was more about Westcomb's stuff in general (and the stuff they make for backcountry dot com's brand). I just had a look at the website, and the Mirage colors actually look good (mine's black).

[summit]

"Breathes so well you don't need pit zips" is the most retarded idea ever. Pit zips aren't about moisture control. They are about temperature control.

[FlimFlamvanHam]

"Breathes so well you don't need pit zips" is the most retarded idea ever. Pit zips aren't about moisture control. They are about temperature control.

So true and the only reason I did not buy the Vapor Jacket.

UCL, I am going to agree with the XL.

I'm 5'10" 175 and have 34" arm length. I tend to take L in everything and the Westcombs have a very 'athletic' cut. In Med for me the arms weren't too bad but the waist was super tight. The L was about perfect with room for a fleece layer if need be, but for your size, gotta be XL.

[LightRanger]

Somehow I was under the impression that the pitzip-less version was the made-for-BC.com version last season? I could be completely wrong, but I thought BC.com was offering a cheaper, less-featured version last season w/o pitzips.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Thanks to all. Looking around, but can't seem to find them in stock anywhere. Will keep looking.

What is the most comparable Acterxyx? The Sidewinder or the Theta AR?

[oftpiste]

contact Westcomb directly. they had a major blem sale last spring and might have something sitting around....?

[Ted Striker]

I'd say that the mirage fits right between the two dead birds you mentioned. It's designed like the sidewinder with the offset zipper, and hip length. But the fit is slimmer than the current* sidewinder, more like the theta, which is quite fitted, but longer (mrs. pisteoff has one).

*I say current sidewinder because my original version's fit is different... smaller/slimmer.

I have no affiliation with these guys, nor experience as a customer, just found them with a search -

http://www.alpinesportsoutlet.com/p-...liateid=10056&

Another option is Backcountry dot com's Stoic eVent shell which is made by Westcomb. It lacks pit-zips, and who knows about the fit, but the price is good - especially the ones on outlet. They even come up on SAC from time to time.

[LightRanger]

UCL,

I have an older Sidewinder and find the powder skirt to be next to useless. It's constantly riding up. The Theta doesn't have a powder skirt, but it's a bit longer (both mediums 3-4 years old), and has two waist cinches. I find the Theta better at keeping snow out.

Also the hood on the Theta AR is significantly better than the Sidewinder AR.

Rab also makes eVent shells. They carried them at The Fifth Season in Shasta City when I was in there last week. Dunno much about their shells other than Euro alpine guys like them a lot.

[oftpiste]

I've seen the Rabs and they're quite nice too.

I just remembered that I actually fell in the water wearing my mirage. I did get out pretty quick, but I was bone dry above the waist as was the camera I had slung under the jacket.

[Ted Striker]

Rab also makes eVent shells. They carried them at The Fifth Season in Shasta City when I was in there last week. Dunno much about their shells other than Euro alpine guys like them a lot.

Yeah, one of the local shops here sells Rab, and they're nice. The deal-breaker for me was that the zipper hit my neck at just the spot where I knew it would really irritate me (and no pit-zips).

[wilcox510]

What about their pants (the Mirage or Vapor)? Anyone have any experience with them? The pics look nice, but it looks like the hip vents aren't all that big.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Thanks again to all. So I spoke to the guys at Westcomb (VERY friendly and helpful), and they said this years supply is being shipped to retailers in the next two weeks. Will be tight timing for South America, but will have to try and make it work.

Based on the above, I will try an XL. If backcountry carries them, I could always order 2 sizes and try them on (as I can't think of anywhere that would carry them locally).

Can anyone speak to the Green color? How does it look in person? Likewise with the burnt red?


I would also be interested to hear about the pants. I recently ordered some Flylow Chemicals, but I am in between sizes I think. Need to try them on again, but they may not work.

[doublet]

I have no affiliation with these guys, nor experience as a customer, just found them with a search -

http://www.alpinesportsoutlet.com/p-...liateid=10056&

I'm not affiliated with AlpineSports but I know the owners and they're good peeps. They'll treat you right if you decide to go that way.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

All the have is one XL in Black. No dice on that.

Thanks though.

[Hutch]

Can anyone speak to the Green color? How does it look in person?

It was brighter than the photos on backcountry.com as they were rendered on my monitor, but I liked the color.

this:


looks closer to the true color than:



which is a little sage-ier, on my monitor anyways.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

It was brighter than the photos on backcountry.com as they were rendered on my monitor, but I liked the color.

this:


looks closer to the true color than:



which is a little sage-ier, on my monitor anyways.

Interesting. Top looks like a women's jacket more than mens.

[Dug]

I dunno, my mirage is closer to the second pic.

[kbuzz]

I would also be interested to hear about the pants. I recently ordered some Flylow Chemicals, but I am in between sizes I think. Need to try them on again, but they may not work.

same here....skinny with a 35" waist on the chemicals seems to be right in the middle. Although note they have another pant called the magnum coming out.

So anyone used the westcomb pants? I think someone told be the vapors dont have a velcro waist only snaps. thats a deal breaker for me.