Light Gore Tex shell top

[Van Epps]

I overheat in my Klim shell. I've been trying to find a light weight Gore tex shell / upper. I love my "Klim" free ride pants but can't seem to find a light weight upper shell.

What brand shells do you guys use? I am completely open to using snowboarding / skiing shell, just has to be Gore tex. Would like to keep the cost around $200.00.

Thanks

 

[ItDoAble]

You'll get lots of opinions. The best I've had so far is (but pricey) ..

http://www.arcteryx.com

Not all GoreTex is created equal.

 

[Van Epps]

I don't want to side track the thread but quickly.. do you know where a guy can educate himself on the properties of Gore. I know there are differing levels of waterproof .. not sure what I should be looking for though.

 

[powderpilot]

http://www.gore-tex.com/remote/Satellite/content/fabric-technologies

 

[HandFullThrottle]

Have you tried the Klim Stowaway Jacket? I noticed Jared Sessions wears this a lot. There is not a lighter shell made by any manufacture than this. It's Gore-Tex and retails for $200.00.

 

[mountainhorse]

What KLIM shell do you have currently?

I ordered the KLIM Stowaway.... nice jacket... Comes in Grey only.

The Powercross Pullover is also gortex.. light but not ultralight... but built to take more punishment and comes in 4 colors

 

[Van Epps]

I'm currently using the "Tomahawk" shell.

I would jump at the "stow away" if I knew it would cut the wind completely and had a better idea of it's water proof characteristics.

I am also looking at the "Power cross pullover".

 

[sabels]

I have both the Tomahawk and the Powerxross the Powerxross is lighter and cuts the wind completly. I wear it on the street bike just for that reason!

 

[Snappy Sledder]

For those that have the stow away and wear it how do you like it? Does it hold up against tree branches or is the fabric weak and rip? I was thinking about getting one as a main jacket but don't know how water proof or strong it would be.

 

[powderpilot]

The stowaway jacket is insulated... The pullover is not. Gore comes in different ply's... More ply's means more durable, more waterproof, and more money.

 

[Dunatic]

The stowaway jacket is insulated... The pullover is not. Gore comes in different ply's... More ply's means more durable, more waterproof, and more money.

I have 2 stowaway jackets and neither one of them are insulated, I ride in them quite a bit in decentbweather, they are completely windproof and waterproof, the new one comes in grey only, I just picked up last years model at the slc snow show in black and grey for $ 140. They are great jackets but they are just a shell. Go to klims website and look in the discontinued section, call some dealers around you and I bet you could get one for less than $150. Or buy a new one There is nothing better than Klim IMO, that's why everyone wears it!

 

[xrated]

Check out Cabelas or Gander Mountain. Their store brands are gore and shell.

 

[modsledr]

before you give up on your current shell...what are you wearing for a base layer and mid layer?

Also, what helmet are you wearing and how much venting does it have? Do you wear a balaclava?

Keeping your head cool on decent weather days will go a long way in helping you stay comfortable.

 

[HandFullThrottle]

The Stowaway Jacket is 100% waterproof and windproof. It carries the Gore-Tex “Guaranteed to keep you dry” promise. It is not insulated, but does have a hanging mesh liner made to wick moisture away from your body and get it in contact with the Gore-Tex.
Gore-Tex does make a 2 and a 3 layer membrane. However this is for durability and breathability purposes. The 2 layer membrane is every bit as windproof and waterproof as the 3 layer.

 

[Van Epps]

good questions

before you give up on your current shell...what are you wearing for a base layer and mid layer?

Also, what helmet are you wearing and how much venting does it have? Do you wear a balaclava?

Keeping your head cool on decent weather days will go a long way in helping you stay comfortable.

I am not one to throw out something without giving it a good attempt at making it work.

Last yr I really went for low heat / freedom of movement in my gear. I am using a Klim helmet, which I think has the most venting of any out there. It helps a ton. I don't wear a balaclava. Last yr I started using a single, mid weight upper thermal under the Tomahawk shell on most days. On uber cold days I added a micro fleece upper to the mix. I cut my mid weight lower thermals off just above the knees under the freeride pants.

Knowing that the "stow away" is completely water / wind proof helps! I think I'll run up to Cascade playtime and try both the stow away and powerxross out.

 

[Kordero]

I use an older version of this jacket that I got at SecondAscent in Ballard. I'm pretty sure I paid $140 for it. http://www.golite.com/Product/ProdDetail.aspx?p=109002209&mc=169&t=&lat=

It is merely a shell so it has outstanding breathability when paired with appropriate base layers. Used it for sledding, snowboarding, splitboarding in the PNW - trees and all. The material is thin and I have had one small tear I was able to easily fix with tent glue. I do keep a compressible puffy in my pack for times when it is extra cold or we're not riding but hanging out in the wind.

 

[modsledr]

I am not one to throw out something without giving it a good attempt at making it work.

Last yr I really went for low heat / freedom of movement in my gear. I am using a Klim helmet, which I think has the most venting of any out there. It helps a ton. I don't wear a balaclava. Last yr I started using a single, mid weight upper thermal under the Tomahawk shell on most days. On uber cold days I added a micro fleece upper to the mix. I cut my mid weight lower thermals off just above the knees under the freeride pants.

Knowing that the "stow away" is completely water / wind proof helps! I think I'll run up to Cascade playtime and try both the stow away and powerxross out.

Might want to consider a "multi layer" under the shell.

I wear a thermo-silk base (ultra light...see-thru silk) under a Nike Cold Dry Fit mid (again, very thin by itself) and then choose my outer layer based on the weather/temp...sometimes a Klim jacket, sometimes a Mountain Hardware soft shell, sometimes a Klim Pullover.

Multi Layer with thinner layers is considerably more effective than a single thicker base layer.

What I really like about this is that if I'm too hot, it's easy to shed one of the layers. (with a single thicker layer, you're stuck with what you are wearing).

this is what works for me. Hope this helps.

 

[dmkhnr]

I wear the klim valdez with the klim agressor shirt and a light fleece (any fleece will work)
When It's warmer out, I wear agressor shirt and a fleece top. I have the klim revolt pullover which isn't gore, but it blocks the wind and is waterproof. (does not breathe) I only use the revolt pullover when I feel the wind cutting through the fleece.

A bluebird day in deep powder and 28*-32*f will be fleece weather for me.

 

[Van Epps]

As usual KLIM stuff rocks. Went with the stoweaway and its just what the doctor ordered. Very light shell with int mesh liner, completely winds proof and waterproof.

With weather appropriate layering it allows for maximum freedom of movement while offering complete protection.

Thanks once again KLIM!