Choosing the Right Winter Shell

• Winter can be a great time to be out in the mountains, but the problem is staying warm. Finding the right jacket to be a winter companion is the best and easiest way to be comfortable while enjoying winters influence.

Deciding What is Realistic

Its easy to say to yourself 'I need a good winter coat', and go and buy what you think is the perfect jacket. It turns out to not be perfect. So you write the company that made it because you dropped $200 to get this coat that doesn't work, and they turn you down. 'Ok,' you say to yourself 'what can I do so I don't make that mistake again'. First decide what you want your coat to do for you. Does it need to be water proof or water resistant, do you want to use it in the summer, does it need to be pack-able, etc. Next, write down a financial number that you will stick to. I am here to tell you can find a coat that will do everything that you want that is within your budget. When you can find the coat that you wanted, and that was within your budget, there is really no down side.

Using Your Resources 

Before you invest in a winter coat it is best to look around at the gear you already have, most importantly, the gloves you have. Are they designed to be worn over the cuff or under? That is important because it will help you look for the best cut for you jacket. Something to check off, if you want a jacket that will work in the summer and winter and you want it to be over the cuff, you are looking at a hardshell. If you have an under the cuff glove, commonly known as a free ride glove, then you are looking at an over the cuff jacket, could be a hardshell, could be a soft shell. A soft shell is any layer that is not water proof. Another thing to keep in mind is the length of the garment, how far below your waist line do you want. Most jackets that are designed specifically for skiing will fall just below the waist line but they will have a powder skirt. A powder skirt is a band of elastic normally a couple inches wide that snaps closed inside the garment. It sits over your snow pants and keeps snow from falling down inside. It eliminates the need for a parka. Most three ply shells will have a longer cut of fabric on the back to make it harness compatible and it keeps the rain out in the summer, and snow out in the winter.

Shell Diagram.


The Catch

No jacket is perfect. You will not be able to find a one and done jacket. You can find a coat that works for most of your needs, but not all the time. Go into this hunt with realistic expectations, The rest of this article will focus on a couple of options that could work. There is no wrong way to choose a winter coat so long as it does what you want it to.

A Resort Coat 

Most major outdoor companies make a ski coat, A shell that has either insulation attached or a zip in fleece. Pieces like these are best suited for groomed trails where running water is close at hand. They are not suited for more then a few hours out in the real elements. You'll find  these pieces just about every where, they are comfortable, warm, well vented, and durable. The style of your gloves wont matter as the coat will work with both.


The Alternative 

The more expensive, and better option if you will be outside all  year, is a two or three ply hard-shell. A hard-shell is a windproof water proof jacket. Most companies use a three ply fabric, be it Gore-Tex or the companies on system. The layer closest to you skin wicks sweat away from the body, while the outer two repel wind and water. The pros of a hard-shell are; you wont have to buy a rain coat, or a wind layer, and a good hard-shell will last for decades if it is maintained correctly. Some things to consider are there will be no insulation inside a hard shell. If you have the layers already in your possession, then a hard-shell makes sense. A hard-shell will not provide warmth, it will keep the wind and water out. When you put on a hard-shell it will feel as if there were no wind and no moisture. Planning a head will be important. Anything above 10 degrees and the shell will be relatively comfortable. Anything colder then that you will need something warm beneath it to keep you warm. With that in mind you may decide to buy a rain jacket and a winter jacket if you only get outside 5 or 6 times a year. The choice is yours. There is no wrong system of layering as long as the layers you choose do what you want them too. 

Personal Style 

There are functional features and cool features. Pit zips, functional, removable hood, cool.  A company shell that they have had forever, functional. If it wasn't functional they wouldn't keep making it. A pro-shell, cool. Even the hard core outdoors men or women don't need a companies pro-shell. A burly hard-shell will do. A pro-shell is designed for expeditions and the harshest conditions on the planet. It will function poorly for the average persons needs. The people that have them tend to be athletes that were given the shell or bought it with pro-deals. 

Wait a couple years, and the price will drop then take a look at the features and decide if that's something you want. Don't be surprised if it isn't what you thought it was. Its designed to be bullet proof, not light. 

Finding Balance

Most companies offer a number of different hard-shells, a few light-weight options, a handful of mid-weights, and a small selection of  heavy shells. 

• Quick and Fast
• Hard-shells like this are good for the entry level outdoors person, light weight, and functional. There probably won't be a two way zipper, pit sips, Velcro cuffs, or an adjustable hood and may not even have a draw sting depending on how light the jacket claims to be. Its a layer that doesn't take up much space in a pack but offers good protection to weight to price ratio. 
• Price Estimate; $180 or less.

• The Balancing Act
• A jacket like this is what I recommend for people who call the outdoors home. They offer a great durability for the price, and often have the bells and whistles that make the jacket function well for the individual. Many possibilities await those who look for a shell of this caliber. Two way main zipper, adjustable pit zips, helmet compatible hood, and adjustable cuffs all come fairly standard. On the upper end of this spectrum will have reinforced panels where packs and harnesses will rub, extending the life of the jacket. Of the three shell layers this is the one that comes down to personal preference. Do you like the pocket placement, can you operate the zippers and Velcro with the gloves you use? When you try it on do you have to fight to it, or is it like you grandfathers work gloves, just comfortable. This is the place to be picky and patient, when you have decided what you want, be patient. It will come into your price range sooner then you will think.
• Price Estimate; $180-$350

• Off to War
• The pro-shell. This is the armor that allows people to stay out in elements that would otherwise kill them. No expense is spared when companies make a shell like this, Gore-Tex pro, seam taped, bullet proof construction, this is what humans use when they go off to war against mother nature. If a company makes a pro-shell they design the garment to do one specific thing. Ice climbing, skiing or alpine expeditions, among others. They cut away all unnecessary features and tailor the garment to make the piece good at that one thing. You only need a shell like this if you plan on being in harsh environments or harsh weather for extended periods of time. Environments found in expeditions. If that is not in you your calendar then you don't need a shell like this. Don't get me wrong, if you have $700 burning a hole in your pocket, and want a new ski jacket, go for it, you will thoroughly enjoy you shell. For the other 97% of us, a jacket like this is simply over kill. 
• Price Estimate; $350-$750

Final Thoughts

Buying a winter jacket is a big investment. Take a look at what you want the jacket to do, envision the environments that you will take it into, and how often you will need it. Set a budget that doesn't break the bank. Then be patient. Don't be afraid to look at brands that you don't recognize, if they have good reviews and you are willing to try something new, go for it. If you find multiple coats that meet all your needs, look at who has a better warranty. It seems like a small thing, but that could make or break a deal. Your shell is out there. Go get it. 

Happy Hunting.

How they do it.

K