Outer shell advice

[Turtle81]

Ok so I’m quite new to all this trekking gear business and have read so many articles/posts that I think I may be more confused than when I started !!

So I’m looking for an outer shell that is wind and waterproof that’s not going to fall apart too easily, I will be doing daytrips through to about 3days mainly in NSW Blue Mountains/ Wollemi with an occasional trip to Kosciuszko when it’s not snowing. What do people think of this? Overkill, suitable or waste of money?
http://www.paddypallin.com.au/default.aspx?page=78&product=1826&Group=24

it's weight is about 605g and is on sale for $140 down from $200.

I would be putting a warm fleece underneath if I needed the warmth.
I thought this suitable for what I needed or should I be looking at those $4-500 jackets? although would prefer not to spend that much unless people really thought i needed to as im trying to get my gear together and its all adding up fast unless i get cheap crap but thats not worth it in the long run.

Any help/ opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[Turtle81]

For got to add in
http://www.paddypallin.com.au/default.aspx?page=78&product=2036&Group=24

was the other one i was looking at

[Nuts]

Helly Hanson are likely to be good quality, no personal experience but there are a few reviews here at least: http://www.amazon.com/Helly-Hansen-Mens ... ewpoints=1

[Nuts]

Ive got a few patagonia things, not this but is likely just as suitable as the helly for mostly on track stuff? (lighter though). This link has one review, nothing not obvious there. Note the price... (Oregon Mt Community is a good seller, not that overpriced on shipping) : http://www.trailspace.com/gear/patagonia/torrentshell/

What you will get for more money is likely slightly better breathability, more features, 'known' fabrics (like goretex, event) etc. Not necessary (but nice).

[langy]

Worked with the GE product E-vent on a couple of military projects, it really leaves everything else behind, in more ways than one, included the company preparing to back its product and work with the manufacturer.
More suppliers are getting on board with the material it getting easier to find, consider looking for one of, if not the best outer shell material on the market now.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Macpac, currently have a huge sale on there E-vent Jackets online. Savings of $200.00

[ninjapuppet]

Except... There is an error in their advertising. Got an email from them saying the prophet xpd is only $450... Ok great! I Click to buy, and it's 500 bucks. Contacted their hotline and can't get thru, emailed them and havnt heard back after 3 days. $50 isn't enough to usually make me say no to a jacket this good, but when you are upgrading from an original prophet and get an error in advertising like this, it sure turned me away. Maybe I'll try the store if I got some time

[ULWalkingPhil]

I'm considering one of there Bushwalking jackets, such as the Resolution Jacket $399.95

[Earthling]

Anything that relies on a DWR finish to keep you dry proceed to run away from screaming, whilst also waving your arms about spasmodically. It will help.

DWR is horrible.

On the two jackets you gave links to the DWR finish will wear off and will need constant recoating.

It also will get to saturation point and water will get through. When youve had a day of constant rain thats when you want your gear to perform, not fail.

Look for gear with a minimum 20k water head and you should be good. The price will go up as the breathability goes up. A good 20/20 (waterhead/breathability) can cost $400+ in Oz. Also fully waterproof zippers...when a storm comes you dont want a little flap stopping rain seeping in.

Look on Ebay and even search international. There are some bargains out there.

I just picked up a worn once Arcteryx Men's Beta SL jacket for $125 from Ebay US.

I posted a similiar question on another forum and had some good answers.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... 278#363278

Goodluck.

[Liamy77]

i use an arcteryx theta myself.... and a cheapo cycling light weight jacket for shorter walks... also have a softshell jacket for misty drizzly mornings..... but i would get the dedicated outer shell (arcteryx or event jacket) first.....
but think what you want - covers your bum at the back? do you want to cover your thighs too? does the hood fit well? - TRY EM ON FIRST..... when you buy it go home and although you might look like a crazy-person jump into the shower wearing it and really test it out in case some of the coatings/stitching/etc are faulty/ not what you expected...

[Turtle81]

Thanks for the replies I have ended up getting a light mountain hard wear epic jacket for $150.

I know it’s not as good as the event/gortex stuff but I just could not stretch to the price they were asking for at the moment as I’m gearing up and pack (Macpac), boots (yet to get), shell etc are adding up fast !!

I will be looking at getting a event jacket down the track and at that point I suppose this will become an expensive wind stopper only time will tell if it will do the job i need for long enough.

[Capt DropBear]

Good stuff - I'm sure it'll serve you well. And don't be so quick to write off Mountain Hardwear, they're actually a top quality brand in many aspects, I'm surprised you picked up that jacket for so cheap! Very lightweight, and most likely quite breathable as well.

Seems like you're going at it the right way though - aiming for affordable quality (ie Mountain Hardwear jacket and the Macpac pack), rather than buying the cheap stuff first, then having to re-buy everything within a year. The old adage, "buy cheap, buy twice" certainly rings true with bushwalking gear.

[dein_gesicht]

How do you find the jacket? I'm considering getting myself one of these