New Alpine Jacket

[Jack o]

I’m on the lookout for a new alpine jacket and pants which would be suitable for use in extreme weather conditions in New Zealand’s southern alps. I was initially planning on purchasing a Macpac Prophet jacket and pant outfit, however after reading some of the accounts on this forum relating to delamination problems, I’m now having second thoughts.
I haven’t totally discounted the idea of purchasing a Prophet, however I would appreciate some feedback from people who have field tested this clothing.

I also welcome suggestions of any other brands which may be suitable.

[wayno]

do you want it for climbing? the prophet is a heavy reinforced jacket made for high abrasion environments if climbing and you're scraping your upper body against rock or ice...

other brands

montane
westcomb
the north face
arcteryx
outdoor research
rab
haglofs
mammut
if you want heavier stuff. mont or earth sea sky

[Jack o]

do you want it for climbing? the prophet is a heavy reinforced jacket made for high abrasion environments if climbing and you're scraping your upper body against rock or ice...

other brands

montane
westcomb
the north face
arcteryx
outdoor research
rab
haglofs
mammut
if you want heavier stuff. mont or earth sea sky

Thanks Wayno, I'm mostly interested in using it for backcountry sking and climbing.

I think I noticed in an earlier post that you also experienced delamination problems with your Prophet jacket.

How did this issue affect the integrity and functionality of the garment please?

[wayno]

montane and westcomb are my personal favs followed by outdoor research but they are all quality brands.
the north face go for the summit series , the rest of their stuff is ho hum...

[Jack o]

Thanks Wayno , it's much appreciated.

[wayno]

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hardshell ... ws/Ratings

[Hallu]

I already have a Montane Air Jacket for rainy but not too cold days. I'm now looking for an insulated jacket capable of withstanding cold winds and rain on Tasmanian summits (not in winter though but sometimes there's no difference) but I hate the usual down liners (like the one in sleeping bags that cling to your skin) so maybe thermal would be best, what do you think ? I just want a comfortable feeling inside that doesn't stick to your sweaty body.

So far I just saw the The North Face Plasma Thermal but in Westcomb and Montane I can't find an insulated jacked that's not looking too puffy from the down filling.

[wayno]

check rab?

[wayno]

also outdoor research...

[Hallu]

Well I'm down to 2 different options : either a thick insulated jacket like the Arc'teryx Atom SV Hoody, or a warm soft shell like the Arc'teryx Venta SV. The Atom is warmer but the Venta is more likely to sustain hours of rain. I already have a soft shell, but it's rubbish under the rain (a MacPac merino soft shell that I mostly wear in the city, also very fragile as all MacPac merino clothing), I think I'll go with the Venta if I can find it at least for 30% less than retail price. Arc'teryx does make insulated fully waterproof jackets, but at 900+ $, no thank you lol.

[mattyc25]

Are you alpine climbing, sight seeing, hiking, ice climbing or...?