Soft shell jackets for skiing

[wabene]

[wabene]

...be bold and start cold...

Oh yeah.

You guys are making me feel like a wimp. I start out with choppers many times

[wabene]

@snow-mark

I have the OR Foray as well. I've always thought of it as a rain jacket and have never used it in the winter. Might be nice on those cold and windy days, eh? How do you use it as compared to this soft shell you're seeking?

I also have the OR Ferrosi which is a very breathable soft shell that until this thread I never considered for winter use. Many times I use a Patagonia puffy vest over merino wool, but the vest just ends up soaked with sweat. I'm definitely going to try this Ferrosi next time out.

I don't have much luck with fleece either. It just doesn't breathe. I have a couple of these Kuhl merino wool sweaters that are fleece lined. They are super warm, but the fleece just doesn't breathe.

[lowangle al]

I've been wearing cotton for about 25 years in the bc as a soft shell, always an anorak I don't think anything waterproof will ever be breathable enough, for me at least. A tight knit wool may work but I think it would be too hot. Pendeltons aren't wind proof enough.

The only time I would be concerned with the cotton would be on a multi day trip when there was a possibility of wet falling snow or rain. I haven't done a multi day trip for a while, but if I did I would consider taking a light raincoat like a Frog Tog at 460g. Otherwise I don't mind if my shell gets wet on a day trip. I've never felt wet or cold even though my shell was wet and the outer insulating layer, like a sweater might be damp.

My recently purchased Norrona Svalbard Cotton Anorak is a winner. I really like it. Very breathable, great hood, spacious zippered pockets and it looks good. It's not extremely packable though, but not bad. It weighs about 1.5lbs, (670g) and packs down to just a little bigger than a softball.

I'll post some pics from my phone.

[GrimSurfer]

...be bold and start cold...

Oh yeah.

You guys are making me feel like a wimp. I start out with choppers many times

Extremities take too long to warm up. It is wise to keep them insulated until fully warm. If you switch gloves or mitts after that, fine.

Or you can remove a wind blocking shell and keep going with inners, which is what I do if it’s warmer than -10C or so. Colder than -10C? I bring a spare pair of liners and switch them out if they get sweaty.

https://www.sail.ca/en/outdoorre-revel ... ens-812616

https://www.canadianoutdoorequipment.c ... mitts.html

My point isn’t to derail this into a glove or mitten thread, but to highlight that “systems” can work well as temperatures and physical demands vary.

Regardless, a shell is a shell. It only needs to do two things: block wind and manage incoming/outgoing moisture.

[lowangle al]

[GrimSurfer]

Same shell that goes over a t-shirt can go over a wool East German army surplus jumper. Cool!

Cooler still is that first photo… looks like a proper Huck Finn riverbank adventure. Love it, man.

[lilcliffy]

I have been using the Keb Jacket for Nordic BC ski touring a few seasons now-
superb-
light, truly breathable-
wind and precipitation resistant.
https://www.fjallraven.com/ca/en-ca/men ... 3450797201
.......
I don't know whether the Keb Touring Jacket might be even better?
I don't see it on the Canadian website at the moment.
........
Fjallraven's "G-1000" cotton-polyester material is superb.

I wear wool underneath.

I carry an ultralight packable down jacket and hardshell in my pack.
When I stop, the downjacket goes over the Keb jacket to retain heat.
I put the hardshell on over the down jacket if required.

I simply cannot tolerate Nordic ski touring in a hardshell- I sweat too much, dangerous.

And, as already stated- Goretex does not work in very cold weather.

[GrimSurfer]

I’ve been looking at the Fjallraven Anorak No. 8. Kinda pricey at MSRP, but I’d have a go if I see it on sale.

Never seems to (sigh), suggesting it is a truly 3 season shell. That G-1000 material seems really good.

How’s the snow out your way @lilcliffy ?

It’s utter shite here… has been for well over a week now. Rain, mild temps have taken the cover, started getting into the base. Up in Lake Simcoe region (normally big snow country), there is zero snow. Zilch. No skiable snow between here and damned near Thunder Bay (1400 km). Well outside the range of a day trip…

[mca80]

@lowangle al thanks for the tip. I wish their website listed what % is polyslester, and what the water repellant is. From my days riding horses in the southwestern mountains I have a waxed cotton canvas duster--just cotton and wax so far as I know--, but as it goes down to my ankles probably not suitable for skiing haha.

@lilcliffy I too can't imagine wearing anything except the most breathable items (i.e. wool) due to sweat. That jacket looks good but too much polyester for my liking, can't see it breathing enough for me. On a long trip I do put a Marmot puffy jacket in the pack for any breaks. But basically I wear synthetic clothing about 12 hours a year.