UKC

My trusty Montane mountain shell has now become the gardening jacket and I'm in the market for a replacement. Problem is prices of decent shell jackets appears to have shot up in the few years since I purchased it. I'm looking to spend £150-£200 tops on its replacement.

Looking for:

- good hood
- articulated sleeves
- not too short (not a fan of water beading beautifully and then being dumped on my crotch)
- ideally not too "wrinkly crinkly crisp-packety" fabric
- doesn't have to pack to *insert citrus fruit here* size, but being generally packable would be good
- not fussed on material as long as it works in a downpour

Any ideas?

In reply to MonkeyPuzzle:

I've yet to see one of the waterproofs in the flesh, but Alpkit's clothing has come on in strides and I now own several other layering items. Now they have shops in Ambleside and Hathersage, I hope to get a look at one soon, as what I think of as my "New Gore-Tex" is now 14 years old...

https://www.alpkit.com/products/balance-mens


Next model up, the Definition, is also on the possibles list, but as that looks a bit shorter the Balance might suit you better.

In reply to Mal Grey:

Great shout, I'd totally forgotten about Alpkit.

In reply to MonkeyPuzzle:
I think the main thing is to try it on before you buy.

I have an ME janak which had a great spec; gtx pro 80 denier, over helmet hood, retail price of £315. But actually, its the worst jacket I've had yet. Hood is not great, sleeves are too short, body too baggy etc. It might be a good jacket for someone else, it just doesn't work for me.

If I were to buy a new shell, I would go for Rab. I know they haven't got the greatest reviews sometimes, but the fit and the hood are awesome!

Fit is key!!!

In reply to Robbie Blease:

Agreed. Montane fit me really well, but they're a bit shorter in the body than I'd like and are *very* minimal down the end of their range I can actually afford. Had a Featherlite Jacket delivered from Nevisport already, but it's a bit short in the body and very crinkly wrinkly, reminiscent of the crisp packet cagoules we used to get as kids.

In reply to MonkeyPuzzle:

My advice is avoid Goretex. It simply doesn't keep water out in my experience. For my money Polartec Neoshell is a much better material, and often cheaper. Rab uses it, Montane, Jottnar, Westcomb.

In reply to removed user:

+1 but in my experience because Neoshell doesn't keep moisture in. Gotetex is too boil in a bag even if the windproofing is superior.

In reply to MonkeyPuzzle:

Have a look at this:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-400-men-grey-green-id_8384853.html

Ticks all the boxes, and well under your budget. It is sized a bit small, so get one up from your Montane size.

In reply to MonkeyPuzzle:
Marmot Essence, £85 on SportPursuit https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/816278 though it might be on the short side for you.

In reply to HammondR:

I got one of these and it's pretty good. TBH I rarely go out if it's pissing it down that much nowadays though, it's more of an emergency shell.

In reply to Robbie Blease:

Totally agree (which is why I have so far just about managed to resist clicking "buy" on the Alpkit stuff). Hopefully I'll get to try one on on the next month or so. I had some early Alpkit down jackets, which were a bit "boxy", but the baselayers and synthetic jacket I've got now fit superbly (Medium, which is what i am at 38" chest, 32 waist, average height). I'm hoping the shells are the same basic block.

I've a Rab lightweight waterproof, which is only a year or so old (though time may have passed faster than I think, it normally does), and I still can't decide if its good or rubbish. Somedays I think it breathes very well, other days I find myself complete wet underneath. The pockets also fill with water. They're waterproof enough, the water never escapes, but the zips aren't.

In reply to MonkeyPuzzle:

I have a Patagonia Torrentshell. I think its perfect for me, lightweight, so far very water proof, breathes very well, and is a good price. feels well made too. plenty colours to choose from also.