[bogon]

Hello there!

I (6'3'' 175lbs) am in search for good 4-season hard shell, and for nearly two years now w/o success.
May be someone here will help me to find it?

If You know a jacket that has:
- no insulation
- durable fabric that is totally waterproof and breezes well enough for summer climbing
- anatomical fit (esp. articulated elbows and no lift when rising arms)
- longer sleeves
- main zipper with two sliders
- pit zippers or - better - full side zips
- fully adjustable (with one hand) helmet-compatible hood with brim (or at least wire) that is not bulky when used w/o helmet
- detachable snow skirt
- pockets that are still useable while wearing harness or pack belt
- inner mesh pockets to dry my gloves
- and is not made in china (Vietnam is ok)
please, please tell me.

It has to withstand horizontal downpur all day long while hiking in summer, and in winter I must be able to wear some layers (but not down vest) under it while climbing and skiing in strong winds and temps below zero.

I was thinking Gore-Tex Performance, Gore-Tex Pro Shell or maybe eVent (I have my doubts about the latter).
I don't know about Conduit, Bombshell, H2No and the like. Maybe You do?
It will be great if the jacket will be welded and not sewn then taped (I have my hope).

Let's pretend money do not matter and I just want the best (in fact they do, thus I need great durability, abrasion resistance and versatility).

So, any thoughts?
_________________
Addicted to Freedom

[rsireland3]

[stevesliva]

I think you should ask backcountry.com when that little chat widget pops up and report back on the results.

[Whitehonky]

Other than the double zip, it fits a lot of your requirements:

http://www.evo.com/jackets/burton-ak-3l-hover-jacket-4.aspx

fully seam sealed.
very durable.
good pit venting.
mesh internal pockets (my 2011 version anyway)
fleece hand pockets
I use for 3 seasons; breathes well enough
One had adjustment on back of hood and good brim
detachable snow skirt (my 2011 version anyway)
longer than average fit - you would be a large

Perhaps more breathable is more-or-less the same jacket (Cyclic), but in the 2L Performance Shell. Heavier due to the interior liner, but better wicking as it keeps the coating away from skin if worn next to skin (short sleeve shirt). Same features otherwise:

http://www.backcountry.com/burton-ak-2l-cyclic-gore-tex-jacket-mens
_________________
"It's a strange world made up of extreme horizontal and vertical planes. Where you find diagonal, you find skiing."
~Chad Sayers

[James]

I am going to go out on a limb and say this does not exist. Double front zipps is not going to happen on this type of jacket with half the other features. Full side zipps is out also.

Arc Teryx fits the size you want but not with mesh pockets. FlyLow will also fit and some of their jackets have the mesh pockets but don't fit the rest of your criteria.

I would also stick with Gore Pro for the summer rain you describe. I would also give up on the mesh pockets and double zipps and get an Arc Teryx model that is made in Canada. I think the Alpha SV is made in Canada but you would need to check. It is anatomically fitted for tall people and their best shell with a climbers cut.

[Chamonix]

Well,
One way zipper only
No powder skirt (I ski in bibs so don't need powder skirt)

If you can drop those two items,
Arcteryx Beta AR jacket here

http://www.backcountry.com/arcteryx-beta-ar-jacket-mens


Fernie top of Corner Pocket 2

I bought mine in an Extra Large size, (only size on sale); gives me lots of room for pile layers underneath. Totally bomber Gore-tex Pro Shell . Hood fits well over a helmet.

I have one of these from 2007, still no tears or damage, and I brush against trees, etc in VT all the time. jacket rides high (short cut) , so it will work well with a harness. Best of all, it packs really small in a pack.
I liked my first one so much, I bought another (same X-Large) when they went on sale.. First one (2007) was made in China. Latest yellow one was made in Canada (2011)

[Whitehonky]

Yeah... Arcteryx. In Vancouver it's called West Van Commuter Rainwear (West Van is the rich community in town).

It's also the preferred choice of the "look at me, I'm outdoorsy" crowd that stroll Robson Street (shopping street).

But I agree, good quality over-priced technical wear made of fabrics many other good companies use for half the price. Styling a bit from the mid 90's. But they do have a more 'relaxed' freeride over-priced line coming out for 2013 and are planning on dropping some of the dated models.

I'm a cynical little b!tch. But then here I was promoting a 'snowboarding' company.
_________________
"It's a strange world made up of extreme horizontal and vertical planes. Where you find diagonal, you find skiing."
~Chad Sayers

[Chamonix]

I guess I should have mentioned Taiga too??

Both my Beta ARs were bought for around $300 US on sale, so I didn't pay full "over-priced" retail. And I don't get Pro-form anymore.

[Whitehonky]

[James]

Whitehonkey, I think of what you say every time I by an Arc Teryx product. Thing is I don't pay retail, their stuff fits my lanky build really, really well and to be honest for light and packable BC use I know some other companies as good but not better.

Given the size of the OP I don't think he will find better and it is up to him if he wants to pay the extra price or look for a sale.

I would also add that if style is important to you young cool kids the expedition fit from Arc Teryx has that falling off your a$$ extra baggy at the boot steezy look you guys crave.

[XXX_er]

the arcteryx beta still beads water,still works after 9 or 10 seasons, they fixed the zipper gratus, it worked on a bike tour in hideous alaska weather, it looked good on the Champes Elysees, I will be depending on it kayaking for 3 weeks out on the north coast tomorrow, yeah there are other good products out there but this one has proven itself to me .

[Chamonix]

I forgot to mention I am 6'2" and 195 lbs..Another picture of the X-large Beta-AR


Goliath ski

[James]

I am 6' 3" 190 pounds with a 6' 7" arm span so if a jacket fits me in the arms it will probably fit anyone outside of an Orangutan.

[tree7sheep]

How about the Rab Latok Jacket.


http://rab.uk.com/products/mens-clothing/shell/latok-jacket.html

This red /dark red color looks awesome:

http://www.allweathers.co.uk/rab-latok-jacket-ss11---mens-9255-p.asp

Reviews:

http://backcountryskiingcanada.com/index.php?p=page&page_id=Rab%20Latok%20Jacket

http://www.ukactiveoutdoors.co.uk/rab-latok-jacket-review.html

http://www.backcountry.com/rab-latok-jacket-mens


Fits pretty much all your needs , but for the powder skirt.

I have been looking for the same specs for years aswell.

Powder skirts are great also for keeping in your hardly generated heat , and keeping the jackets mid area snug when not wearing a backpack/harness.

Lokk for deals , the jackets do pop up now and then at great deals. And are generally much less $$$ than Arc'teryx or Norrona (Norway).

Do tell what you end up purchasing.
[/b]

[Fenris]

^ This

I'm 6'4" 160 and the two RAB jackets (with a shorter cut than the Latok) that I have might be the best fitting stuff I have this side of Immersion Research. I'm using a Vapour-Rise (think Marmot Driclime for lanky people) and Momentum Jacket. The Momentum is eVent and has been awesome for skiing, general rainwear, and getting flogged on a sailboat in Southern Patagonia (Furious Fifties, yay!). For me if I need something more than the Momentum and foulie pants, the next step is a drysuit.

They had a Latok Tour with a snow skirt, and it's not on their site now, but they aren't up anymore. I've seen it at a couple of EMS locations, but they never posted it on their website, so you might want to call them.

The other jacket that I can think of would be the Westcomb Vapor FX, which I have no idea about fit personally, but I've heard that it's good.