This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips / Telemark Francais Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web since 1998. East, West, North, South, Canada, US or Europe, Backcountry or not.
This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips / Telemark Francais Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web since 1998. East, West, North, South, Canada, US or Europe, Backcountry or not.
This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web. We have fun here, come on in and be a part of it.
I also have two ME Mission jackets. They are great for below 0’ C. Technically, the Mission jacket is double weave woven synthetic material. It is tight weave with no membrane, and keeps wind out well and light rain out, too. I have used the Mission jacket for XCD, multi day trips and cold weather XC. Only bad side is that synthetic material can suck smell of sweat, so I rinse the jacket after sweaty sessions.
Above 0’ C the Mission jacket is too hot. There I use an Endura FS260-Pro Jetstream cycling jersey. It has panels of Roubaix and some windproof materials. Roubaix seems similar to double weave. The Jetstream is a great jacket, too, and keeps light rain out as well. I do not know if it best for windy mountains, I ski only small nearby hills currently. EDIT: this is a cycling jersey, so it has nice three back pockets. Those fit easily an extra beanie, wrist gaiters, gloves and a small water bottle. The pockets have been good for XCD and XC few hours trips. https://varuste.net/p104401/endura-fs26 ... ey-ii-mens
I've been happy with cheap softshells from Décathlon, but you must not get them with any waterproofing 'membrane', unless you like sweating in a plastic bag: read descriptions carefully. Those without membrane are also cheaper.
I'm moving away from waterproofing as much as I can, because I've had more trouble with sweat than rain - in which I avoid skiing, or hiking, besides. I may not buy a new Gore Tex jacket, for a cheap impermeable jacket packed away for emergencies. YMMV in the Pacific NW, for example.
The best softshell fabric I've ever had is 3SP. Windproof, moisture resistant, high sweat transportability, and indestructible. I've had these pants maybe twenty years. https://www.sporthill.com/mens-xc-pant/
Last edited by エイダン.シダル on Fri Jan 06, 2023 2:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks, but that looks pretty heavy and not so breathable. Have you compared it to a hard shell? How well does it pack down?
The softshell I mentioned does not contain an intermediate gore-tex membrane, which as I understand it, can be a real "breathability killer".
Is the Mission jacket at the top-tier of breathabilty for softshells? I have no clue.
But it does breathe some, for sure, and I have had no complaints.
packability? This probably isn't the right gear to select if you want something to pack-down to the size of a navel orange, for example. I'm pretty sure it is not one of those "roll-up and stuff into its own pocket" type of jackets.
I don’t mean to criticize your choices. Everybody has to dial in what they use for their own preferences. I have a couple of jackets that I think are similar to that one (i.e., relatively heavy soft shells) and they don’t work for me for XCD (though I like one of them for lift-served downhill skiing). I was hoping to ID a more packable, more breathable version. Thanks!
For $12 bucks I woukd suggest getting an ultralight Frogg Toggs rain jacket, just to see. It weighs less than an ounce and can pack into the size of a tangerine. For that price might as well see if it has some use for you either skiing or otherwise.
The softshell I mentioned does not contain an intermediate gore-tex membrane, which as I understand it, can be a real "breathability killer".
Is the Mission jacket at the top-tier of breathabilty for softshells? I have no clue.
But it does breathe some, for sure, and I have had no complaints.
packability? This probably isn't the right gear to select if you want something to pack-down to the size of a navel orange, for example. I'm pretty sure it is not one of those "roll-up and stuff into its own pocket" type of jackets.
I don’t mean to criticize your choices. Everybody has to dial in what they use for their own preferences. I have a couple of jackets that I think are similar to that one (i.e., relatively heavy soft shells) and they don’t work for me for XCD (though I like one of them for lift-served downhill skiing). I was hoping to ID a more packable, more breathable version. Thanks!
For $12 bucks I woukd suggest getting an ultralight Frogg Toggs rain jacket, just to see. It weighs less than an ounce and can pack into the size of a tangerine. For that price might as well see if it has some use for you either skiing or otherwise.
Thanks. it’s cheap but I cannot imagine when I would use this over the very packable gore-Tex shell I already have (which had full length pit zips).
I've been happy with cheap softshells from Décathlon, but you must not get them with any waterproofing 'membrane', unless you like sweating in a plastic bag: read descriptions carefully. Those without membrane are also cheaper.
I'm moving away from waterproofing as much as I can, because I've had more trouble with sweat than rain - in which I avoid skiing, or hiking, besides. I may not buy a new Gore Tex jacket, for a cheap impermeable jacket packed away for emergencies. YMMV in the Pacific NW, for example.
The best softshell fabric I've ever had is 3SP. Windproof, moisture resistant, high sweat transportability, and indestructible. I've had these pants maybe twenty years. https://www.sporthill.com/mens-xc-pant/
These looks like they would be great for cold weather biking too.
I also have two ME Mission jackets. They are great for below 0’ C. Technically, the Mission jacket is double weave woven synthetic material. It is tight weave with no membrane, and keeps wind out well and light rain out, too. I have used the Mission jacket for XCD, multi day trips and cold weather XC. Only bad side is that synthetic material can suck smell of sweat, so I rinse the jacket after sweaty sessions.
Above 0’ C the Mission jacket is too hot. There I use an Endura FS260-Pro Jetstream cycling jersey. It has panels of Roubaix and some windproof materials. Roubaix seems similar to double weave. The Jetstream is a great jacket, too, and keeps light rain out as well. I do not know if it best for windy mountains, I ski only small nearby hills currently. EDIT: this is a cycling jersey, so it has nice three back pockets. Those fit easily an extra beanie, wrist gaiters, gloves and a small water bottle. The pockets have been good for XCD and XC few hours trips. https://varuste.net/p104401/endura-fs26 ... ey-ii-mens
I actually have that jersey, or at least a very similar older one from Endura. It’s pretty good for riding. I hadn’t considered it for skiing. Mine is fugly though.
I've been happy with cheap softshells from Décathlon, but you must not get them with any waterproofing 'membrane', unless you like sweating in a plastic bag: read descriptions carefully. Those without membrane are also cheaper.
I'm moving away from waterproofing as much as I can, because I've had more trouble with sweat than rain - in which I avoid skiing, or hiking, besides. I may not buy a new Gore Tex jacket, for a cheap impermeable jacket packed away for emergencies. YMMV in the Pacific NW, for example.
The best softshell fabric I've ever had is 3SP. Windproof, moisture resistant, high sweat transportability, and indestructible. I've had these pants maybe twenty years. https://www.sporthill.com/mens-xc-pant/
These looks like they would be great for cold weather biking too.
They are! They've got more use winter biking than skiing. Used them down to -20C in Toronto, with merino long underwear. The seat gets a bit polished looking from the saddle, which bothers my wife more than me, it seems.
I’d like one that is very light, very packable, VERY breathable, preferably with a hood, and with some ability to keep me dry when it’s snowing.
That sounds like a windbreaker, not a soft-shell. I really like the Patagonia Houdini for skiing. With a long-sleeve shirt, it works well around -10°C.
Thanks. it’s cheap but I cannot imagine when I would use this over the very packable gore-Tex shell I already have (which had full length pit zips).
Well, it will definitely breathe better than anything mentioned, keep you dry from falling snow, and block some wind. But if you want an overpriced name-brand high-tech-looking gear to impreds your peers, this definitely won't fit the bill.
For what it's worth, my friend's dad wears heavier gear from Frogg Toggs for long distance BMW motorcycle tours in inclement weather and swears by it.
so the 3rd post directed the conversion to wool, and 4 pages later there is still no consensus. I see jackets being sold for $800!!!!!!! that claim to be breathable. for $800 it damn well better pitch in and help me breath.
these days my strategy is generate heat going up...but don't wear a layer that will cause you to get soaked in sweat...but you must be bold and start cold, and then never stop moving, then throw on any old "wind jacket" for the ride back down. hell, a garbage back stolen from the mens room at the summit lodge would work fine to descend. but don't take my advice, I only ski up/down, not across( unless I am cross country skiing and that is completely different)
