Alternatives to The North Face?

[alfa147x]

Gore-Tex!

 

[Dr. Zaus]

I live in South Texas where it never gets cold, but I have honestly never heard of anyone referring to a jacket as a shell before.

I am in the same situation, it took reading through the posts and the use of context clues to figure out which Google-result made sense in this post.


So how does clothing work where it is cold? Right now I have my AC running because it is so hot outside.

This is important because I am targeting a number of universities in Wisconsin and Massachusetts.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I am in the same situation, it took reading through the posts and the use of context clues to figure out which Google-result made sense in this post.


So how does clothing work where it is cold? Right now I have my AC running because it is so hot outside.

This is important because I am targeting a number of universities in Wisconsin and Massachusetts.

A shell is a jacket without any internal lining to keep you warm. It's just the outer shell of a coat. Think of it as a heavy duty nylon like windbreaker but instead the more expensive shells(and jackets) will use some type of waterproof material that is also breathable. So, one could wear one in warmer weather for rain. When it gets colder(below 45F), you would probably wear some form of fleece. A lot of shells allow you to zip in a fleece jacket.

A shell provides more versatility than just a winter coat but obviously you're also going to need something to wear underneath it for the cold.

 

[The_Dude8]

Patagucci, mountain hardwear (own by columbia), arcteryx

http://www.rei.com/search?search=artyrex&page_size=109&seq=1&hist=query,artyrex

even thought, arcteryx jackets are the ferrari of all jackets.

http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Jackets

some of their jackets are up in the $800+ range.

 

[Exterous]

I haven't needed to buy one in a while but I have always gotten excellent one from Columbia. I had one for 6 years and only needed to replace it because it got sliced up by broken glass. The new one from them I have is going on 4 or 5 years now

(FWIW - I ski/snowboard a lot)

 

[ivan2]

for value i will go for the columbia's higher end models. for the look i always go back to TNF and for fit it is hard to beat patagonia.

 

[intogamer]

Patagucci, mountain hardwear (own by columbia), arcteryx

http://www.rei.com/search?search=artyrex&page_size=109&seq=1&hist=query,artyrex

even thought, arcteryx jackets are the ferrari of all jackets.

http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Jackets

some of their jackets are up in the $800+ range.

I have the Alpha SV. I would suggest the LT version as it's much versatile for all four seasons.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I live in South Texas where it never gets cold, but I have honestly never heard of anyone referring to a jacket as a shell before.

A good shell is like a raincoat/windbreaker on steroids. It fights the wind well. Imagine heavy rain in 50 mph winds and 40 degrees out. A shell is what you want. With 20 degrees and 50 mph wind with snow, this is what you want but you zip a fleece into it. The shell prevents chilling effects from the wind and the fleece keeps you warm.

My wife finally got hte packaging to return my POS jacket so I am getting the shell today. I am impressed with the Marmot shells so far from readign about them.

I am cosnidering one of these so far:
tamarack:
http://marmot.com/products/tamarack_jacket?p=216,72,129,188,147
palisades:
http://marmot.com/products/palisades_jacket?p=216,72,129,188,147
Super Hero (don't like color choices though):
http://marmot.com/products/super_hero_jacket_80090?p=72,216,147,163

 

[Inferno0032]

Columbia is like the "old" North Face, they were in the same spot before, the snobby rich kids all had them, and nothing else. Now, there are a ton of good deals on Columbia stuff, but they are still high quality, they just don't sell as strong (over North Face) anymore, so their prices have dropped off. For 300 you could get the best of the best from them.

 

[The_Dude8]

A good shell is like a raincoat/windbreaker on steroids. It fights the wind well. Imagine heavy rain in 50 mph winds and 40 degrees out. A shell is what you want. With 20 degrees and 50 mph wind with snow, this is what you want but you zip a fleece into it. The shell prevents chilling effects from the wind and the fleece keeps you warm.

My wife finally got hte packaging to return my POS jacket so I am getting the shell today. I am impressed with the Marmot shells so far from readign about them.

I am cosnidering one of these so far:
tamarack:
http://marmot.com/products/tamarack_jacket?p=216,72,129,188,147
palisades:
http://marmot.com/products/palisades_jacket?p=216,72,129,188,147
Super Hero (don't like color choices though):
http://marmot.com/products/super_hero_jacket_80090?p=72,216,147,163

Marmot makes some nice jackets, but why do they make it in a two tone colors?

Have you try mountain hardwear jackets?

 

[Analog]

Arc'teryx FTW.

 

[Fritzo]

Columbia makes the lower priced clones of Northface. Their stuff lasts forever too.

 

[Blackjack200]

Columbia is like the "old" North Face, they were in the same spot before, the snobby rich kids all had them, and nothing else. Now, there are a ton of good deals on Columbia stuff, but they are still high quality, they just don't sell as strong (over North Face) anymore, so their prices have dropped off. For 300 you could get the best of the best from them.

Yup, Columbia has definitely lost its cache, which is good if you don't care about image because they make good stuff.

 

[matas]

columbia sells nice jackets with fleece

 

[Fritzo]

I was going to suggest looking at South Butt, but they're in legal trouble:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36334733/ns/business-consumer_news/

 

[dainthomas]

What about http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/HomeView?storeId=10051&catalogId=10101

I'd just like to point out that I love your avatar even more now, because I am totally down with the new evil Morgana.

 

[bruceb]

Just drop into your local Sports Authority. They have a very wide range of jackets including North Face. You should be able to find one that looks nice, fits good and feels correct for you at a price you would be ok with.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

i really like my mountain hardwear shell. no zip in, but i found that doesnt bother me at all. if chilly can just layer up, doesnt need to be attached to it

 

[Zargon]

wow lots of guys that know their shit.

I lost the fleece for my older Columbia Titanium jacket......I could really use a new one!

 

[maddogchen]

dang 300 is a lot for a jacket....

there are some north face triclimate jackets going for $170...
https://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=426070

 

[zinfamous]

I have a Patagonia shell that I've been wearing for 5 years now, survived many a ski trip. Quite awesome. I think I paid just over 100 bucks for it.

 

[irishScott]

Assuming you're talking about a rain shell: http://www.rei.com/product/802251

 

[mcmilljb]

wow lots of guys that know their shit.

I lost the fleece for my older Columbia Titanium jacket......I could really use a new one!

Just go get a Columbia or other brand fleece that will fit your shell. A Columbia fleece might have the little loop on the sleeve to keep it from sliding, but it's not a deal breaker if the other brand doesn't.

 

[edro]

 

[shortylickens]

THANKS TO WHOMEVER BUMPED THIS!

http://www.scottevest.com/

Gives me a chance to show off my new favorite clothing company.
I have the windbreaker and fleece pullover. Love them. Multiple pockets on the right and left side should be standard in mens jackets.