Jacket Features

[max_501]

What are your must have features in a jacket?

1) Hood?
2) Pocket locations?
3) Pit zips?
4) Insulation?
5) Technical specs (10/10 or 20/20)?

[jbotti]

There are two things that are absolute musts for me in a jacket. Pit Zips and a powder skirt (preferably and adjustable one). Hoods are nice when it's windy and a removable hood is best. I ski mostly in Montana so I only buy insulated jackets. I also only buy 20/20 shells that are 100% waterproof and breathable although I am not sure I really need either in Montana (but I get this in case I end up suing the jacket in Tahoe). I find that most new jackets these days have a nice arrangement of pockets and most have plenty of pockets.

My all time favorite jacket is the Patagonia Primo Down Jacket. When I wear this with another layer of insulation (like a down sweater or a nano puff jacket) I am good down to zero F with only a light weight base layer on. If it gets any colder I can throw on a mid weight sweater layer (like a smart wool top) and that gets me another 10 degrees F.

[bushwacka]

1.Hood - must fit a helmet comfortable underneath
2.pocket -  2 kangooaroo and one chest is enough
3.pit zips - yes larger the better
4.Insulation - usually none I have a puffy jacket I wear on colder day
5.technical specs - my current jacket is a 10k/10k soft shell

http://www.flylowgear.com/men-s/mens-jackets/higgins-jacket-11.html

that is my current jacket I literally do use it everyday unless its raining, then I use a cloudveil hiking rain shell.

[dan.boisvert]

1. Helmet-compatible hood is key for wind & rain
2. Two pockets are ideal (one for phone, one for balaclava/neoprene face mask), 871364186 pockets are too heavy, bulky, and obstruct breathability
3. Pit zips are mandatory
4. I use climber-style layering, so my outermost layer is just a shell
5. 20/20...Gore Pro Shell or equivalent--mostly for rain & sleet, but I like having one setup that works for pretty much everything.

My shell is currently an Arc`teryx Alpha LT, and my normal layer under it is an Atom LT jacket.  Depending on what base layer I wear under that, I've been comfortable at temperatures of 30F to -20F in that setup.

[midwif]

I guess I don't ski off piste enough, but I always end up taking off hoods (permanently)

1. Pit zips!
2. Insulated only, to date. Lighter insulation for warmer days.
3. Not too many pockets. I forget what pocket has what! I do like a lower sleeve pocket for lift tickets/passes
for easy scanning.
4. Breathable/waterproof. Haven't particularly paid attention to microns.
5. Colors/lines that show up well on video.
Lynn

[jim-ratliff]

I've come to rely less on the jacket and more on layers for warmth, so very midweight jackets and rely more upon base layers and I have a heated electric vest that I can adjust if I need a bit of extra heat.


I agree with Midwif about too many pockets getting confusing.
I also like a left wrist pocket as a nice place for electronic gate passes and smaller stuff (chap stick and nail clipper).  The second easiest pocket to get to on the lift.  Left breast pocket for cell phone. Vest pockets for wallet and keys.
Instead of pit vents (pretty difficult for me to open and close) I really like vents that open just in front of the pits. Vents better and easier to open and close.
Most of my jackets have zip off hoods, but I don't remember the last time I used a hood while skiing.

[Gary]

20 20 breathability/waterproof
zip pits (Spyders work very well)
warmth 60g primoloft
Hood that fits over the helmet
Solid zippers that don't break or bend and easy to access with one hand
Good fit and soft around the collar for warmth on those very cold days
Sleeve liner that fits over the thumb and hand really helps keep the hands warmer on coldest days...1st time I've had this.
Stretchy cord in pocket with soft cloth to wipe goggles.
COLOR! 

G

ps one side note...I've noticed with the better breathability, things like phones and cameras don't fog up in my pockets.

[smackboy1]

I just went through this drill buying jacket and pants!

1) Fit and color. If it feels like a straitjacket or a garbage bag or makes me look like a flying turd, nothing else matters. Stretchy fabrics are great.
2) Vents w/ mesh. Less of an issue with jackets, but many pant vents have no mesh to stop snow entry.
3) Technical. Tons of new fabrics out there: Neoshell, Dry.Q Elite, eVent, Gore-Tex Pro Shell etc.. Seam taped. I ended up with Spyder OSMO 20K/30K; very happy with it.
4) Stretchy inner cuff w/ thumb loop.
5) L & R inner chest pockets, at least 1 outer chest pocket. Bonus points for a sleeve pocket.

[jim-ratliff]

Max_501: I recently bought a Pearl Izumi bike jacket (dissatisified with my Gore jacket) that referenced Cocona in the advertising. I had never heard of Cocona so did a Google. Interesting to go down and listen to the founder talk about layering. In particular, his comment about people focusing too much on a garments ability to "move vapor" when the reality is that at some point we are dealing with moisture (condensed vapor) and what does your system do then.


http://www.coconainc.com/

How Does the Cocona? System Work