Looking for a shell/fleece combo jacket, North Face or something similar, preferably gore-tex. If you have one and dont use it, or plan on getting yourself something newer this year, let me know whatcha got.

11/28/2008 2:38:58 PM

11/28/2008 4:00:19 PM

I'm gonna hop on this thread too, but I don't care about brands (no low quality stuff though).

Hard-shell, with removable fleece lining. Less than $150. Do they exist ?

Oh yeh, I'm looking for something new (suggestions on where to buy), so I'm not going to completely hi-jack your thread

I've looked at Patagonia, Marmot, Columbia, North Face, Mtn Hardwear, and haven't found on yet.

[Edited on November 28, 2008 at 4:21 PM. Reason : .]

11/28/2008 4:20:01 PM

I too am looking where is best to buy something of this nature. Need a new jacket/coat and want to see if the parents will do that for xmas for me

11/28/2008 5:34:19 PM

I got an REI shell for about 130 and a North Face fleece liner for about 50 last year from REI. I'd look there and at Campmor. They usually both have good deals.

11/28/2008 5:53:28 PM

i dont think i'll ever understand why northface jackets are so popular...but thats probably because i dont understand what sets them apart from every other jacket

11/28/2008 6:33:27 PM

^I don't know either. I just like good quality stuff, and not limited to North Face

^^We're talking about shells with a liner, that zips to the shell. at least I am.

11/28/2008 7:12:32 PM

^^^ I am talking about ^ as well, though I don't mind find something that isn't modular if the price is right. I'm not limited to NF, but the NF quality is by far unmatched.

^^ Gotta try one on man. The stuff seems really overpriced (which is why I'm looking for something used), but the minute to take a good look at one, how it was made, the materials involved, etc, you know what you're paying for.

11/28/2008 8:00:28 PM

^^That's what I'm talking about as well. You can get shells and the fleeces that zip together that aren't necessarily paired together. I even got them cheaper that way than most 3-in-1 jackets cost.

If you shop around a little you can sometimes get better deals that way.

11/28/2008 8:16:12 PM

Quote :

"but the NF quality is by far unmatched"

sorry but no. north face was far surpassed by a number of camping/outfitter brands a long time ago. their stuff is still pretty nice but it really doesn't command top dollar (which they still ask for) like it used to.

11/28/2008 9:09:28 PM

^what are some brands other brands that in that price range that are more worth their price?

11/28/2008 9:44:57 PM

^^very true

^^^really? I guess I should look around for those then. do they have any special name (or name per brand?)

11/28/2008 9:46:09 PM

I think the NF fleece I got is the Pumori jacket. I can't remember the name of the REI shell. I would recommend going to an REI or store with similarly knowledgeable staff and see what types work. When buying them separately I'd recommend finding them in a store first to recommend the sizes you want fit together properly.

Unless they're on sale it probably won't be cheaper. If you can find the individual parts on major clearance you can come out saving some money.

Also, the way the sleeves clip together is different for different brands. Some brands have a loop on the shell and the snap on the liner. Other brands work the other way. My REI shell and NF fleece both have snapping loop connections so they work together. However, it may be easy to mess up and get two loops that don't work.

Long story short (too late) I'd just go see them in person, try them on, make sure they work together, and then see if you can find them for cheap as hell online.

11/28/2008 10:22:08 PM

i know it's early in the season, but i bought a a marmot goretex with removable fleece liner for $120 at dick's--last year end of season. I bought a mountain light goretex TNF from dicks as well 10 years ago--end of season sale for $110--still works like a charm to this day.

11/29/2008 1:44:19 PM

Quote :

"their stuff is still pretty nice but it really doesn't command top dollar (which they still ask for) like it used to."

look im sure its fun to be a hater and all, but they don't charge top dollar for their stuff. it may be high but there are a number of brands that charge way more than TNF

11/29/2008 2:38:00 PM

i got a really nice 3-in-one jacket from Kohl's for like $145 (Columbia) yesterday. Mad sales there...

11/30/2008 11:02:21 AM

Mast store up in Boone was having a sample sale from Mountain Hardwear (all women's medium and men's large). They had a Goretex lightweight shell with powder skirt, zip-in compatibility for $400 with 60% off, wish I looked at the tag for the style name. Some really neat gloves there as well that had a power pack you ran through the sleeves that connected to the gloves which had heaters in them. Nice gloves even without the heater (and you could adjust the heat).

I ended up getting a 650-fill down parka jacket with Conduit, powder skirt and welded seams for just under $150 that was normally $350. No zip in compatibility, but that's fine (didn't really have an ultra warm jacket that was waterproof).

Keep your eyes out on steepandcheap.com and tramdock.com.

11/30/2008 11:33:59 AM

^I found those sites the other day, after using chainlove.com and finding out they were all the same company. I've been checking tramdock religiously.

11/30/2008 4:16:26 PM