jackets?

[treeman82]

I need to get a new jacket for myself for when I climb. I have a carhartt jacket which has a hard shell. It's good for ground work, but under my saddle it's no good. I have an LL Bean fleece jacket which is GREAT, nice and warm, but I am afraid that it would get wrecked being up there with all that gear.

Do any of you guys have a brand of fleece jacket that you would recommend for this type of work that will hold up?

 

[NickfromWI]

I bought one at REI last year that I like. It's one medium thick layer of WindPro Fleece. Not 100% wind-proof, but like 80 or 90 percent. Warm, and thin enough that you can wear it under a saddle. I've been wearing it a lot in the last year and except for the hole that got burned in it on a camping trip, it is still in good condition!

love
nick

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Take a look at the soft shell fleece jackets. They're a bit spendy but they perform. Not quite waterproof like a coated nylon but pretty dang close. They breath too. Get one with a long tail so that it stays tucked into your harness.

Check with Sierra Outfitters for great prices.

This company makes jackets customized to your body dimensions. Most of us have longer arms than the manufacturers build for so I'm looking forward to getting a decent fit. I like the zip off hood.

http://www.beyondfleece.com/

If you consider clothing a tool the price makes perfect sense. Threads go on forever about the cost/performance of ropes. Why not use the same thinking about clothing?

 

[treeman82]

Tom, that's pretty much exactly what I am talking about, a soft shelled, fleece jacket. The LL Bean one is soft shelled. I am just a little apprehensive of tearing up that soft shell.

 

[Redbull]

I got an insulated zip-up hooded sweatshirt at Kmart for ten bucks. It's real durable, thin, and warm too! Doesn't bunch up under the saddle either.

 

[NickfromWI]

Treeman, I don't know if you're thinking what Tom's thinking. There is a kind of jacket made my many of the high-end manufacturers like Mountain Hardware, Sierra Design, Marmot, North Face, etc. These jackets on the low end are like 150, on up to like 500. They are made with a very durable material that is warm and very water and wind resistant (not "proof"). Schoeller is one of the types of materials that can be used to make these jackets.

If you go into a camping outdoor gear store and tell them you are looking for a "soft shell" they should know what you're looking for.

I bought the REI ONE, which is a nice soft shell for about 199. I liked it, but it was too nice! I couldn't bring myself to wear it in a tree. I used it to climb Blanca Peak and it was good for that, but I didn't want it getting dirty! That's why I got the windpro jacket.

love
nick

 

[FBX1986]

i was given a husky forest jacket with some chainsaw protection in the arms and neck X mas present from my son who is in the navy , bought it mail order 98.00 USD it seams ok we will see how it stands up in the rain...... living 20 odd miles from REI i spend way to much money there,,, good stuff but, overpriced.... btw Happy new year to all

 

[NickfromWI]

REI= Return Everything Incorporated. I find their prices to be very fair if you take in to account the 10% return at the end of the year and the fact that you can return anything you don't like for practically any reason with no reciept. I spend more money there that I should, but I use everything I buy. If I think I MIGHT use it, I buy....if it ends up not being worth it's weight...I bring it back.

love
nick

 

[TREETX]

If you are looking for the best our trade has to offer, and are willing to spend, check out pfanner products from Austria

 

[bushman]

Check out the new arborwear jackets on the arborwear site.seem a little high but strong and fleece lined.

 

[P_woozel]

For arduous work in different winter weather conditions, a good quality wool shirt is better than any 200.00 fleece. Rmember wool generates warmth when wet, wool has excellent wear characteristics, the heavyweight wools will resist tearing much more than fleece, I can sew on a button quite easily yet a zipper is out of my league. I wish I could afford some synthetic shirts/jackets but they are quite expensive vs. wool in our climate here. When I lived in AK that was what was primarily worn even then was wool, though fleece has more use in that dry climate, and it drys fast.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Fleece does dry faster than wool. And in my experience doesn't smell as bad when its wet.

From everything that I've ever read and experienced, wool doesn't generate heat. The only thing that generates heat is your metabolism. Warmth is measured by how much heat is kept near the body.

True, buttons are easier to deal with than zippers. The only time that I've had zippers blow out is when the gear is on it's last leg. But I can put new zippers in myslef so that's a moot point.

Just like with chainsaws, there are different quality fleeces. Making a broad brush generalization isn't really fair. There are companies that make fleece that is just as durable as wool. The one place that wool will win any discussion is around flames. Wool doesn't melt. But how often is this really an issue? I've spent many nights standing around open fires in the winter at temps below zero F. There are only a few pin holes in my gear.

When I read my post it almost seems like I'm shilling for Malden Mills. Actually, I wish that were the case. I'm as loyal to fleece as any Stihl/Husky/Dolmar owner is to their saws

Tom

 

[P_woozel]

I still think for work clothes wool has the best bang for the buck. I own fleece clothing and use it in an environment that the weight of wool has no place, but if I made my living climbing steep faces every day I would have to be sponsered because the replacement of the high qulaity fleece, synthetic materials would be out of the question. My old North Face giude jacket is still functional over ten years since its purchase, yet in reality has maybe 500 days of hard use. Fleece jackets last a couple of years tops on a recreational level for me. A good Pendleton wool shirt purchased at the thrift store for 2.50 is a sweet warm deal. I have a wool mackinaw that is 5 years of being used at work and still warm and strong. Synthetics are good just not the answer for every situation, alot of it has to do with the products being put out to. Companies like Filson, Pendleton, etc have been making the same high quality work wear for a long time they dont have to have flashy stuff to seel to the same kind of cats generation after generation. :umpkin:

 

[Tom Dunlap]

YOu make some good points.

Value is determined by the user not the manufacturer.

If I'm going to be in a rough and tumble environ I wear an outer layer that's sacrificial. IF the outer gets trashed protecting my performance fleece I'm happy. Thrift stores and second hand sporting goods stores are places I frequent for sacrificial layers.

Tom

 

[P_woozel]

I beleive the suitcases I paid .25 apeice for hauling my gear in is your idea, way better than any gearbag I used or seen yet.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Did you get the pink ones? Guys laugh at my suitcases until they use them. Especially for bigger rigging ropes.

I'm glad that you found the idea useful

Tom

 

[luke montelius]

suitcases rock! I picked up a "poopy" yellow samsonite for 25 cnets, as far as fleas is concernd if you put in the time you can find real nice ones at the thrift shop ranging from 2 to 10 dollars, I have 3 I use weekly now

 

[rb_in_va]

I saw a catalog for Wearguard outerwear and thought about this thread. They have some good prices on clothes (and you can get company names embroidered too). I saw some brown duck carpenter heans (like Carhartts) for $27. Here's the website:

www.wearguard.com

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

The softshells were mentioned, and I think the Mountain Hardwear Alchemy jacket would work well. $240. I wear one ice climbing, which is what is was made for. I wear Filson when I'm working with a saw, or outside and not climbing or packing. I could recommend either their Moleskin or wool Outiftter jacket/liner. $135. Both the Filson, and the Alchemy are American made, and will last. Just my recommendations.

Take care all,
Jeff

 

[OutOnaLimb]

I dont like bulk when I climb, if I need more than underarmor, a long sleeve tshirt, fleece vest and a hoodie its to cold to climb. I do like the Idea of buckling your saddle through the front pocket of your hoodie, thanks, I will have to try that tomorrow.

Kenn