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Insulated Jacket vs Shell Jacket

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SacZiplock
Posts: 2405 - Karma: 513
Yo NS !

My choice for my jacket this year is very difficult , because I am not sure about something,
Should i choose an isulated jacket , or a shell jacket . Where I ski it's mostly cold all year long but I always wore a hoodie under my jacket last year but i don't remember if it was a shell .

Are there some major differences between them ?

Steezyyy_Ngt
Sep 23 2011 10:32PM
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Crispy.
Posts: 6102 - Karma: 7,626
If your going to wear a hoodie underneath go with the shell. If not go with the insulated.
Sep 23 2011 10:35PM
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Triple_Strum
Posts: 6382 - Karma: 946
I think a lot of it is preference. I personally love insulated jackets because they are so comfortable and you don't have to wear much underneath. However, there have been a handful of days over the past few years that it has sucked to have such a warm jacket - the sun came out and it was 35 when I thought it would be 20 degrees. That is a big difference. Now, I prefer a thick shell because of its versatility. So if it is super cold where you are often, then an insulated jacket is great. If you need more versatility, then a shell is better. In the end though, it is really what you prefer.
Sep 23 2011 10:36PM
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bdarb207
Posts: 3057 - Karma: 438
Inulated is nice for cold days and you can ski with just a shirt which is nice. If you get a nice shell though that's win and water proof that's the way to go because then you can layer. If you've ever skie anday that warmed up in a down jacket you'll understand the need for layering. Once you start sweating you're fucked gets cold real quick after you stop sweating. Dry is warm!
Sep 23 2011 11:45PM
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bdarb207
Posts: 3057 - Karma: 438
Ps if you do go insulated primaloft is angood insulator there's a lot of coats using that
Sep 23 2011 11:46PM
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,851
i would go with a shell. you can easily throw a hoodie under if its cold but with an insulated jacket you cant make if cooler for the warm days. Plus shells tend to be less expensive. I got my orage xavier for 148 shipped and i love it!
Sep 23 2011 11:47PM
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,535
Mainly depends on where you live and your home mountain. I ski tahoe and besides dumpdays its relatively warm for a mountain climate so I stick with a shell that I can layer. Definitely think about the average temp of your mountain.
Sep 24 2011 12:18AM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
Shell. I like to be colder and it is easier to layer up rather than be too warm
Sep 24 2011 1:34AM
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11986 - Karma: 12,239
while we are here....

do any big name freeski companies make shell jackets, ie armada, saga, anything else....?

i just can't find anything that says they come in either or..

thnx
Sep 24 2011 2:05AM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
I don't like insulated jackets, but then again I live in the PNW and a typical high when skiing is usually in the 20s. Plus, with a shell, you can layer light for warm weather, or more for really cold stuff; just more versatile.

If you live in a really bloody cold place, insulated might be nice.
Sep 24 2011 2:11AM
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.jon
Posts: 2121 - Karma: 345
shells are the way to go IMO. you can throw on more layers or ditch a couple if necessary. they just allow for a lot more flexibility
Sep 24 2011 2:52AM
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,851
orage has both, ldc is a shell i think
Sep 24 2011 7:08AM
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SacZiplock
Posts: 2405 - Karma: 513
Armada does make shells! Orage too ( xavier pro shell ) but i don't know about saga though! Thanks for the help! I think im gonna go with shell cuz its more versatile ! /thread
Sep 24 2011 9:42AM
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dubtwo
Posts: 590 - Karma: 114
well, you have a choice between sweating buckets the whole year or freezing your ass off
Sep 24 2011 9:54AM
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Session
Posts: 5315 - Karma: 21,329
Or layering properly to be just right. Like the rest of the outdoor community.
Sep 24 2011 11:57AM
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_Mac_n_Steez_
Posts: 259 - Karma: -6

sagas new coats are a lighter insluation

the on deck and the shut-out

Sep 24 2011 12:08PM
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BlakeG
Posts: 1450 - Karma: 1,030
ru serious taco-dog?
Sep 24 2011 8:10PM
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11986 - Karma: 12,239
**Are you
** *TACO-DOG* get it right


I know it's a stupid question but at least i didn't make a thread
Sep 24 2011 8:16PM
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BlakeG
Posts: 1450 - Karma: 1,030
sorry bout your name TACO-DOG, im glad you didnt make a thread about it. I thought that you would know that armada and saga both makes jackets that are shells
Sep 24 2011 8:32PM
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11986 - Karma: 12,239
i don't really keep track of outerwear and ski fashion that much. i usually would walk into a ski shop, find a jacket that looks nice, for the right price and buy it.

haha for the past two years i haven't even owned a jacket
Sep 24 2011 9:23PM
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DGski
Posts: 3491 - Karma: 2,328
last year i had a 686 jacket that had an inner fleece that you could take off by unzipping it. it was really awesome, look around for something like that. when it was hotter i coud take the fleece out and on those cold days i was fine with just a t-shirt underneath.
Sep 24 2011 10:26PM
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Salomonskier101
Posts: 410 - Karma: 44
the insulated one will keep you warm.....
Oct 26 2011 4:10PM
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Trace.
Posts: 1460 - Karma: 624
I'm honestly not a big fan of insulated jackets I wore one two years ago for a season, and while it was nice on the super cold days it just wasn't worth it for the normal temperatures you experience everyday in the season. It's not like throwing a a hoodie underneath your jacket it is that hard when it does get really cold anyway and it's better that than to be sweating all season on the hill.
Oct 26 2011 4:52PM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9210 - Karma: 5,357
yeah i like those. i use a columbia coat (omg not saga) that had a fleece that zips in and out. I wear the fleece around a lot.
Oct 26 2011 5:12PM
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TheAfterBang
Posts: 189 - Karma: 10
Shell bro
Oct 26 2011 9:50PM
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