Gore-Tex question

paclite is like lace compared to 3L pro.  If you're hard on gear, it'll rip or tear in no time. 

The hardshells like 3L Gore Pro are super fkn durable as well as tough.  Softshells are less weather resistant but generally softer and more comfy.  Lightweight rain shells like paclite are more for ounce-counting weenie climbers and such, as they generally won't hold up to beatings and bushwhacking. 

I personally love Norrona.  I have a full 3L Gore Tex Proshell onezie and can honestly say it's the sickest piece of gear I've ever seen, heard of or used.  Talk about bomber!  Arc'Teryx is nice but I've owned a few pieces and it is a SUPER athletic fit.  I do still have a pair of stinger softshell pants that I've had for like 5 years though and they are tough.  I like Norrona better though.  Better fit, better colors, more designs.  Never had an issue with quality or durability either.   

I would say DEFINITELY upgrade to a hardshell- the most layers and highest quality you can afford.  I wouldn't worry so much about whether or not it's "gore", as there are some amazing fabrics out there now, but if you're looking for a shell to last you years and years and years and still protect you, go multi-layer hardshell without a doubt.  Norrona, Arc'Teryx, Rab, Mammut and Patagonia are all companies I'd try to look at first as well.   

Thanks Huck!

That was kinda what I was thinking would be the case, thanks for the thorough verification.

Which leads me to my next question: I've read that eVent is a great fabric but unlike GoreTex Pro shells tend to lose their H20-proof-ness over time necessitating frequent Nikwax baths. Not a huge deterrent, but curious if you (or anyone else) has any info/experience on that note?

For shell only definitely look at the Proshell or something of equivalent thickness.

Other options to look at are the Trew gear jackets and the North Face Spinology line. I've used both and been really happy with then. The Trew stuff is absolutely bomber, and the TNF jackets are really great with tons of technical features.

Both have kept me bone dry in pouring rain

Huck was right on. Paclite is primarily designed to be ultralight and therefore losses a lot of durability. Pro shell generally feels thin anyways (at least on my patagonia super pluma) so I wouldn't go with any of their specifically designed lightweight membranes for skiing (stay away from paclite and active shell) go for pro or performance shell. Also most companies in house waterproof membranes are awesome H2NO for patagonia, Hyvent for North Face, and such are for the most part eqivalent to performance shell. Also Gore Tex has a lifetime guarentee so if you get gore it doesnt matter what the maufacturers guarentee is because gore will replace it for you if there are any problems.

Event works, but it does require more maintenance. From what I've experienced, just go with gore Tex - gore backs their shit for life, and since they have a significant say in how products with their materials get made and tested, you are really hard pressed to find a lemon. just get something pro shell and don't look back

Worth the read.
http://blistergearreview.com/articles/outerwear-101

In terms of what jacket to buy, I know its Burton but I HIGHLY recommend their AK line. Lifetime warrantee is unbeatable, the zipper ripped out on my first jacket, brought it into the shop and I had a brand new coat within a week and a half. Coat is great too - perfect fit, great performance and durability. WIth that being said I haven't used other brands extensively so im only speaking from my experience.

Quoting for emphasis. Really good article.

I have a Patagonia Performance 3L shell and 1st gen Trew Eagle pants. LOVE both of them and have always stayed dry. They are the first outerwear that I have been able to comfortably skin in without becoming overheated (and then sweating and becoming FREEZING...you know the drill).

So...good experience with both GTX and Gelanots 3L stuffs.

If you decide to go with a Gore Tex product, make sure it's 3L. I've owned many different Gore Tex jackets and the only ones I've experienced any disappointment with have been the 2L Gore Tex Performance fabric. The 2L construction seems to get soaked a lot more than any of the other Gore jackets I've owned. Not soaked through, but just soaked. I wash my jackets frequently as per the washing instructions on the care tags, and also use the Nikwax Tech Wash and still find the 2L to be subpar.

I would personally seek out the 3L Pro Shell myself, but I have owned the JP Pro Jacket which uses the 3L Softshell fabric. That was an awesome jacket, exceptionally durable and waterproof; that I never had any problems with whatsoever.

Gore Tex does not breathe as well as they claim and I do think it's a downside of having Gore Tex, but the durability, waterproofness, and the fact that Gore stands behind every product with their name on it, makes up for that shortcoming.

I'm trying out some Trew gear this winter. First time in over 10 years that I won't be in some kind of Gore Tex, so I'm hoping it's a good decision or I will be shopping for a Pro Shell setup soon.

I worked on trail crew at my mountain for 2 years and we wore arcteryx alpha sv. walking around with steel on our shoulder, ripping through trees snagging on branches, -30, +5 pissing rain, pow days stood up to everything. Over 200 days of use and still looks like new. Didnt have 1 single problem. Huge hoods to go over your helmet when its real windy. Dont have experience with any other brands but i bought a sidewinder for personal use.

I will throw in some more arcteryx stoke. I own a trew jacket, the armada event 3l jacket, and two arcteryx jackets. I really liked my armada and trew but I absolutely love my arcteryx. My armada and trew jacket are pretty comparable in waterproofness and durability they are both 2-3 years old and have held up great and done everything I have asked of them, but after 3 years they both show signs of wear loss of waterproofing, fading, etc.. I have one arcteryx jacket that has 7 seasons of heavy use and it is still in amazing condition. It has gone through countless tours, resorts days, even worked in it and I have yet to find a situation that it cant handle. There are no tears or blemishes and the waterproofing is still phenomenal. I picked up a new one this year to give the old one a break. I have yet to find anything on the market that can compare to the gore pro arcteryx jackets (though I have heard norrona is amazing).

Thanks guys. I've only just found Blister this season, what an awesome site. I've read that article and a bunch of their other stuff. For me, it is the superior gear review site. Helped steer me to this year's Bacons... getting mounted tomorrow morning with some FKS 14s!

So I just got in from hopping around a couple stores trying stuff on and talking to some people. Definitely gonna go with the Pro Shell 3L. Can be pricey, but I like to put my money into stuff that will last. I ski, hike, climb, etc as well as work outside. Probably will end up with Outdoor Research, Arc, or NF. Norona looks sick, but that imported neon is out of my price range for the Pro Shell.

That all said, shopping for outerwear is a painstaking ordeal. Lot's of digging, questions, phone calls, talking with you wonderful people. I only do this once my gear is starting to fall apart so it's not as often as I wish, but at least now I'm psyched on having all the right information.