jacket ideas

[fishboy]

Looking for a solid jacket at a good price for March weather in Southern AT area. Any good ideas?

[cowpoke]

I think this is an individual preference issue....but I like my Marmot dri-clime windshirt with a good base layer. The jacket is very light, rain repellent and blocks the wind...and packs down to almost nothing. Lots of good choices out there...check ebay..plenty of choices....look at REI website. good luck and enjoy your hike.

[Blissful]

I love my Montbell thermwrap. I got it on sale a few years back. Windshirt for me is fine in the summer, not for March though unless you are hiking in wind and use it as just an overlayer with a long sleeve merino wool shirt. That I wish I had on my hike as I ended up using my rain jacket to cut the March winds.

But for camp in March I had a down jacket as I get cold. I just picked up the Lands end UL ( think its snowpack something) jacket for $50. See the gear forum, clothes, for Lands End.

[Powder River]

I hiked with a 13 ounce Goretex paclite Golite jacket, but I have since decided to find something more breathable and much lighter. I really wanted eVent, because it is supposedly the most breathable waterproof fabric made. The lightest one I could find is the Integral Designs eVent Rain Jacket at 9.5 oz. (but 240 dollars) Then I came across Marmot's "Membrain Strata" fabric, which claims to be nearly as breathable and is lighter. There is the Mica and the Essence, which are both around 7 ounces. There is also the North Face Triumph anorak, which weighs under 6 ounces. It is made with something called Hyvent DT, which I don't know much about. This is all just from my recent findings, and by no means is comprehensive. I ordered the Essence which should be here soon.

Integral Designs eVent Rain Jacket
http://www.integraldesigns.com/product_detail.cfm?id=763

Marmot Essence
http://marmot.com/spring_2009/mens/outerwear/shells/essence_jacket/info/technology

Marmot Mica
http://marmot.com/spring_2009/mens/outerwear/shells/mica_jacket/info/details

North Face Triumph
http://www.gearzone.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=207-15721&click=5096