[Blue Dome]

I've also owned most of the popular shells out there -- cheap coated nylon through a few GoreTex models, including much in between like PreCip, eVent, and a couple of other proprietary fabrics. Current favorite is my Westcomb Shift LT made with NeoShell that I got last year. Lightweight, waterproof, reasonably durable, a little fabric stretch, and it breathes better than anything I ever used. For my needs, IMO, the best hardshell available. Arc'teryx makes excellent stuff, but that Alpha SV will probably be less breathable than NeoShell, and over the course of a long day, less comfortable. That said, I'm sure you'll get a lot of good use from it. In any case, it's fun to occasionally blow some cash on a piece of overpriced outdoor gear.

[DIYSteve]

[Ski]

nahhhh.... I'd have gone to Hawaii. where you gonna find decent poke on the Olympic Peninsula?

[Blue Dome]

[bccarlso]

I've found our solution for dry hiking in pouring rain.

[ranger rock]

What is the male equivelent of a maiden? There is none..

[Dane]

If you're trying to beat it up I'm sure you'll succeed...thin nylon, WP/B membranes and DWR are all fragile in their own ways (no more devil's club dude!). Rain jackets and bushwacking just don't mix...you might get away with it for several trips, or a whole season - maybe two, but eventually the abuse will catch up to you. Staying dry is of course paramount in winter...discount/used jackets may be the better choice for your demands. Maybe it'll be worth every penny...the few arc'teryx pieces I've had have been. All gear has it's limitations though...it's up to the user to understand them and treat the gear accordingly.

[Critter]

Thanks for the expert advice, Dane. I feel that you are correct. I don't want to kill my jacket. I will switch it up for bushwhacking and save my serious jacket for serious situations. I'll reread this thread to get ideas for a jacket to bushwhack in and save my Alpha SV for serious outings. If anyone is interested here's the "Arc'teryx naming system", straight from Arc'teryx. SV: Severe Weather LT: Lightweight AR: All Around SL: Superlight MX: Mixed Conditions/Use FL: Fast & Light

[GeoHiker]

You could always wear a garbage bag over it when you get into difficult terrain.

[DIYSteve]

[Cyclopath]

I'm not sure about the change in direction in this thread. If you'd like to destroy your expensive new jacket for our amusement and in the name of testing, you should do self-arrest drills in it. Practice all day long. Film it for us! Feathered Friends says you shouldn't do this in their jackets out-of-the-box, but that they can make one for you with a stronger shell fabric if you need to, so you'll really be putting the jacket to the test. Obviously you should only do this if you know how to self arrest, and only in places with a safe runout.

[Relax]

[DIYSteve]

Interesting. My c. 1997 Marmot Alpinist pants leaked like a screen door after one hard ski (lift/tour) season. Heavier duty shell fabric is no doubt tougher, but that doesn't completely make up for the fragility of the ePTFE membrane nor the inevitable delam under hard use. Pretty sure Marmot Alpinist jacket was never cordura and never heavier than 400D, half the weight of cordura, though nonetheless tougher shell fabric than Critter's new VanBC power shopper poser piece.

[monorail]

[Relax]

The alpinist jacket has a fleece liner in it. I finally have a bit of a leak under pack straps on the shoulders after 20 years of use to hard use. No it is not continuous, but, you get the drift. The biggest problem is that it is old style Gore-Tex and doesn't breathe all that well. Its pit zips wide open or bust. It is wonderful as a winter snow jacket and has seen more winter and spring use than anything else.