This is my first post. So go easy on me. ;) I'm a backpacker/hunter that is not looking to go ultralight so much as I'm trying to lighten my "durable" load of gear. If I can find ultralight and durable – great. If not, I'll settle for "lighter" and durable. I live in socal. But I spend most of my time hiking and hunting in the PNW.
Here's my problem:
I am tall, wide shouldered and long bodied. 6'3" 235 not fat, just built big. I usually require a 2xl/long in jackets. I need a waterproof (goretex, dintex, ?) non-insulated shell jacket for hunting and hiking. In either green, grey, brown, black or some other earth tone. That isn't to expensive ($150-ish?). But everything I find is a waist coat. Waist coats don't work for me. If I bend over or crawl thru the brush it rides up my back. And it's no fun. I don't know who these are made for. I guess people that hike and never bend over. But waist coats seem to be all the rage right now.
So far I've found Driducks. Size is ok as they run big. Would be ok for just trail hiking. But not ok for beating the brush. As they are too fragile. Although I will get a pair for just trail hiking. As they are so small, cheap and lightweight.
Other end of the spectrum is a USGI ECWCS cold weather jacket in Dintex. Runs about $75. Is very tough fabric. Weighs alot and is bulky in my pack. But is a longer style jacket that sort of fits in a long size. I'll pack this if I have to.
But I'm trying to find something inbetween these two. I've visited REI, Sports Authority, Big5 and several other retailers. And searched the h*ll out of the internet. But I can not find a longer length jacket that will work. Is there another material I should be looking for? Should I just settle for a nylon rain jacket? I could probably find one of those in a longer style. And just settle for that as my final layer?
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
