Shell Jacket HELP

Check out the updated montbell versalite. https://www.montbell.com/us/en/products/detail/2328329?fo=0&color=BL Its now a 3 layer and has pit zips at 5.9 oz.

My Warbonnet Outdoors has a better cut than my Lightheart Gear. Both a few years old.

Warbonnet makes both windshells with their hammock fabrics and rain shells with their tarp fabrics.

Dutchware may be another place to check. Huge fabric selection.

Hi Iago,

I have been looking at Warbonnet Stash 30D. I like what I see but I wonder about the elastic wrist cuffs, the lack of a way to cinch the hem, and, maybe, its ability to be waterproof because it’s not sealed. Though Phil Werner says its not a problem. Also, what do you mean by “better cut”. I found LHG’s rain pants way too baggy for my taste is it the same with the jacket? Thanks.

Thanks Tom. Alas the Versalite cannot be shipped to CA due to PFAS. I also wonder about the 7D face, very thin, though Montbell states it is a very abrasion resistant 7D. Any experience with it?

Most Southern California rains you’ll be able to vent out the front. I’d spend money first on a Brynje poly mesh base layer. I use an R1 Air over that. That eliminates a lot of clamminess.

My two jackets are rather old. But I find the cut of my LG too boxy. Although perhaps they have improved on this.

Alas the Versalite cannot be shipped to CA due to PFAS.

Odd…Montbell states “PFAS Free” in several places on the Versalite product page.

The updated versalite is PFAS free.. The durability is outstanding so far no issues.

Thanks to everyone. I went back on Montbell US and now I see the a link to new PFAS free Versalite. Now I need to decide if it’ll work for me which includes some off-trail and there’s cost.

1. Thanks. I’m thinking about it. A Brynje has been on my list for a while.

Thank you, everyone, for your advice. It helped. Given the bewildering and evolving shell jacket space, therapy might help more. I have gone with a Rock Front Rain Hoodie  https://rockfront.eu/product/rain-hoody/ It’s a compromise. My hope is it will meet most, if not all of my needs, but at $96 (shipping, tariffs, taxes included), I’m taking a chance.

It’s a seam-taped non-breathable waterproof shell which utilizes humongous pit zips for venting. Unfortunately, it only has a 1/4 length front zipper. It’s ridiculously light which, along with my EE Copperfierld wind shirt, makes it a good candidate for Ryan Jordan’s fringe season layering system which includes both waterproof and a windbreaker https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-episode-136-fringe-season-layering/ The combined weight of the Rock Front & Copperfield is 8 ounces/228 grams. It may be durable enough at 15D for scrambling and light off-trail meandering (some of it intentional).

So, here’s my evolving fringe season layering system: long-sleeve merino base layer (or with the savings I’m eyeing a Brynje), an Alpha-direct hoodie (active)/Torrid Apex (inactive) insulation layer, EE Copperfield wind shirt, and Rock Front Rain Hoodie. Total weight: 29 ounces/829 grams. Feel free to critique.

You could wear the Alpha Direct as a baselayer. The idea is if you’re clammy during exertion, or the rain, some sort of synthetic mesh would give a better avenue than the wool to move moisture away from your body. It’s also easier to vent. If you get too warm with the wool, you have to take it off. I wear wool on the coldest of days when I’m not exerting myself.

Individuals wondering if Montbell  fabric PFAS-free

Mont-bell
Versalite Jacket

Material：
3-layer SUPER DRY-TEC (PFAS-free)
7-denier Ballistic Airlight nylon ripstop (PFAS-free water repellent finish)
Breathability: 52,000 g/m2/24hrs (JIS L-1099 B-1 method)
Montbell rainwear utilizes material with a water pressure resistance of 20,000mm or more.
Weight：
5.9 oz / 166 g
Total Weight：
6.3 oz / 178 g
Packed Size：
2.8 x 2.8 x 5.5 in / 7 x 7 x 14 cm (0.7 L)
Country of Origin：
VIETNAM

To confirm that I wasn’t just imagining the benefits of the poly Brynje mesh, this winter I went back and hiked many times with my wool or synthetic tight weave base layers, from freezing  down to -20C, always at a quick pace to sweat.   My experiences lined up with Oscar’s in every way.

Full disclosure, I have a Bynje merino top. I’m learning too. Apples to oranges, I do have their poly leggings. Being slower than many, I’ve been happy with the top. I think it’s a bit warmer. I could shrink it for a better fit. Supposedly it is slower to stink. I could feel the absorbed moisture, but it was tolerable. I even enjoyed the slight coolness that it brought.

It doesn’t dry as fast as the poly when washed. I was shoveling snow yesterday and I got soaked. Mind you, I have a 600′ driveway. I shoveled enough to get a run at it with my truck. So now the poly is definitely on.my list. I like the wool, but I won’t recommend it.

Picture of Pikes for attention. Three foot drifts from the day before, it was a beautiful day.

So Spike lives in Needles. You see what he wears. 😁 I think the Rockfront will serve you well. Waiting for a review.