snowklinger

Things I look for in jackets.

1. Volcom

2. Goretex

3. Breathability/Vents

4. Stash/pass/mp3 pockets

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is it late october yet?

cocolulu

Yeah, I think maybe breathability is even more important than waterproofing. Although.......... again maybe guys need it more than girls

jello24

1st criteria is style (usually Varsity-style jackets), 2nd is waterproof rating. Anything else is just extras that doesn't really matter.

If you're a rider that only rides on bluebird days, then you can get away with a 5k jacket, maybe even a hoodie. But if you're anything like me, riding everyday in the rain, snow, fog, wind or any other combination of shitty weather, you'll quickly find that even a 20K will soak through after 4 rides up the lift. Really depends on the conditions you ride in.

From my experience, DC outerwear sucks balls quality wise. I've used my DC pants ~5 times and some of the stitches are coming apart already, whereas my Special Blends are still pulling strong 2 seasons in.

Lamps

My list:

1. Goretex 3L Proshell - this seems to mean either burton AK or arcterx

2. Velcro at wrists so I can lock the sleeves over my gloves

3. Vents and waist gaiter

4. Zip to pant interface

1-3 must have, #4 nice to have

On the 5k vs 10K vs higher ratings/goretex my wife bought a pair of 10K pants this fall to replace a pair of nearly worn out goretex pants (cheap and she liked the style). No problem if temps well below zero but all it took was a couple days of warmer riding in wet snow and she was through with the 10K pants and went back and replaced the goretex pants; the difference was like night and day

lamps

snowklinger

Makes a difference geographically very much. In Utah and CO we don't need much waterproofing as it tends to be very dry here. On the coasts however most people will benefit from much higher waterproof ratings.

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is it late october yet?

Rider161

I only noticed it when it was raining.. 10k soaked after 30 minutes.. 20k.. what rain keep riding