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#180820 - 11/18/13 02:03 AM Looking for jacket/shell recommendations for NYC
jon_k Offline
newbie

Registered: 11/18/13
Posts: 1
So a little bit about me and what I'll be using these jackets for:

I live in New York City. There's all kinds of whether I have to deal with. We have blizzards, freezing rain, spring and summer downpours, and every once in a while we get a hurricane laugh. During winter temps will routinely drop into the 15F range. If it's a bad winter, it'll drop even lower. I also run a lot (in Central Park). I run in freezing rain, snow flurries, etc, you name it. I like staying in shape and I don't let the weather stop me.

For a while now, I've been wanting to invest in some high end gear to help me deal with this stuff. I'm pretty much a newbie when it comes to gear, but I've done a lot of research over the past few days, and have come up with a few ideas. I see this as a long term investment, so I don't mind spending some serious money on it.

First off, I need a solid running jacket. Right now, I'm using Nike Profit long-sleeve compression, and when the temps drop below freezing, it just doesn't cut the mustard. Last winter I'd nearly freeze to death after my runs. So the ideal jacket would be warm, lightweight, very breathable, and would have good mobility. Canada Goose makes a jacket called the "Hybridge Lite," and that seems to fit the bill nicely.

Second, I need an outer shell to deal with wind/precipitation. I'd wear this during my runs, but I'd also wear it for general-purpose walking around the city during blizzards/rainstorms/etc. The ideal shell would be lightweight, breathable, mobile, with solid wind/water proofing. Right now I'm looking at three shells:

Rab Myriad Jacket
Westcomb Shift LT
Westcomb Specter LT

The top two are NeoShell material which people say is really good. The bottom one is eVent material which is not as good as neoshell, but it's a tad lighter. If anyone know the differences between these jackets, and the strengths/weaknesses I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Also, people say that light jackets like the Myriad/Shift are good for warm weather, but not for winter. How come? If I layer it over a jacket like the Hybridge, will it be warm enough for winter?

Thanks!

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#180825 - 11/18/13 12:35 PM Re: Looking for jacket/shell recommendations for NYC [Re: jon_k]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Hi Jon,

I have a lot of jackets, most of them cheap. The point is I use different jackets for different conditions. If I were a runner (I am not) this wouldn't be any different.

I have a couple big down jackets I wear when it's cold, a couple wool sweaters, some fleece jackets, and some rainproof outer shells that I mix and match based on conditions.

When it comes to the brands you mention I don't have a clue. I just don't think much about brand names. When I realize a need for a particular type of clothing I go find something that meets the need and buy it, but I almost never look at the brand name.

If it's something I really like I will remember who made it, and purchase their stuff again if I like it, and recommend it to others if they ask about it. I recommended a jacket the other day here, and then went and looked for it only to find out it's no longer made. So many clothes items are fashion based and only made for a year or two that I just don't even pay any attention at all to what they're making until I'm looking for something. As often as not what they're making is more geared toward fashion than function and I end up not buying anything.
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