Arcteryx vs Westcomb vs MEC vs Other brands?

Burton AK. All the tech without looking like a cruncher.

nate

I've had great luck with mountain hardware and marmot... Some of the MEC stuff is great too. with a lot of the technical gear you're pretty much getting the same stuff... all goretex pro shell is the same really, no difference between mec proshell, mtn hardware proshell, arc teryx proshell etc.... just dealing with different ppl when it comes to warrantee and customer service. Pick the brand with best service and best price.

lots of people are straying from goretex for more breathable products. E-Vent is great. Also the new cloudveil membrane is a bit more breathable than goretexproshell, and still has a rating of 20,000mm in water column test.

Lots of good stuff to choose from!
Cheers

I like the arc'teryx personal the only reason i didn't get the MEC Proshell is that is has not powder skirt in it, but with it being half the price one could buy the bid pants to go with it.

from what I can tell it is at Powder King in NE BC.looks like they are avg. approx. 50cm per week for the last 6 weeks or so. had someone in the gondola at KH. last week tell us it was like heli on a $49 lift ticket!! making the 8hr. road trip next week to check it out.

I really like the westcomb stuff because it is made in Canada!  But recently I have been into Outdoor Research.  They just released the Sidecountry Line this year.  Nice Stuff!

I think I'm a bit late on commenting here, but take a look at The North Face's stuff. All HyVent product is 20,000mm waterproof and they still do a bit with Gore Pro Shell and Performance Shell, as well as Hyvent Alpha which is pretty nice.

I've owned Arc'teryx, TNF, Bonfire, Orage, etc. The best built jacket I had was a Sidewinder AR from Arc'teryx, but it was crunchy pro shell and I felt like a dork wearing it. I'm in a North Face Vanquish jacket now, which is discontinued because it uses Gore Soft Shell. Not the best fabric, but it's not stiff and crunchy like some Pro Shell stuff.

I'm not a big fan of MEC's gear, I've seen some of their stuff delam FAST and they seem to use such a bland, desaturated colour palette.

I'm with nate regarding the burton ak stuff.....bombproff and looks good too! But Arcteryx has the new Sabre jacket/Pants made with gore softshell and a roomier fit as well.

i had the arcteryx alpha sv pro shell and it was great except for hiking, my ipod and transiever always were soaked in condensation. i recently purchased the westcomb revenant jacket and i still get condensation but much smaller amounts. that E Vent fabric is also a lot less crunchy. also praying for snow in northern bc!

I love the arcteryx gear, but my only conplaint is the fit.  I like a longer (not tall tee long), roomier fit skiing on hill and touring.  All of Arcteryx's jackets are really short except for the whiteline series.  If you are thinking Arc and want a longer fit check out the Sabre.

TREW is the only snowpants i've had that survived a season without duct tape