Insulated ski jacket, or shell?

[Seldomski]

I have used a shell the past 15 years. This is good to temperatures in the teens (deg F) with some layers. Single digit F and lower and I will need to go inside periodically. I dress so that I am cold on the lift since I get pretty warm once I start skiing. If I get too hot, my feet swell and the boots get very uncomfortable. So skiing while warm is not possible - I err on the side of being too cold instead. It's easy for me to warm up by just skiing harder/more. Any problem that is solved by skiing more is ideal to me

The best 'knobs' I have to turn for clothing on mountain:
- Zippers in jacket/pants
- Helmet vent
- Balaclava

I ski primarily in CO or UT. My metabolism is pretty high, so that's definitely a factor. If I ski with a group that likes to stand and chat a lot (lessons, wife), I tend to get colder. I will wear extra on those days.

 

[Wilhelmson]

Like others, for the northeast an insulated jacket for the cold days. Most of us also have a shell that we can wear as an everyday jacket for kids' fall and spring soccer games, more aerobic winter activities, going to the grocery store, or warmer ski days.

I went many winters with only a shell but now would not give up my insulated jacket.

 

[Ogg]

A shell, shell pants, light base layer and light fleece is all I need on everything but the coldest days. I have warmer base layers I will sometimes double up with my thinner ones and a warmer fleece for those days. Last season at Sugarbush, however, I was wishing for insulated pants when I got stuck on a stopped lift in windy single digits.

 

[Wilhelmson]

A shell, shell pants, light base layer and light fleece is all I need on everything but the coldest days. I have warmer base layers I will sometimes double up with my thinner ones and a warmer fleece for those days. Last season at Sugarbush, however, I was wishing for insulated pants when I got stuck on a stopped lift in windy single digits.

That's how I was until I tried an insulated jacket. On very cold days I now range from warm to chilly rather than chilly to cold.

 

[Bolder]

I was a shell guy for many years, but like you, got tired of doing the "dance" dealing with multiple layers. I like a lightly insulated jacket now and I'll add a layer if it's brutally cold.

I find the jackets I use with no additional layers are actually less bulky and more comfortable than what I used to have to do with shells and insulating layers.

This. I used to have a great Mountain Hardware shell, but I was always faffing with base and mid layers, not to mention all the adjustment cords. I now have a ski specific mid weight Millet insulated jacket with big diagonal vents, works great with a light merino long underwear top and simple fleece pullover. If it’s warm just ditch the fleece and if really cold I’ll use heat base layer.

 

[DoryBreaux]

I used to swear by insulated jackets. Then I woke up and smelled the rose that is layering.
I must be losing my sense of smell, because I'm starting to not hate insulated jackets any more.

But I will never use insulated pants. Made that mistake once.

 

[lisamamot]

I ski in New England - VT/NH/ME.

Shell jacket and shell pants with layers is my usual. Single/negative F degrees brings out the insulated jacket (TNF Point it Down Steep Series) and insulated pants that I then put the layers underneath.

I don’t actually find the insulated jacket + layers much warmer than my layered-up Patagonia or Flylow hard shells. Perhaps the shells are more windproof? My insulated jacket does have windstopper technology though. Maybe I need a different insulated jacket?! Enable me, lol.

 

[dbostedo]

Maybe I need a different insulated jacket?! Enable me, lol.

I've always like Obermeyer stuff... I have 2 of their insulated jackets. This one has some nice features (like a wrist pocket... one of mine has that and I really like it for RFID passes, or a key, or other things more than the shoulder pass pocket) :

https://obermeyer.com/catalog/womens/cosima-down-jacket-1?v=24925

 

[cantunamunch]

I ski in New England - VT/NH/ME.
I don’t actually find the insulated jacket + layers much warmer than my layered-up Patagonia or Flylow hard shells. Perhaps the shells are more windproof? My insulated jacket does have windstopper technology though. Maybe I need a different insulated jacket?! Enable me, lol.

KARBON Level 4 (down) - Warmer than Obermeyer, warmer than Descente. I've used it down to -25F at MSA and Tremblant.

 

[Doug Briggs]

You need a 'it depends' option.

I frequently will wear an insulated coat, but on warmer days or BC days, I wear a shell.

The regular insulated jacket is medium weight/thickness. Some days I wear a big puffy. I also have an insulated duster for days I'm standing around officiating. It is big enough to over the puffy, and sometimes it does.

 

[Mike75]

Ski in VT primarily, and always in a shell. Even in the coldest temps I can layer it appropriately. I also run hot, so that my be part of why it works for me.
I do wear insulated pants when its really cold (below zero).

 

[Dan P]

Light insulated jacket for some days....shell and layers other times. I like having many options....gear geek.

I searched this off-season for the grail and think I may have found it....Haglofs Roc Summit Jacket...I found new for $299 ($700+ sticker) on a site which shall remain nameless. Have only used it a few times but I think I’m in love. I also use shells and layer and really like that gear too. I am just extra jazzed about finding a warm, light, super tech, NOT AT ALL bulky insulated jacket. If you are a “shell” person who is thinking about going insulated it’s worth a look IMO.

 

[Michael V]

always a shell.. can vary insulation based on conditions.

 

[Blue Streak]

Helly makes some great stuff.
This one has just the right level of insulation for me on cold days. I strictly wore shells and layers for years, but I confess that I wore this jacket a lot last year.

 

[Andy Mink]

I prefer a shell or vest with whatever I need under it. However, if it's going to be really cold (below 15° or so) I don't mind a coat.

 

[Uncle-A]

I found this older thread because I saw a new take on an older type jacket. The 3 in 1 jacket has fallen out of favor, maybe because it is difficult to slide your arms in and out of the full ripped option especially if you are using a quarter zip fleece for a mid layer. So I was on the Eddie Bauer website and saw that they no longer use a fleece for the inside rip in liner. They have issued a new 3 in 1 using a down sweater as a zip in layer to make up the 3 in 1 jacket and since the mid layer is now a nylon, you can slide in and out of the sleeves without any issue. Kind of neat if you ask me, but I have been using a down sweater for years inside my shell.

 

[ThomasD]

When I lived on the front range I had an insulated jacket. Now I prefer the flexibility of a shell and whatever underlayers are necessary.

 

[spoofer]

Insulated in the East . !6 below in Vermont a few weeks ago almost nightly.

 

[Guy in Shorts]

Shell at Killington has been the call with the mild winter we have seen. Close the shell pit vents on those days when I feel my core temp dropping. Last Wednesday was a perfect shorts day.

Disclaimer - Viking/polar bear Dna.

 

[AtleB]

Pretty much always shell. Just gets too hot for me in insulated jackets. I do own insulated jackets though and if its cold and I know I'll be staying in the beginners area with my youngest I sometimes choose insulated (and almost always regret it... lugging kids around is almost as intense as skiing full on).