Short shell for short guy

[tch]

I’m ..ahem.. short. As in 5’7”. And stocky, with big shoulders and longish arms so I often have to buy larges to get adequate arm movement. On the hunt for a new shell, but one that is short. A lot of tops hang long on me and I don’t like having the zippers start down at my crotch and the back hem completely covering my rear. So I’m wondering if any of you know of specific items — or clothing lines — that tend to run short. It seems the new style tends to run skinny and long....and that’s exactly wrong for me.
Thoughts from the gurus of soft goods?

 

[Analisa]

I'd start with Marmot, OR, & Arcteryx, namely because they provide a measurement. Are you looking for a shell or insulated jacket? If the former, there are some options on the market that cater a little more to the all-around alpinist. They're usually shorter to play nice with a harness and have pretty good range of motion in the shoulders. Marmot Alpinist comes to mind (it's still got a powder skirt and a mesh internal drop pocket). Same membrane/fabric construction as the Arcteryx Beta LT and similar MSRP, but end of season discounts are much deeper where it's a pretty reasonable price.

 

[TheArchitect]

I’m ..ahem.. short. As in 5’7”. And stocky, with big shoulders and longish arms so I often have to buy larges to get adequate arm movement. On the hunt for a new shell, but one that is short. A lot of tops hang long on me and I don’t like having the zippers start down at my crotch and the back hem completely covering my rear. So I’m wondering if any of you know of specific items — or clothing lines — that tend to run short. It seems the new style tends to run skinny and long....and that’s exactly wrong for me.
Thoughts from the gurus of soft goods?

I'm 5'-4". I'd kill to be as "short" as you. I'll be paying attention to this thread because EVERYTHING is too big for me. I'm stocky and have big shoulders but the mid-section is what kills me; that's just plain fat.

 

[raytseng]

I am also 5'7 but with shorter arms. I tried on about 20 jackets from all the vendors.

I ended up going with Northface NFZ which is in their steep series. unfortunately this exact model line was discontinued a few years back. But see what else in TNF Steep Series is available.
The complaint that Northface is poorly fitted for a box works for me; since Small still has plenty of torso and shoulder movement, and the sleeves are not too long

The fancy alpinist gear seems to be more fitted for the ape-armed rock climbers.

You will just need to try a lot of jackets on.

 

[EricG]

Im primarily buy Patagonia & TNF.. I'm about the same height and have square shoulders. I find that sleeve length and body length varies SO much within product lines. Earlier this year I tried on a Patagonia Snow Shot, Powder Bowl, Pow Slayer & Untracked shells. The only one that had reasonable length arms was the Untracked jacket. The others were all 2-3" too long in the sleeves and I hate bunched up fabric around my wrists. I like a longer shell body though.

@Analisa might be on to something with recommending alpine style shells since they need to work with a harness.

I really want to try an Arcteryx shell this year since everyone raves about it, but the models I could find locally were too long or too snug across my butt.

Keep trying on shells, eventually you will find one that fits right. It just may take 15-20 different models to find the right one.

 

[kimmyt]

My 'petite' husband (5'6", stocky build but not overweight) wear Marmot and TNF jackets fairly well without worrying too much about length. He is in a medium, smalls are too slim around the waist for him.

 

[Noodler]

I'll second the OR recommendation, I've had good luck getting stuff from them that fits (I'm 5' 7").

 

[garylk]

I share the OP's pain: 5'7 185 Lbs 44 chest - seems like the last few years everything I try on is up in my armpits or if not it's too long.

Walked into Patagonia a couple of weeks ago to see what was on sale and walked out with the Calcite shell. It wasn't on sale but at $250 wasn't stupidly expensive, it fit like it was made for me, and my 20+ year old shell (also a Patagonia, but I've long forgotten the model name) has been on life support for more than a few years (sun bleached shoulders, several patches, and taped seams re-glued with tent cement).

On the same shopping trip I also happened to find an Obermeyer parka in another store that fit well, but fluorescent green just isn't my color.

 

[neonorchid]

5'6.5" 140 lbs, my latest shell an Arc'teryx Sidewinder has a short torso length.
Fwiw, I like my clothing comfortable and the size Medium works well with plenty of room to fit the Arc'teryx Cerium SV under as a midlayer for zub zero East Coast days. I could fit a Small only my chin wouldn't be so happy all zipped up with the storm hood over the helmet, plus I get armpit wedgies with bulkier mid-layers like the Creium SV.

(wearing a lightweight down mid-layer and smartwool baselayer over a patagonia capilene 1 jersey under it in the pix)

 

[neonorchid]

Also, if you're ok with insulated, the Arc'teryx Macai jacket has a short torso length.

 

[firebanex]

I like the levitating snowboarder in the background.

 

[Noodler]

I'll second the OR recommendation, I've had good luck getting stuff from them that fits (I'm 5' 7").

Since this thread has revived... I just went through trying to find a new jacket and tried tons of stuff at the stores in the Denver metro and the mountains. I've found that some Descente models have shorter lengths.

 

[drewski]

the jacket in my picture is short as you can see.It is a Cloudveil which is out of business I think but try Stio they have a Cloudveil connection