tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post1146617632625340545..comments2024-03-16T10:11:19.302-07:00Comments on Cold Thistle: Westcomb Shift LT in NeoshellDanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-34969158501360608402014-05-17T12:32:34.824-07:002014-05-17T12:32:34.824-07:00Current mast head photo is me in the Westcomb Shif...Current mast head photo is me in the Westcomb Shift coming out of the Vignette hut @ snunrise. No helmet. But the SHift's version is a generious hood. Good enough for my Camp or Petzl helmet but little to spare. Arcteryx is a lot bigger per size. But then I can use the Westcomb without a helmet and still be pleased. Not so much on the Arcteryx althought it is a better climbing helmet hood. I have a 7 1/2 head..XL or 62cm head. Barely goes in a Petzl Meteor.<br /><br />I have a new tech shell review coming up. Westcomb, Arcteryx, Helly Hanson, Haglofs, Patagonia, Mtn Equipment, Ice Peak, Dynafit, Peak Performance and maye be a few others I'll have to check what is actually here. Some fun and very cool stuff we don't generally see here in the US. Easy to access it all in Europe though.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-38323162747068590492014-05-17T10:10:27.410-07:002014-05-17T10:10:27.410-07:00What's the hood like on the Westcomb jacket? I...What's the hood like on the Westcomb jacket? Is it comparable to Arcteryx excellent hoods - e.g. is it really big and can accomodate a big head with a helmet?<br /><br />regards<br />retoRetonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-92095311460215099072014-05-15T21:55:59.237-07:002014-05-15T21:55:59.237-07:00Ah Switzerland. Beautify country. Bruno's tu...Ah Switzerland. Beautify country. Bruno's turf as well. Thought more of your country prior to ordering some pants that cost more in import duties/taxes than the pant did, just to get them into France. Which if course was never mentioned in the transaction. Not sure if it was France that screwed me or Switzerland. But since I paid in Switzerland and they shipped the pant figured I'd blame that financial fiasco on them :)Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-66171519649466334852014-05-15T21:29:00.518-07:002014-05-15T21:29:00.518-07:00Dane,
I do live in Switzerland and have to order ...Dane,<br /><br />I do live in Switzerland and have to order some gear in the US as you simply won't get them here (or for prices you're not willing to pay). Even if there is a return policy, shipping and taxes are kind of limiting this option.<br />At least for me... my normal approach is then to sell the gear which doesn't fit on eBay and such.<br /><br />regards<br />retoRetonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-56613010531782124752014-05-15T18:44:04.810-07:002014-05-15T18:44:04.810-07:00I think the comparison I linked in this article be...I think the comparison I linked in this article between The Alpha SL and Shift I wrote earlier is most telling. GTX is more wind proof IMO...and the Neoshell more breathable. Both are very good. And I am cutting soem fine frog hair here calling it that way. My preference is more breathable to stay dry when you are working hard. But I have and use both. <br /><br />Fit? With all the reviews available on line and the easy return policies at least here in the US, I can't understand why anyone would own a jacket that doesn't work/fit. What is up with that? Can you tell me why? Bruno? I have returned a lot of gear..Patagonia comes to mind before I either got skinnier or they changed their patterns. But they aren't the only ones. Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-23440435893968795972014-05-15T11:52:43.922-07:002014-05-15T11:52:43.922-07:00Dane, nice write up... Could you compare breathabi...Dane, nice write up... Could you compare breathability of the Neoshell to the newer GoreTex Pro? Some claim the GTC is as least as good... others swear Neoshell is much more breathable. Is it just a matter of personal taste?<br /><br />I can also strengthen Bruno's story. I got myself a nice jacket by Montane. Unfortunately the hood is next to not usable. Without a helmet not comftable, with a helmet impossible. This jacket simply doesn't work, which is sad.<br /><br />regards<br />retoRetonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-11002821397509755262014-05-15T10:30:12.069-07:002014-05-15T10:30:12.069-07:00Bruno, the tall skinny guys generally can do well...Bruno, the tall skinny guys generally can do well with Arcteyx or better yet RAB or MTN Equipment.<br /><br />Tall and skinny? Never really been my problem :)<br /><br />BTW after getting to play with one for a short while in Courmayeur, I am now waitng on delivery of a Bhend :-) Hopeing to see it the middle of next week.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-83052751876711877382014-05-14T21:41:18.289-07:002014-05-14T21:41:18.289-07:00Hi Dane. Yes, true. I'm a a big Goldilocks a...Hi Dane. Yes, true. I'm a a big Goldilocks about jackets. Didn't want to be grouchy--just frustrated by continual efforts to find clothing that fits. I never knew I had such a strange body before I started climbing. 6'4'' 195 lbs...but a long torso and long arms and apparently a long neck/head? Yes, as people say, I must have big head....something that has been bugging me lately is hoods. I sometimes flip a hood up as I climb, but it does not really work. I look at so many pictures of others climbing, and the hoods are stretched all over the helmets, pulling them back, pressing them down. For me, it's hard to even look up, which is sort of necessary when climbing, if I'm wearing a hood. To say nothing of all the various cords, adjusters, zippers....How about a nice simple hood like the Atom LT with (a little) elastic around the front and big enough to actually go over a big head (like mine) and a helmet? Sure, your head would swim in it with no helmet, but it's for climbing....my conclusion, one that I have reached before is, I need to learn how to sew :)Bruno Schullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17545888600815223472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-91213506745753091652014-05-14T09:30:19.369-07:002014-05-14T09:30:19.369-07:00Nice Bruno. Goldilocks' thought the same. &q...Nice Bruno. Goldilocks' thought the same. "This one is too hard, this one too soft and this on just right."<br /><br />Fit is the ultimate test originally. before you get out the door. But you have to try them on. Everyone is different. What is perfect on me may not fit you at all. No surprise. I can be a different size depending on my weight and how good of shape I am in. Westcomb Shift has a little stretch in the Neoshell. Perfect fit for me in a large. One of the reasons I use it so much. Arctery Alpha FL in a large is too small. The XL has really long arms and hem with a harness catcher built in. Really a little big on me but the Large as I said is just too tight/small. The GTX Dynafit jacket I have is some where inbetween the Westcomb Large and the Arcteryx XL and is perfect as a foul weather jacket. It is labeled a XXL. Go figure.<br /><br />Patagonia? I can wear a tight Large or swim in a XL Knifeblade. Point it there are lots of options. I don't think anyone is intentionally making expensive technical clothing for baby boomers and the resulting body that goes with a full time job, famiy responsibilities and little activity. <br /><br />I'm 6'1" and 200# right now. My helmets (ski and climbing) fit with ease on all these. Body and sleeve length the same..great fit.<br />They all fit better at 190#.<br /><br />As always, what works for me may not work for you. I can only relate my own experience. That includes the sizing and fit. From the 3 Westcomb shells I have owned I know there larges fit me well. There XL is now too big on me. Their pattern happens to fit me the best of what I have tried.<br /><br />Nice for me because they also offer jackets in Neoshell, GTX and Event fabrics. Makes the comparisons easier to do.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-20486975560645794822014-05-13T23:33:31.328-07:002014-05-13T23:33:31.328-07:00I'm going to be the naysayer here, and comment...I'm going to be the naysayer here, and comment that, until the companies start to make real climbing jackets, that are long enough at the hip, have long enough sleeves, and hoods that actually fit comfortably over helmets, I don't really care what they are made off--a wool or waxed cotton jacket that fits well would be better than the best Neoshell with a bad fit. My 2 cents. Bruno Schullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17545888600815223472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-23320042289075012142014-05-13T15:19:35.422-07:002014-05-13T15:19:35.422-07:00Thanks for the writeup! Neoshell is definitely tak...Thanks for the writeup! Neoshell is definitely taking over. I got my first neoshell piece for commuting here in Seattle, totally love it, and will eventually be replacing all my gtx with neoshell.Christian Strachanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13148109370624789142noreply@blogger.com