Favorite Shell (Backpacking)

We finally have an REI in town. It opens tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

I hate you right now!

Nice REI in NM, none here. 

Oh I know and I have used the online store many times, but it's just not the same.

 I've never been in one of their stores, so I hope it lives up to expectations. We've ordered gear online with them and were really pleased with that experience. We really don't have a store that compares (at least I don't think so!) , so they should do well in this market.

Great jackets, but too rich for my blood!

I like the Marmot Minimalists and the REI Ultra Lights too.  

It was one of the places I was not supposed to go "unescorted" according to my husband.  That list included the jewelery store, the book store and the bike shop. 

Mountain Hardware makes the best I think. I have had the same jacket for 7 years and it is still water repellant while being warm.

That's a shame.  I've had a North Face Kichatna that I bought in 1997 and is still going strong.  The seam tape in the shoulders let go about 5 years ago, and I sent it back to TNF, who applied new.   Great shell. 

I know that a lot of their focus has turned to consumer-level clothing since they got "famous"   ... Since I haven't had to buy anything to replace the stuff I bought 15 years ago they might not make the same level of stuff now!

This is the reason why you havent had to get anything new. I have had a few north face items (gifts) and they are lucky to last a season with me. Not a fan at all.

^^^ THIS!!! 
I have a Mountain Hardwear Shell that I double with a Cloudveil Softshell for skiing.
Only thing is my Mountain Hardwear is Goretex, so it's a little warm for raincoat in the summer.

Try checking out sierratradiningpost.com for great deals.

Holy crap, this is exactly what I do.. I also have a cloudveil that I wear underneath my Carhartt jackets and with my Mountain Hardwear Shell.

100% awesomeness. I killed an hour and a half in there this AM before work. I was pretty disappointed with their pricing. Everything is at full retail price. I was assuming that they were a little more consumer friendly. Oh well, still a pretty cool store.

They have the best return policy in business today.  That has to pay for itself in one way shape or form.  They also pay a "fair" wage and are a pretty good company to work for, so they have to charge a bit more for their products to make the business model work.  At least that's what I can figure from it.

If you want deals, go to their garage sale.  I camp out for them the night before.  Everything is half price or less.Last time I was there I picked up some keen watershoes for $15, brand new as far as I could tell.  I try to stay away from REI because I will spend myself broke in there.

suggestions: I have a marmot precip and it's not really built for the humidity down here, but it's as good as can be expected.  Mountain Hardwear has REALLY started to grow on me.  High quality and reasonable prices.  Arc'teryx is TOP NOTCH from everything I've read but you definitely pay for it.

 Yeah, I figure after they are open a while they'll have some sale racks and discounted stuff. I was looking for a light jacket and the MH and Arc'teryx were nice. I didn't find the color I wanted so will probably wind up online anyhow. Mrsmdg bought some NG Topo maps and the purchase triggered an email with a coupon for 20$ off a 50$ purchase so that's a good start.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/mountain-hardwear-stretch-cohesion-dryq-core-jacket-waterproof-for-men~p~4485y/?filterString=mens-rain-jackets~d~389%2FMountain-Hardwear~b~13530%2F&colorFamily=01