Reader Asks About Best All-Round Shell

Sun., Jan. 12, 1997

Q. I just want you to assist me in answering an unanswerable question. I am shopping for one shell (that’s all the money I can bleed out), that I can use for almost all my needs.

I primarily need the jacket for basic mountaineering like Mt. Rainier or the like. But, of course, I will use it for everything from backpacking to snowboarding. I have looked at Lowe’s Alpine Flash ($299), Patagonia’s Triolet ($335), and some Mountain Hardwear shells. What do you suggest?

Scott Hansen

00093282@bigred.unl.edu

Gear Guy: Ah, the great Unanswerable: What is the perfect parka? The supreme shell? The jack-of-all-trades jacket? The point to this annoying alliteration? What, indeed?

You’re on the right track, Scott - especially with the Triolet ($325). Patagonia pieces are almost invariably well-designed and flexible. Moreover, I’d be partial to the Triolet because it has three-ply construction, which means there is no mesh lining to snag or bind. That’s the one strike against the Alpine Flash, which I’ve been using this fall and think is an otherwise superb piece. One other suggestion: Mountain Hardwear’s Stratus, a three-ply Gore-Tex shell. It is, alas, a tad pricey at $370, but it’s an excellent all-around jacket with expedition-parka features and around-town looks.

And if you can find one, Mont-Bell’s Tempest (about $250) is another fine jacket and an excellent buy. But it may be hard to locate because Mont-Bell is having financial problems and may soon be out of business.

So, all things considered - price, performance, and looks - the Triolet is probably your best bet.

Q. What gives? I wrote you about 2-1/2 months ago and still no response! I want to know about the Marmot “Nutshell” tent. How does it rank among its peers? Is it a quality tent? I’ve camped in Sierra Designs for about four years, and they’re just okay. Any recommendations for a good 2- to3-person tent?

Amy Finlayson

amy.finlayson@akahn.com

Gear Guy: Chill, Amy! The Gear Guy and Santa Claus have much in common. We’re both deluged with requests for information on toys - outdoor and otherwise. Unlike the red-shirted Santa Guy, I can’t get to everything.

So, to shut you up (just kidding … I think), here’s your answer: The Marmot Nutshell ($290) is a top-quality tent, one that I wouldn’t hesitate to use in all but winter camping or severe mountaineering. I especially like Marmot’s pole configuration, which creates a very strong tent with no more weight than most other three-season, two-person setups. And the materials and construction are up to Marmot’s usual high standards.

Having said all that, Sierra Design’s Meteor Light CD ($265) is only four ounces heavier, but is larger and taller for more comfort in most camping conditions. I’ve said before that the Meteor Light is as good as any three-season tent on the market. Best of all, it’s $25 less than the Nutshell. Then there is the Sierra Designs Comet, which for $350 gives you three-person capacity in a three-season tent. Same for the Walrus Two-Star, which starting in the spring will be available with a hoop-supported vestibule. The Two-Star is a little fussier to set up than the SD or Marmot tents, but a tremendous buy at $250.

MEMO: Send your questions directly to Interactive Gear Guy Douglas Gantenbein by e-mail at gearguy@starwave.com or check out his twice-weekly column on Outside Online, http://outside.starwave.com/

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN, QUESTION & ANSWER - Gear Guy

Send your questions directly to Interactive Gear Guy Douglas Gantenbein by e-mail at gearguy@starwave.com or check out his twice-weekly column on Outside Online, http://outside.starwave.com/

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN, QUESTION & ANSWER - Gear Guy

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