I need a top-of-the-line winter coat. Help me decide.

I've gone through the harsh harsh winter this year at college with a three-year-old Columbia Bugaboo winter coat. That might have been okay for going from the parking lot to the building during high school, but now I need something with real protection from the elements. I'm looking for Gore-Tex (or some other waterproof) lining, full zip-out ability, and an all around great coat. Now seems like a good time to buy, since lots of them are on sale.

I've narrowed it down to the following:

• Columbia Fire Ridge Parka
• The North Face Mountain Light Parka
• The North Face Talkeetna Acclimate Parka
• Marmot Mystic Jacket

I want a jacket that performs in the worst (-2F morning lows when I have to walk 20-25 min to class) but also looks cool and has lots of pockets and neat features. I'm not really leaning toward any one coat now; I'm extremely open to suggestions. I've heard from a lot of my friends that The North Face stuff is first-rate and that it works well in the dead of winter. What do y'all think? Vote in the poll at the top, and give me your reasons down below. Thanks.

 

[DeafeningSilence]

The Columbia jacket looks a lot like mine, which I bought last winter. I'm very happy with it.

Also, I think Columbia stuff is a much better value than North Face.

 

[melly]

I agree, Columbia rawks. I bought a boarding jacket a few months ago and I <3 it.

 

[mpitts]

Columbia all the way.

 

[duke]

Keep in mind that the mountain light and the mystic are shells and will not keep you warm by themselves. They will keep both wind and rain out. I rarely wear my shell ever since I got a down jacket.

 

[GasX]

Do yourself a favor and check out Helly Hanson

 

[Atlantean]

Get Columbia Titanium... not sure if they still brand them that way, but the ones that say titanium on them are their best top of the line winter jackets. It is also called omni-tech I think here is a pic of a good columbia jacket. Oh and Helly Hansen makes really good jackets as well.

EDIT: I have a Columbia Titanium jacket that is 5 years old, and it is still great, no leaking or anything still 100% waterproof, and it is backed by a lifetime guarantee. This jacket has been snowboarding and skiing more times than I can count, and no matter what the temperature it has always kept me nice and roasty toasty warm (I usually wear a t-shirt under the jacket when the fleece is in, though some days a sweatshirt is needed (-20 Celsius)).

 

[fonzinator]

Dude, I used to sell jackets back in the day. Without a doubt, the best jacket you have listed is the Mountain Light. It's more expensive but the GoreTex XCR will blow all the other jackets you have listed away. However, if you are going to drop $375 on a jacket, let me suggest a few things...

1) Don't buy this year's model. You will save yourself tons by going to Campmor.com or finding other sites that have last year's stuff.
2) Go to a store that carries Mountain Hardwear, North Face, Marmot, and Patagonia gear. Try on various jackets in various price ranges to get the feel for what you like the best.
3) If you are going to drop some cash on this, get something good that will last you a long time.
4) I have a TNF Mountain Light that is 8 years old and still ticking. It's been absolutely everywhere with me. It performs well in serious cold weather (with layering underneath) and even in hot rainy weather it does great. You have to reapply water repellant juice every once and a while, but this is the case with any waterproof jacket.
5) GoreTex is extremely durable. You will pay for it, but it is worth it. I had a motorcycle crash while wearing my Moutain Light and slid for probably 30 feet. Only had one tiny rip on one of the sleeves. I thought about patching it, but never got around to it. I took it on some rain drenched treks in Alaska with that tear and water never got through. The hood on the Mountain Light jacket is first rate.

If I was going to spend that kind of money though, I would buy a Mountain Hardwear Mithril jacket. North Face just isn't as good as it used to be.

 

[Storm]

I second going to a store and trying on jackets. I only have experience with Marmot jackets. My dad had one of their down jackets and it was pretty warm. I dont know if they still make that model. IMHO down jackets are warmer even if they do make you look a little tubular .

 

[Corn]

Personally I love my Obermeyer Grand Teton. It's a couple years old so I doubt you could even buy it, but I would check out Obermeyer and see what they've got today. Best active winter coat I've ever purchased.