Waterproof Jacket suggestions for Alaska cruise

[becca1976]

Hey former Alaska Cruisers

I'm headed to Alaska on DCL this Sept. and need a waterproof coat. I live in Africa as a missionary, so a good jacket isn't something I own. Any brand/type suggestions? TIA!

 

[Tenkawa]

I live in Vancouver, BC, which has a somewhat similar weather pattern to Alaska. Coming from Africa, I expect you will find it much colder than I would, however the recommendation is layers.

The PNW (Pacific NorthWest) unofficial uniform is the way to do it.

Layer 1: hoodie sweatshirt, light to medium weight. Great for keeping the chill off, especially in the damp mornings.
Layer 2: middle weight fleece vest. This is your main warmth layer, keeping your core warmer, but not adding too much bulk, and can easily be removed and shoved in a pack as the day warms up.
Layer 3: Waterproof shell jacket. This is what keeps you dry, make sure it has a hood unless you plan on carrying an umbrella all the time too. I personally use a Columbia shell (http://www.columbia.com/Men's-EvaPOURation™-Jacket/RM2023,default,pd.html) like that. very light, easily vented, easily packed away when it stops raining.

Those three layers will keep you warm and dry in this climate. You will find yourself adding and removing layers throughout the day, as it often can change several times with very little warning.

 

[Stinkerbe11]

I love my Marmot Rincon. It's truly waterproof and actually flattering (not boxy) and adjustable. I got it for Alaska, but love it so much that I wear it all the time! If you search around you can find it on sale; I got mine at REI for 99.00.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I live in Vancouver, BC, which has a somewhat similar weather pattern to Alaska. Coming from Africa, I expect you will find it much colder than I would, however the recommendation is layers.

The PNW (Pacific NorthWest) unofficial uniform is the way to do it.

Layer 1: hoodie sweatshirt, light to medium weight. Great for keeping the chill off, especially in the damp mornings.
Layer 2: middle weight fleece vest. This is your main warmth layer, keeping your core warmer, but not adding too much bulk, and can easily be removed and shoved in a pack as the day warms up.
Layer 3: Waterproof shell jacket. This is what keeps you dry, make sure it has a hood unless you plan on carrying an umbrella all the time too. I personally use a Columbia shell (http://www.columbia.com/Men's-EvaPOURation™-Jacket/RM2023,default,pd.html) like that. very light, easily vented, easily packed away when it stops raining.

Those three layers will keep you warm and dry in this climate. You will find yourself adding and removing layers throughout the day, as it often can change several times with very little warning.

I found the above to be true 100%. My outer jacket was a non-lined, water resistant Columbia jacket. I had a lightweight LL Bean vest and an LL Bean fleece lined hoodie (great for pulling up around the neck to keep the wind off.

 

[llqool]

I used a North Face triclimate jacket on our Alaska cruise (bought on clearance at Sports Authority for $99). It has a waterproof outer jacket and a fleece that zips into it. So I could wear it three different ways.

 

[NCConch]

For purely waterproof, I bought a DCL jacket in one of the gift shops for $50.

 

[becca1976]

Thank you all for the great ideas! Heading to ebay

 

[Capt_BJ]

layers as mentioned are the key

what you want is a waterproof shell and a liner .... altho if you HAVE a liner (aka a hooded sweatshirt) you can get away with a rain shell (do you have decent rain jacket?)

I 'experienced' Alaska for two years (and I'm talking the Aleutians here ... not Anchorage) with a hoodie and a Columbia rain shell . . .

You can copy the GOOD STUFF for a fraction of the price ..... and btw, SEPT in the inland passage (that's where DCL stays .... they don't go out to REAL Alaskan water) is not that cold IMO .... but since you R from Africa . . .

 

[Tenkawa]

layers as mentioned are the key

what you want is a waterproof shell and a liner .... altho if you HAVE a liner (aka a hooded sweatshirt) you can get away with a rain shell (do you have decent rain jacket?)

I 'experienced' Alaska for two years (and I'm talking the Aleutians here ... not Anchorage) with a hoodie and a Columbia rain shell . . .

You can copy the GOOD STUFF for a fraction of the price ..... and btw, SEPT in the inland passage (that's where DCL stays .... they don't go out to REAL Alaskan water) is not that cold IMO .... but since you R from Africa . . .

Note that should be waterproof shell and a REMOVABLE liner if you are going with the all in one trick.

Personally I prefer making the layers myself as I find my arms get too hot before my body does

 

[Capt_BJ]

Note that should be waterproof shell and a REMOVABLE liner if you are going with the all in one trick.

sorry, I thought that was understood ... a warm layer and a waterproof topper

and BTW if you are going to buy a topper ... and want to do it ONCE .... go GORTEX

Yes, it does cost more but you will NEVER need to replace it unless you burn it.

 

[Capt_BJ]

Note that should be waterproof shell and a REMOVABLE liner if you are going with the all in one trick.

Personally I prefer making the layers myself as I find my arms get too hot before my body does

OH I see the ****oo, I don't suggest the liner ever being attached!!!! imo REMOVABLE implied .. . or maybe we BOTH are suggesting building layers on our own . . .

 

[Capt_BJ]

b o o b o o was blanked?

W O W

oh I see ... the computer saw B O O B

silly computer

 

[midwestpat]

As others have said - layers!

I have North Face fleece jacket, and a North Face water resistant layer. Both are hooded. I am taking both short and long-sleeved shirts and one hoodie, because the temperature and the way you will want to dress will vary greatly from the coldest (likely Tracy Arm day) to the warmest (an in port day where you are walking around a city).

 

[TheChanClan]

The PNW (Pacific NorthWest) unofficial uniform is the way to do it.

Layer 1: hoodie sweatshirt, light to medium weight. Great for keeping the chill off, especially in the damp mornings.
Layer 2: middle weight fleece vest. This is your main warmth layer, keeping your core warmer, but not adding too much bulk, and can easily be removed and shoved in a pack as the day warms up.
Layer 3: Waterproof shell jacket. This is what keeps you dry, make sure it has a hood unless you plan on carrying an umbrella all the time too....

This sounds like great advice! Thank you!

 

[EeyoreIsMyName]

Hey former Alaska Cruisers

I'm headed to Alaska on DCL this Sept. and need a waterproof coat. I live in Africa as a missionary, so a good jacket isn't something I own. Any brand/type suggestions? TIA!

Iwore my Columbia jacket. I layered for Tracy Arm in 2011 because it was very cold that day. My Columbia jacket was great for both cold and rain. It has a fleece jacket that zips in and out to use when it is cold. The outer shell is nice for rainy days.

Here are my trip reports, if you are interested:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3150787

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I wore a Columbia Arcadia II jacket over a Columbia fleece. It kept me both warm and dry. The only day we had rain on the cruise was in Juneau and I didn't get wet at all.