Hi all,
I am planning my first trip to the BWCA and I would like some opinions on a jacket. I am going at the end of September and want something that will keep me warm and is not too big. Windproof and waterproof are a plus.

I was thinking of getting the North Face Apex Bionic jacket. I think it will do well against the wind and keep me warm, but since it is not a complete "waterproof" jacket I am looking for opinions.

What are your thoughts? Would this be the only jacket I need up there? Is there a better choice?

Thanks

good raingear and layers are a better option than a single jacket.

yes, its all about layers in the BWCAW. On our last trip I had one day I was wearing everything I brought to keep warm and another day it was actually hot out. So you take a light polartec kind jacket; you take a decent wool sweater, and a good full-size goretex jacket with a hood.

Also, I ALWAYS take a base layer of polypro 'cause its good in hot or cold. I once got a bad sunburn and the polypro saved my skin as it was comfortable to wear on a warmer day.


hummm?

You will always need to bring raingear, so I use that as a windbreaker as well and then if it is early in the season or late, I will bring a thick fleece jacket to layer underneath the raingear. The fleece is not wind resistant. so I add the raingear when really chilly.

Kanoes is right. the key is to bring layers. that way you can always take off a layer if too warm or add a layer if too cold. If you get a rain jacket that has insulation built in, you will be too warm in the summer during storms.

Yup! a warm jacket + rain gear.

Thanks for the info. Rain gear and layers it is.

Good call mnwild. I once took my Cabelas Goretex/Thinsulate parka on an early Spring trip. Got really hot paddling in the rain at 55 - 60 degrees.

quote kanoes: "good raingear and layers are a better option than a single jacket."

I'll second that: a must in my opinion.

For the end of September, I would skip the Apex (I have one) and go with a synthetic packable jacket like a TNF Red Point or any of the Summit series synthetic packables. With a light fleece under these and a breathable rain jacket over top, you have a modular system to get you from sun up to sun down.


Just my thoughts on this.

I agree with all - good layers and a rain jacket beat a heavy jacket !

End of Sept, here's what I would bring. The forecast would determine which down jacket I bring.

Down is great, it packs down small, is the warmest ounce per ounce, and is wind proof as well. I pretty much take two of these three jackets on any trip I go on anywhere I go.

One thing to remember about down, keep it away from any embers that become airborne from the fire.

Gbusk

Zeus Ventura Parka Mont Bell

Layers, layers, layers

I prefer synthetics with maybe some wool thrown in somewhere; less bulky for me.

I would say buy the best rain suit/rain jacket (top layer) you can afford. I have a Cabelas rain set and I wear the jacket all the time. Very comfortable, breaths, attached hood, and camoflaged!

Thanks for all the input. I picked up the Marmont PreClip (http://www.rei.com/product/718330) yesterday. Now to just find some good shirts for under it. You don't want to wear any cotton right since it absorbs water, right? Any suggestions on good base and mid layers?

I like flannel and wool but hard to find in XXXL sizes.

I love cotton but don't wear when really playing outside. Flannel is also wonderful and never leaves my back when cool and I am around my house or light in the woods work.

Go to any sporting good store and start looking around. I just found a short sleeved and a long sleeved syntheic shirts in the sports department. They are suppose to be odor resistant also!!

Regardless of the time of year, I always have my ArcTeryx fleece. May and Oct always find my trusty ol' wool sweater in the bag, too.

For a base in cold conditions, I prefer a medium to heavy long sleeve cotton pullover. No problems with moisture. If it gets warm and sunny, I'll peel down to the base shirt, and with my arms covered no problems with sunburn or bugs.

Isn't flannel made of 100% cotton?

quote mnwild37: "Thanks for all the input. I picked up the Marmont PreClip (http://www.rei.com/product/718330) yesterday. Now to just find some good shirts for under it. You don't want to wear any cotton right since it absorbs water, right? Any suggestions on good base and mid layers?"

The Precip will serve you well.They are a proven garment. Now to layer up underneath. This is what I use. I suggest something like it....light... warm...synthetic....good for layering.

TNF Redpoint