>>516383No offense, but you don't know what the fuck you need. Don't blow your load on Arc'teryx.
Yes, there is a difference between stuff like Arc'teryx/Patagonia and many other brands; however, you're entering the land of diminishing returns here. For the cost of one of their rain jackets (anywhere from $400 up to $700), you can get a rain jacket that's almost as good, in addition to rain pants, a down jacket, merino wool base layer, hiking pants, socks, and good hiking boots if you shopped wisely with other brands, and you'd probably still have money left over.
Just work on a layering system. You shouldn't be thinking in terms of "will this jacket let me survive." Your sleeping bag is what keeps you alive. Jackets mainly just keep you comfortable until you can get into your sleeping bag. Instead, you should be thinking in terms of "what is the minimum insulation I need for X temperature range at Y physical activity level."
If you don't understand what I mean, then you need to experiment next winter with various combinations of your clothing doing different activities. When I'm doing something strenuous, like snowshowing, in the winter, at temps from 20-35, I generally only need a base layer and a wind shell (I just use my rain jacket). Once I stop moving/exerting myself, I get cold, so I'll immediately put on a light down jacket. This is during the day. At night, I'll change into a dry base layer and wear my down jacket. That's all I need. Everybody is different, though, and if you think you run colder/hotter than other people, then you just need to experiment to find out what your needs are yourself.
