Stone Glacier M5/Jacket Recommendations

[kane.naruishi]

I’ve been looking at and saving up for the Stone Glacier M5 jacket after seeing it on the spiritus systems cold weather layering video as a good rain/wind layer. Its stats look great and I haven’t seen anything bad about it, but I wanted to see if any of you guys have good/bad experience with it or alternative recommendations before I pull the trigger on such a big gear purchase.

Also if anybody has experience with the m5 pants or has recommendations for similar water proof/breathable rain pants please chime in!

Thanks for the advice, it’s much appreciated!

 

[MThoundhunter]

I like the m7 jacket, it's my go to outer layer. If your looking for something waterproof in cold weather I'd get the m7 over the m5.

 

[kane.naruishi]

I like the m7 jacket, it's my go to outer layer. If your looking for something waterproof in cold weather I'd get the m7 over the m5.

I live in far Northern California, so lots of rain, but not a lot of very cold temperatures unless I’m going into the mountains. I was thinking about getting the m5 as a general purpose rain/wind layer with the option to add on more insulation when I move into more extreme cold temperatures.

I was looking at the m7 for an insulation overlayer to toss over the m5 or similar jacket

 

[cuerro viejo]

I like the m7 jacket, it's my go to outer layer. If your looking for something waterproof in cold weather I'd get the m7 over the m5.

It’s a warm jacket for sure, it’s warmer then most soft shell since it waterproof

 

[jd1006]

M5 pants have been solid. I have the old version, no pockets - which can be annoying. But, they are lightweight, have a great waste adjustment and high quality zipper/materials. The other pair of pants I really like, not made anymore, are the Sitka Coldfront pants. Fleecebacked goretex, similar to the M7, but have suspenders.

I don’t have the M5 jacket. Honestly, I have looked at a number of lightweight rain jackets, still haven’t found the right one. I actually tend to prefer windstopper for most light rain applications and would want something heavier duty of a heavy rain forecast. I’m currently moving between a Filson Reliance jacket, made of polartec neoshell (heavier duty) and a sitka mountain evo (partial windstopper). I have a jet stream LT jacket ordered—that’s all windstopper.

People speak highly of the Sitka Dew Point set. I don’t have experience with it.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Horrible experience with initial release of M5 set. Leaked badly through the membrane and wets out almost immediately. An M7 version would certainly get heavy and retain moisture in truly wet environments.
Kuiu Chugach TR has been much better than both M5 and Dewpoint series.

 

[kane.naruishi]

M5 pants have been solid. I have the old version, no pockets - which can be annoying. But, they are lightweight, have a great waste adjustment and high quality zipper/materials. The other pair of pants I really like, not made anymore, are the Sitka Coldfront pants. Fleecebacked goretex, similar to the M7, but have suspenders.

I don’t have the M5 jacket. Honestly, I have looked at a number of lightweight rain jackets, still haven’t found the right one. I actually tend to prefer windstopper for most light rain applications and would want something heavier duty of a heavy rain forecast. I’m currently moving between a Filson Reliance jacket, made of polartec neoshell (heavier duty) and a sitka mountain evo (partial windstopper). I have a jet stream LT jacket ordered—that’s all windstopper.

People speak highly of the Sitka Dew Point set. I don’t have experience with it.

That’s really helpful, have you ever had problems with the m5 pants wetting through?

I’ll definitely look into the dew points

 

[kane.naruishi]

Horrible experience with initial release of M5 set. Leaked badly through the membrane and wets out almost immediately. An M7 version would certainly get heavy and retain moisture in truly wet environments.
Kuiu Chugach TR has been much better than both M5 and Dewpoint series.

That’s really good to know, I’ve never heard of the m5s having a problem with wetting through. I’ll look into the chugach series for sure.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

That’s really good to know, I’ve never heard of the m5s having a problem with wetting through. I’ll look into the chugach series for sure.

Could have been a faulty batch of membrane used, but it was bad enough of an experience to put me off it. The wetting out I’m referring to is just the outer face fabric not having a great DWR and of a material that has a soft hand to it, that doesn’t bead well.

 

[K_pem]

I have had zero problems with my M5 here busting the N Idaho brush, been through plenty of soaking wet days in them as well. They seem to breath pretty well and I've not had any issues with wetting out. If I was buying new rain gear today I would look at the Sitka Dewpoint, Chugach TR and maybe the Canis (not in any particular order) but would still definitely consider the M5 as comparison.

Owned the M7 at one point also and was NOT a fan.

 

[aaronoto]

I’ve owned an M5 set for a while now and hunt in the rainy PNW. The M5 DWR coating has a bit of reputation for wearing out/off pretty quick, and my set was no different. The pants are amazing, no complaints there. The jacket has been great, but I do get moisture in my shoulder areas (underneath pack straps) which I believe to be from sweat versus it actually leaking. I run pretty hot when I’m hiking, and absolutely hate hiking in rain gear because of that.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I think the M5 pants are too trim. Not enough stretch. To me they fit like exact same profile as their heavier DH pants, with less stretch, so layering over caused a lot of resistance and binding where the knees and quads are. Unusable for me - would each chugach TR, those are a nice set.

 

[K_pem]

I think the M5 pants are too trim. Not enough stretch. To me they fit like exact same profile as their heavier DH pants, with less stretch, so layering over caused a lot of resistance and binding where the knees and quads are. Unusable for me - would each chugach TR, those are a nice set.

I would agree the M5 pants fit rather tight, if I did it again I’d probably consider going up to a L.