Arc'teryx Handler Fleece Jacket - Men's - 2008 BCS

For a lightweight fleece jacket it certainly gets a lot of use throughout the year. Very trim fit- size up if you plan to layer lots. I use this on cool summer evening with a T or as an underlayer beneath a softshell when its gets more chilly (my Med hercules or Gamma MX fit overtop) . 3 easily accessible pockets and a nice finish on the fleece (corduroy look).

"Possibly the worst purchase ever made..." is a bit too strong in my opinion. I won't give it 5 stars either, but I wore it 6 days straight on Kilimanjaro and ik kept me warm when I needed to be warm (as a part of a multi-layer system off course), I could unzip when it was too warm, and could keep my liner gloves, Buff and beanie in the pockets. That's got to be worth 3 stars.

Possibly the worst purchase ever made.....paper thin, view doesn't do justice for the type of quarteroy fleece, poorly made; along with zipper quality, very short (I am 6'3"), would not recommend this "long sleeve tee-shirt" to anyone.

"Worst purchase ever made" is a ridiculous claim.

The Handler is billed as a casual jacket, and is cut as such. It's loose for Arc'teryx (esp. noticeable in the forearms; I have climbers' forearms), and semi-fitted for casual clothing. It's still got the Arc'teryx cut, such as the articulated (bent) elbows and tapered torso. The courderoy fleece material actually feels (weight, drape, skin feel) a bit like cashmere, and so it wears kind of like a cashmere cardigan, but with a zipper. Likewise, it isn't very wind-resistant.

The Handler's strength is comfort. The cut is too loose for it be a technical/layering piece. Coupled with the weight and suppleness of the thin fleece, it isn't quite sharp enough for a night-on-the-town. However, this is the first thing I will reach for if I'm going to be sitting in my office, a library, or in an airplane for several hours. I wouldn't be surprised if the Handler was something the Arc guys came up with to deal with their own unavoidable office/design studio hours.

I LOVE Arc'teryx. They have great stuff that is well worth the price. However, I should have read the product description more closely because I didn't know it was a cord fleece. My fault for not reading. It's warm though.