Columbia Ice Ax II Soft Shell Jacket - Men's - 2009 BCS

I'm a climber and have worn this jacket for a couple months, including a dozen outings. It's a great layer when temps are moderate (35-50°) and I'm not working very hard. As soon as I start working, even climbing a short pitch, its too much and I have to shed it. That's problematic because it is heavy and bulky, two things I loathe in my pack.

When the temps are cold, I still need my down jacket, and if it's dripping, I still need a shell. Therefore, it now stays home on most every 'active' outing. I find that it's much better for around town wear than active sports.

Just got my Ice Ax II in black. Seems to be plenty warm enough for Maryland winters. I'm 6'4" with 36" arms, and the large fit me well - except a bit tight in the shoulders. The fabric has some stretch to it - so if I wore only a light layer underneath it would have made for a trim fit. i went with the XL so i could fit a sweater underneath if needed. Arms on XL are plenty long - I'd guess someone with 37 or maybe 38" arms could wear this. Fabric seems high quality, and the waterproof zippered breast pocket seems useful. Overall, a nice fitting and good looking jacket.

I am 5'10" and athletically built (varsity HS Rowing). and I ordered a Medium in black.

Let me just say that I have worn this jacket every day since I got it just after Christmas. This is a great jacket for its value. It can handle all thee seasons in Chicago without any problems. I have run in this jacket in the rain, and snowboarded in a storm in this jacket and it has kept me nice and warm every time I wear it. Sometimes I wear a light fleece under the jacket if it's exceptionally cold, but it can get cramped with anything more than that.

This jacket is in an 'athletic' fit. Which means that it sits closer to the body and the sleeves are long enough to not pull down the arm even when my arms are outstretched above my head. I like to use the (solidly built) velcro cuffs even without gloves to keep the sleeves around my wrist, but the length of sleeves is a major plus to jackets, as I see it. It can really only fit a thin fleece or sweatshirt under it before it gets a little cramped. But as long as you are moving, you won't need anything besides a shirt under it to keep warm.

The outer material is very waterproof and water tends to bead up and roll off. It is also windproof, which is where people lose most heat, so this makes it a good combination for an everyday jacket. The inner material around the neck and in the arms is very soft and very comfortable. But the whole combination is very breathable, also.

Waterproof zippers, reflective lines, and velcro cuffs(wrists) and zip cuffs (waist) are all other small things that make this a great jacket.

BOTTOM LINE:
Great, warm windbreaker and light to moderate precipitation jacket, thats very breathable and light. I highly recommended this product.