Columbia Luxey Bliss Mid-Length Down Jacket - Women's - 2009 BCS

Personally, I'm not that big on hoods. I suspect I am not alone, considering how many manufacturers utilize removable hoods. Sometimes hoods just look ridiculous or won't cinch enough to fit/insulate properly. I dislike that wearing a hood prevents me from hearing anything around me, other than the sound of my own circulation. The fact that this jacket does not have a hood is therefore a plus for me. I much prefer to wear a knit hat (ie. toque/fashion statement for us Canadians) when necessary.

I was looking for a long, insulated jacket that was suitable for daily walks with my dog in cold, windy winter weather. To some, the high standup collar of this jacket is ridiculous, but for this particular application, it is IDEAL! Both high collars stop the wind and protect my face, and I find myself warm and toasty - but not too toasty - even in -20 Celsius (-4 F) weather.

The two exterior pockets are fleece-lined and situated nicely, but keep in mind there are no interior pockets.

To date, I have received numerous compliments about the fit of this light-weight coat, which falls just above the knee and does not look as bulky as other similar coats.

As klu3371767 points out, the zipper is not full-length so this coat is no problem to wear in the car, and the snaps are easy to use, even with gloves on.

Overall, this is a great buy - just be sure to read the details so you're not disappointed about the lack of interior pockets or a hood.

This jacket is really warm and has a lot of good features -- pockets are fleece-lined and it's very nice fitting. I'm 5'6" and 130lbs and the small fit me perfectly. It does NOT have a hood though -- it's got a high collar, which looks a little weird, unless you're into bold fashion choices. I ended up sending it back because I really wanted a hood and only having 2 pockets wasn't enough for all my stuff. If you only need 2 pockets and don't mind not having a hood, this jacket is a great buy. It hits a little past mid-thigh on me.

I've been searching for a jacket that's both warm and stylish for my upcoming European travels and this fits the bill. Love the snap-down sleeves, sice I have long arms. Another great feature is that while the coat snaps all the way down, the zipper underneath doesn't (it stops below the waist), which I think is really convenient. Doesn't bunch up when you're driving, and you won't spend time hunched over trying to yank a stuck zipper up above your knees. It's also SUPER lightweight. I'm usually a size 6, and the small fit me perfectly.