CW-X Element X Jacket - Women's - 2007 BCS

I'm giving this three stars only because of the way the jacket fits (or doesn't!) around the hips! This jacket fit everywhere else, except my hips. Now, I'm not a "little" girl, but the Large I ordered should have fit me just fine. I'm sorely disappointed because I loved everything else about this jacket. So order it if you have narrow hips for your size or order a size up and hope it fits! Bummer. Sending it back.

Full price, I'd go for something a bit more technical from a mountaineering brand. The key word here is "water-resistant." Don't think this jacket is going to last more than 10 minutes in heavy rain. I have both the vest and the jacket and so far I've reached for the vest more often because it's more flexible in a variety of conditions. I mostly use mine as a warm up on race day because it's quick on and off, is light and small in my bag and matches beautifully with the pants. I will probably be using this jacket more for running as the winter sets in. So far I haven't really needed it.

A note on the fit. I got a medium, but it's a tad tight across the hips. This is a really common problem with jackets of this type and in fact almost all backpacking brand jackets of this style have the same issue for me. I just have wider hips. I'm so used to this I typically order a large, just to get past that. Since this is a boxy cut, I got away with a medium.

Like all CW-x products this is well-made and well thought out details for a runner. I love that the pockets zip shut so you can store a supply of energy gels or whatever. I like the "visibility" points that are subtle, but effective. I like the ventilation, which is probably 90% of the game when running in wet weather.

I bought this jacket on sale and am very pleased overall. The jacket is extremely lightweight. There are mesh panels from under the arm all the way to the hem. This makes the jacket highly breathable, but compromises it's waterproof capability. If you are running in light rain, or if you don't expect to stay dry in a downpour, you'll be happy.

The pictures confused me because the top part of the zipper area is black and the rest is blue. I worried that it might be a 1/4 zip, which I did not want. But it is indeed a full zip.

The jacket is cut very straight. I would have prefered a closer fit in the waist and a bit more room in the hips (where they have provided an elastic cord to make it even tighter -- I can't imagine who would want it tighter there??). There are pockets inside and out to carry whatever you might need.

All in all, this is a very striking jacket, lightweight and great for runniing in a light rain.

I bought this jacket on sale and am very pleased overall. The jacket is extremely lightweight. There are mesh panels from under the arm all the way to the hem. This makes the jacket highly breathable, but compromises it's waterproof capability. If you are running in light rain, or if you don't expect to stay dry in a downpour, you'll be happy.

The pictures confused me because the top part of the zipper area is black and the rest is blue. I worried that it might be a 1/4 zip, which I did not want. But it is indeed a full zip.

The jacket is cut very straight. I would have prefered a closer fit in the waist and a bit more room in the hips (where they have provided an elastic cord to make it even tighter -- I can't imagine who would want it tighter there??). There are pockets inside and out to carry whatever you might need.

All in all, is is a very striking jacket, lightweight and great for runniing in a light rain.