Marmot Meta Softshell Jacket - Men's - 2008 BCS

This jacket was a total disappointment. The styling is decent and the jacket is made of generally nice materials, but it is cut way too short. I am 6'2 180lbs and I sized up to large for length but it's still too short. On top of that, the double zippers on the side pockets are annoying and unnecessary and the opening at the bottom hem is way to big and looks ridiculous when I cinch it with the flimsy drawcords (located inconveniently inside the front pockets). You can find a better softshell at the same price, I promise. There's a reason marmot makes this jacket exclusively for backcountry.com. No-one else wants it.

The earlier reviews are spot on. Cut is very short, and very wide at the waist and stomach area. Pit zips are in a strange place as well but that is minor. Overall fits kinda like a sweatshirt.

On the plus the fabric is really really nice and the inside is plus and cozy. Bottom line, if you are short and wider, it may be good piece.

Id skip it if your lanky.

This jacket is not one of the signature marmot pieces. It must have been made in limited quantities for BC. The pit zips are about 5" and lay above the arm material. I have never run into pit zips like this before. I'll be returning it for sure. If you care to disassemble the pit zips and sew it back together it could be a nice jacket. The hood is not helmet compatible which is a let down. It has interesting front zippers (one on top and one on bottom) not sure why this is the case. It is much shorter than any other medium jacket I have purchased (6'2" and 160lbs) but a large would be way too baggy in the stomach/chest. Not a recommended jacket, check out real marmot gear like the king pin or go with arc'teryx.

Really short in the torso. I'm short and it is too short for me. Also, the collar doesn't come up very high so won't keep out wind and snow (collar stops well below chin). Overall fit is like a baggy hooded sweat shirt.

I received the jacket today and was very impressed. The twilight color is very nice, and the jacket feels lighter than most of my sweatshirts. Its super warm and comfy as well. I put it through my homemade tests, all the water beaded right off when i put it under a sink and sat infront of a fan and didnt feel a thing.

The reason is only got a 4/5 is because of the pit-zips and the length. The pit-zips do rub a little bit but even a short sleeve shirt with slightly longer sleeves will easily stop the rubbing. The length is a big short. I'm 5'9 175, and the jacket is only at my waist, higher than most of my others.

but all around, this is a great softshell and i can't wait to ski in it

This is a great jacket. It does a good job keeping the wind and the elements out. It is a good jacket to wear layers under it because of the baggier feel. It is not an athletic cut which would have been preferred. It is also cut a little short and could use another inch or two in length.

I really like it, it's very comfortable, has a light fleece interior and moves well with your body. I'm a small but the small was a little short, but not a big deal.

I don't understand the problem with the pit zips, they seem fine to me and don't bother me at all. They are relatively short (about 6 inches) but aside from that seem fine.

This would be an ultimate softshell - it looks good, fits well, and is comfortable - except for the pit zips. Unlike some other jackets that I have owned where the company put some effort into integrating the zips so that one could hardly feel them, the pit zips on the Meta are incredibly uncomfortable. I'm unfortunately returning this jacket as a result. If this jacket were made with either straight sleeves (no zips), or if the zips were incorporated better, you couldn't beat it. It's a bummer, because I really want to like it.

and I can't complain. The Windstopper fabric is excellent. I rode the Xtreme Zip Line at the Utah Olympic Park when it was 16 degrees F in full sun (zip line/lift up are in the shade) and I wore the Meta layered with a Backcountry.com brand fleece pullover (sold out) and a couple of t-shirts and even when flying down the mountain at 50mph on the zip line, this jacket kept me nice and warm. I wished I were wearing jeans of the same material. The Meta has huge front pockets, sleeves that are the perfect length, and a cozy warm fleece liner. The back is a little short, but I don't mind. Great jacket overall.