Marmot Torre Jacket - Men's - 2008 BCS

Just received the jacket so I can't say much about its performance, but since many inquire about the sizing I thought I would post up my observations...

I am right at 6' tall, 205 pounds (not in great shape yet, so I am a touch thick in the middle). My typical shirt size:

neck = 16.5"
arms = 34"
chest = 44"

Bought the XL and the fit is perfect.

Sleeves are long enough to work well without allowing slack, I can layer under the jacket but it is not too loose, and nothing binds movement. It is definitely more of a mountaineering/hiking shell than a ski jacket since it is fairly form fitting and clearly designed for upper body mobility.

If it performs as well as it fits (and it's Gore-Tex Pro so that means it should be fine) then this jacket is pretty close to perfect.

(...a quick apology to Shakespeare...)
Can I compare this shell to a summers day?
It is more lovely and more temperate (even in downpours)
Rough winds did shake the lesser clothed mortals (40+mph and counting)
And summers lease has all to short a date
Some times to hot the eye of heaven shines (that is what the pit zips are for)
And often is his gold complexion dimmed (that is when you pull down the adjustable brim hood)
And every fair by fair sometimes declines
By chance or natures changing course untrimmed (like when that 40mph wind turned into a blizzard)
But thy eternal summer shall not fade (even when sitting on that 6th ice pitch 1200 feet above your down parka)
Nor loose possession of the fair thou owest
Nor shall death brag thou wanderest in its shade (except to pull your buddy out of a holy-mother-of-god crevasse with that prussick held in that oh-so useful chest pocket)
So long as men can breath (and sweat) or eyes can see
So long lives this (Gore-Tex pro shell) and this gives life to ME

this jacket is perfect for me! i usually get pretty warm when playing outside, so the torre works great for me. it's not insulated but it's easy to layer. i've used it for some late fall/early winter hikes in the cold snowy range of the rockies in wyoming as well as for fly fishing on the upper north platte. wind, rain, snow...NO PROBLEM!

First, I'm a compulsive gear buyer. I go through hardshells like nobody's business. This is about my 5th Shell Purchased this year, but it might be the last. The Jacket is SIMPLY AWESOME. First, it's gore-tex pro so you know you're getting the ultimate in breathability and waterproofability. Second, to my knowledge is the only Stretch Hardshell on the market featuring GTX Pro. I never knew how much I wanted a stretch jacket until I bought this. It's now my dedicated ski ski shell. It's got a nice athletic cut with long arms, but the medium still has enough room for my denali fleece under (i'm 6'2 w/ 40 in chest) and it's just long enough. This jacket is so good I picked up two for my dad and brother as well. Believe the hype, this jacket RULES!

Overall, this is a great jacket. However, in my opinion, it's more of a mountaineering or hiking jacket than a skiing jacket. It would probably be perfect for someone who likes to hike or skin their way up and then ski down. But I bought this to serve as my primary ski jacket (mostly resort, but some backcountry), and for that purpose, there are probably better options for the price. This jacket has no side pockets (i.e. hand-warmer pockets); it only has the two Napoleon pockets. While the Napoleon pockets are fine for storage, I'm used to sticking my hands in my pockets on lifts (to keep warm), or at sporting events, or just walking around town. Also, I'm not a big fan of the hood being integrated into the collar without being stowable. It provides great neck coverage when zipped-up, so it's great on cold days. But on warm days, if you want to unzip a little bit, the collar and hood just kinda flop-around. I prefer a hood that is either removable, stowable, or at the very least, set-back off the collar away from your face. Here's my summary:

PRO's: very solid construction and feel, Gore-Tex weatherproofing and breathability, slightly stretchy, helmet-compatible hood, awesome color (Raven), zip-off powder skirt, and pit-zips.

CON's: Napoleon pockets only...no side pockets (i.e. handwarmer pockets); hood is not removable or stowable, making it awkward if you like to unzip at the neck to cool down.

Gotta love October in Colorado! I've had this jacket for one whole week and have already been caught in rain, snow, and wind. The weather proofing was superb, but to be honest I would've hardly expected anything else after dropping four and a quarter hundo on a Gore-Tex jacket. What really impressed me was the fit of the jacket. As a short guy (5'9") with broad shoulders and long arms (35") normally I have to make the decision between getting a medium and having the arms only go to about mid wrist, or getting a large and feeling like I'm a little kid borrowing my brother's jacket. Luckily I happened across the review below where someone gripes about the arms being too long. So now I've got a jacket that lives up to my expectations of weatherproofing and the sucker actually fits! (Its a medium). Some people might be a little turned off by the lack of hip pockets, but if you're anything like me its just one less place to lose stuff. Great fit, great function, I'd highly recommend.

I had this jacket a few weeks now. I have tested it outdoors at a football game, rained the whole 2nd half. I stayed dry and comfortable. I also had a chance to use it on an outdoor photo trip on a windy drizzly day. I must say it is definitely water proof. The jacket seems to be just a tad smaller than the sizing chart specs. I am very pleased and would highly recommend this jacket. If you pay for quality that's exactly what you get.

Bought the Exum Jacket initially with the idea that it would work well on the slopes. Bad call. Way too thin construction (it is, afterall, an Ultralight shell), and it simply wasn't going to work for me as a multi-purpose jacket both on and off the hill. Returned it within 2 weeks and picked up the Torre instead. Turns out it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Love the much more rugged material, and the powder skirt is a HUGE plus. If you plan on making turns in the deep stuff this is the jacket for you. The hood construction is solid (helmet-compatible), and the collar provides excellent protection from the elements. Love everything about it.

I bought this jacket off of SAC so I got a pretty sweet deal. Even at full price you get exactly what you payed for. It is as waterproof as they come and I have never owned a more breathable jacket. I kind of miss the hand pockets but when backpacking it is definitely better without them. The straps of my backpack go under and over the chest pockets so they are always accessible. I am 6'0, 200lbs and the XL is a little bit big on me, but I ordered it that way so I could fit my down jacket underneath. Even with my 650 fill down jacket, medium thick fleece, and my base layer, I was still finding it easy to move. The arms on Marmot jackets run a little bit long but the cuff adjusts so it is not much of a problem. The only problem with sizing up is that the powder skirt does not fit well but I ski in the backcountry with a daypack on so that acts as a powder skirt anyway. Basically, this is a sweet jacket, so if you are on the fence about buying it, get off the fence and get to it. You will not be disappointed.

Very happy with this purchase. Fit: 5'8" 175 athletic build, Medium fit well even with fleece and down jacket. Weather: Spent the week snowboarding in wet, cold and deep. day one we had slush and rain and I stayed dry and comfortable. Day two temps dropped a bit and had tons of snowfall over night with deep powder, the powder skirt works well and kept every thing out. Day three temps dropped significantly, put on the down and continued to stay warm and dry. Pockets worked perfect I love having a shoulder pocket and don't miss hand pockets at all. Jacket seals up well in a downfall. Love this jacket.

Great shell, wire rim brim visor great. At 6'4" would like an extra inch longer all around but does the job. Powder skirt a definite plus here in Steamboat. The zipper clasp for the leashes is poorly thought out since the leash can be pulled off the clasp. Very happy over all.

At 5'7", 135lbs, a S-size fits me perfectly. Tag says Made in China but build quality is still top-notch. Two napoleon-style pockets and an internal pocket on the body, no side pockets. Raven color is dark brown, with contrasting orange stitching. Stretchy Gore-tex pro shell feels great when moving around and about, but not so stretchy that the waterproofness feels compromised. Great jacket for skiing in almost any weather. Even better if you can snag it as a SAC deal.