Marmot Wasatch Jacket - Women's - 2008 BCS

My perfect shell. It is bombproof gortex, has high hand pockets for wearing a pack or harness and a hood that fits with a helmet but doesn't look ridiculous without one either. The best part is the fit. I love that you can actually see some body shape with this jacket! My only beef with arcteryx in the past has been there boxy styling with flappy arms. I finally found a jacket that has all the perks of arcteryx without the ugly fit! As a side note I am 5'10" 145lbs and got a medium which fits perfectly with room for a few layers underneath.

I bought this shell for my wife. I'm a huge Mountain Hardwear fan for my own outerwear, but their women's line just wasn't fitting my wife. She's 5,4 115 and in great shape, but MHW outerwear was always either baggy in the stomach, and/or too tight in the hips and shoulders. This jacket is very form fitting with just enough room for a fleece or primaloft mid-layer, and delivers outstanding technical performance. The front pockets are high enough to fit above a pack belt or harness, all zippers are water resistant, and the hood is full coverage. The pockets are all a tad small and there is no interior water bottle pocket. The hood does not roll up, and it has a funky cinching system. The wire brim is also kinda funky and I'm a little concerned it will end up breaking or poking a hole through. There is no waste drawstring, but then again the fit is very trim. The velcro closures seem cheaper than MHW as well but work fine so far. Overall a great shell if you find on sale like I did, but it seems to lack a lot of bells and whistles MHW has for the same price range when at full price.

Incredible technical shell! You don't have to sacrifice fashion for function with the Marmot Wasatch jacket. I've worn it downhill skiing, and uphill snowshoeing. It keeps you warm, and still breathes. But best of all, it fits and flatters my curves, making me feel fabulously comfortable in both my body and my mind. I want people to know I'm a "chick" skier and not a short guy! I got the Marmont Radiant Jacket to wear under it, and together they are perfection!