Montane Element Jacket - Women's - 2011 BCS

I've been using this jacket for around 2 weeks. I was in need of a well priced windbreaker type jacket to layer with so I could xc ski and run during the Northern Minnesota winter.

As for sizing - read the chart carefully, and ignore the US size equivalent. I ordered a Medium and this not equivalent to a US 10, as stated on the chart! However, I find the fit perfect for me. I'm 5 7 and about 140lbs with a athletic build. This jacket fits more like a US 6-8. Sleeve length is perfect, so people with long arms may find this jacket short in the arms. Width across the shoulders is also narrow (but I do have broad shoulders). It's nice and long in the body too, which perhaps makes it better suited to hiking rather than more athletic paced activities.

The jacket is well made (note -seams are just stitched, not sealed), and packs in a lot of features for its minimal weight and size. I really like how well the hood fits. Pockets are large and well placed. I find when zipping this jacket up, the zipper can at times get caught, requiring the use of both hands rather than just one. Even though I have not packed the jacket since I purchased it, the fabric is still very creased looking.

Overall, nice jacket for the sale price. Vivid Green/Rutabage is a decent colour, perhaps slightly duller than the photo provided by Backcountry.com suggests. The lack of pit zips and its longer length suggest its a better choice for hiking rather than faster paced activities, but if you are not fussy then its excellent value as an all-rounder very packable windbreaker. Nice to know it can be recycled too!