Oakley Sethmo Jacket - Men's

I posted an updated review on the Sethmo pants...long story short they ripped on the first day. Two small holes in the thigh area and I can't figure out how they got there no falls or snag that I remember. So much for the durability of these gortex proshells. I'm sending them back to backcountry.

Since the pants didn't hold up I'm really nervous about the jacket holding up the rest of the season. I ride up in Summit County CO, mainly the resorts and side country, some pow hunting in the trees, some hiking here and there. I bought this jacket and pants because of the versatility of the design in weather conditions, but the material is so thin it seems that it can and does rip real easy. I'm really concerned that I'm going to put a hole in this jacket the first time I snag a branch. I wouldn't dare put a sharp ski or board edge on this jacket. The material is so thin that if you hold it up to a light it penetrates quite a bit. It feels about a little bit thicker than potato chip bag material. It seems more like gortex paclite than proshell in my opinion. I knew this when I saw it at a local shop but I figured it's pro-shell so it has to be bomb proof right? Not very confident now. I can't send it back because I didn't buy it from backcountry...decided to go with a cheaper price at a different retailer. Bad call, pay more for the guarantee.

Overall I love the cut of the jacket and loose but not baggy, orange color looks sharp, the jacket and pant interface is great. Snap or zip in and you are about totally sealed. Unfortunately, Oakley sacrificed lightness for durability in my opinion. It does feel like you are almost wearing nothing, but this jacket provides zero insulation capability. 0-25 degrees and you have to wear warm multiple layers. I had a down jacket and patagonia cap 2 base and was a little chilled at times. I will put my polartec on as well next time, but now you are talking about about $250+ of additional layering to stay warm up top...but it is just a shell, so I can live with that. Other things to note, it could use better interior pockets. It only has one that barely fits my iPhone and my headphone jack fits in it awkwardly. I'd like to see another interior pocket on the other side to hold balaclava or whatever. A forearm pocket would be good too along with a pass holder somewhere. Mesh vents would have been have been nice as well. The hood works with a wire brim but it barely fits my Smith Vantage helmet (size medium). It's pretty tight.

The waterproofing is what you expect. I took it out in cold rainy downpour and it just shed water like you would expect. My concern it will rip and it doesn't matter how waterproof it is, if it rips your going to get wet. We'll see how it goes for the rest of the season but for a $500 jacket I feel I shouldn't have to worry about rips. If you ride open bowl powder all day, never fall, or rub a tree then I guess your good...but there isn't much powder around Summit County right now. I'm thinking I should have gone gortex softshell...