Outdoor Research Chaos Insulated Jacket - Men's - 2006 BCS

I have a totally different opinion than the last person. Size is great for me. It is in my backcountry ski pack as an over the top layer. Wear a light coat on the way uphill, throw the chaos on for the way down. The windstopper fabric is warm and shed A LOT of moisture, so I can wear it when it is puking and stay warm and dry. what a coat.

Needed a warm lightweight jacket for travel through Europe this past winter. Criteria was packable, warm, reasonable looking. This jacket kept me dry in very wet conditions, the hood was warm but didn't cause sweating, was incredibly light weight and squished into very small backpacks. After 3 months of abuse, it still looked terrific. Other family members wore jackets from North Face, Patagonia, Columbia, Lands End on this trip. The OR Chaos jacket was undeniably superior.

I sewed the hood toggle back on, no more problems with that. I've also tried the MH hooded compressor, and the Das Parka, found the Chaos to be superior to both. The Chaos is lighter and more compressible than the Das, warmer and more durable than the compressor, and does a much better job of covering the face while allowing side vision than either.

The jacket is warm as promised, and the windstopper fabric has done very well in this frigid, blustery South Dakota. Two complaints: a generous cut is nice for layering over other outerwear, but this jacket is cut really, really big. Too big. Also, the hood toggles are akward to use, and the left side toggle tore out after only a few days light use! Now the hood can't be cinched! I expected better quality from OR.

A great Belay jacket. Sized to fit over many bulky layers. Very nice quality. Hood is plenty big and when zipped up covers mouth and easily fits over helmet. Sheds snow and water no problem. Parka like length, reaches FAR below the hips, covers your whole butt... It is a relatively thin parka though. I bought a stuff sack for it and the jacket stuffs down in to a easy size for ice climbing attached to harness. I've very glad I got it, a good pick.

This is the sickest insulator jacket I own. It's been in the single digits here the last couple of days and this jacket has been super warm. With the Gore WindStopper and taped zippers no cold or wind is getting through this sucker. Another sick jacket from OR!