I've been using this jacket in 20 degree F weather and if anything, I've been a smidge too warm: my thermals were sweaty after a few runs and hot air is always gushing out every time I reach into the collar for my drinking tube. So now we know the insulating layer works just fine. But what about everything else?

Here's where the flaws show up a little. The shell comes with six external pockets: two huge flap-opening ones on the front, two zippered ones on the side underneath them, and two waterproof-coated zippered slots on the left breast. The two huge pockets are great for big things that don't fear water, like wrist guards, gloves, goggles, etc. In the zippered pockets, I keep my backup gloves and stocking cap. For a while, I kept delicate items such as car keys, phone, wallet, and lift ticket in the breast pocket. However, after a few runs, water managed to find its way inside and my money and lift ticket got a bit moist; I"m not sure if this is snow melting in or sweat venting out. Either way, I'm pretty sure this is not supposed to happen. Now I wrap the fragile items in a dry sack and stuff them in the zippered hip pockets.

The inside of the shell features a slot for your tunes as well as a tube to thread headphones out. there's also a zipped pocket intended for keys. At the bottom is a powder skirt. I don't know much about the pockets, since they are annoying to access when the liner is zipped in. The powder skirt is a godsend, but can be tricky to use, again due to the liner.

Zooming out, I'd say the shell probably deserves it's 10,000/10,000 rating, but it hasn't made me as indestructible as I had hoped. Finally, a bit of the stitching around some pockets blew loose soon after I started using it. Nothing is going to come unraveled or anything, but for 200+ dollars, you'd expect better than that.

To summarize, this is a great jacket held back by a few niggling design flaws in the shell. I love it nonetheless and can only recommend it.

Nice and warm, while skiing in the 20's with 40 mph winds at the top of the chair. The sleeves wrap around the cuff of your gloves, keeping snow, ice and wind from getting at you. Big pockets inside and out, so there's plenty of room for all of your stuff. Nice fit, too. At 6'2" and 215 LB's, the parka moved well with me and was not constricting in any way. As far as I'm concerned, this parka was a very wise choice and my money was well spent.

in Calgary in sometimes reaches windchills of -45-50 degrees celsius, and this jacket holds up really well. in breaks wind and doesn't allow any cold air in. the only problem is the hood has no lining, so it doesn't keep your head warm unless you have a touque. lots of convenient pockets and is nice on the eyes, goes well with professional wear.

Amazingly warm jacket. I've been wearing a t-shirt under the jacket in 20F - 30F Michigan, snow + wind and I stay very warm. I had to unzip the armpit vents walking around at 32F.
The inner jacket isn't really something you want to wear out by itself, the shiny silver doesn't look to great. But who cares if together it keeps you from freezing.
Most of the inner pockets are hidden away when the liner is zipped in, which kinda annoying. To make up for it there's two huge goggle pockets on the inside of the liner.
The shell seems very sturdy and strong, looks like to could take a beating and still not be torn or hurt. The liner seems more fragile, but since it's hidden away, there's no worries.
Great Jacket, worth the buy. Wish I could have bought something like this years ago.

I have had this jacket for about a month now, and so far it seems worth the money. I have been out in 20 degree weather walking around for about an hour and I stayed warm. This morning it was about 6 degrees and it seemed to do the job, but I was only outside for a few minutes. I know that there are warmer jackets out there, but I refused to pay more than $240 for a jacket. Maybe if I lived in Alaska. I figured that if a $240 jacket can't keep me warm than screw it. I live near Chicago by the way.

This jacket was just rated "Tested Best" in Outside Magazine...

I'm from Timmins, ON. this morning i was downhill skiing in -25 C w/o the windchill factor, and i was totally comfortable all day.... the matching gloves are sweet too.