This is a pretty good jacket, but I think that several others are a much better buy and a better value. This jacket does do everything that Mountian Harwear says it does. It is pretty much waterproof and it blocks the wind pretty well. Also, it is lightweight and stretchy. The down is: it doesn't fit to cover all that it should. It stops around my waist, but I think it should go a bit lower. Even my smaller shirts go a bit longer than this jacket. So it makes it look a little funny. But it is made to be short for better use while hiking and climbing, but I think it could still be a little longer to help block some of that wind that likes to sneak up underneath.

I was a bit skeptical about this purchase, but I live in Santa Fe, we have all the elements in the winter. Not as harsh as in the northern states but we get the cold winds, rain, and snow. I have worn this jacket with layers (my North Face Glacier TKA100 works the best) in the worst of the storms this season and it has totally rocked. Waterproof and warm. Plus it looks great. I highly recommend!

I already own an Arcteryx soft shell--this Synchro takes it a step further by being totally waterproof, and it has a nice visual flair. Very soft feel, super comfy, and a great fit.

The jacket looks great, the fabric feels very nice, and it is well made. The selling point on this jacket is that it's waterproofing. However, that really doesn't add much to the jacket. First, if it's raining enough where you need a waterproof jacket, you also need a hood. Second, this jacket is cut really short, I think about 26in from center back. Also, the neck gaiter needs to be elastic so you don't feel choked when you cinch it shut.

Did not test it because out of the box I knew it was not what I was looking for. It is the typical MH excellent quality but to bulky in the midsection and the shoulders are too slopped. It does not have an athletic snug fit. The cuffs are too puffy and don't have a Velcro seal. But the worse is the neck cinch on the inside. When I tried it this thing drove me crazy in both the cinched and un-cinched position. I sent it back right away and ordered the MH Alchemy. I will review it after I have tried it out.

This is very comfortable to wear and has replaced all of my other jackets as the favorite. The soft inside, doesn't make a crinkle noise when I move around. It lies down against my body instead of poking out like other stiff soft shells like the Arcteryx Sigma AR (which I also own). The pockets on the side are extremely deep and the tops can be left open to simulate pit zip breath ability. Very comfortable and unobtrusive coat. Looks great, and really cuts the wind. Great as a layer under a storm shell.

I bought the Chili-colored Sychro a month ago, and I love it. Virtually windproof, it is quite light, and nicely lined. I paid full price, but I am quite satisfied. Not as beefy as the MH Alchemy jacket, but a great item regardless. I like the drawcord at the neck, but I think it could be better designed. Anyway, being a gear-freak, I think this jacket is the best I've seen for less-than-extreme weather. Somehow, Mountain Hardwear keeps on putting out great men's outerwear.

This shell is the most versatile item I own for cold weather. You can also use it as a base layer for those really cold days.

Disappointed, it did not seem to keep as warm as a good shell. Buy a size larger than you normally wear. You will need it if you have layers of clothing.

Overall, I’d grade the men’s Synchro jacket a B. Its winning attributes include fully waterproof construction, fairly decent stretch (comparable to an ordinary fleece jacket), abrasion resistant material and rugged good looks. On the down side, waterproof is great but if it’s raining enough to care, you really need a hood. The neck cinch cord isn’t elasticized, so you feel quite strangled when you tighten it. And the neck cinch’s hardware (three little plastic components) tends to rub annoyingly on the back of your neck. It’s fully windproof, but not an incredibly warm jacket for low-impact activities. It does breathe well, but pit zips would have made it a more versatile piece. It’s a strong contender, but isn’t as good as my Ibex Neve jacket, which is warmer, more breathable and more thoughtfully constructed. That’s a lot of buts for a $212 jacket.

I tested the soft shell for the first time in the rain last weekend and it was waterproof to the core. I was in a down poor for hours and it kept me warm and dry! Now the snow is falling and I can't wait to get out and tele with this comfortable waterproof soft shell. Oh, did I mention that it is waterproof! I think you get the picture.
Pray for snow

Ordered this jacket about a month ago and am very pleased. Surprisingly warm for how thin it is. The only thing I can complain about is the zipper size on the pockets. My brother has a windstopper fleece from Mount. Hard. and the zippers are easier to use. But, small price to pay for overall performance. I ordered from Backcountry.com through Amazon.com, and Back. is a courteous company, and I would order from them again.

This softshell is one of a kind. First off was out in 35 degree weather with a tshirt, a longsleeve tshirt and the jacket and I was as comfortable as could be. It is nice and toasty. I have already christened it in the rain and it worked wonderfully. The only thing missing really is a hood, I wound up purchasing a great hat so it was not big deal. I love this jacket, it has replaced my Northface windstopper as my favorite.

First, the upside: This jacket is super lightweight, with great wind and water repellancy. The fit is slim, yet roomy enough that I can layer a driclime or fleece underneath it for added warmth. And the pockets are terrific - four pockets above harness, and big enough to stow all sorts of gear. Also, looks great in the city.

Downside: While this is a great jacket to beat around in, I leave it at home when I do any serious climbing. The biggest problems are the wrist and neck seals: they just don't keep the weather out (or the sleeves down on your wrists, instead of up on your forearms), unlike the elastic or adjustable closures you'll find in other brands. A minor complaint when you're out for a hike, but on a climb with the weather blowing in, an icy neck and hands can make for misery.

This is my first softshell and I take after my brother who has three. I have worn this jacket for 1 day and would never buy a different one now. The few extremely minor drawbacks are miniscule. I would take it in a heartbeat. I love the weight, the color, the feel; It's perfect!

I bought this jacket in early January, and have thus far used it snowmobiling and XC skiing. I used it jogging in a downpour of rain for an hour. I bought one for my wife shortly afterwards. It is surprisingly breathable, and is absolutely waterproof - period. Cold blooded types will want to layer with a light or midweight fleece for real cold weather ... I'm ordering the matching pants today.

In outside magazine they describe this jacket as expedition weight. I would have to disagree. I think that it is lacking a little in overall warmth. On the cold days My arms were beginning to get chilly after only a half an hour in the elements. The other problem I have with this coat is the lack of ventilation. This jacket would be perfect if it had ventilated armpits when hiking along in below freezing temps I noticed a good sweat rolling from my underarms and would have really appreciated some ventilation. But overall what this coat lacks it most definitely makes up for in great looks, perfect weather proofing and overall performance. I would gladly recommend this to anybody looking for a quality softshell at a good price.

This is an outstanding jacket. A hood would be nice. Very well thought out.Great pockets. All kinds of little details which you can take for granted. Utility is nice but i like comfort the most. A good go anywhere jacket...it's my number one...works well with a vest.

Hate this jacket! Windproof my behind! For the price and having owned other Mountain Hardwear products I really expected to get a whole lot more. Skiing in Breckenridge, I had to come off the mountain my first run and buy an extra layer to put underneath because I was so cold. Can I say again how much I hate this jacket? It is going to be sold and I will be looking for another softshell.

This jacket is killer - wore it over 2 light polypro shirts skiing in a hard Sierra snow storm - high-20's and snowing 1 inch/hour all day. Would have worn more serious shell if I had known the conditions, but it worked just fine and did not want to miss a minute. Similar complaint to others - why is the neck cinch non-stretch cord? This was an issue since it is drawn tight in snow and windy conditions. Sealed pockets are tough to un/zip but otherwise a key piece of gear.

I know this jacket is marketed for a specific purpose, but based on its features and fit (and great look), it's the ideal all-purpose, year-round soft-shell jacket for the outdoor enthusiast. Especially for those of us who enjoy the weather and terrain of the great Pacific Northwest or similar environments.

First things first; this jacket looks hot. Go try one on if you can and see how well the cuts and dimensions were designed. I personally think the North Face competing softshell looks a little too "techy", as if it was made only to wear with an iPod. Also, the Mt Hardwear color selection is much better; even the atypical colors look very good. My personal favorite (even over my normal black) is "Shark" (steel gray) which looks and feels (a little) like real shark skin. As far as performance goes; if you NEED a raincoat, go buy a raincoat. The Synchro has definitely proven itself in my eyes as a solid unhooded water barrier, even for a softshell, but if you plan on catching water balloons or visiting Sea World, you need to get something that doesn't look as good, doesn't breathe as well, and isn't as versatile.

It’s a great jacket! I'm very happy with the purchase of this coat. It’s highly water-proof and allows me to have complete mobility as opposed to the bulky shell type coats. Though, don't forget to wear some layers if it’s really cold out. You'll love this coat.

I did a fair amount of research before buying the Synchro. I love Mountain Hardwear, but I was concerned about some of the things I'd read about the Synchro - too restricting in the neck when cinched down, no ventilation pits, and difficult zippers.

I do think these are negatives, but I still love the jacket. I wore the Synchro with an Icebreaker medium-weight wool shirt and a wicking T-shirt for a week's worth of spring skiing in Crested Butte. I got cold a few times on the lifts, but I was pretty toasty.

I needed the Synchro to cover me this time on the slopes, which it did, but there are better options. The Synchro is definitely a technical fit, so it's short. I debated getting the next size bigger to accommodate layers, but I decided not to go against MH's sizing recommendations. If you're at the upper bound of a size, you might think about getting the next size up.

What a great jacket! I love it! Absolutely water repellent/proof and warmer than most of my ski jackets. The only negative thing I have to say is that the sleeve zippers are a little stubborn, otherwise wouldn't change a thing. Worth every penny!

I bought this jacket because it seemed to fit better than any of the other softshells I tried on. Only later did I find out that most softshells really aren't waterproof but luckily, the one I chose was. I have trekked, climbed and even skied in this jacket and it's been a real trooper. It's true that it doesn't have a hood, though I could swear I've seen an identical women's jacket with a hood. Bottom Line: High performance, breathable, comfortable waterproof and looks awesome.

I love the jacket! It fits great, looks great, is a wonderful active outdoor jacket. Very tough and functional!

I found the synchro well made, but the collar was uncomfortable on my throat.

This is a great jacket! I bought this for layering and it's working out wonderful. As a member of a SAR team I need mobility and funtionality and I get both with this jacket.

I first used it along the Shenandoah Mountain Trail on a 22-mile hike (which means there was an overnight). It was great for the day time drops in temp when you hit the shady side of a mountain, but I began shivering uncontrollably once the fire was put out before bed (and the real temp, 30F rushed into our camp). It was, however, a perfect shell for breakfast when the temp was around 45F. Overall, great jacket but I wish it was a little more stain resistant.