I originally bought this jacket in a medium based on the sizing chart. I am 5'9", 145 lbs and wear a medium in everything else, so I figured it would be a good size. The torso and shoulders were fine, but it came a little high on the waist for my liking and, being a climber with absurdly long arms, the sleeves were a bit short too. I would recommend sizing up a bit. All sizing aside though, this jacket is amazing. It is so light that you hardly can feel it on you, and incredibly warm as well. Plus it packs to the size of a Nalgene bottle. If cramming it in a backpack is at all a priority, this is a good choice.

I hate to be the one review thats not 5 stars - but let me explain. I own several other mountain hardware jackets - so I assumes I'd be a large. I'm 6'2" 185# medium build. Not the case the large would be a great fit if it were a belly jacket - however - thats not the look I was going for. I actually gave this purchase away for christmas and bought an XL thinking finally I would have a warm jacket. The XL was long enough in the torso - but like other tall (normal sized guy) the jacket was made for guys with XL arms and stomachs - so once again this fit just didn't work and I had to return it. The jacket was hella warm and would be an excellent winter jacket if you have the right body for it.

The description says that the ripstop will prevent down form coming out. WRONG! Everytime I take it out of the stuff sack there are a few feather poking out. Bothers me a little! other than that I like the jacket?

It's slightly short on my torso but not enough for me to go a size up. I got a medium and I am 5'10" and 185lbs.

This jacket is incredibly lightweight and very warm. I've worn it in a variety of situations from about 20 degrees Fahrenheit up, so I haven't really tested it in extreme cold.

The only issues I have with it is the loss of down that I find around the house/car more frequently than I would like.

Just got this jacket and I'm lovin' it. I'm 6'1", 175 lbs w/ 35" sleeves and 32" waist. I agree with other reviewer's who say the body length is shorter than average but here's the cool part. You can get the large and still not have to worry about a big fit in the waist if you have an athletic cut. The jacket has not 1, but 2 nylon cord cinches around the waist. There's one on the very bottom of the jacket that cinches all the way around and another one inside the jacket and about 6" up that cinches around the back and sides, which basically can give you a "tailored" look! Effin A!
It also has velcro wrists and another zippered inside pocket on the right that's big enough for wallet, keys, and a cell. It's super lightweight, 800-down warm, and comes with a stuff sack. If you're looking for an alternative to the Nuptse, this is it! Just don't go climbing or riding in it.

I had the Mountain Hardware sub-zero coat before I got the phantom. I like the sub-zero, it was very warm and durable but way too puffy and bulky. I checked around and tried on all the major brands 800 fill coats. What I wanted was something warm, durable, compressable that would fit under my hard shell (I live in Washington State). I like a lot of the features of this coat. It's compressable, warm, the lined collar is nice but as with all 800 fill coats, the exterior material is a little suspect. I also hate the pocket zippers, they almost always get caught on the material inside the pocket and so you have to be uber careful and there is almost no way I can see opening the pockets with gloves on. It's really warm and fits great. I have used it on cross country ski trips, alpine scrambles and one trip up to Muire on Rainier.

I have had this jacket for a few years now and I am very happy with it and will purchase another when mine dies. The warmth to weight ratio is killer, very packable and ultralight. Lifesaver to throw into your pack and save your ass when you get stranded out longer than expected- it will feel like Jamaica inside the jacket once its on- its HOT!

This jacket really exceeded my expectations. I moved to a location that was going to be cold so I wanted to get a nice warm jacket to wear around town. I have never been a big fan of down jackets, but decided to give it a go. I have since worn this jacket for 6 weeks in temperatures ranging from -20 deg F to 40 deg F. I was plenty warm in the coldest temps and not too hot in the warmer temps. Cuffs, waist and neck are all designed well. No heat escapes if you don't want it to. As far as fit, I am 6'3" and 200 lbs, athletic build. The sleeves are perfect length and the waist of the jacket reaches about 3 inches below my hip bone. There is plenty of room in the shoulders, and the chest is snug though not tight and the belly is not loose. The material feels like it would rip easily, but my dog has tried his best to bite it and claw it, and the jacket remains impervious. This is my new favorite jacket. My wife owns the 700 fill Nuptse, and on comparison with the Phantom, the Nuptse just isn't as good. I have the Grill color, and it is much darker in person than on the website. The only negative is that occasionally some down works its way through the shell, though not in sigificant amounts so far. Oh...and it comes with a stuff sack.

I was fortunate enough to win one of these jackets. It is super warm and incredibly light weight. It packs to the size of a water bottle in the included stuff sack and you can get it smaller if you need to. This is always one of the first pieces of gear to go into my touring pack.

It is incredibly light and packs down to the size of a 1 liter water bottle, so it can be carried every where. The sizing for me seemed to be on the mark. The Phantom can be fully adjusted to your liking. This jacket will keep you warm! The only thing about the jacket is that I am afraid to do anything but walk in it. The outer material is very thin and seems that it would damage easily. It is a great jacket otherwise. I love this jacket and it easily makes up for thin outer material.

super light, super compressable, and super good price. Bought the vivid blue at 135 dollars, which was a down jacket finally in my price range, and I feel like, and know I got a top of the line jacket. Superlight, only downside is its not waterproof or resistant, however wear a good waterproof shell with a hood and you will never have a problem. Love this!

It kinda looks like a trash bag and the material is pretty thin and rips a little easy but this jacket is really warm and not too puffy. It also packs down very small. I wouldnt ski in it but it seems like it would work better for packin down for backpacking.

I bought this jacket because it is very warm and super light, not because it looks good around town or will make it through a car crash unscathed.

The jacket is well designed, fabric is light but seems pretty durable (though I plan to stay out of bombay chimneys and scub oak forests), and it is very toasty. Also, the cut is such that it can be layered under an outer shell.

My only minor gripes are that it is just a little short (I'm 5.11 and skinny and bought a medium). Not an issue for me though.

Pros
- Lightweight
- Warm

Cons
- Fit - I am 6 ft / 195 lbs, often wear a large in outer-wear and found the large is a snug fit. Works as a mid-layer, but cannot put on quickly as a belay jacket. Like others say, it is short in the back and arms
- Fragile - feathers seem to come out whenever I unpack it.

I'd look elsewhere next time, to give another product a shot.

Excellent value for the money. Very high warmth/weight ratio. Perfect to stuff in your pack - just in case you get cold, for at the top of the mountain, or for when you stop for a break. Thin material, but that is what makes it light, so it is best worn under a shell. I am 5'10' 165lbs and ordered a M, which fits snugly, which is what I want under a shell. (I also have the SubZero Jacket and Parka in L, both of which fit loosely, but what I want for an outer layer (so that I can put other things underneath).

I got this jacket last winter and have to admit that it is probably one of the best purchases I have ever made. It works in every situation I have used it in. I live in Vermont, and go to college up in Maine. I take it to all my brothers ski races, where it is often 0F with a stiff breeze, where we stand still for upwards two hours, and I have never felt chilled. I have taken it back country skiing in the Chic Chocs where it got down to -20F in the morning and I did have to put two expedition weight tops on under it, but then it was as warm as my sleeping bag. As every one has said, it packs down super small, I have noticed that the more you squish it the more feathers seem to come out, having said that, no down has come out and I found that if I just put it on the top of my pack and did not stuff it into its stuff sack, the feathers stopped coming out. For sizing, I would also recommend getting a size up, I am 6'2" 190 lb athletic build and the XL fits fine, the arms are perfect length, I have do admit, I didn't find a problem with the torso length, but then again I am usually not wearing it by itself, I usually have on either a pair of MH absolute zero down pants of my OR mentor snow pants. The only reservation about it that I have is that the material seems rather flimsy, it's great for throwing on when you get to the summit or are just walking around or watching a x-c ski race, but whenever I am around camp or walking through the woods with it, I always try to have a shell on top of it, I am just worried that it is going to snag on something and rip. This hasn't happened or come close to happening, so I can't say that it is a fault, but me being a little bit anal, the fabric does seem a bit light, compared to say their absolute zero down jacket, but for the trade you get a much lighter jacket. Hope that helps!

For two long months I had to wait to open the package from Back Country since it was a Christmas present from my wife and as the title says, it was well worth the wait. Why 2 months? Well 2 months ago it was on sale (for the best price I had seen on all the websites) and she said she would send it back if I snooped early. Can't have that!! Anyway, I'm 6', 210 lbs. (51% muscle!! :), and the large size coat fit great with a one layer T-Shirt on. Anything more like a sweater or a sweatshirt on underneath and it would have been a bit snug. And like all other comments, it ends at the waist but I'm fine with that. Not like it went above my love handles (the other 49%!) or anything like that! Best story of all? Took it to my sister in-law's for Christmas and her son brought it down since all the coats were upstairs and said, "Who owns this coat?". After a pass around the 12 people that were there who were amazed with how light it was and the quality, the son said he was going to buy one when he got home. So enough babbling... I can't wait to take the dog out for a walk on this cold Iowa day so I can wear this coat! Hard to believe such a light weight coat can keep you warm.

This jacket is totally awesome. Love it. Feels great and the 800-fill down is toasty warm.

I ordered a small based on the Mountain Hardwear sizing chart, but I needed to return it for a medium. The small fit quite good on my torso but the length was short at the waist and wrists. You might want to consider sizing up.

The only real disappointment design-wise is the lack of a two-way zipper to allow for a harness. A hood would be sweet too.

I first ordered a large and it appeared a little too big but the medium I have feels too small. I love the warmth and weight but really haven't used it yet. It is extremely packable and I will put it to use after the new year when I start to do some snow caving. I would recommend it but don't be surprised with the sizing. As with all Mnt Hardwear products the quality is excellent.

I love this jacket. It is exremely warm, and you can barely feel it on. I will admit the jacket is a little short on the torso, but its a small price to pay. Since the jacket isnt water resistant at all, I wouldn't get it unless you have a really good shell. I do so thats not a problem for me. ALso the fabric is extremely thin, and feathers poke out of it all of the time. Other than that, this jacket is amazing. I've taken this bouldering a couple of times in temperatures in the mid teens. I would take it off to climb, and I would be frozen by the time I was done on my attempt/send. I would put the jacket on, and be warm in a matter of minutes.

I bought this for my husband who is 5' 10" , 200 pounds and bought him the Large (which is his typical size) and it fits him perfectly! It is amazingly warm and the pockets lined with the warmth is wonderful! I am going to buy the women's for me! Thanks again Mountain Hardwear!

This is my first down jacket and I love it. I am a big guy 6' 275lbs and went with the XXL and the fit is very good, there enough room for layers. The jacket is a little shorter than what I am used to but that doesn't pose a problem to me. This is extremely light and packs down very small. My first use was in Indianapolis in 11 degree temps walking 7 blocks to the Colts stadium with just a tee shirt on and I could have stayed outside for hours. This will keep me very warm living in the Poconos.

Very nice product with zippers and pockets in all of the right places. The neck part of the jacket is warm when zipped up all of the way.
Light weight but warm in very cold weather.

This jacket is super warm and compressible, but the fabric seems pretty prone to tearing(hasn't yet). I have also noticed it loses down pretty quickly. I usually just stuff it in it's stuff sack to use for emergencies when I am out touring or ski mountaineering.

This is a great jacket to be worn as a layer under a shell, or just as an outer layer on chilly days. I dont want to be redundant, so I will just refute some of the complaints. Some argue the cut is too feminine. Well its supposed to be form fitting like an under armour; if you want to look like a hoodlum in a puffy jacket, check out burlington coat factory, or maybe TJ maxx, they can hook you up. The material on the outside is a little shiny, but on the "grill" color I have it looks pretty manly to me. I wouldnt recommend firecraft in this jacket as an outer layer as I have seen a friend of mine go up in flames with a similar down jacket, (650 North face.) I actually really like the zippers, they kept my things dry during a little rain on campus,(and me dry as well.) They honestly have never jammed on me. Also opening them with heavy duty ski style gloves seems uncommon, as you would have to have a shell on over it with much more acceptable zippers for large gloves. But with just small liners they work fine for me. I have worn this jacket both on and around campus on cold rainy days, as well as the TN back country as a layer and it always is a go to jacket. Highly recommended.

I am 6'1" ~180 and the Large fits me perfect, however slightly short on my torso. I have a very long reach and the sleeves are perfect. Although slightly short, its really a perfect jacket for very cold weather (sub 30F), anything above that and you will be very warm. I have yet to see any feather loss, as well as any tears and I have had this thing through hell and back. Packs down very small, but do not really prefer the included stuff sack, its appears delicate. The short length can easily be remedied by adjusting the lower back hemcord, which creates somewhat of a "fitted" look. I previously owned a Patagonia Down Sweater and replaced it with this and couldn't be happier. The Patagonia was a bit lighter and slightly longer, but CERTAINLY not as warm.

I am 6'1" ~180 and the Large fits me perfect, however slightly short on my torso. I have a very long reach and the sleeves are perfect. Although slightly short, its really a perfect jacket for very cold weather (sub 30F), anything above that and you will be very warm. I have yet to see any feather loss, as well as any tears and I have had this thing through hell and back. Packs down very small, but do not really prefer the included stuff sack, its appears delicate. The short length can easily be remedied by adjusting the lower back hemcord, which creates somewhat of a "fitted" look. I previously owned a Patagonia Down Sweater and replaced it with this and couldn't be happier. The Patagonia was a bit lighter and slightly longer, but CERTAINLY not as warm.

I am 6'1" ~180 and the Large fits me perfect, however slightly short on my torso. I have a very long reach and the sleeves are perfect. Although slightly short, its really a perfect jacket for very cold weather (sub 30F), anything above that and you will be very warm. I have yet to see any feather loss, as well as any tears and I have had this thing through hell and back. Packs down very small, but do not really prefer the included stuff sack, its appears delicate. The short length can easily be remedied by adjusting the lower back hemcord, which creates somewhat of a "fitted" look. I previously owned a Patagonia Down Sweater and replaced it with this and couldn't be happier. The Patagonia was a bit lighter and slightly longer, but CERTAINLY not as warm.

This jacket is super warm, light weight, and styling!! I did order a medium (which I think I am) and it was to short on my torso, traded in for a large. bad ass jackets

I must confess I bought this jacket for its look, to wear around the City.

I've received more compliments for this jacket in 2 weeks than for my MH Sub Zero jacket in 2 years. ''Grill'' color is like a very dark grey bordering on black. Shiny feel to it. The benefit of picking the Grill color is that the jacket now has only one color, while the grill is used to add contrast on the side panels for other Phantom jacket colors. Makes for a mor modern, less outdoorsy look. Overall look is much nicer than Patagonia equivalent in my view.

I am 5 feet 11 inches, quite skinny and I ordered a Medium which fits great. It is true that this is a short jacket, and sometimes I pull the back down as it tends to creep up a little from movement. On the other hand this contributes to make this jacket very lightweight and good looking.

Main negative, but not major: The exterior nylon fabric is very thin so bits of down tend to protrude over time (even after 3 weeks) and you have to take them out one at a time. It also means that the chest pocket cannot hold metal objects which could rip the nylon. My cel. phone has a hard plastic belt clip and that gets me concerned, because it's an ideal pocket to put a cel. phone.

Overall the benefits more than outweigh these small downsides, and I am very happy with it.

I absolutely LOVE this jacket, BUT... The outer shell, which is nylon, can melt VERY easily. If you are a smoker, DO NOT get this jacket. I was a smoker when I got this jacket and a tiny piece of ash fell from my cigarette causing a small hole to melt right through the front zippers lining... in seconds! Also, I was wearing this jacket when I got into a car accident and the friction from the seatbelt left burn marks on the outer shell of the jacket. The seatbelt actually cut through the the thin shell of the jacket and now its ruined... My only other two gripes are that the jacket is a bit short. Im 5'10", medium build, 190lbs and I dont like tight fitting clothes... The XL fit me PERFECT, but it could be about 2 inches longer to prevent exposing my lower back when I sit down. Other than that, this jacket is EXCELLENT for a NY Winter! As a matter of fact, sometimes this small and extremely light jacket can make you sweat from the warmth... Just make sure you wear deodorant or your jacket will end up smelling like a gym! I love this jacket so much that I am buying the same exact one all over again... I just hate that they put the name on the sleeve on this model... the logo alone would have been fine, just like the one I previously owned... :(

The jacket was just to girlie for me. Shinny fabric and a cut more suited for a woman. Actual construction of the jacked seemed fine.