I thought id give a quick "initial quality" test since im not going to be putting this thing through what its meant for until early january. Im 6'2 230 and the XL feels like its tailored on me. It is ridiculous how comfortable this shell is coupled with the fact that its waterproof/windproof. Versatility is why i bought this thing. 60-70's with a t-shirt and felt perfect. Layer up from there. Don't want to make any lofty claims yet, so i'll due a post honey-moon review.

Fantastic jacket that is a great combo of softshell and light insulation. The very thin lining does indeed allow you to ditch even your middle-layer on relatively cold days. Used it last week in the PNW in 15degree temps and only had a medium thickness first layer on underneath it. Huge pit zips too. A real all-season and into the spring jacket. The other great feature is that there is nothing to catch any of the zippers, ever. no more fumbling with stuck zippers with easy one hand action. no not that type of one hand action. the reflective seams and logo keep you illuminated while you stumble out of the snorting elk bar all f'd up on tequila and into the busy parking lot. why pay for arcteryx. save a few hundie and get in my opinion a better jacket. do it.

This was the first softshell jacket I have owned, opting instead for a light hardshell and a windstopper micro-fleece layer underneath. I did this in the past because I wanted complete wind-proof layers, but the option of breathability on the way up a long skin-track. Last weekends trip in this jacket was the first true test of what this jacket can do. I was out for 8 hours in this jacket, with sustained winds at 40 mph, gusting even higher. Riming conditions were encountered for the 1st half of the day, followed by calmer conditions in the second half. At no time did I feel this jacket was letting the wind in, and remarkably; never felt it was not breathing either. I've also taken it out in calmer, sunnier weather where I would have been clammy underneath on the skin-track/slog up slope....this jacket lived up to it's billing as a breathable, but windproof layer. I am a complete convert to the softshell jacket. My only 2 complaints are as follows: the pit zips seem a little small for my tastes, however I have yet to be in a situation where I would need more ventilation....if I were, I suppose that I would not need the jacket in the first place. The second complaint is that the velcro cuffs are built a bit large such that when I cinch them down, I'm almost running out of velcro. I will be modifying this area with more velcro to accommodate this problem. Bottom line, none of these gripes warrants demoting this to a 4-star.....Top notch all around.

I wore this Jacket at Alta the first weekend they were open. At the top of the Collins lift it was windy and cold and Jacket worked great keeping the wind were it belonged; outside. I was able to dress with lighter base layers. This Jacket as well as my North Face Gore Tex shell. I will use this Jacket until the cold weather dictates otherwise.

I just picked up a new genesis for 180 cad. I had a OR MITHRIL that was a decent Jacket pretty waterproof but was tight under the arms in a medium and a largewas to big. I also have an arcteryx gamma mx hoody that is super comfortable but kind of thin and does not offer the level of protection that my new genisis does this thing feels bombproof definitely a winter weight softshell. I love the attention to detail pitzips work one handed easily drawstrings are excellent hood is excellent the looks of this jacket are as amazing atheletic fit but room one middle layer all I need in Vancouver weather.My few minor complaints are velcro on sleeves and back of hood does not feel to sticky and may move when wet, jacket could be about an inch longer that would be great.but by no means are these minor issues deal breakers as all in all form fit and function as well as looks are great