This is my first Patagonia ski jacket ever, and it's an amazing piece. only been out in it a few times, and I love it. The styling and the details on the jacket are so well done, and you can tell this thing's going to last forever. Great waterproof/breathability as well. The sizing's perfect for me 6'1 170 and a large is perfect. Roomy, but not too baggy with nice length in the sleeves. love the 2 drop in pockets also for skins, gloves, or goggles -- and the ipod pocket is well done.

BUY PATAGONIA, well thought out, practical.
My first Patagonia shell was bought 17 years ago when I moved to VT. That shell traveled the world, (Patagonia, Argentina), Monsoons across Asia, & its red/orange color kept me visible to hunters while Mtn Biking, Hiking in fall. Said coat, retired 2 years ago, it delaminated, Patagonia honored their warranty.
Patagonia sent me a Shelter Stone, lasted 2 years, contact with tree's, rocks while B/C boarding from Vale to da Bird in UT & and the tip of a clueless skiers board. Coat tore, waked into Patagonia store & they gave me the Powder Bowl.
My Hard Shell is for raining days, weight concious activities:: My soft shell, LOVE it for skinning up a hill , hard outdoor days.
Not only has Patagonia turned out great products year after year, honored their warranties and then some. The Powder bowl has added breathability, the water/ wind dont get in. Double inside large drop in pockets for my skins, or a water bottle when in bounds and not carrying a pack. Zippered inside pockets, 5 exterior pockets, 2 chest pockets 4 easy access while in a harness, stepping out on hairy cornice, to clear a slope for for freshies If your skiing / boarding/ tele'ing in and out of bounds, this coat ROCKS. Yes there are some other fancy names out there, looking sleek "only 3 pockets to cut down on weight"
I prefer the 4 extra pockets & 3 inside zippered pockets (& the 8 OZ's they add). Toss in a PBJ, an apple and skip the $20 resort hotdogs. Your car keys are not falling out when you bag it hard, thus your buddies can drive your car home, while the Dr stiches ya up. I highly endorse.
Patagonia saved weight by skipping the RECCO Reflector body recovery system, Folks it aint gonna get you found untiil your wearing and ice mask and dead. You riding big Mtns get a beacon, save yourself or someone else!
Hey Patagonia, next year, pants with full leg or 3/4 zips, it gets hot skinning up hill, or when cooling in lodge. You can do it, my insulated Patagonia pants have full zips
Buy it, it Rocks da house.

I've been searching for two years for a jacket to replace my old Gore-Tex shell, which just looks out-of-date. I thought this could be the one! I just received the jacket (size S, jacaranda green) yesterday and I like nearly everything about it, except the fit. I am 5'8" and about 160 lbs., with a neck size of 15-1/2" and chest size of 39-40. I usually buy size medium clothing. But, based on other reviewers saying this jacket runs large, I decided to order the small. Well, in terms of body length and sleeve length, the small is about right. But it's just too tight in the chest. I could probably get away with it in warmer temps when I'm wearing just a minimal base layer. But if I add a fleece-type mid layer for the cold, it's just too tight. The jacket does stretch a little bit, but I don't want my jacket to fit like Under Armour. I haven't tried on a medium yet, but based on how the small fits, I'm guessing the sleeves and body length on the medium will be too long. I suppose if Patagonia offered a Medium Short, that would probably be perfect for me. I would say that size Small would be ideally suited for someone who's about 5' 9", 150 lbs, with a size 36-38 chest. On the bright side, I really like the fabric (good, solid feel and a little stretchy), the design (pit zips, plenty of pockets, removable hood that appears to fit over a helmet), and the look (sleek and contemporary.) And while the green color is pretty cool and unique, it's not exactly what I thought it was going to be. In the photos I saw online, I was expecting the contrasting color (on the side of the body and inside) was going to be more like a dark brown, but in reality its more like a deep pine green. This coat is probably great for the right body type, but unfortunately, I'm going to have to return it. Hope this helps your decision.

First of all this jacket looks great. I got it in red at the beginning of the season and have worn it day in and day out. As far as fit goes it's great. At 6'4 230 the length or arms and torso are perfect. I like a baggier fit (but not draping off me) and this is just right for me. Waterproofing is amazing. Rode in the rain and stayed relatively dry. A good amount of pockets and the chest IPOD pocket within a pocket is great. I've carried my iphone in there almost everyday and it has survived. Hood fits well also. If I had one complaint it would be that in the powder the cuff velcro can get saturated with snow and prohibit the velcro from adhering. I have to make sure to really clean of the cuff from snow or I'll have the cuff closure straps flapping. Otherwise I love it

This is my 4th season on a board and I had been buying cheaper snowboard jackets ($100-200) each of the last few seasons and trashing them over the course of 30-35 days in the mountains. Admittedly, I've been pretty hard on those jackets, but decided to spend a little more for one that should last a lot longer. So far (5 days), so good. I was uncertain of the sizing, initially, but went with the medium instead of the large. I'm at the upper end of the measurements for medium, but not at the top. Was sized a little big, but comfortable and not baggy. Hood fits a helmet, which is something that wasn't the case with my previous cheap jackets. Construction is solid and it looks like this jacket will last a few years.

My fiance purchased it for me for the family trip to Japan and it worked great! It took quite a beating while riding through the trees and kept me extremely warm the entire trip. All-in-all, good buy.

I got this jacket a couple weeks ago but I didn't get to use until yesterday. Wow. Wow. Wow. Even with the extra room from the baggy fit this jacket was flawless. The pockets are handy and easy to open even with gloves and the pit zips puke body heat. I am 6' and 140 lbs and I am perfectly content with a medium, even though a small might be a little better. I might also that it appears to be tough as nails though I haven't truly put it to the test yet.

I just got this jacket. I really like the design and it seems really well manufactured. The pocket layout is awesome and they seams are well constructed and well designed. However, be forwarned, this jacket runs LARGE! I am a 16.5" neck, 41" chest, and 34" sleeve and I am swimming around in mine! If you find youself on the borderline between two sizes, order the smaller size!

Still, awesome jacket and I can't wait to try it out.

Very slight disappointment for me with this jacket. I scored one for $125 at Jens in Park City a few weeks back after coveting one for a while. The downside is: The jacket fits me nicely all over but it struggles to zip up to the very top. What gives ? Everywhere else it is a great fit and a great jacket but this seems a pretty strange thing....yes, I should've realized this before I bought it.

I won't bore you with the usual other stuff. Suffice to say that is satisfies all other Patagonia requirements(well made, 'mature' design, not over designed, user friendly, great zips). I do wish they would come equipped with wrist gaitors though, they make a huge difference. Bottom line: Make sure you try it on properly before you buy. Duh !

Great construction and materials, but watch the fit. I'm 5'10" and 170lbs with a 34-35" sleeve length, 15" neck, and 39" chest. The small is the right size with respect to arms (plenty of room there), but around the chest, it's a snug (and I'm not exactly a body builder). With an R1 series base layer it it's perfect, but a dense fleece for the colder days is probably out of the question. Neck is awkwardly tall.

Ok, this Jacket is killer! Built to last, very very happy with its performance, but like Campo says below, it does run a bit on the big side. I am 5'9" and 190 (stout and a wee bit of a beer belly) and it does have a freeride/loose fit on me. I love it that way, plus I have other lighter/tighter jackets for touring in.