You might want to Live Chat with a sales rep to confirm the posting of Absynthe as a men's color option. I only found one other reference to it as a men's color and not on the Westcomb site. Though if it is correctly posted, you should be able to go off Westcomb website which has that Women's jacket in the Absynthe color (a pale greenish it looks to be.)

This can totally be used as described, we all know it's a ski jacket, but Westcomb uses strong face fabrics and eVent is the most awesomest waterproof/breathable membrane known to man. Go to work in this thing man!

As far as sizing, I'd go with XL ( overall length is 32" - more awesomeness) Don't even bother with a large, you're too tall to ride in a tank (rule of thumb).

First off, this jacket is incredibly well made with amazing detail! Having inspected mine, I do notice a slight stiffened collar, but it's not so stiff as to make it uncomfortable or unwieldy. In fact, the first time I realized that it was a slight bit stiffer is upon inspecting it after reading your question... The Vapor's material has a much softer hand (far less stiff) than the Mirage and thus won't be as stiff in the collar. This is an incredible shell and currently my favorite! The look of the haring bone material and the fit are the best I've ever owned! The fact that it is a 3-ply eVent jacket is awesome! There are so many details both inside and out and set it apart from other high-end shells and makes it one of the best of it's kind money can buy!

Hum from my experience (I have a Mirage), the 460NR is a polyester outer fabric while the 560NST is a nylon one; but I can't tell what those numbers mean. Both are of course a laminate with an eVent layer and an inner fabric.

I have this jacket and a Mirage SE (special edition made for Backcountry.com), both size XL. I agree with Jason that the Vapor is longer in the torso, which is appropriate for a skiing-oriented jacket. Contrary to the specs listed here, the Vapor does have a sewn-in powder skirt and pit zips, also very useful for skiing. But the Vapor is considerably baggier than the Mirage SE. The Mirage SE fits snugly over a mid-layer - not constraining, but not much wiggle room either, while I can wear a heavy sweater under the Vapor and it's still a bit baggy. That's a good thing for skiing, which involves more arm movement than hiking. The Mirage SE is more suitable for summer hiking - lighter weight, no powder skirt, no thumb holes. Both are terrific jackets, thanks especially to the eVENT fabric.

Longer fitting than most without being boxy, the back drops down to cover your butt. Size XL has a 32" center back length. When buying to achieve length, you don't have to size up with this one. Specs say there is no powder skirt (unless fixed after 3/25/09)but there is one, it is stitched in and not removable but designed in a way it won't be ferociously annoying when not in use. Get out of New England and come to Utah to shred some pow in March!

This jacket fits a little on the baggy side. For a slimmer fitting jacket you might check out some of the jackets from Backcountry.com. Some of them are slim fitting and they're amazing jackets.I don't know exactly on the weight but I do know that it weighs just over 1.5 lbs.Hope that helps.-------Actually the jacket weighs in at 17 oz. (barely over 1 lb.) and is fairly slim fitting for a hardshell. If you want a tighter fitting jacket, a soft shell would be a better option. Hardshells are meant to be used as the outer-layer and thus tend to be more loose. Westcomb seems to have found the perfect balance with the Vapor HX Hoody of allowing it to layer well, but not making it too baggy if worn alone. I love mine! -------Thanks for the info. 17 oz is an excellent weight for a full-featured hardshell. I'll well aware of how hardshells fit into a layering system, since I already have a few of them plus several softshells. My initial concern is that many hardshells tend to be too baggy for my tastes, and sized more like streetwear than technical climbing/skiing gear, so that when they're worn over thinner layers they're too roomy. I expect to wear this jacket in especially windy conditions or when the precip is too liquid for my softshells -- basically a typical New England winter day. I am pretty slim, though, so what might be tight on another person may feel fine on me. Do you know how this compares to the fit of the Mirage jacket, which also looks like a great piece? < br />Jim Orsi----------In terms of fit, the Vapor FX Hoody fits more snug. I've worn the Mirage and feel it is designed more as a mountaineering hardshell which means thicker layers like down and expedition weight fleece. The Vapor FX is designed for lighter layers and to be more athletic (my personal opinion). I really like the fit of both, but if slimmer is what your looking for, I would go with the Vapor HX Hoody.

This is Westcomb's premium jacket line. One of the main differences is the herringbone pattern of the 3-Ply eVent material, currently the most expensive eVent material to date. Westcomb's FX series' main goal is to get away from looking like a techy nerd and offer a more fashionable piece, yet not giving up anything in terms of durability and performance (it does include a powder skirt by the way). Everything about this jacket is the best. For example, the main zipper is a RiRi which is the only waterproof zipper on the market. It's also the most durable, and, yes, the most expensive. If you were to see the Mirage and the Vapor FX Hoody side by side, there would be no questions which one was the premium jacket. This is not to take anything away from the Mirage, but this new series by Westcomb is their crowning masterpiece. It is very distinctive and nothing else compares to it both in performance and style. My personal opinion is it blows anything Arc'Teryx is making out of the water. It's also made in North America (Vancouver, CAN). Differences that come to mind when compared to the Mirage include; Ninja Cuffs (makes it easier to layer), big billow front pockets made for climbing skins, riri front zipper, herringbone 3-Ply eVent material, and double-stitch seams 25 stitches per inch (looks more stylish and is just as strong as the hidden stitch of the Mirage).Simply put, if you want the best shell made, you've found it.

"If it's the technical textiles you like check out the new Cloudveil Koven Plus. It uses the new Schoeller c_change material; even better than eVent." This statement is false... If breathability is the goal here, there is nothing better than eVent. Westcomb will be using Schoeller c-change material in a couple of new jackets for next year, but only in stretch panels. eVent is still the most breathable in any weather condition according to them. The new c-change material is amazing stuff, but eVent is the undisputed champ when it comes to keeping the user dry both from the elements and from their own sweat. If you want the most technical piece of outerwear which has to include; fit, materials, features, construction, breathability, wearability, durability, and simply looking good, the Westcomb Vapor FX Hoody is the shiz-nit.