Patagonia Primo Jacket - Women's - 2004 BCS

Patagonia keeps trying to improve the engineering of the jackets, but this one has minor setbacks: (1) It lacks the left sleeve/wrist pocket which was very handy for Kleenex. (2) The angle/zippers of the outside pockets are not quite right because things fall out (gloves, etc) when they are not fully zipped. (3) Upper outside pocket placement, it would be better on the left side since the world is dominated by right handed people. Also preferred it next to the zipper for a cell phone. Improvements include: (1) sleeve lengths not made for apes. (2) Better gripping powder skirt. (3) 2-way front zipper. (4) full removable hood. For helmet wearers storing the hood in the collar gets too bulky.

I love this coat. It's great for layering or just by itself with no bulk. I previously had the White Smoke, but I like this much better because it's 100% waterproof, yet breathable with pit zips! I had been looking for the perfect coat and I finally found it!

After skiing in this jacket during one of the most heavy, wet snow-storms I've experienced in UT, I discovered one glitch. The zipper doesn't go all the way up the neck cuff, probably to avoid chaffing. Velcro is used to close the neck up, but when it gets wet and snowy it's useless. Kind of a problem if you ski in stormy conditions. Other than that, it kept me dry and warm.

If you have been searching for a technical, lightweight, goretex jacket with minimal bulk...this is it. This jacket is comfortable while wearing a pack, the sleeves have zero bulk and are easy to adjust, the neck and collar are warm and comfortable without any chin irritation or draft. I couldn't be more impressed with this jacket--even in snowy, windy conditions.