Mountain Hardwear Hooded Compressor Jacket - Men's

I'm 6'5" with long arms so finding a jacket that fits me well is always a challenge. When looking for a lightweight, synthetic insulation jacket, I tried on the Patagonia Micro Puff Hooded jacket, the Cloudveil Enclosure Hooded jacket and the Mountain Hardwear Compressor hooded jacket. The Compressor had the best sleeve length (generous length with velcro closure at the wrist.) I bought an XL. The other jacket's XL versions fit OK in the sleeves but the chest and body was huge. This jacket has a much more athletic cut but still isn't restricting. The two-way zipper and bungee cord cinch around the waist are easy to use and very functional. The jacket does not come with a stuff sack but I have found I can stuff it into the internal pocket (it doesn't zip shut but stays compressed and contained in the pocket well enough) and stick it in my pack.

This is an outstanding jacket. I was looking for a very compressible, lightweight jacket that I could stuff in my pack, take up little room and be available for me to pull out if the weather went bad, and this jacket is it. The synthetic insulation was key since I use it mainly for fall and spring camping when the chances of it becoming wet are increased. My only negative opinion is I wish it had its own stuff built into a pocket or something. I ended up stuffing it into my stuff sack with my other layers when I would have preferred to keep it separate.

Light and packs up really small. I have had this jacket on with little else between me and the cold for several 16,000 foot bivy's. The shell fabric is a tad bit on the light side, but I have never had a problem. Big hood that fits over any helmet, 2 way zipper, big chest pocket, and an inside pocket big enough to keep your dehydrated meal in as it rehydrates. A must have if you plan on doing a big alpine route!