I actually have to think hard to find things wrong with this vest... It is comfortable to wear (even bareback!)- almost enough to make me keep it on all the time! And that means a LOT for me! It has both a zipper (for ease of wearing) and a buckle (for attaching to a pack for a portage) closures. The range of motion is perfect for me. Does it ride up? Of course, but show me a PFD that doesn't. And if that really bugs you the straps tighten enough that you can prevent it at the cost of some of your comfort. Also when wearing without a shirt the bottom buckle clasp can chafe slightly but after a little while it'll wear in. Kneeling in cedar/canvas canoes in this is mildly difficult to situate (but perfectly comfortable after that) but the only PFDs really good for that are those awful thin vest-style PFD that are beyond uncomfortable. And anyways you'll be wearing this PFD the whole trip anyways! (Wear your PFD!!!)
Last things- I mainly use this vest for canoeing but I have paddled kayaks in it too and it is equally as comfy and functional! And keep in mind that the front section is considerably thicker than the back, but that really only makes it more comfortable. Keep paddling!

I bought this practically without thinking. It won the gear of the year award from Outside magazine last year so I assumed it would be incredible. I bought it the day before leaving on a 10 day glacier trek in the Wrangell range in Alaska. I really loved the feeling of this jacket, especially the parts made out of windstopper. In the field it breathed great and was a good outerlayer on clear, relatively windy days. I never once got sweaty in this jacket. I did however get wet. The apex fabric just sucks up water and takes a suprisingly long time to dry. This was the deal killer for me. Also it really wasn't windproof enough in stronger breezes. It cut maybe 60% but it really didn't kill the chill.

I bought this jacket in Alaska after being unimpressed by the Northface Cypher. It just won Outside Magazine's Gear of the Year award so I figured I might as well try it out. I got it the day before I left for an 11day back pack trip in the Talkeetna mountain range in Alaska. It was a great jacket. I really loved it. It is as warm as a light fleece but nearly windproof as well. It shed some light rain (but it certainly did rain on that trip). I actually barely used my brand new Arcteryx fleece because it was just so comfortable and warm and just generally great. At the same time it was warm it certainly wasn't too warm. I wore it hiking in relatively warm alaskan days (60 degrees and cloudy) and didn't overheat. Even when I did get hot the jacket not once got clammy or even damp to the touch. A great, lightweight layer.