If you own only one jacket, this should be the one you buy. I own the "windshirt" version of this jacket. I summited The Grand with it as well as Baxter's Pinnacle. I climb/hike hard; and I sweat a lot. And the awesome thing about these jackets is that no matter how much you sweat, you never feel wet. NEVER. It maintains a very even temp as long as you keep moving. What's weird is that it insulates like a 200 or 300 weight fleece because it is windproof and the dual fabric layers creates a loft effect that keeps your temp even. The driclime fabric pulls the moisture out and to the outer layer, which then evaporates the extra moisture. The issue I have with the windshirt is no drawcord at the waist and collar...which this jacket version addresses perfectly. I have been skiing with it the last week and unless the weather is really cold (like 15 degrees or colder with snow and wind), you don't need a shell. A base and a mid layer with this jacket is a really balanced system. It's really great for touring/cross country skiing or any other high aerobic sport. Can't say enough good things about this piece. I treat it like a mid-weight fleece...that's truly windproof. Cool part is it packs down to a grapefruit and is half the weight of a similarly effective fleece. I plan to us it to do the Haute Route this April. I use a Craft zip-T base, a Patagonia R1 Hoody, then the Marmot DriClime Jacket over the top. If the weather gets bad, I will add an Arc'Teryx Alpha SV over all that. If we get stuck in REALLY bad weather, I have a Mont-Bell Alpine Down Jacket to save my butt. Hope this helps...good luck!!!

I am also a jacket junkie. As this jacket is very similar to the Marmot windshirt (which I also have) it begs comparison. Differences - this jacket is much better cut, has a waist drawcord and the cuffs are velcro - not elastic. Also, the katabatic is much better at resisting the rain than the windshirt. I like them both. The Marmot windshirt is more of a "beater". You can really thrash it and not worry, plus it might be a little warmer as a mid-layer than this one. I wear the Marmot windshirt during rock and mountain climbing, while I wear the katabatic more for hiking and training and in town. It could probably take the same abuse as the Marmot, but I like it too much to mess it up.

I have had a Suunto for many years and only recently discovered this strap. The stock plastic strap always kinda bugged me - not sure why. I think it was the fact it was way too long and I could never get the fit right. Always too loose or too tight. I like this strap much better. It's lighter (for all you fanatical ounce counters) and it adjusts much easier. Therefore, making it much more comfy. As any climber knows, your wrist changes size with altitude and this strap is so much easier to adjust for that. And although I haven't needed to, if it got caught during a climb, you can simply rip it off. If you use your Suunto as much as I use mine - this is a very good investment. You won't regret it.