The name Monkey Man Fleece Jacket intrigued me, so I bought one. Now I am about to buy a couple more. Yes, it fits tight if your gut is extended, and mine is a bit, but I'm still 6' x 190 lbs, 44 shoulder and 36 gut (aggggh!) thanks to my more sedentary life style these days (I'm older than dirt). However at that size a Large fits fine for an under layer....snug but just right...with a nice drop down at the back side. If you want blousy around a large middle, get a size larger. However, the normal right size for you will be the right size for you in most cases. It is warm under a shell, and it breaths well, just open the pit zips on the shell. I would have loved to have had one of these when I was riding horses daily under a short barn coat or the de rigor Comfy Brand down jacket...bending over (you do that a lot with horses) or mounting and dismounting exposes your backside a bit, and sucks in February. This jacket is the cure, under either. As it is now, I diddle around with photogrpahy in out of the way mountain places and this jacket is the perfect first layer under a long waterproof shell (many pockets for gear), and under a middle layer of a down snap front liner when cold enough. Best part is perhaps the zippers which can be operated gloves on, like most Mtn Hdwe stuff.

In short, you don't have to be a delightfully crazy & 20 something adreneline junky (any more) like many of the BC.com contributors I've read. It really is a good piece of gear for ordinary Joe's whose crazy days are a bit in the past.

Well designed jacket, almost perfect for on & off use, very packable for air travel, and as warm as advertised. I use for commute to city high rise office, as well as to exercise and train dogs in open country. Would be a 5-star if the area over kidneys had more volume...a little light there, and should have the same kind of snag resistant fabric for the waist band as the shoulders and arms...it is a high wear area. Fleece pockets are very nice, as is the position of the Napolean pocket, easy access and room for glasses and cell phone. Can't have everything, so for the cost, it is a great value.