I have cut my finger three times retracting this thing. Need a pack full of bandages to be able to take this anywhere! Grrr....and it has come apart twice. This thing stinks.

The only things I don't love about this jacket are the visor on the hood and the draft flap over the zipper. The hood on the Mountain Hardwear Sub-Zero SL is the best hood ever made and the fact that the down is located on the inside of the zipper flap is better than on the outside (as is on this jacket.) Other than that, this is a super comfy, uber warm jacket with the best pockets on any down jacket on the market. They are located in areas that when goods are placed within them they don't all gather in one spot (my abdomen) like on other jackets. And it has enough pockets to carry everything I need. Something that most gals' jackets never have. (I swear most manufacturers think we'll be carrying purses with us while backpacking. I like having pockets like the guys get. A place for my knife, headlamp, etc... Easy to access and darned handy!)The collar is micro fleece lined as are the pockets. Overall this jacket is wonderful! If the hood were as cozy as teh MH-S-Z-SL it would be perfect!! But it is so close!

Although the specs here indicate that you cannot cook in the pouch, you can. Instructions clearly state for you to add boiling water, fold over top, and let sit..in the pouch. Nice portion size and good flavor. Nice that pouch can be burned as well. Good product.

When I first picked these up I thought "Oh no, what have I done?"! I am a 5'3, 155lb female. I got a pair of 165's. All I can say is WAHOO! I usually ski either Volkl P50's (in 178) or P60's (in 175). I like speed , I like ice, I like to work. However on days when it snows I work harder than I need to and thought it might be nice to be able to scream along and have some fun, maybe play a bit. Every ski review I had read previously had always noted that the skis being reviewed had a downfall, and that downfall was that the skis stunk on hardpack and ice. I live in New England where variable conditions are the norm, especially when it is snowing…no matter how much it snows there's usually ice somewhere. I was surprised at how well they did, especially making the transition between the icy spots and the fluff, seamless! I haven't giggled so much in a snowstorm in a long time, not since I was learning to ski on straight sticks. These things perform remarkably well and like to haul. Load the tail and you're off! The other thing they do well is bouncy, short, springy turns! What a gas! In fluffy snow they are like springs. Give a hop and a sweet, tiny turn will be the result. I must say I am way impressed. They are wide and heavy, I mean HEAVY, but after one run I barely noticed. I did eventually find myself a little bored from not working so hard. (When I tried "working" the turns on groomed stuff the response wasn't as crisp as I'd like and they are a bit rough and vague feeling, kind of like a big SUV but I am comparing them to GS skis.) They are fantastic, fast, stable, fun-snow toys! They're the closest thing I've found to race skis for snowy conditions. I haven't taken them out in crud or wet spring slop yet and I and I'm bit concerned about the "getting my leg ripped off my body" sensation. With all that said I wouldn't trade my Volkls for anything on groomed trails. These just aren't as exciting. They move like mad but lack that split-second precision I love. However, I bet they would be a "hoot and a holler" in a "big mountain" setting! Varoooom!

Oh my! A pocket hunter's dream come true! Gals, if you like carrying the kitchen sink with you, I swear this jacket has a pocket for it! The info provided on the site list doesn't even come close to mentioning them all and they have been designed to function well. There's a place for my wallet, ski ties, camera, lip balm, goggles, cell phone, iPod, "necessities", and I still have room for more. Wow! Do note it isn't hydration compatible but again, if you can sew, it can be done without ruining the waterproofing. I wasn't looking to buy an insulated jacket and this one does have one drawback. The pit zips are too tiny. In fact they're teeny-tiny. I overheat rapidly and I'm afraid they will not be sufficient. OK, I do have a couple of other minor complaints. I'm sick of storm flaps. Take a lesson from Orage, magnets rock and are worth their weight, and more, in ruined sweater fuzz. Also, I'm tired of being a billboard. I realize I am being picky, and for the most part I am thrilled with this jacket! I almost never say this: this jacket is worth the price, and not many jackets are. As for the fit, a bit more boxy then some of their more girlie jackets. For me this is very good as so many jackets are too long and narrow for my short, curvy figure. Now when I raise and lower my arms my jacket doesn't get stuck up around my ribs and it is long enough to cover my backside. It is also soft and flexible.