waterproof panda

This jacket is everything I've always wanted in a jacket. I live in the south and needed a super waterproof jacket for spring and fall hiking, as well as a jacket I can layer up and go skiing, when I travel. I'm a husky outdoors-man and often flutter between hot and cold. This jacket makes it easy to regulate your core temperature. I own many North Face jackets and shells and this by-far-and-away is the highest quality, best performing, lite weight jacket I've owned. You have to look close to appreciate the quality. The seams are micro-trimmed and tape sealed. The zips are water tight and stylish. I put on my jacket and snow-pants and climbed into the shower to test the jacket. The only thing that got wet was my socks.

The fit of the jacket is correct to size. Its not tight and restricting nor loose and gangster. I wish the back tail of the jacket was about 2-3 inches longer yet its not an issue at all. The pit zips can be a little difficult to adjust with heavy gloves on due to small(approx. 1") pull tabs. The lining of the jacket is lite and soft to the touch. It works great for layering, and as a stand alone jacket. I have yet to find a purpose which this jacket fails. The pocket in the sleeve is the perfect fit for an iPhone but there is no pass-through for headphone cord.

The lower torso pockets are large enough to smuggle watermelons or a baby rhino. They are sealed off from the interior of the jacket as not to be uncomfortable with your hands in them in blowing conditions.

The jacket is warm and windproof. I was out in a winter storm last weekend with 20-35knot winds and 1"/hour snow falling. I found myself unzipping the pit zips to cool off after 15-20 minutes of hiking. The only downside of this jacket is that the hood does not stow. I guess for $50 more you can have that option in another jacket. The jacket is worth every penny of the retail price.

Arcteryx makes great garb. Its expensive, but so it gold. I have purchased four arcteryx jackets, snow pants, mid layers tops and bottoms, CTS shirts and a hat. All conform to the highest quality standards in the industry. Dare to compare this to a North Face jacket, you'll see...

I love this as my mid-layer when its not super cold, or on days with a lot of dynamic activity. The jacket is very light, soft to the touch, and fits well. Its not the warmest jacket, and its not suppose to be. Its well made, and slightly stretchy, highly breathable and looks great. It seems to bead water sufficiently to keep you dry in the fog and drizzle but run for your stingray when it pours. The two main pockets are mesh and large enough to stow a small child. This jacket would get five stars if two things were different. First, the cuffs in my opinion, need adjustable Velcro, so that you can keep the wind out and keep the jacket tight on your wrist. Secondly, the pocket on the sleeve is not large enough for my iphone. When i bought the jacket, I wanted to put my phone in my sleeve, now I'm searching for a smaller mp3 player. I've owned numerous jackets from The North Face. The initial differences between manufacturers was minuscule. After a little use, you can tell this jacket is of the highest quality materials, and workmanship. I understand why people shell out the money for Arc'teryx, and the Epsilon SV is no exception. I'm 6'1" and about 255, a XXL fit me loose and baggy.