smartymutt

I had mixed opinions of this jacket at first. The biggest problem for some with this jacket is the zipper. As a belay jacket it has two zippers to open bottom for ropes. I myself don't need this feature but I must tell you it will take you a few break in times & patience to get use to zipping this jacket up. The first few days I hated it, it was very difficult to zip. Now it's just like any other jacket, I don't even think about it, but if you have a short fuse or time is an issue for you, you probably will be really frustrated at first with this system. I'm usually a Mont-bell jacket kinda girl. They ROCK by the way!! Any way this jacket fits way larger than Mont-bell, so I had to exchange for a smaller size. The jacket it self is nice looking and I'd say a medium loft. The front chest pocket is a slanted design, like they took a square pocket and put the zipper right in the middle on an angle. So it takes getting use to to get thing in and out. The hand warmer pockets are great, both are very large like the inside drop pocket. And the jacket does stuff into the pocket for a pillow if needed. The inner left pocket is the large drop pocket and it is a mesh pocket, open design. On the right the inner pocket is up higher and is a small zippered pocket no large drop pocket on this side, kind of a wasted opportunity in my opinion. So in all there is 5 pockets total. It has the important waist drawcord and nice Velcro wrist closures. Nice soft fleece around collar with another great drawstring closure. The hood is very nice, as I am usually not a hood lover. It is helmet compatible, but snugs down tight which is great for me as a hiker as I don't use a helmet. It has very nice loop style drawstrings at the front of the hood and a rear drawstring to really be able to custom rap this hood around your head, best design I have seen. The hood itself is full of down, no dead spots on mine. The Pertex works very well as it was tested out in 40+ wind gusts at a temp of 18 degrees. It's warm only in a T-shirt and sweat jacket, not really the best base layer or insulating either. Also tried in just a T-shirt under neath it was warm but would not recommend for long term exposure. I'm totally confident in this jacket with proper base layer & maybe a good quality fleece vest or 1/4 zip you'd have no problem with it's warmth. I purchased the Blue/Black combo as I'm a blue fan, nice looking for a guys jacket. Which I usually purchase, as they are made better, tougher and don't hug my waist as I like to add layers. I'd say the fit is large and square shaped not really taped as it looks on the models body, nice as it is. :) sorry guys! I try and split duty of my hiking apparel with my job as it is outside all day and some of this gear is really kind of expensive, so far durability has not been and issue, no problems at all. I do have to say, it took a few wearings of this jacket to feel comfortable in it, as I'm a Mont-bell girl. But now, no way I'd send it back- it's just too warm and has great ability to adapt to my changing customizing needs. I also like the drop tail on this jacket, so when you bend over it stays down!! Outdoor Research's web site has great details as well. Under dispute with O.R. right now is they show it with 2 inner shove-it pockets, mine only has one, waiting to hear from them on this.

Specs: about 8.5 oz of 650 fill to = 240 grams.
weight 21.9 oz

Pros: comfortable & soft
warm
1 large dump pocket inside
customizable hood & collar
velcro cuffs
drawstring at waist
Drop tail

Cons: only 1 large inside dump pocket
chest & inner zip pocket weird shape
larger fit by at least 1 size compared to Mont-bell.

Bottom line: Money well spent!

I purchased the men's version to have a more comfortable fit for layering, as not all women are shaped like a bell, which is a good thing! Anyway after reading many reviews and checking many sites for the best price OMC won out! And their customer service ROCKS! This jacket is one of the best I own and as a woman I own a LOT of jackets! It's very warm for it's fill weight of 4oz-800 fill, the large drop pockets inside assure I don't loose my favorite gloves. For a "no frills" jacket it ended up my favorite, the elastic cuffs are better quality than I thought, and the color is pretty nice (blue) for a guys jacket. The hand warmer pockets do work fine, even as others have wished for both sides to be lined. I love the soft fleece at the neck very soft! For me the only problem is the static on my long hair! I have tested this jacket in short sleeves in 28 degrees and was not cold at all. I also compared it to my OR Virtuoso jacket which has 8.5 oz of 650 fill and should be warmer, but I actually grab my Mont-bell first!! You have to try it to believe it! I got a steal of a deal on the Virtuoso but not sure if I'll keep it. I own 2 Mont-bell jackets, the UL Tech at 2.9oz-800 fill and it is also a great jacket! As far as the other guys review- I really think he should contact Mont-bell if he got a dud of a jacket, their customer service is really, really good, I'm sure they'll make it right. But even Mont-bell can't please every one! Except me, I am one Happy camper!! Thanks!