I love this jacket, but I've seen a few reviews that basically say this jacket is NOT for people who are NOT skiers or mountain climbers or doing some other hardcore activity. Well if this isn't the best jacket for urban dwellers who want a really warm, 100% waterproof, super lightweight, very breathable jacket while shoveling snow/cutting wood, and also has a lifetime warranty, then what is the best money can buy??? Thanks!

I love that everyone is hating on mtn maniac. Defend the sacred dead bird logo! The truth is that very few people actually *need* a $600 hardshell for light rains walking between the car and work and a bit of snow while shoveling their driveways. The Alpha SV would serve a skiier, snowboarder, or mountaineer who isn't concerned about weight very well but it's beyond absurd to buy one of these as an around-town jacket. Unless of course you're some rich douche bag trying to look cool in from of folks who don't know any better... To each his own, I suppose! :)

Great Choice!

Mtn Maniac - A Carhart jacket that is super-lightweight, 100% waterproof, and very breathable with a lifetime warranty- never seen one. Thanks for the suggestion though. Brandon - Thanks for the suggestions. I did some research on them all and am going with the Fission SL. Thanks a lot for the help!

Barry, it sounds like you'd be served better by one of the Arc'teryx insulated Gore-Tex Proshell jackets. Take a look at the Fission SV (warmest) Fission AR, or Fission SL (lightest and pit zips) all three of these will git your criteria better than the Alpha SV.

A Carhartt sprayed with DWR... Even though it looks it, mine's lasted 13 years now, through framing, ranching, drilling, working under my vehicle, CHOPPING FIREWOOD, etc. Unless you're saying you cut firewood under a dripping icicles to get the effect of being on waterfall ice, or maybe just while it's dumping soaking wet slush or rain even...rrrrrriiiiiiight... Or maybe you sleep in a snow cave in your back yard (do you have a back yard or just an apartment patio?) sometimes just for the mountaineering effect...even then you could get by with a carhartt sprayed with dwr...it's your sleeping arrangements that would need some forethought.