Backcountry overlayer heaven

By Dominick Layfield Ranked #1171 - Men's Down Jackets February 10, 2009

I bought this as a warm jacket to throw on over the top of my regular clothing when I'm standing around in the backountry. (And for sitting around camp when snow-camping etc.) For that purpose, it's outstanding. Firstly, let's be clear what this garment is not: it's not waterproof, and it's not tough -- it's not built to walk through thorns etc. If you try that, you'll rip it to shreds. What it is is SUPER WARM, and SUPER LIGHT and compressible. For it's intended purpose, it's absolutely outstanding: the negative reviews are clearly from people who expected something different. The hood is large enough to comfortably fit over a helmet. The sizing is generous: I'm 5'11', 160lbs, and M is large enough to wear over my ski jacket with several layers underneath. The down is top quality, very voluminous, and the baffled construction (seams not stitched all the way through, causing cold spots) is quite impeccable. It could be more windproof, I suppose, but that would make it heavier and bulkier, and if you're standing around in a hurricane, you should wear your hardshell on the outside! About the only thing I'd change is to make the jacket a couple of inches longer to keep my backside warmer. However, I assume this is targeted at mountaineers who want to wear a harness without getting the jacket tangled up. Again: insanely warm, insanely light, breathable, compressible, etc. Awesome.

View Details: Marmot Greenland Baffled Down Jacket - Men's

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes