Great Jacket - Great Service

By pic100313231 Ranked #1031 - Men's Rain Jackets April 10, 2009

I have been looking for a replacement 4 seasons jacket for a little over a year. I am very selective as I tend to keep my gear for a long time and like to know what I am buying is top quality, fully featured and well priced. I was looking for a relaxed fit jacket that was very light weight - where you could comfortably layer underneath it in colder climates. I was also looking for it to have both hook and loop and elastic cuffs, pull cord hem, an internal pocket as well as good sized outer pockets and well designed, a fully stowable hood in the collar, pit zips, a proper membrane and not just a laminate and it had to look conservative enough that I could wear it any time including on wet days to work and the office without looking like I was on my way to the mountains. I searched through Patagonia, North Face, Marmot, Mountain Hardware, Arcterx and others. The Elixir not only fits the bill but exceeds it. It is quiet, comfortable, excellent quality and very well designed. Large front pockets that have a little velcro on a weather flap so you don't have to keep zipping / unzipping them if your actually carrying anything in them and they also have weather zippers if you want to fully close them. These main front pockets are mesh inside (but durable) so also allow the jacket extra venting when needed. I like this feature though I know others prefer fleece or a more solid lining in the pockets. For me that would be too warm to make it a real 4 season and would add weight. The hood is excellent with two way adjustments and moves well with your head and does not obscure vision. It also stores in the collar easily and is not obvious when stored. Its Goretex, light weight yet durable. Excellent Pit Zips and very good fit. Comfortable with or without layering. I am 6ft 225lbs and the XL is just right. The storm flap for the main zip (which is YKK) does not get in the way, has no velcro or snaps on it, yet functions perfectly. It has a outer chest pocket and internal pocket. The only thing I would change about this jacket is that these pockets could be larger or they could add another large internal pocket but they are functional and though not large enough to store maps they could hold your wallet and probably some light weight gloves. But this is not enough to drop my rating. The overall quality and features of this jacket make it an easy 5 stars.

View Details: Outdoor Research Elixir Jacket - Men's

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