Do-it-all

By Niall MacRae Ranked #169 - Men's Softshell Jackets May 20, 2010

Wow, this thing is almost perfect--I've been wearing this jacket almost everyday for a month straight. I freaking love this jacket. It is really lightweight and packs down to next to nothing, almost like a windbreaker, so I always have it on me -- and that is great for the daily rain/wind/sun/clouds/rain/more wind cycle in the Vancouver area. Does a great job shrugging of the wind but breathing really well, so that you don't have to regulate your temperature by taking the jacket on and off. There is no insulation or fleece bonded to the inside so it slips over and under layers with supreme ease--and using it in a layering system is where it excels. Perfect pocket placement means things are at hand in the city and on mountain. Resists light rain pretty well for a short time, shrugs off abrasion in chimneys, tree runs, and grovel patches. I'm 6'2" and 170, and a medium fits just right -- arm length is perfect, not overly fitted or big and boxy. Hits at the hips to conceal t-shirt hems in town and to stay under backpack belts out of bounds. The hood is fitted, so it works and avoids hanging off your neck like a deflated parachute. Only issues? Handwarmer pockets are a little low, so you may not have full access to them with a pack belt on. The offset zipper at the neck works well, but sometimes requires to both hands to zip it all the way up. What is stopping you from using this 300 days out of the year for pretty much anything from canoe trips to ice climbing to adventure racing to ski touring to shopping downtown? Nothing really. It is that good. If you like it half as much as I do, you will still be stoked!

View Details: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hooded Jacket - Men's

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