Chris in Mill Valley, CA

I had this jacket for four weeks and just couldn't get used to it. It's stiff and makes noise like a hardshell when you walk. The collar is stiff and uncomfortable as it jabs you under the chin when zipped up. The pitzips are not lined. The pit zips are stiff and cause uncomfortable bulk in the armpits. The cuffs are too large with no way to keep them from riding up the wrist, like when washing your hands. The cuffs leak air. I purchased a Mountain Hardware Synchro jacket to replace the Sigma AR, and I wear it all the time. It's just as warm, has a soft collar, not pit zips, but the tops of the deep pockets can be left open for ventilation. It's plush and sheds water well. I love the Synchro. I'd still buy from this site as they took back the Sigma AR no questions asked with a full refund. They're good folks.

This jacket is well made, but I returned it because the material is not soft. It makes a ruffle noise like the stiff jacket that it is, doesn't lay flat and acts like a har shell with a softer cover. The pit zips cause extra bulk at the armpit because they don't bend well. The neck is waaay too stiff and pokes the under side of my chin. The arms run long for a medium with no way to keep them from riding down on my hands—not good when you want to wash your hands or keep the jacket out of your food or away from something that you are working on that is dirty or oily. It's not a soft jacket. I replaced it with a Mountain Hardware Synchro Jacket that is very soft, much more comfortable in the way that it lies down on my body, has a comfortable neck and even looks better. It doesn't have pit zips, but the tall side pockets can be left open at the top to expose the inside netting of the pocket that exposes the pits to fresh air if I get hot. It also folds easier than the Sigma AR taking less bulk when packing. I grab the Mountain Hardware all the time over the Arcteryx, which I finally returned, because I couldn't get used to it. Get the Synchro. It's much more comfortable and just as warm and costs less.

This is very comfortable to wear and has replaced all of my other jackets as the favorite. The soft inside, doesn't make a crinkle noise when I move around. It lies down against my body instead of poking out like other stiff soft shells like the Arcteryx Sigma AR (which I also own). The pockets on the side are extremely deep and the tops can be left open to simulate pit zip breath ability. Very comfortable and unobtrusive coat. Looks great, and really cuts the wind. Great as a layer under a storm shell.