Jon Webb

You will probably be happiest with a medium. It may be a little long but will fit you better in the chest.

The seams are melting? I'll I can say is that I have been using a Torch Jacket for 3 years and in my experience the seams have not melted. I have used it mostly climbing and skiing and in some pretty abrasive environments ice climbing especially (chimneys!) and have had no problems with the seams coming apart. As for the irritability on the skin? Possibly due to the backer of the fabric? Again using the same jacket I have not experienced these things so it is hard to say. Now, everyone is different, obviously, and there are tons of variables that effect these things so PLEASE be in touch with Mountain Hardwear warranty about this as we very much want to know if something is not working for you. And if you are willing to give it another chance check out the Dragon Jacket as some of the fabrics have been updated and this may solve some of your issues...

It is called the Manticore Jacket and the closest thing in the line to it now is the Hooded Synchro Jacket. Hope this helps!

No there is not a liner. They are a stretchy soft shell short that can be used in many different situations. Hope this helps!

If you are planning on putting stuff in the bottom of the bag... I would get a long. You will enjoy it more. Hope this helps.

At the top of the main zipper, there is a flap on the inside of the jacket right where your chin would contact the zipper that has a very light -sorta like synthetic chamois- patch to protect your chin from the zipper in cold weather. Hope this answers your question.

Grill or any number of a darker gray color have been present in this color palette for a long time. Grill has been around for a few seasons. Hope this helps!

Yes it is.

The Torch Jacket is the predecessor to the current Dragon Jacket. The fabric on the Dragon Jacket has a slighty softer (satin-like) hand than the Torch but I wouldn't call it shiny by any stretch. I would say the Torch is a little closer to the Sychro in overall look of fabric and hand than the Dragon. With that said, we're splitting hairs here, the fabrics are all really similar and definitely not shiny. Hope this helps...

This fabric in the Torch IS Scuba N2S Fabric...

Your best bet would be to get a large. The XL would probably fit you better in length but it would be super roomy in the chest area. Large will probably be your best fit...

The 'Center Back Length' on the Beryllium is 29.5". This measurement is from the seam at the base of the hood to the bottom of the jacket. I am not sure the length on the Theta but I do know that the Beryllium was cut a little longer to accommodate wearing a harness over the jacket while climbing... Hope this helps

No. It is more like a long underwear type of fabric rather than a woven like the wicked tee. I would say it is a bit more durable, especially to picking (none at all), than the wicked. Hope this helps

No it does not. It is a two-layer shell jacket with a basic hung mesh liner on the inside. However, if you happened to have a windstopper tech jacket or another Hardwear fleece it does have a zipper track that would allow you to zip your fleece into this shell. Hope this helps!

I will go to base camp with the compressor PL jacket
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Wind will go right through the Monkey Jacket but in conjunction with a shell or something like the Compressor PL you will be very happy!

Actually, both are Gore "Performance Shells". The Xenon is made using the Paclite laminate from Gore and the Escape is built in a two layer construction using the standard Goretex membrane with a softer and lighter weight face fabric. Both will keep you warm and dry. The face fabric on the Xenon is a little burlier would make this jacket a bit more durable in the long run. Hope this helps.

It comes with a regular stuff sack. Not a compression sack.

Tough. If you take the dog... look for a 4 person tent. If you want the bigger of the two between the Hammerhead 3 and this Light Wedge 3... go with the Hammerhead 3! Hope this helps.

Tough question as warmth is so subjective... but, YES. It is as warm I would say as the Sub Zero Jacket. The Phantom is a lot lighter weight and maybe not as durable but the warmth is similar. If you want a REALLY WARM jacket... check out the Sub Zero SL Hooded Jacket from Hardwear. It is actually constructed like a sleeping bag... Baffles and all!

I have found no difficulty setting this tent up in the cold. It is totally do-able with gloves on. Stick the poles in the corners and clip the tent up in place... no problem. Tip: squeeze the clips with the gates (located where poles cross) vertically to pop them open. Hope this helps.

I'm guessing the LP stand for Low Profile, as in thinner and less bulky than the reg. Best for dress shoes, people with large feet, etc.
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That is correct. LP = low profile. Made for folks with large volume feet or low volume shoes.

Ski helmet or climbing helmet? Either way it should accommodate.

The wight? If you are wondering the weight... it is:

1 lbs, 10 oz / 745.00 g

And I believe that is for a medium.

The womens bags have overall smaller dimensions than the mens with the same amount of insulation. This is the main difference.