By Hiker Chick from Cambridge, MA on 08/15/2008

I just received this jacket and haven't had a chance to wear it in trail weather conditions. Usually I'd wait longer to review this sort of product, but there are some basic features of this jacket that aren't covered in the product info or existing reviews on the web I found. It's light and nice, but there are more important things ahead technically. Love the colors on the absinthe jacket, quality seems great. For the basic urban or casual user, what you really want to know is that if you intend to wear this jacket under about 55 deg, you likely need a fleece or warm underlayer below the shell. It's sized generously to allow that. The arms are on the longer side for me with shorter arms, but can be satisfactorily adjusted with the wrist velcro. Technical info: #1. I find some form of shell core venting ESSENTIAL, although Golite does sometimes forego it on breathable jackets. YES! this jacket does have it: the hand warmer pockets are all open mesh, so if you overheat you can unzip them for some direct venting (bypassing the membrane's transport capacity and doesn't require front unzipping that compromises the shell's waterproofness in extreme wet conditions). Full pit zips have indeed been sacrificed for weight. #2. I needed a medium in the Golite ether jacket because of the chest (I'm usually on the line lately for that reason as a size 8ish, but often on the smaller side). I wondered if I should order up an extra size in the paclite shell in order to fit a fleece or other insulating layers. Answer: NO. This shell seems large to me now in the summer, but as I consider and try it on with some winter underlayers, the sizing is probably perfect for a fleece or trim insulated coat, with shirt or thin sweater, and movement space, although I almost wonder whether I could do a small. #3. I may have some minor doubts about the hood, but I think it will be okay. I thought I might want a slightly deeper hood in a downpour if I had my hair pulled back in a bun or pony (I have a large head and medium length hair), but since there's no depth adjuster (just the slightly stiff brim and perimeter bungee cord), it's better spot on than too big; I can change my hair if needed. Yes, the hood roll-up is a little primitive as a "collar", but I almost never wear a shell unless I also need the hood. I totally don't get hoodless outer shells as a concept; I'm much more a hood person than a hat person. Yes, there are some feature sacrifices for the light weight, but many of the extra "features" like more napoleon pockets or velcro rain flaps often tend to annoy me by snagging or getting in the way of zipping. If you agree, this is probably a great jacket for you, too. Hope that helps-- I can't review breathability of the Paclite on the trail yet, but lots of people have done that, and this was the info I would've needed to make a more informed order.

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