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More technical product info here By Hiker Chick from Cambridge, MA on 08/15/2008 Pros: Core venting mesh pockets, Lightweight, Perfect for layering, Waterproof Best Uses: Backcountry, Cross Country Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Chest Size: Feels true to size Gear Usage: Cold Weather Living, Winter Sports Sleeve Length: Feels too long Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: 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.
Great value, Excellent Product By Suzie the Lite Packer! from Baltimore, MD on 08/14/2008 Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Chest Size: Feels true to size Sleeve Length: Feels true to length Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Think this will be great for hiking/backpacking. Very lightweight yet looks like a quality product. Very similar to my husband's pricey Arcteryx!
By Sprightly Walker from Warrenton, VA on 08/11/2008 Pros: Attractive colorstyle, Breathable, Lightweight, Waterproof, Wind Resistant Best Uses: Beach dog walking Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Chest Size: Feels true to size Sleeve Length: Feels true to length Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Keeps me dry without turning up the body heat.
Perfect light jacket for summer drizzle By UK trekker from Kansas on 08/11/2008 Pros: Breathable, Durable, Lightweight, Waterproof Best Uses: Travel in summer drizzle Describe Yourself: Getting Started Chest Size: Feels true to size Sleeve Length: Feels true to length Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Bought jacket for two week trip to UK during summer. Anticipated that jacket would be useful during drizzly days, and found that it was perfect for trip--lightweight, water resistant, packs to very small volume, and not suffocating in humid weather. Goretex rules.
By KT from Lopez, WA on 07/24/2008 Pros: Breathable, Lightweight, Waterproof Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Chest Size: Feels true to size Gear Usage: Cold Weather Living, Winter Sports Sleeve Length: Feels true to length Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I haven't been able to use this jacket yet since it's the middle of summer. However, it seems well made and is extremely light weight. So far so good.
Simple but everything I need By A-Lang from Taiwan on 06/17/2008 Pros: Lightweight, Waterproof Best Uses: Backcountry, Cross Country Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Chest Size: Feels true to size Sleeve Length: Feels true to length Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Easy pack into my pack and almost forget it is there. Go - light!
By Di the Dabbler from Queensland, Australia on 06/08/2008 Cons: Could be tucked away, Prefer if hood Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Chest Size: Feels true to size Gear Usage: Travel - colder climate Sleeve Length: Feels true to length Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I would like it better if the hood was zipped so that the jacket could be folded into it.
By JB from Birmingham, AL on 05/30/2008 Pros: Breathable, Lightweight, Waterproof, Wind Resistant Cons: Not Enough Pockets or Features Best Uses: Backcountry, Use around town Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Chest Size: Feels true to size Gear Usage: Wet conditions Sleeve Length: Feels true to length Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Great lightweight rain jacket. Seems durable so far. Not many pockets.
By Dry gal from Durham, NC on 04/22/2008 Pros: Breathable, Lightweight, Waterproof Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Chest Size: Feels true to size Sleeve Length: Feels true to length Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: Kept me dry in the pouring rain, beautiful color, light as a feather and comfortable.
By Texas Aggie from Lansing, KS on 04/15/2008 Pros: Lightweight, Waterproof Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Chest Size: Feels true to size Gear Usage: Cold Weather Living Sleeve Length: Feels true to length Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: The jacket was for my wife and the only issue I had was the way the hood rolled up. Not a very neat design for lack of a better term. But none the less, a quality jacket.
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