By Primrose Hill from Midwest on 11/16/2010
Pros:
Breathable, Durable, Good materials, Handy glasses wipe, Lightweight, Nice pocket layout, Snow skirt, Warm, Waterproof, Wind Resistant
Cons:
Neck is too wide, Poor Fit, Sized big, Sleeves too long, Unattractive logos
Describe Yourself:
Casual/ Recreational
Chest Size:
Feels true to size
Sleeve Length:
Feels too long
Bottom Line:
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
I knew I was taking a chance on ordering a jacket online, and sadly it didn't fit. I ordered the size 6. The manufacturer's tag on the jacket said the size 6 was for bust 35, waist 27, hip 37 or something like that. I am 35-27-35 and this jacket was swimming on me, especially at the armholes and with the sleeve length. Granted, my arms are a little shorter than average (about 1 inch shorter than average), but I think that the sizing on this must run big -- even allowing for all the bulky items that many people like to wear under a waterproof shell. I could have put on a wool base layer and secondary layer, with a modern thin fleece over them, or even a thick wool sweater, and still this jacket would have been a bit too big for easy movement and heat-retaining. From previous reviews here, I was already aware of how there were several external logos and a "loud" placket when unzipped, and those reviews are correct. I sort of thought the loud red and white placket was a bit jaunty and cheerful, and for my use of such a jacket, I wouldn't be wearing it unzipped very much, so that was okay. However, there are a couple of unnecessary logos on the outside of the jacket which are not that ugly but really don't add anything to the style, and make the jacket seem more pedestrian and ordinary than it otherwise might appear (for example, a very large GORE-TEX logo on the lower front). The neck, which was mentioned by others here, is too wide, with no method by which to tighten it. I do not like to wear a huge bulky scarf or a really thick gaiter under a ski-type jacket, preferring to let the several layers of Icebreaker wool turtlenecks that I wear plus the protection of a tight collar on a ski jacket provide the neck warmth that I need, so a roomy "funnel" sort of neck on a ski jacket just means that I'm going to be cold and uncomfortable. Positives: the material is nice, the jacket is made well, the pockets are well-thought-out, the "look" (aside from the logos and the large sizing) is stylish and understated, and the addition of a zip-into-collar hood (I think that's what it was) is a plus. Due to the way the 6 fit me, even if STP had a 4 available, I wouldn't exchange the 6 for a 4 -- I'll keep looking for a ski jacket that works for me.