Lightweight, Stylish, Vents with pit zips, Waterproof, Wind Resistant

Backcountry, Casual Wear, Hiking

Casual/ Recreational

Feels true to size

Cold Weather Living, Warm weather downpours

Feels true to length

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

I wanted to replace a slightly tired and very much older version from the same manufacturer in periwinkle, whose only major problem was at the neck where the waterproofing layer had worn away over the last three years. I looked at and tried on tons of other options most for far more money and in ugly colors. I found that my original jacket had spoiled me for anything that offered me less than I'd had! Normally I wear a petite L and am curvy, this jacket has adjustable tabs at the wrist so even though the sleeve is a little long it doesn't fall down, also over a fleece you need a bit more length. I can't say enough good things about this design which seems to have it all! This jacket is the updated version of my old one and it's almost perfect. This has slightly less extra room than my old version as it has much more attractive feminine shaping through the waist - still maintains plenty of reach room through the shoulders. The new addition of a collar at the neck should solve the problem of the worn waterproofing and it's more comfortable. Which means that this one could be expected to last even longer than my original, which had to be about 10-12 years old. I wore it frequently in both CO and FL. In CO I either wear it 'as is' or layer it over fleece against rain, cold and winds. In FL I use it even in summer against those drenching downpours/wind - open the pit zips to get extra venting and still stay dry. Additionally it has an roomy adjustable hood which can be pulled way forward or closed completely around the face with pulls and shortened in the back by using a velcro tab for a close and perfect fit. The zipper will not poke you as it is covered at the face area. I can't quite rate it as perfect because I'm not crazy about the added velcro on the now slimmer pocket edges. I hate the sound of velcro and I have to reach higher than I'd like to release it. The delay in getting into the pocket annoys me, as I use the pockets frequently and need to quickly unzip and get into them at my doorway. I'm sure the velcro keeps wind blown rain from penetrating but I'm not usually out in hurricane force winds! If you are, or you climb or backpack in severe conditions you might appreciate the velcro-ed down pocket and pit zip edges. I've NEVER had rain, no matter how wind driven or severe, penetrate any part of my old jacket! This new one has already been used frequently in a very unusually rainy summer in CO. It works perfectly in either CO's normally arid or FL's hot, humid and wet climate - I"m always dry! Does have a slightly crinkly sound which absolutely doesn't bother me, in fact I like it. Buy it and try it, you'll love it's attractive styling and extreme practicality - what could be better?