Love the color (blue) and fit of this jacket except for hood. I could not see due to visor over my eyes, even when hood cinched back all the way. Detailed description states hood is made to accommodate a helmet-- I just need a good rain jacket and will be returning this one.
I asked for this shell for Christmas, and tested it the next day while I was running. I love it! It's perfect over a couple of layers and gives you the comfort and ventilation of a vest without making your arms freezing cold (I love the pit zips!). The petite is loose enough in the body so that I could wear a fleece underneath without feeling like a sausage stuffed into a casing, yet short enough in the body and sleeves so that it's not too long for my short torso and arms. I love that the hem is a bit longer in the back than the front. It is a bit noisy (crinkly) during movement, but that doesn't bother me.
Yes! This jacket is great for spring skiing as well as a rain jacket in the summer. It breathes very well, which I tested while hauling little kids up the practice slope during a very warm spring break last season. When walking/hiking in the hot humid rain back East last summer, it kept me dry from the outside rain as well as the inside sweat (tek3+pit zips=no clammy feeling!), though please note I wasn't backpacking or anything extreme. Some rain jackets feel more like strait jackets, but the customizable hood fit (I like that it fits over my ski helmet) and the stretch fabric are very comfortable. I like the small zip arm pocket for "can't lose 'em" car keys. Both of the interior pockets are very roomy: the music pocket works well with a cord tunnel and zip closure though the other interior pocket could benefit from a zip as well instead of just elastic to hold it closed but perhaps I'm being too picky or else others don't fall over as much as I do...
I just love this jacket. It fits great, black matches everything. It definitely breathes, doesn't leave you feeling clammy like most rain jackets. Highly recommended.
