I have been taking a four-mile morning walk for fifteen years. I get very hot by the first mile. If I take off my coat, often my arms or back get cold, and it's a bother to carry the coat. All these years I have often wished that there was such a thing as a coat with zippers under the arms so I could let off some heat! I had no idea that someone had actually invented one until I discovered this one! Those zippers are just about the greatest invention since sliced bread!! Opening them cools me down and also allows me to keep the coat on rather than carry it. I also like the fact that the hood is removable. When the sun is bright in the spring, I remove it so that my back does not get too hot. I like the fabric, the style, and the many pockets. I've also never heard of a hood that will fit over a helmet, so this will come in handy for biking in cooler weather. One tiny negative....When the underarm zippers are open, the edge rubs against the fabric, so you have to get used to the "squeak squeak" sound you hear with ever step and swing of the arm. No big deal though. I love the coat and got it on sale.
I bought this jacket for spring skiing on Mt. Hood. I wore it last Saturday. Skinned up the palmer snow field, warm but windy day. As I started to get hot, I unzipped the pit zips and kept a perfect temperature. When we got to the top, I zipped them up and stayed perfectly warm.
Only complaints, the arm compartment wouldn't fit my iPod classic, I had to put it in my lower pocket. Also, the hood seems built for a helmet, so if you aren't wearing a helmet, it has to be cinched down quite a bit.
All in all, great jacket. I uploaded a video to you tube listed below, if you want to see it in action.
This is a nice fitting shorter jacket. I am a 5'5" 60+ year old woman (140lb) and the medium is a good fit. The sleeves are a bit long but I can turn them under if I do not use the Velcro closures. There is not a lot of extra room around the bottom when the zipper is closed so I better not put on any pounds! There is only a single zipper not the 2 way zipper I prefer on my jackets. I have not been out in the rain with the jacket yet so I can't speak about the waterproof properties.
In the past I have unsuccessfully searched for a waterproof jacket in an attempt to find a good fit. This jacket was well made and the two-tone colour was great. I ordered an extra- small petite as I am only 4' 10. The sleeve and overall-length was just fine for me. Unfortunately, as I am "pear-shaped" it was snug through the hips. I could do it up but it wasn't comfortable enough to keep. Still looking!
