This is an impressive jacket. I have never really seen a real shell jacket before, so to say I was impressed would be an understatement. I have seen the two-part jackets before, but they didn’t have these features. It is amazing that a jacket is able to breathe well and yet be windproof and water-resistant. Many of the features are not super unique, but what impressed me was the number of features that are able to be combined in the same jacket. The cuffs on the jacket were one of the coolest features that impressed me. The cuffs extend far enough that there is no gap to allow warmth to escape from the gloves into the coat. something so simple, but I've never had it on one of my coats. Another really nice feature is the way the coat has oversized zippers to make it easier to use when wearing gloves or in really cold weather. I know that when I put on my gloves, I cannot work most zippers, and when it is cold out, I certainly do not want to take off my gloves to do it. I also really like the two-part hood; there is the component that covers the neck and face, and then the hood goes over that. That will keep faces dry and protected from any drips that can run off the hood. The design of the coat is to go over other coats, so this coat’s goal is not thickness like some other winter coats. There is a lot of warmth that can come from layers, and that is how we dress down here; we dress in layers year-round. I didn’t understand it at first, but after the first year, I was layering as well. I've discovered how much I adore solid jackets with a thin layer of insulation that are easy to layer. There are a few features I am not sure about, such as the bottom of the coat. There are tighteners for the hood to keep the breeze out, and there are protectors for your hands, but the bottom is open. It feels like there should be something there to cinch it in and keep the wind out, but I am not seeing one. The jacket should be windproof, but it looks like it can go right up the back of the coat. These are popular with snowboarders, so I am wondering if the snowboarder lands on their backside, with the snow going up the back of the coat as well. The other part I like is the wide pockets with the covering; that way, your gloves don’t fall out and you don’t get rain or snow in your pockets. However, I do wish there was an easier pocket to slide your hands into to warm them up. Some coats will have a second front pocket for that feature. This is, of course, just a personal preference. When I am cold, the first thing I do is put my hands (gloved or not) in my pockets and pull my coat tight around me. This coat doesn’t support that movement very well. The last part is the fabric for the hood and neck; personally, I prefer something that is a little softer to be rubbing against my face, especially when it is cold. This would be the perfect place to have a fleece lining or just a strip of a softer fabric for that little part. Overall, this is a solid coat; the fabric breathes well; there is nice protection against the elements; and it is washable without messing up the weatherproofing.
