Marmot Silverton Gore-Tex® Pro Shell Jacket - Waterproof (For Men)

While in Yellowstone, I met someone who had this jacket and really liked it. I live in the rainy half of Oregon and spend several hours every day outside, and was looking for a new, dependable, really, truly waterproof jacket, so I ordered this from Sierra. I love the jacket. I've had it a couple weeks, and we are in the midst of a really, really rainy spell (for the foreseeable future), so I'm wearing the jacket alot and it's been great. I am female, but ordered the medium men's (I have rather broad shoulders) and it fits fine and is comfortable. If I'm really working, and don't quite have my layers right, the inside can get a little sweaty - but not bad, and the pit zips are big enough to really help.

This is overall a great jacket. Being made with Pro Shell it performs well for its purpose, which is maintaining some level of breathability while being practically waterproof. The finish of the jacket is quality, as it should be for the price, and I am pleased with how light it is for a jacket with four zippered pockets and a powder skirt. I bought this to climb running ice routes in, and I am overall happy with the purchase. The color and pattern have grown on me and I love how it looks. I can't speak to the effectiveness of the powder skirt because I removed it and haven't used it since.

There are a few second order things that keep this from being a five-star jacket. First, as I have read in other reviews, the hood should be roomier. With a helmet on - I have a Petzl Elios, which is a fairly typical climbing helmet as far as size goes - the tight fit causes the material on my shoulders to lift up a bit. This causes extra pressure on the top of my head, which doesn't sound like a big deal but gets old real quick, and if conditions are such that you are wearing this jacket, you are probably going to want the hood up too. Also, I have a hell of a time with the zipper on the arm, even without gloves on. The waterproof zippers require more force then normal ones, and this can lead to the fabric bulging out when you pull the zipper, rather than it coming undone. It isn't a problem when you can use two hands, but that isn't an option for the arm zipper. That being said, there's no point in using one that's easier to open if it doesn't keep you dry.

As far as sizing goes, I am 5'10" and 190 lbs, fairly athletic with a 43" chest and 71" wingspan. The large fits great for what I want: it will comfortably go over my three other layers, but isn't absurdly big when I wear it alone over a t-shirt. The back goes about halfway down my butt, and the sleeves go about halfway down my palm if I don't tighten the velcro at the wrist. For reference, I have a large Marmot Super Hero which fits great alone or over a fleece, and a medium Marmot Aegis which fits great alone or over a fleece and softshell.

nice jacket