Marmot Guides Down Sweater

While I still love this jacket, there are a couple of tweaks I would make in the future.

OK, I've been looking for the perfect down jacket for when I'm not being very active, i.e. Walking the dogs to the park, sitting around camp after a long day, outdoor concerts, etc. This is as close as I've come, but...

I'll start with the positive... Love the warmth and fill of this jacket, especially now that it's a water-resistant 700 fill. Love that. The neck and hand warmer pockets are lined, really nice touch and something that I really wanted in a piece that is suited for the activities I mentioned above (and the like). The torso is a good length, long enough and it's a snap to cinch up the waist when the wind starts blowing in from below.

The shell is pretty tough, and will repel light moisture. I did clear quite a bit of brush and trees in the ice over the winter, and this thing is tough. It may not breathe every well (not really designed to though), but the zipper is top quality and the pull is very easy to grab when you need to vent a little. Interior pocket is great to have

Now to the weird... Three things that could be improved to make this the ultimate puffy. One, it runs small across the chest and/or back, when your arms are extended out in front of you (or you're giving a hug, for example) there is uncomfortable pull right below the armpits. I wear a large in everything gear wise (maybe some odd t shirts are M or XL) and I have to say that I've never had this problem before. I live in TX but if I were going sub-zero in this, layering under this might become a problem due to this tightness/constriction.

To the same end, I'll move on to my second point: angel wing movement (or lack thereof). Marmot claims that this keep a a garment from riding up when your arms are in full use (i.e. above your head). Works well on the Super Mica, but not here. With my arms above my head, the waist rides up a full 5+ inches. The saving grace is that this jacket is a little long in the torso, not odd-looking but just right!

Sleeve length is a little short too, all in all it's just a hair off for a size L. I got a good deal on it so I'm very happy, but I recommend trying it on and putting it through the motions I described to see if you'll be truly happy with it. It works for me 92.5% of the time and I can be pretty picky! but I don't really do much strenuous activity in this jacket. Playing guitar around a campfire might be a little easier with a bit more relaxed fit though, and climbing, fishing, skiing, etc would no doubt benefit as well. For strenuous activity, I go with the TNF Thunder Micro or Patagonia Nano Puff.

I am always looking for a good deal when buying new gear and here I found another one. I needed a fairly light but warm and simple jacket and that is what I found. At $74 on the Internet I thought I would give it a try.

Almost perfect for what I needed. No hood and not a true parka for any real cold weather use but great for 3-season hiking or around town to keep warm anytime. The only thing I would prefer would be 800 fill down but for this price I am very satisfied.

Two hand warmer pockets with zippers and an inside zippered chest pocket with its own built in stuff sack. Has a backing flap behind the main zipper and soft lining around the chin area, forget what Marmot likes to call this material.

Weight is 1 lb 6 oz, so it is not the least heavy out there, but once again for the money I am very pleased.

I didn't need another jacket but the $74 sale price was too good to pass up. I expected a skimpy jacket but...wow...was I surprise when this big, fat, puffy jacket came out of the box. It is as warm as any down jacket I have owned. But it stuffs smaller than any other.

It shed some down. No hood. Not waterproof. Just warm. And lite. And wonderful. I have a great North Face Mt. Erebus Parka hanging here, and a North Face Nuptse next to it. Great coats. But I believe the Marmot is the warmest. The down is very high quality. Why they call it a 'sweater', I don't know.

I should mention that the 'hand' i.e. the feel of the nylon is very soft and luxurious. It's not an all purpose garment for extreme weather, but if you need light and warm, this Marmot is the one.

This is an excellent jacket. The 2006 version had pitzips, but they discontinued that, so I no longer buy this jacket. The extra weight was worth it. If anyone has the version with the pitzips for sale I will buy it. Size Medium.

Good jacket. Wish they hadn't gotten rid of the pitzips on this around 2007.