Lowe Alpine Wildfire 3L Jacket - Waterproof (For Men)

Everything about this jacket excels. Here's a brief overview of my experience so far.

FIT: In a word, perfect. I'm an athlete at 5' 10", 142 pounds. Size small fits exactly as I expected - not too tight like some climbing oriented jackets, but definitely not loose. I can comfortably wear a Patagonia Piton and NanoPuff Hoody underneath without restricting my movement. When I don't need the insulation, the Wildfire still fits well without feeling loose. It is helmet compatible, for the few people who need that. Most of us don't and just want a hood that cinches down well and keeps the elements out. The Wildfire's hood does exactly that. This jacket is a little longer than most, especially in the back, which works great for keeping me a little extra dry. Might not work so well with a climbing harness, but I haven't tested it.

WATERPROOFNESS: Oh yes, and plenty of it. Even after an hour hike in moderate rain with a twenty pound pack, not a drop came in. When standing on the summit and getting pelted with heavy, wind-driven rain, I never noticed any moisture making it past the eVent fabric. I previously owned a higher end Arc'Teryx Gore-tex Pro that couldn't keep the rain out in tough conditions, mostly due to the lack of waterproof zippers. No problem for the Wildfire. This is serious protection and I have yet to find its equal.

BREATHABILITY: So far, this is the most breathable jacket I've used. Better than Patagonia H2No, and better than my Arc'Teryx Gore-tex Pro. My Marmot MemBrain jacket comes close, but can't quite match the Wildfire.

DURABILITY: Although I've only owned it for a few weeks, I've noticed no wear from my backpack, rocks, branches, etc. It still looks like new despite being used reasonably hard. As always, time will tell.

FUNCTIONALITY: The hood adjusts easily and cinches down well. It can be easily rolled up when not needed. The minimal cuff closures are great at staying out of the way and can be operated with gloves. The zippers are a little sticky, as are any waterproof zippers, but they work reliably. The dedicated and generous pit zips vent well. Three pockets on the front can hold a reasonably amount of gear and are also protected with waterproof zippers. There is also a small, internal zippered pocket. The kissing welt on the collar keeps it comfortable on long hikes. The cinch cord at the bottom works the same as most and I haven't had to use it in snow yet.

I'm trying to think of something I would change about this jacket and nothing really comes to mind. At full retail price, it's a deal and I wouldn't hesitate. By comparison, my Arc'Teryx jacket cost much more and doesn't perform as well in extreme conditions. If you can get your hands on a Wildfire in your size, I highly recommend it.