66 North Iceland Glymur Jacket

...that this isn't a women's jacket. It says it is a men's jacket and is cut like a men's jacket but the color is a lot worse than it looks in the picture. I'm afraid all my friends will laugh at me when I hit the slopes. To top it all off the zipper is backwards for being a men's jacket. I'm not sure if that is an Iceland thing or if it really was meant to be for a chick. All that aside this jacket reminds me more of an Arc Teryx jacket than anything else I've ever seen. The construction and design seem absolutely solid. The fabric seems absolutely top of the line. I usually ski 5-6 days a week during the season and get a lot of vertical and I have no doubt that this jacket would be around for a lot of seasons. I like the material better than any ski jacket I have ever tried on. I really like the design of all of the drawstrings on this jacket. They are all secured in such a way that it looks like some thought was actually put it to it. The vents/outside pockets are up where they would be out of the way of any pack. The inside pockets are a lot smaller than I like. My other jackets have enough room to hold a pair of goggles and I like that. Nothing much bigger than sunglasses will go on the inside of this jacket. I also would have liked underarm vents but I think that the design probably allows it to be more storm proof. I wouldn't have paid full price for it (would have bought an Arc Teryx for that much money) but I think that it is a great jacket.

I think that Will is referring to the Aqua Green color - which I think looks a bit like mint toothpaste in person. Maybe not the color choice that most may make, this is a men's jacket though. I have an olive color one, which I think looks much better. All 66 North jackets have the left zip, despite gender. The jacket itself is a fairly svelte fit, with just enough room for thin layering (unless one sizes up). It has no pitzips, but is constructed of eVENT fabric, which several studies say boasts better breathability than Gore-Tex. It certainly seems to breathe well. The pockets are also positioned high on the jacket, keeping clear of pack straps and providing that extra bit of ventilation. A pretty nice piece, though a pretty penny too. One note: though 66 North boasts that it is an Icelandic company, the jacket is actually made in Latvia. Also, the inside pockets are odd - narrow, stretchy, and without zipper (they are open at the top.) Otherwise, quite a nice item. Great combo of absolutely waterproof and quite breathable.

I purchased a Men's large rather than a woman's large since I have a longer torso and the aqua colour didn't bother me. I did much research on the glymur and found out that Nat Geo individuals have used the coat and this coat has been part of gear used to climb K2. So, I felt very confident; however, I was very dubious when it came in the mail. Very light and compact. Surprise! This is an awesome coat. It holds in heat, but not perspiration, blocks the wind and water and is very warm with a fleece base layer. Add in a sweater and under-armor and you will get very hot! The pockets are deep and higher which makes them accessible with a pack on. I would not have paid a full 400-500 USD for the coat but the sale price was great and I ended up with a coat I'll wear for the next 10-15 years while I engage in my outdoor adventures!

I have a few Arc'Teryx, and Mountain Hardwear softshells,and fleece, but needed to replace my shell. The jacket fits great. I got a medium (6'2", 175lbs)It has a slimmer fit, which is perfect for my built. With one layer under, you don't need much more. It blocks anything from getting in, and breaths very vell. A zip pocket inside would be nice. My only complaint, is there should be some fleece where the zipper hit's your chin. There is no fleece, or softer material for when it rubs, and after a long day that would help. Bottom line, the jacket does exactly what it is meant to do, protect you form the elements, and let out the stearm when you are hot.

Pros: This jacket is extremely comfortable to wear; the sleeves articulate *so* well. The eVent is soft, and feels very lighton the body. Cons: It's too short for me; I have the XL and am 6'3" / 210, and it comes just below my belt. When the hem is cinched in it creeps onto my belt level, higher than I want. Also there is nothing soft to the interior of the chin guard, so it rubs a little. Interior pocket is open at the top.

The aqua isn't the most masculine color in person, but the construction is absolutely top-notch.