Marmot Afterburner Jacket

In my search for a good Windstopper fleece I must have looked at at least two dozen different jackets from all the major companies (and some small ones). The Pamir was on sale so I ended up buying it. Big mistake. The construction was quite good, but the fit was ridiculous. I got the large and though it was long enough the sleeves came down below my knuckles and the chest area billowed around me (I'm 6' 160). I reluctantly sent it back to BC and kept looking.

My quandary was that I wanted a warm, wind-proof/resistant jacket that I could wear on those nasty 40 degree days in November and under a shell in January. The Marmot M1 sofshell material might have worked, but the jackets built with it were all too expensive. There were deals to be had on some Arcteryx jackets, but I wanted to be able to wear it even in non-outdoorsy setting without feeling like a complete ass (Marmot/TNF/Etc. are bad enough).

The problem with most of the softshells and technical fleeces I found was that they were designed for aerobic activity. Great if you're running or climbing, but not so good for strolling around town. After my failure with TNF I decided to look at other brands. The ubiquitous MH windstopper jacket looked nice but it was too pricey. I decided to stick with Marmot (in my comfort zone). The Superhero, Leadville, Torrid, Afterburner, and Sharp Point were all tempting. The Leadville was too softshell-ish and wouldn't have been warm enough. The Torrid was really tempting but lacked the warmth and wind resistance I wanted. The Superhero was too expensive as was the Sharp Point. The Afterburner seemed perfect. I like my clothes to have as little flash as possible, so I got it in black--and it's great.

It has the gray "Marmot" on the left side of the chest, but other than that there are no logos on the back or arm--something I appreciate when companies like TNF like to plaster their name all over their products. The Afterburner is fairly thick for a windstopper jacket, but it's also really warm. The inside of the jacket is all soft fleece, same with the two hand pockets. There's an inner pocket not mentioned in the listing that's quite nice (very roomy).

Fit: I am, as I said, 6' 160. I'm fairly lean and the jacket fits nicely. It's not a super trim athletic cut but it fits pretty close and I don't think I could layer a whole lot underneath. Probably not more than a Patagonia C3 or wool base layer. Certainly not another fleece unless I sized up. It's a tiny bit shorter than I'd like, but it's not bad.

I have had numerous fleece jackets over the years and appreciate their light weight and insulating qualities. The only drawback is when the wind blows it goes right through fleece. I searched for years for a functional wind blocker fleece that was comfortable to wear and didn't feel like cardboard. The Afterburner is well designed, it is full cut but not too boxy. The full cut allows for easy layering and has drawstrings to adjust fit. The best part is the fleece material is soft and flexible and not too thick. The neck and wrist cuffs are extremely comfortable and make it a joy to wear. The jacket is nice enough to wear around town. It has quickly become my favorite when the temperature drops below 40-50 degrees. The only thing I would like is an outside chest pocket (Marmot had one a few years back) to make it more functional in the field. You won't be sorry you spent the money on this jacket.

This two-toned beauty will keep you going. I love it. I beat the crap out of it doing off-width/chimney climbing at J-Tree in 40 degree weather with the classic wind blowing, and it worked like a charm. The Windstopper did what it was supposed to do, and the material held up to the 8-grit sandpaper that is J-Tree. As long as I wasn't sitting in one place not moving for more than 10 minutes (read: windchill felt like 25), I was fine. Used as a mid-layer, and you're good to go for some pretty chilly situations.

Lack of pit-zips makes it probably not the most ideal for really high-intensity activities, but that's what your softshell is for. I used it for a lot of cooler-weather rock climbing, and it was great. It's also nice enough to wear it out on the town for a few post-crag beers.

I'm 6', 165lbs, and the M fits perfectly.

I used the Afterburner while hiking Teton Pass in temps between 15 & 20 degrees with high winds. My legs were freezing in my softshell pants but my core was toasty warm. I also tried it for an over night tour. We skinned in for 4 hours with a sled, and surprisingly, I didn't need to switch to my down jacket while we set up camp and cooked dinner. Bring a waterproof shell if snow is in the forecast. It is not as packable as some fleeces, but packs better than most softshells. I would prefer the Afterburner over my Windstopper softshell.

Sizing:I am 6'and have a tall torso with a 45 inch chest and the XL was too big, the large is perfect. If in doubt i would size down!

BOTTOMLINE: It breathes better than my softshells keeping me dry and warm while skinning and Skiing.

This fleece does fit very close to the body; I am 6'0"/165 lbs and the Medium fits well with just a thin baselayer underneath. I couldn't get anything else under it, so if you want to layer, just order a size up (which I've found is the case with most Marmot gear). However, it blocks the wind and is warm, so I can throw it under a soft- or hardshell as needed to warm things up. Overall, I've been happier with my Patagonia R4, and if you're looking for a fleece that is windproof and warm and easier to layer underneath, that is the fleece you should be looking at. But all in all, this is a good piece of gear that I can use by itself in spring and fall and under a shell in winter.

The Afterburner jacket is both functional and warm. From deep side and chest pockets to a well made and stylish looking jacket. Spring in Tasmania is usually windy and at times cold. Today was like that when I went wave sailing. Checking the conditions in twenty to thirty knot winds can really chill you, but I found that the Afterburner repelled the gale and I felt warm enough to go out for a sail. Coming back in and keeping warm can be a problem if you are in a standard fleece jacket where the wind knifes through and leaves you shivering. The Afterburner kept the wind away from my already cold core and I was able to derig in relative comfort. This jacket really does stop the wind and looks great.

I bought this jacket on sale only because I was looking for a windblock fleece and it seemed to fit well and feel good. I had no feelings one way or another for this particular jacket. It has quickly become my favorite. The other reviews for this jacket really capture the pluses for outdoor conditions. The incredible thing for me is just how soft and warm this coat is regardless of the conditions. In cases where a hard shell is not needed this jacket is the first thing I grab. The fit? A bit more roomy than some technical fleeces but I'd rather have a shell that fits this way than other form fitting (read movement restrictive) jackets on the market.

I have fleece from North Face and Columbia, and this fleece far outperforms both of them. I was skeptical of the WindStopper capabilities, but they are just as advertised. I live in northern Michigan and with a sweater under it, I go outside in 15-20 degree weather with 20+ mph winds (like all last week). It is warm and flexible. I called Marmot to figure out the fit of this jacket, it is causal fit. It is not a technical fit. I really appreciated the longer torso length since I'm a taller guy (6'2"). I would recommend this to anyone, it is well worth the price.