Marmot Men's Zion Jacket

Looked for a modern replacement for my 15 y/o Goretex jacket which is bombproof, but stiff, boardy, and doesn't breathe. It served me well for years of winter "fun" in the worst weather the White Mtns can dish out. Came down to Event or Neoshell, and I decided to go with the latter as the breathability claim seduced me - all of the waterproof/breathables I've tried are sweatboxes.
The Zion really feels more like a thick softshell. It is a quiet fabric with just a bit of stretch. I've kept the jacket as it really does perform. I love the simplicity of its design and the breathability. I do have 2 issues: fit and hood.

I own other size L Marmot jackets and they are bulbous around the torso. I am 5'10 170 with a climbers build (41" chest, 32 waist, big shoulders) and seem to be in-between sizes in a lot of jackets regardless of brand; a L with an athletic cut is best a la Arcteryx, Mtn Hardwear. Marmot claims the Zion is an athletic cut, to which I say "meh"... I bought a Med counting on some stretch. It fits well but is restrictive in the shoulders, and the most I could layer under it is a stretch fleece pullover type of thing. A L would have sleeves stupid-long and the same baggy torso so I kept the Med.
The hood is large to fit over a helmet. I bought this jacket for fall-winter hiking, period. I climb rock and ice but have no intention of using this jacket for that. I gave up wearing hardshells for ice, NOTHING will breathe enough. I go with a softshell and throw on a W/P-insulated jacket at belays. If it's raining or there is a waterfall on the climb, it's too warm...go home. And I don't ski with a helmet...It is near impossible to buy a high-end jacket these days that DOESN'T have a huge helmet-compatible hood, and it annoys me as in use without one they don't sit very well all scrunched up... and look ridiculous in town. That said, the hood on my medium, if I do the zip up completely, is a bit too tight around my chin.
Aside from that, I am loving the jacket for its amazing breathability. It really works and leave it a lot rather than seizing the first opportunity (rain stops, out of the wind, etc) to take it off. The lack of pit zips is a BONUS, as they are unneeded - and not very effective in most jackets. I DO wish they had used mesh inside the pockets so they could serve as vents. Instead they doubled the fabric behind the pockets, which is heavier and probably doesn't breathe worth a dang. Hiking the Columbia Gorge, Olympics, Mt St Helens, etc, I have had ample opportunity to wear it in the rain. It keeps me dry!
If you like Marmot fit, this jacket won't disappoint. Neoshell works, and Marmot quality is there.

I was very anxious to try out the Neoshell material, and after extensive use for this winter season, it did not disappoint.

I have used the jacket heavily for ice climbing and some snowboarding this season, as well as casual wear. The waterproof performance of this jacket is top notch. Early season ice climbing I found myself too close to an actual waterfall and the jacket performed awesome. It was like a pro shell. The breathability is quite good, but with the fleece lining it's something I will only use in cold weather activities.

The major drawback for this jacket is the hood design, which for an expensive jacket such as this, I really feel is a glaring oversight. It barely fits under a climbing helmet and doesn't fit under my snowboarding helmet at all. Even under the climbing helmet it drastically reduces movement so that I don't use it.

The styling of the jacket is great. I absolutely love the red color and get many compliments on it. The cut is a little bit short and rides up my climbing harness a little bit. I'm 5'11", 180lbs and the M fits great.

Despite the hood, I'd still recommend this jacket to anyone. It's just short of 5 stars because of that.

I just got this jacket, but put it through the ringer this weekend while ice climbing in upstate NY. (5-25 degree weather) The best things about this jacket are fit and breathability. I'm 5' 10", 170 lbs 38 inch chest, 32" waist, and a medium fits perfectly. The sleeves are very long, which is ideal for climbing. You can layer under it very easily (its cut keeps it slip around the waist but looser in the chest) as well as layer over it with a puffy or belay parka. Breathability is excellent, so much so that I didn't even miss the lack of pit zips. The only complaint and the only thing keeping it from getting 5/5 is the small hood. Compared to hoods on Rab or Arcteryx products, the hood is restrictive. It will fit over a helmet, but with a helmet on you can barely zip the jacket all the way (and if you do, range of motion is non-existent.) Hence I just didn't zip the jacket all the way up. This is the only gripe in an otherwise excellent product.

I bought one of these for my wife for Christmas to replace an aging Gore-Tex shell. She had complained that most technical shells don't offer any sort of lining and when I read about the new Neoshell technology, I thought it would do the trick and did it ever!

The jacket has great mobility, warmth and stands up to the elements while keeping the body regulated for high output outdoor activities. After seeing how hers performed, I decided to try one on. I'm an average sized male, but need an athletic to slim cut for something not to feel too baggy and this did the trick. I have no doubt that this jacket paired with a good mid-layer would stand up to the elements. I've yet to need much beyond a medium weight base layer to do most activities this winter.

If you're performance oriented and prefer a slim or athletic cut to your clothing, look no further - this is definitely a quality piece of gear to add to your stores.

I love this jacket, don't tell my wife I said that she might get jealous. This is a great bargain compared to other brands with Polartec Neoshell especially if its on sale. I have worn this from 10 degrees to 50 degrees and have stayed warm and comfortable, you just have to layer properly. I am 5' 7" 155 pounds and a medium fits perfectly with room for a base and mid layer. I'm really impress with the performance so far it is waterproof, windproof, and breathable. My only quirk is the side pocket zippers are a little high other than this it a well made jacket.

This Jacket is awesome! I've always hated switching between soft shells and hard shells during wet winter days out ice climbing, like this last winter up in Canada. Its a great jacket that keeps you warm and dry in any season, while still keeping you light weight and completely flexible. If there was one thing I had to say about this would be the price, but to be honest its totally worth it. I've always wanted them to design a hybrid jacket that moved with you and now they did! Thanks Marmot! Huge Win and Great Jacket! Email: hawkeye6841[@]

This thing breaths great. I have worn it on a hand full of hikes in the lower 20's and it kept me warm as long as I stayed active. The only place that I felt damp was were my pack pressed on my back.I have long monkey arms and the sleeve lenth is great, I can reach over head without them moving up my arms. I wish Marmot had a pair of Neo shell pants built like this jacket.

You can't go wrond with the zion jacket, i purchased the black and blue in med. @ the marmot store in SF...When i saw mj having it on sale for $308 i had to grab another one, great all around jacket keeps me warm and dry... For the $ its worth it, great for cold weather to wet weather =)

This new, more breathable fabric technology is pretty amazing stuff. Breathes like a champ. It is more wind permeable, but I don't find that to be a big deal because I just stay dryer. Its a good trade off. Marmot products fit me very well. 5'11'' x 175 lbs and a medium is perfect. Can't wait to use it more.

The Zion is an incredible jacket. It breathes better than any shell I've ever owned and has proven itself completely waterproof in the 2 months I've owned it. I have used this around town, resort skiing, snowshoeing and hiking. It is my favorite jacket and the best jacket I can take on practically any outing.