Outdoor Research Furio Jacket

Even though I'm going to say some nasty things about this jacket – don't get me wrong – I will not return it because it's a good purchase altogether.
So the good:
* It's Goretex and not some other membrane. After a very bad experience with Hyvent I prefer to pay the extra buck for Gore and get something extremely durable. Which is also by the way – very windproof, something usually people overlook.
Please don't bitch about Gore's breathability now as I prefer a weather armor than a sieve.
And speaking of durability - my old Goretex XCR jacket was retired not because it stopped being waterproof, but mainly because I'm not fat like in the old days ;)
* Proshell in the shoulders area (where the backpack would rub on it) and Paclite for the rest makes up for a great design. I was eyeing also the Arc'teryx Alpha Hybrid jacket – but I didn't rob a bank yet, so I settled for this. This combination of Proshell and Paclite is a smart design – well done OR (& Arc'teryx).
* The price is perfect, got it for ~$200 so I consider it very affordable as a shell jacket.
* Fit is very nice and athletic. I took a small size and I'm 5'9” 145lbs. Not baggy at all and I could layer underneath easily. The hood also has a great shape and I like it - fits over my climbing/skiing helmet.
The bad:
* Pockets – too many of them (4) and in the wrong place. The 2 lower pockets are probably going to give me hell when I'll have a harness. None of the pockets is big – none of them would fit a map.
* Size zippers, oh god, the side zippers. So the armpit/side zippers unzip all the way down. And if there's any major flaw in the jacket – it is this. The bottom part tens to slightly unzip itself every once in a while. OR should put a velcro there to prevent them from unzipping, or just make regular armpit zips. I'm not too excited by the “poncho” function of the jacket nonetheless.
* On a side note I'll say that also the main zipper is slightly harder to operate comparing to other things I know of. Why? - don't know.
Altogether, very nice as a weather armor, it's quite lightweight and packs nicely into the hood. Looking for a jacket and got just $200? - buy it.
Got 4 out of 5 stars mainly because of the ridiculous side zippers and the position of the pockets.

If you're a multi-sport enthusiast like I am, you've probably encountered the frustration of trying to find gear that can do it all when the top products seem tailored to niche markets and highly specialized pursuits. We don't want to waste money buying an expensive niche jacket for each activity we do: We need one solid, simple jacket that will repel precipitation, block wind, and survive wear-and-tear through everything from backcountry skiing in the pow to bicycle commuting on a stormy summer day.
For me, the Furio is "the one," a real Renaissance jacket. It's got strategically-placed Gore-Tex Pro for durability and Paclite for breathability and weight. It has what I would call a "relaxed technical" fit - relaxed enough to allow for comfortable layering, but not saggy or boxy like a more generically fitted product from TNF or Columbia. The full-length torso zips are a great touch - they are two-way zippers, so you can just open up the pit areas if you want, or you can completely open up both sides of the jacket and wear it poncho-style. It also provides for quick and easy access to underneath pockets. Outdoor Research seems to be a real innovator in the area of jacket ventilation. While most companies are resting on their pit-zip laurels, OR is really expanding functional ventilation with products like this, and those that feature their Torso Flo (or whatever) ventilation systems. I appreciate that, although this jacket doesn't have a lot of "technical" features, the ones it does have are genuinely functional and useful.
They say that a jack(et) of all trades is a master of none, and so depending on your needs, you may find that the Furio is not specialized enough. It doesn't have a powder skirt. The pockets are a bit low for a climbing harness. It's not as breathable as a dedicated summer rain shell. It's not as lightweight or packable as a minimalist backpacking jacket.
But as the product video dude says, if you're looking to invest in just one technical waterproof/breathable shell that will do it all, the Furio definitely deserves your consideration. I've hunted through every brand from Marmot to Patagonia to Mountain Hardwear and this is the most versatile shell I've found. The fact that it's $50-150 cheaper than comparable items from other brands doesn't hurt, either.

I use this hiking in the White's all winter. Works great in lower temps, not very breathable but I find myself removing and adding layers all the time in the winter anyway. As another reviewer mentioned this jacket is gore-tex paclite with pro shell reinforcing so it holds up really well to an icy pack. Very, very waterproof, er, weatherproof. Have had lots of ryme ice built up on the outside of this thing, nothing gets through. I'm 5'10 190lbs. and wear an XL. A large would fit fine too, but I like having some room to put my montbell ul down inner underneath and for range of motion while wearing a pack.
Update: After completing (finally) a winter pemi loop this jacket remains completely intact. Not a scratch from serious bushwhacking and the usual blowdowns on Garfield ridge. Paclite pants suffered a few tears but this jacket is incredibly durable!

I generally like this jacket, it's burly and waterproof, but the pockets really suck. There are a lot of them, and they are all tiny. None of the pockets can fit a 1L water bottle, or large cam, or an ice screw, or a large winter mitt, or a dvd case, or a paperback novel, or just about any useful thing you might want to put in your pockets.

Waterproof. Durable fabric. Has proven worthy on all my hikes and backpacking trips in Virginia and Minnesota. Only has 2 small pockets, could use some for the hands (I see the new design has these now). I love how strong the fabric is. On a wet day, I like knowing I can push through thick trees and brush or climb through thick willow and not worrying about tears.

I bought this for my boyfriend, and he says. "Great construction with an awesome roomy fit. Ultra waterproof and light. Nice amount of pockets for storage, however they're a bit small. Originally I purchased a TNF Meru Jacket, but the lack of pockets made me return it for this one. Glad I did. Plan on owning this one for a while."

I was loathe to admit my trusty old hard shell needed replacing. So many memories... But once I pulled this steely eyed beauty out of the shipping bag I knew my life would be forever altered. Kept me dry in alaska, keeps me dry in Utah.