Description of Arc'teryx Easyrider Jacket - Men's:
The Arc'teryx Easyrider Jacket keeps you rolling through the gnarliest alpine conditions without a care. The full front zip has an interior windflap, and the high loft insulation laminated to a stretch woven exterior keeps you from feeling the slightest draft. The longer waist length provides further protection, and gusseted underarms keep the jacket from riding up as you climb. Multiple pockets and a quick dry chin guard are additional comfort-enhancing features, but what makes the Easyrider an excellent touring or mountaineering choice is its feather-light weight. *Available for US shipment only.
Bottom Line: Cruise through all conditions without a care in the world.
The Easyrider is toasty warm. Arcteryx makes some great products, and this is no exception. It's good as an outer layer, but I think best under a shell as it's not completely windproof. I sail for a living, and it's great on the boat. I just got back from a snowboarding trip to Austria and I was a champ in the cold. Don't put too much under it though as it heats up fast.
Prior to this, my Marmot Mercury soft shell was my favorite always wear jacket, however it was a summer jacket and provide virtually zero warmth (a long sleeved t-shirt was warmer). Not so with the Easy Rider, this has a nice fleece lining that makes this jacket good for warm and yet still very breathable. I've used it for backcountry hiking in the winter in the mountains, as a wind breaker sailing on the ocean, or just to keep warm on chilly nights. I've yet to wear it in significantly wet weather though (only mild drizzles).
this is my least favorite arcteryx jacket i own. however, i do own 5. it's very comfortable, with that shaggy fleece interior that i've been craving for so long. it's also reasonably waterproof, although i haven't tried it in super rainy conditions yet.
as for utility, i haven't been able to think of an outdoor sport where this jacket would be useful. it's not breathable enough to be used as an activewear piece, and nor is it waterproof enough to be used as rainwear. it's definitely nice on fall days in the city.