The Ground Women’s Repel Jacket does more than just repel moisture—wear this shell in a downpour or wet snow, and stay dry. The waterproof eVent fabric also lets your sweat evaporate so you don’t produce a sauna inside your jacket. A four-point-adjustable hood fits over your helmet, and hand pockets accommodate a backpack waist-belt. Stow this jacket in its back pocket and wear like a lumbar pack when the skies clear.
I just got this jacket yesterday and it fits me perfectly. I'm 5'2", 115lbs and not very busty. I'm also pretty hourglass-y so I haven't noticed any excessive flaring at the hips for my body type. I decided to get this jacket after reading the other reviews, and the body and arms fit wonderfully. I'm pretty excited to try out the eVent fabric today. The jacket does not have pit-zips, but from other friends who have used eVent before, I'm not sure yet as to whether or not I will need them (Westcomb's Mirage jacket is also made of eVent and does not have pit zips either). I do agree with one of the previous reviewers that the torso could be a bit longer; the jacket hits me 3/4 of the way down my bum, so I will have to use rain pants as well if I'm doing some serious hiking. Also I would like the hood to be a bit larger/roomier for ponytails, and the main zipper is plastic instead of metal like the pocket zips and back pocket (which I'm sure I will have issues with later). You can turn the jacket into a pouch using the back pocket and it comes with a strap to use as a waist belt. I bought this for the sale price, and would not have paid the full $360 for the jacket unless it had the previous changes made, or had additional features such as a small external upper sleeve pocket, interior pockets, breast pockets, regular pockets with pit zips and was ipod compatible. Good value however, for the money spent on it. I'm also very impressed by the type of velcro used (the hooks are incredibly smooth to the touch, yet durable and strong). The tulip/crimson color is a nice, soft red color.
I too was excited for this jacket but had to return it because it didn't fit. I'm 5'8" and around 125 pounds and the jacket in size small was not made for someone my height or build. The sleeves are at least an inch too short and the back of the jacket (longer than the front) hits the middle of my butt instead of below it. The hips are flared too much (but there is a drawstring at the hem) and I think there's more room around the midsection than there needs to be. I have a small chest and had no problem with the fit there. I don't have a big head, but I must have a long neck since the majority of hoods don't fit me - this one is no exception. I don't have a chance of wearing this hood over a ponytail and staying dry. It seems like the size small would be ideal for a girl of medium build around 5'4" or shorter with a small/medium chest.
The hand pockets are quite high but that might be to avoid interfering with a hipbelt. Also, instead of pit zips the jacket has zip vents that go from the side of your breasts to your waist. The coat also comes with a webbing strap that has a plastic side release buckle - I guess you can fold the jacket into the back pocket and strap it to yourself like a belt. I didn't test that out. I wish I could have tested out the functionality of the eVent fabric, but I couldn't get past the fit.
I was excited for this jacket, but had to return it because it fit weird. Jacket has a flare at the hips which was more than I needed, and didn't have enough room in the chest for me. If you are chesty not the best fit. Also the pockets where in a weird position and the straps that sit in the pocket you can fold the coat into make unsightly bulges on your lower back.
