Description of Marmot Maxima Softshell Jacket - Men's:
Zip up the Marmot Maxima Softshell Jacket and the first thing you’ll think is, “damn, this thing is SOFT. There’s no way it can hold it’s own out there.” Wrong. Dead wrong. This limited edition jacket's WindStopper Soft Shell fabric blocks all wind, resists water, yet breathes well to keep you dry and comfortable on the trail or the skin track. A plush fleece lining kicks up the warmth factor and a chest zip pocket stashes your point & shoot or an energy bar. This jacket lives for high output pursuits—anything from hiking to mountaineering to backcountry skiing.
Bottom Line: Don't let the softness fool you–this thing is hardcore.
First let me start by saying that softshell jackets aren't made for standing around in a howling snowstorm. Many reviewers miss the point of softshells by saying they "aren't warm enough" even though they are just made to keep you reasonably dry and wind protected and not much more.
The Marmot Maxima is a very close fitting jacket...I'm 6'1 170 and ordered a medium and there isn't much room for layers underneath but I'm ok with that. These kinds of softshells were meant for aerobic activities in mildly cold weather and this one fits the bill perfectly. The fit is snug (beer bellies size up or look elsewhere) without being restricting and breathability seems to be good when I put a few miles on my mountain bike yesterday. I haven't tested the water repellency but I expect it will hold up to brief periods of snow/light rain.
Quality of materials and construction appear to be high. I have products from MHW, TNF, Rossignol and Arc'Teryx and this Marmot either meets or exceeds the quality of those makers. Zippers are tight but work smoothly, the inner microfleece lining doesn't insulate much but feels really good nonetheless. The cinch cord around the hem is pretty much useless since the jacket is snug as-is but may be useful if you get a size up for layering. The cut and styling are really great....the "mahogany" is a little darker and more maroon/brownish that it appears in the pics. I love the color though and have gotten compliments already.
The one con...and the reason I only gave 4 stars, is the lack of pitzips. Maybe they aren't really needed if the shell fabric is breathable enough, but still should have been included considering the asking price.
Bottom line is that this is a great addition to your winter wardrobe even if it isn't an all conditions jacket. It does do it's intended job very well...and looks really sharp doing it.
Just got this a few days ago, sizing is typical. I'm 5'7" 175 with broad shoulders. I got the large and the athletic cut fits well. I still have room for a couple of layers. Sleeves are long enough that when I reach up, they don't pull. The microfleece liner is perfect so that the jacket feels substantial instead of a thin shell. The length is a little longer than a ARC Gamma sv. I got the Jacket in Raven, its BROWN. I really like the fact that this jacket has windbloc. CONS- THE ONLY thing I don't like about this jacket is the zipper and the ridge/tube right next to the zipper. The zipper construction makes the front of the jacket (ZIPPER) really stiff. If you look at the close up picture of the jacket (front zipper) you'll see the big tubes that run along next to the zipper on both sides of the zipper. This construction makes the jacket really stiff in the zipper only.
I wear this baby every day. Office, bar, or trekking. I'm always impressed by its wind-breaking ability and it does really well layered for warmth. I've worn it skiing and it actually does well as long as you're not deep in pow (no skirt or hood). The mahogany color is definitely a bit more maroon than shown in the picture, but not a bad color. Comfy, warm and stylin. A good quality soft shell.
