Reviews by User: Laura Avdey (4)

After trying on this and the MH Sub Zero, It was an obvious choice! Both are waterproof, baffled, and have huge ugly hoods. BUT, the Refuge is longer in the body and sleeves than the MH, which is a HUGE complaint from many reviewers of that jacket-the sub zero is stupidly short. Being 5'11", that was VERY important to me. The OR jacket is also lighter (in weight, not warmth) feeling, and has more pockets. This big hood is great if you are mtn'eering or ice climbing and are wearing a helmet, otherwise the hood can be slightly compressed by the back drawcord to make it less goofy when not wearing a helmet. Yes, the whole jacket is very, very puffy. In my opinion, you don't buy this jacket if you want to look good. You buy this jacket if you want to be warm, no matter what. I spent two hours outside in 17 degrees F last night and the only thing cold were my toes!

Honestly, the only reason I'm keeping this is because of the screamin' deal on SAC and the awesome color (vivid green). I usually hate the colors women's jackets come in, but the bright (think florescent) green is just what I was looking for. PROS: hood and brim are a good size (no helmet) & stay put; Super lightweight; packs great; passed a quick waterproof test in shower, no real world use yet. CONS: arms are short. Another poster said they fit her monkey arms, but I don't have monkey arms and they are still at least an inch too short; no storm flap on main zipper. um DUH. this is a rain jacket. the pockets have taped zippers, but the main one is just a plain ole' zipper (I'm not going to count those little strips of fabric flanking both sides of the zip. They aren't going to stop a drip off my water bottle). There IS a flap inside the zipper, but I would prefer if the rain was stopped BEFORE it entered my jacket; many people complain about the baggy armpits. They are kind of baggy. not annoyingly baggy. The annoying part is the stiff material used as storm flaps over the pit zips (MH, why do zippers in your armpits need flaps, but the one on the front of your body does not? hmmm?) I am hoping that the stiffness will just go away with use. IN ALL, its a good jacket for the price (on SAC), and is enough to hold me over until I feel like shelling out more for a better one. *sidenote, order a size down. I feel this is the case with most MH jackets.

Wish we could change our reviews... tried on a friend's jacket in a medium. I originally got a small b/c that's what I usually get in MH stuff. The medium's arms are MUCH longer than the small's. It is baggier but I will be able to layer more under it. Also, she has had hers for a while and the stiffness in the armpits is worn out and they are not bothersome at all. Going to exchange for a medium!

Maybe its my big hands, but the elastic at the wrists hardly made it to my wrist. It is not very tight elastic either. I would prefer some sort of velcro strap. I also feel like the gauntlet is too short and narrow for any kind of winter sport. No way will it fit over my jacket nor keep the snow out.