Reviews by User: gorgeguy (6)

I bought this jacket for 2 reasons: (1)I needed to repel Portland rains, and (2)I wanted a less expensive jacket not made in China or exploited countries. While Latvia is undergoing development, I've not heard it mentioned as an labor outsource destination. It is definitely lightweight, sometimes to an unsettling degree. However, it beads up rain like heavier jackets and I have no seam or water issues inside after 2 good soakings. The outside pockets are roomy, but they are a bit high up (for backpacks maybe) for just ordinary use. Some funky pockets are on the inside can hold stuff, but they are narrow and open with a stretchy material as the outside. Overall, it has some 5 qualities and is only 2 of 8 jackets I've kept from B.O. The pockets bring it down just a notch.

While I have yet to experience harsh weather, I still can feel how superb this jacket is. It beads up the water and is warm, really warm. Ironically, it is not too warm. I'm not sure how it works but it just keeps you toasty but still vents. The quality is also impeccable in its stitching. The only downside is no interior pockets so that will take some time for me to adjust. The best thing about this jacket is that it was (still) made in Canada. Some (many?) other Arc products are now made in China

Okay, I bought this more as a cold weather jacket, but water-proofness had to be part of the package. So far this jacket seems to have fit the bill. It is heavy, and while not advertised as insulated, it is definitely very toasty. Definitely could be used skiiing or maybe even Antarctic aspirations. The pockets are roomy and the overall feel is like "Take a stroll and hang out in this frigid air." Can't imagine this being the active guys kind of rig as it is bulky, but it has a real nice feel. The water-proofness felt solid, but I have only put it through to tests. The water did bead up in the lighter sections, but the darker ones seemed to absorb some. It does say water-proof, but it just doesn't seem like it will repel as good as Gore-Tex. Time will tell. In all, I like this jacket, especially as its made in Latvia not southeast Asia. However, I do wonder why don't they make it in Iceland.

I wanted to like this jacket. It looks sleek (think dragon skin) and it definitely repeled the rain. However, the sleeves irritated my arms so I had to return it. Don't know if it was because it was like dragonskin or if it was the treatment to repel water. Regardless, I can't wholeheartedly recommend it.

I bought this jacket to serve as a cool weather wind-breaker and as a layer for colder weather. It may have served the latter function, but it failed on the former. I have to admit that the comfort of this fleece was unsurpassed. It was smooth and moved well with my movements. Also being made in the USA was a major selling point to me. However, the interior was very basic and the pockets did not look like they would last more than a year or two. The biggest drawback to this jacket was that it did not keep me warm enough on a cool day. I wore it in low 50s temps with a 10-15 mile hour wind, and I felt cold. Much of the air came in through the pockets which served as a conduit for passing winds as the lining is a thin, holey material. I feel this part of the jacket was not thought through well enough. Overall, I would give it a 2.5 because it did have some redeeming qualities, but not enough to warrant to large cost.

When I first opened the box with this jacket inside, I had to say I was a bit disappointed in the color. The green looked like split pea soup. I tried it on and felt that the fit was nice and it definitely is light. For me, it was too light and felt cheaper than a top of the line jacket. Add to that, it was made in China and it didn't take me long to return it. I haven't bought a rain jacket for 7 years, which means I'm out of the loop relative to new styles and functions, but this jacket didn't seem worth the huge cost.