Reviews by User: Germ (2)

I researched softshells months before buying this jacket. The day after I got it snowed. A heavy wet snow. Didn't dent this jacket. I was warm and dry. When I synched the waist and neck I could actually feel the heat filling up the jacket. I tried on every softshell including the Arc'teryx and Marmot. This is the only softshell that is like a normal jacket and has the best lining of them all. I wore a fleece underneath, which was snug but I felt completely bombproof and still only looked like I had a windbreaker on. This jacket also feels more mobile than the other softshells I tried on. It felt like a second skin. Perfect for everyday use, from the office to the trail. The inner lining is ridiculously soft. This piece does exactly what a softshell is supposed to do. Combine a mid-layer(fleece) and an outer layer (shell) into one jacket. You'll be as warm as the guy next to you who's jacket has 6 inches of down.

While I sypathize with the previous reviewer's troubles with a muddy front porch, there are reasons why the footprint doesn't extend past the tent floor. The most important is because water begins to accumulate between the footprint and the tent floor. Also this tent is geared toward serious enthusiasts like winter backpackers and climbers who count every ounce of gear. That extra weight in 9 sq ft of material is not wanted. MSR knows this well and this is maybe the lightest 4 season/2person tent there is. The footprint under the vestibule would also get muddy which would be practically impossible to pack out. Just move the tent. Its free standing. The only thing that If this tent had a rear door with a second vestibule this tent would be perfect. The vestibule door to the side instead of the front like most models maximizes your vestibule space.