It has many well placed Pockets, a very comfy hood which is a big coller when rolled up, a nice spray skirt. They could do with a size between M and L though. I had to go with a L to fit other jackets underneath and it''s a bit baggy now when I don''t have a heavy sweater/jumper. And it''s a bit bulkier than I''d like. But it wears very well except when you have an old boat with metal sticking out. I''ll give it a value rating of 4 because they charged me to fix the panel but mainly because at 400-500 US Dollars, it''s not a steal, and Don''t think Arc T''rex is a great deal at the same price range. BUT is a TOP notch product, I''ll give it a 5, I alread knocked in on the value rating! I take it everywhere with me. It''s been from Mexico to Norway, and California to Greece in the last year.

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I bought this jacket about a year ago after reading all your reviews and Have been very pleased with it. It''s certainly a couple of orders of magnitude better than anything I''ve previously owned.

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Lowe alpine jacket 10 years old.

Purchased mine about 4 years ago, before the FTX came out. FTX may be more durable (as claimed by MTN Hardware) but I have yet to see any wear on mine. I've had it around the world (literally) mountaineering in Utah's backcountry, the monsoon season in Taiwan, to the Alps of Germany. Nary a leak during that time. Love the Napolean pocket, nice and deep. The only thing now that I need to look at is the DWR is starting to wear off and the water isn't beading up as good as it used to. All in all, a great jacket and the cost didn't kill me either since I picked it up at a local sale.

This jacket is dialed -- lightweight, great construction, very breathable, minimalist. It has stood up to two seasons of hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering with no signficiant wear and tear. My only complaint is the chin flap at the top of the zipper -- it has a nasty habit of getting caught in the zipper when you try zip up. I've had this problem with two Ethereals so I suspect that it is a defect of the design. On the downside, it is expensive unless you get it on sale.

For the money, some of the Arc'Teryx parkas may be better. Furthermore, TNF makes a similar Middle Triple jacket which I have seen on sale, at auctions, etc.