Appearence:
It's well constructed. No ragged sew lines,or discolouration in fabric. Looks like top notch equipment. I love this shell!

Performance: "Old style" GoreTex ; 2-layer,ripstop nylon.
The jacket has worked well,through a couple of dry Texas autumns/winters. This fall and winter,it's been extremely wet in Austin,so this year is the true 'benchmark'.
The jacket does not breathe as well as I'd like it to. You stay wet,and clammy,for awhile.
At Christmas 2000,I noticed a tear/break along the left sleeve seam tape (applied underneath). Had to send jacket in to Mountain Hardwear for warranty repair. ** see "Other Comments"
Overall- it's a great shell-style wise!

Customer Service

Get ready.

I sent in this parka to be repaired,in February. No problems,right? The Mountain Hardwear warranty dept. has problems,with regards to responding in a timely fashion back to you,if you've got any questions. Sometimes it's weeks before they'll reply to your inquiry. Anyway,I had to call them and ask 'when' my parka would be returned -estimated time. At this time they replied,via telephone & email, " It's done! You'll get it in five days..." I assumed five 'working' days. So two weeks went by...no Parka...no call from Mountain Hardwear. I called them to ask what was goin' on. They said they'd get back to me. So a few MORE days passed by,and I got an email that said they had" no idea,as to the wherabouts of my parka. It's lost..." After a few more days,they emailed that they'd "...replace it with an Ethereal FTX Parka,immediately,since the Vertigo is now discontinued..." So my favourite shell is lost; It's only fair to replace it,right?? Four days later they email'd me,"Oh! We've found it,and are shipping it to you!"
I'm like, "Wait a minute here! You all said that you were going to ship me out a replacement,at least four days ago. Why isn't the replacement on the way?!?"
It goes to show you that these guys stall you,when/if something goes wrong,on their part! I hate their service! I got my original parka back.Sure. But they should have sent the one they promised me,immediately after they offered it to me. But they stall,and stall,and stall. I used my trusty old NORTH FACE shell,during this time period. Oh- I got a "free" cap.(It don't fit- it isn't even one they sell out of their catalog!) I had to wait an extra eight BUSINESS days- two and a half weeks,because of their error. And then they promised me a replacement,which they had no intention of fulfilling,otherwise I'd have had it already.
I have back,what I sent to them; It's repaired - no questions about that! But their customer service is not good,for a company who is selling "World Class" sports equipment,at a considerable price!

Due to this episode,I do not think that I'd ever buy another Mountain Hardwear SHELL,again! -this despite me liking their products so much! Marmot,and NorthFace? -I've never had any issues with their products,or service!

Sevicewise - I giveMountainHardwear an "F".

Similar Products Used:

North Face- 'Mountain Guide' parka;
Marmot; VauDe.

The only thing worse than this jacket is the customer service! At -20 c and moderate exersion I had ice building up inside the jacket! The pits zips were wide open. This jacket just doesn't breath. Worked great balled up inside my pack. But whats the point of having it then???

Customer Service

Their customer service is a joke!!! I returned the jacket after using it one weekend complaining about its breathability and was given washing instructions. I then contacted the customer service by phone. During this conversation I was told that maybe it wasn't the jacket that maybe I should get into better shape!

For a base line I ski instruct the ski patrol in around Banff! Putting in around 70 days a year.

I'll never purchase anything from Mountain Jokewear again!

Similar Products Used:

North Face, Marmot, Exteme Elements, Patagonia.

I bought the Vertigo because I'm 6' 5'' and it was the only technical waterproof/breathable parka I could find that was long enough in the torso and sleeves (for you other tall fellas, the XL size is just fine). So far I have mainly used it for skiing and tromping around town in inclement weather. For these tasks it has performed very well overall. The hood is pretty good but the fabric and zipper in front are stiff and line up just perfectly to jab me in the chin when the hood is up,

Similar Products Used:

None

A wonderful parka! I've owned/used a number of GoreTex shells over the years and this one is probably my all-around favorite. Very breathable for GoreTex. The hood is one of the best available -- provides great peripheral vision and is easily adjusted. Inside water bottle pocket is a nice touch, as are the lower hand pockets -- in fact, the lower pockets are the reason I bought this jacket in the first place (I know, they can interfere with a hipbelt, but one isn't always wearing a backpack!). Pitzips are easily reached and run smoothly. Styling is nice. One of the only drawbacks to the design of this piece is that the velcro patches on the storm flaps seems kind of skimpy. It hasn't led to any leaks or anything of that nature, but they could have made the velcro patches a little larger. One more nit to pick: the inside sleeve lining is finished right near the end of the cuff. If the cuffs are not cinched down tightly, it would be possible for water to wick up the lining during a rain. But, other than these truly minor criticisms, this is one great shell.

Similar Products Used:

Marmot -- various, including Thunderlight and Turnweather parkas; North Face Mountain Light,
Patagonia Storm, Lowe Alpine Flash, North Face Climb Very Light Anorak.