I find this jacket to be exceptional in overall comfort and functionality. The fit of the hood is excellent and sufficiently variable for a helmet and/or other headware. Yesterday, skiing at Okemo Mountain in Vermont exemplified to me the excellent windresistant feature of the jacket, as despite a windchill at the Summit of approximately zero, simply wearing this shell and a capilene T-shirt provided adequate warmth.

One small complaint is that the main jacket zipper does not have a permanent zipper pull- as do two of the side pockets.

In contrast to the North Face Mountain Light jacket, which is only two ply Gore Tex, the Marmot would not feel damp after extreme wet conditions, whereas the Mountain Light felt damp on the inside of the shell.

I would have to disagree with the pocket design- six pockets on the chest (two internal, four external) are a bit much, and none of the pockets can carry much comfortably. All that fabric is also going to impede the breathability of the jacket, although the underarm zips would help. Reckon a smaller number of more spacious pockets would be better.

Very impressed with construction quality though.

In response to a couple of previous postings, Marmot does seem to supply additional zipper tags and now does put a fuzzy flap of material to protect one's chin from a cold zipper.

Similar Products Used:

Mountain Designs bushwalking jacket from Australia!

I've had my Alpinist III for almost 2 years and love it. I use it at work, as a technical rescue specialist for the fire department. It keeps me dry for trail running here in the frequently wet, Pacific Northwest( under arm zips are great ). Ballistic construction with it's 3 ply Gore-Tex is highly abrasion resistant. It is a heavy jacket compared with most 2 & 3plys on the market, but in my opinion worth the extra weight. It has been a pure joy in the back country and on the mountians. The price is steep, but well worth every penny. My first Marmot jacket got me through alot of cold, wet, nights on S&R missions during the Late 70's & early 80's. I was pleased to find the product is still as tough and even more functional. I would recommend this coat to anyone who is hard on equipment. I've been writing to Marmot trying to encourage the inclusion of tall sizing, to no avail. They say there is insufficient demand. Being tall & skinny I find that after all the adjustments are made, there is alot of excess fabric around the chest and just barely enough height. After alot of research, I wasn't able to find better, that met my needs. I live with this bulk and still love this jacket!

Customer Service

In contacting Marmot, they aren't the responsive company that they were in thier growing days. Hope they reverse thier stance on tall sizing!

Similar Products Used:

Northface Mountian Light, Columbias, several professional rescuer Gore-Tex jackets.

i second all above comments

must add that the pockets are a gem, especially the inner chest pockets. not only are all the pockets taffetta lined for durablity, they are the best placed i've ever experienced. i'm SO glad marmot opted to NOT place a napoleon pocket in lou of the inner chest pockets. napoleon pockets require the draft flap to be opened...a pain in the ass w/ gloves. the inner chest pockets don't interfer w/ pack straps, and they're so convient.

also, the snow skirt really adds to the warmth of the jacket.

this is a jacket you live in...something that you can leave on for hours and hours and hours bc it's functional and extremly comfortable.

Customer Service

tops...will work real hard for the cust.

Similar Products Used:

almost everything

i've used the alp. climbing jacket for 2 seasons of ice climbing and love everything about it. i've found that the hood fits very well, with or without a helmet. the abrasion resistance is incredible. i always check my shell pants for tears after a bushwhack, but never bother checking for rips on this coat. it's not too too heavy, and it packs into its front pocket (very compact). it's my suit of armor for all climbing/hiking/whatever trips.

this coat is the dryest goodness that is. period. the service I have recived from this company has been exquisite. not only that but, this coat has kept me warm and dry on many a mountain in both winter and summer; with the full pit zips and breathable gore-tex fabric you really cant loose. owning this piece of equipment has been a tremedus source of confidence for me whilst contending with nature and all the elements that are hurled so vehmenatly at me therein.

Customer Service

the service I have recived from this company has been freindly and nothing less than exquisite.

I've used my Marmot Alpinist for the past five years under most rigorous conditions found in the Pacific Northwest and it's never let me down. The form fitting detachable hood is the best I've found. This jacket has every feature you can ask for and then some. It's on the heavy side but when you're climbing in a driving wind with sleet flying in your face this is the jacket to have. It's pricy but worth every penny.

Customer Service

After three years of heavy use the Gore-tex material began to delaminate in several places. Marmot replaced the jacket, no questions asked. They stand behind their lifetime guarantee.

This is one excellent jacket. I used it on my summit day on Kilamanjaro, and was very comfy. I did get the sleeve damaged on the trip, but had it repaired. It has never given me any trouble, ie. leaking, too cold etc. The jacket is quite expensive, but it is worth the cost, especially on the summit of Ranier, in bad weather. I researched other jackets on the market, tried them all, and decided that this was the best.

I have had this jacket for some time now and for the most part am very happy with it.However within 6 months of purchase the seam tape on the right sleeve actually cut the sleeve material! I don't think this is a reoccuring problem with this jacket but nonetheless for the cost it shouldn't happen. Otherwise it is a great jacket.I would never pay full price for this jacket as there are some cheaper alternitives that perform quit well.

Similar Products Used:

TNF Mountain Guide,Solstice

I bought a Mountain Hardwear FTX Ultra jacket a few months ago. The fabric is the toughest I think I've ever seen but still quite soft and it doesn't have that thin shiny feel that so many 3 layer gore-tex jackets do. Hoods' perfect and the cut is great. It's like wearing something that was built around you rather than feeling like a big rustly tent. The fit around the collar is great too- always keeps the weather out. The only improvement I think Mountain Hardwear could make is to give the jacket a drop tail to cover your arse, but I guess most who use it will be wearing shell pants anyway. Looks good, feals good, well worth the high price tag.Go and buy now!

Customer Service

Havn't needed yet

Similar Products Used:

Berghaus Extrem products - okay but not in the same league as MH.