I bought the switch back parka made with tough nylon and it has REI elements breathable waterproof technology. I think the jacket fits better than most I tried jacket after jacket and all were priced 250$ and higher and right as I was about to give up I found this jacket. It has a tough Dwr coating on the surface to prevent the fabric from holding any water. The only thing I don't care for is the chest pockets. also just to let people know REI actually has a ONE YEAR RETURN POLICY! Even if it is bought offline you can still return it to the store months later. REI is a great outdoor store and they really listen to their customers input and comments When constructing a jacket. The switch back parka I have it different and styled better. It uses REI elements not gortex. Also if this jacket above failed you in anyway this is an older model made from vortex... So the REI JACKET didn't fail you GORTEX DID... the older models were made from gortex. gortex is very strict on the designs of jackets and the options they come with. That is why most jackets made from gortex share strong similarities and are made from a number of basic designs that gortex has tested to be the most reliable and tested the best. If you buy any jacket mads from vortex that has failed you in anyway than your beef is with gortex NOT the manufacturer. Event works a little differently event allows company's to use there product and They aren't demende. To place an event logo on every jacket nor are they given strict styles and layouts to follow. So pleawe if you don't like the jacket know where to direct your blame.

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Mountain hardwear ampato, arcteryx beta sv, marmont gortex paclite.

I have owned several Goretex-type parkas (and marine foulies, oil skins, and even some Carhart work coats too!). This one is the nicest I have owned - and one of the cheapest. It is a bit colorful for my tastes but the price was right.

It is not as sturdy as my old 60/40 parkas and army field coats- it is a lot lighter and waterproof. It is plenty sturdy enough for backpacking and light mountaineering.

I wouldn't wear it to shovel manure in when in the corral or grub the ditch in it- that is what oiled canvas is for. I wouldn't wear it where is was sitting in water (like Kayaking or sailing- it is a permeable membrane after all.

I will use it travelling and camping and skiiing and when I am birding.

Two concerns are the YKK zipper is different then the ones on my pile jackets (bummer) and seems a little stiff.

The ELEMENTS cloth it is made is not Goretex

Customer Service

REI stands behind their stuff, and if you are a member there is that rebate....I've been getting rebates from REI since 1969 and never had a problem.

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Breathable parkas/coats: Northface, Columbia parka, Sierra Designs 60/40 parka, REI 60/40 parka, US Army Field jacket.
Foulies/rain gear: NorthSails Foulies Kirkland rain suits, Gerry mountain sport parka, EMS sport anoraks, Northface cagoule
Working Jackets, Carhart ranch jacket, Drizabone jacket, Drizabone long coat. US Army field jacket

These jackit is $200, i got it for $70, tis perfect jaket for me.

I'm not certain that the product being reviewed is even the same product I own. First, the picture is outdated and the MSG is $50 higher than REI's non-sale price. That being said, I'm quite content w/ the Switchback. Before I review the jacket itself, let me just say before you buy a jacket of any sort, be honest about what you'll use it for and know what you're looking for. One reviewer tried to compare the Switchback to a Carhartt work coat. Both perform very well within the constraints of their intended uses, but very poorly otherwise. No, I would not use the Switchback to haul bricks, but I also wouldn't go alpine climbing in a Carhartt. Think before you buy and you'll always be happier. As for the jacket, I'm quite happy with it. Mine is the '05 model and, although still reasonably new, it has been through backpacking, skiing, and climbing in some pretty varied weather and I have no major issues. I've never gotten wet and it has proven solidly durable. In terms of features, the hood is very well engineered; excellent mobility and peripheral vision. The external handwarmer pockets are a little high for standing around with your hands in your pockets, but right up where you want them if you have a pack on (again, understand what your product is intended for). Powder skirts (long tail) are getting harder and harder to find on jackets, but I still prefer them for skiing, snowshoeing, and especially backpacking. On the rare occasion that I rope up in this jacket, the bottom up zipper pull provides good access to a harness (know you'll be roping up and layer over a shorter mid-layer with an adjustable hem, not a zip-in mid layer or you'll get a cold tummy). My only issues with the shell are that the collar is a little stiff. It's just fine if it's zipped up all the way or zipped relatively low, but mid-way up you get a snoot full of collar. The only other issue is not with the jacket itself, but with the compatible REI brand liners. The zip-in down jacket is nice, but too heavy for most things you'd use this jacket for, and the Muir fleece, in my opinion is only so-so. Overall, I think it's a solid jacket for what it was intended to be.

Customer Service

Honestly, I don't know why anyone is dissatisfied with this jacket. This is REI we're talking about; if you don't like the jacket you have 30 days to return it no questions asked. If you can't figure out within 30 days if you'll like it, I don't feel too bad for you. REI is hands down the best company to work with as far as service is concerned. I buy most of my stuff from REI stores, even if it's not REI brand, just because I know I'm going to be taken care of if there's a problem.

I was decidedly diappointed in this parka. Got soaked and frozen repeatedly in wet, cold Cascade storms, while my companions have done far better in their gear. Same story sailing. All the while, I was always fussing with the poor cut, cheap zipper pulls, poorly placed and oversized pit zips and the like. This is the fourth REI garment I've bought--and the last!

Similar Products Used:

Arcteryx, North Face & Marmot shells (all better--the Arcteryx Alpha SV best of all)

A great YUPPIE sign if you want the golf crowd acceptance. Just pop on your heavy, overpriced, underperforming GORE-TEX jacket and BAM, you've got instant social status. A favorite purchase by most spoiled college kids being supported by mommy and daddy as well. Take one of these babies out in the real working world of construction and see how crappy they truly are. Your better off with a Carhartt coat anyday!! And Carhartt is manufactured in the U.S., not subletted to China and Mexico!!!

Hard to understand how anyone would dislike this jacket. Tough, reliable, good features, very liveable. At first, my thought was that this thing was overburdened with features and thingies. Fact is, just about all of them have a good use. I particularly like the multitude of internal and external pockets and the felt chin guard. Very good jacket, EXCELLENT value. One note: REI apparel (at least for men) runs a bit small usually. I'm a natural borderline XL/XXL, and clearly needed the XXL in this item.

Customer Service

REI is the best customer service org in the outdoor industry.

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Marmot Vinson, TNF Goretex, Marmot Precip

This jacket sucks!!!! Let me describe how: it is too heavy for the durability it offers. It has too many pockets, too many drawcords, too many useless "features". The sleeves are too short, the cuffs aren't sealed so water wicks up your forearm, the sleeve articulation is pathetic, forget about lifting your arms. The hood sucks beyond description. It lets cold air down the collar, exposes your chin, doesn't turn with your head, lacks decent adjustments, won't fit over a helmet, and is generally miserable. The zipper is not very durable. The DWR wears out instantaneously. It costs too much. The liner absorbs an insane amount of water. DON'T BUY THIS JACKET, YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!!!!!!!!! It might be okay for low-key boring backpacking trips, but for anything other than walking to the mall, buy something else. I got rid of this thing like a bad habit, replaced it with a modified Sierra Designs Peak Bagger. PATHETIC!!!!!1

I bought this in shell '97 and it has proved to be a great investment. It has held up very well over the years. It looks almost like a new jacket today. I've never had a problem with it leaking. The arm vents work great to help keep cool. My only complaint would be about the pockets, but I know they have redesigned them since I bought mine.

Customer Service

REI always has great customer service

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None

HOT could i resist the bag was on sale for 125 dollars so i bought it and i happy with it. Its held up its breathable and waterproof and it has nice BIG armpit zippers for when its warm. My only complaint is that for some reason if feels heavier then other lightweight gortex jackets but its still light enough for more and is a great buy even at regular price.

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