Marmot Men's Minimalist Jacket New Hardshell Rain Jacket, Raincoat, Windproof, Waterproof, Breathable

Was looking for a lighter jacket that I could use in less harsh conditions - for that I have a ME Lhotse jacket, but that's OTT for dog walking and summer coastal path showers etc. Narrowed search down to a small number from Marmot, Patagonia, Berghaus and Mountain Equipment; all made with GTX paclite fabric. Ultimately it came down to price and availability, plus the Marmot consistently does well in reviews, both consumer and expert.So, I've had the jacket for a few days, spent about 4-5 hours outdoors in typical West wales weather of high winds and pouring rain, including the brunt of storm Christoph. First observation is that the material doesn't leak, so there are no faults with the seams of the membrane. One source of leaks is likely to the zips, both the main and the pockets, as they are not water resistant / water tight, buit the storm flaps that protect them seem to do a great job, although I always put my phone in a plastic bag, there was no sign of dampness after a a couple of hours in driving rain.The hood is excellent, I was sceptical that the single toggle design would be as effective as the older style, but it is, although it's as fiddly as hell to adjust with bare hands, let alone with gloves on, so best done before you go out. Once you've set it though, it's really good, not as well designed or as effective as the Lhotse, but you wouldn't expect that.Sizing is true to what I would normally buy, the length is adequate, arm length is fine, cuffs fit well with enough space to overlap a pair of thick gloves.Haven't tried it on hilly terrain yet, so don't know how breathable it really is, but that's generally a myth anyway, if you're working up a sweat, you will get damp inside no matter how good the material is.In summary:Pros- Good fit- Quality of construction, no leaks- Hood fitting- Lightweight and packable- Reasonable price for paclite GTX jacket- Napolean pocketCons- Fiddly hood adjustment- Zips not water resistant (though they haven't leaked)

I have not used this jacket for long enough to comment on its durability. It is lightweight and wind proof and the sizing is correct, although the sleeves are long - not necessarily a bad thing. However in all my 70 years plus I have never been sold a cardigan, fleece, jacket, deep-sea oilies or even life jackets with left hand zips. This jacket is supplied with the tongue of the zip on the left, which means you have to use your left hand to insert the tongue into the zipper. Furthermore, the single breast pocket is on the right chest with the zipped opening facing the centre. Again, the left hand has to be used to open the pocket and retrieve the contents. Fine if you are left handed, but most of us are right handed and you may find the design odd, and possibly irritating. Nothing wrong with catering for left handed people, but there should be an option, and the odd feature should be made clear.

I bought this blue Marmot Men's Minimalist Jacket (large) in July 2021. Despite being right-handed, I was comfortable with the left-handed format of this jacket and can live with the removal of the hood-tensioner and 'sealing-button' at the base of jacket compared to the same jacket I purchased 3 years ago (in a slightly darker blue). However, less acceptable is the quality of the zipping. In particular, the zipping on all parts of the garment looks and feels flimsy/cheap compared to the more robust zipping on my previous jacket and is difficult to operate. A pocket zip has already snagged and the main zip on the front is unnecessarily fiddly to link up (to zip the jacket up), not good for what is meant to be a quality, outdoor jacket. I am not confident that the zipping will last, it looks like something you'd find on a supermarket product. I very much like the style of these minimalist Gortex jackets, but feel that Marmot have let their quality (and image) slip by undertaking what looks like cost-cutting.

Have worn this jacket in torrential rain and yes,it keeps you dry.there are issues with the hood and in strong winds it tends to ride up as the toggle at the back isnt particularly useful.

Lightweight and waterproof

This coat is very thin. It crinkles noisily and cannot match my Berghaus Hill Walker for warmth. There are just two side pockets, so no where to conveniently stash phone plus the hood does not fold away. Waterproofing very good, but only tested in a few showers around town and can’t comment on shelf life. Good for those who want light tight-fit waterproof shell on bikes or jogging, but I’d probably not recommend for hill walking.

So it is very comfortable and price is similar to other gortex jackets, HOWEVER the main reason you buy this jacket is to have something waterproof and breathable for treks, and it is not waterproof at all, I've got caught on the mountain with a small rain and my jacket absorbed all the water...Will have to return it,

Smart looking jacket that’s light, totally waterproof so far and effective at blocking wind. I’ve had jackets that claim to be breathable but this is the first one that’s really lived up to the claim. I’ve worn it on a hot, humid, rainy summer day and barely broken a sweat. The zips all have covers and don’t leak. I like the stiff peak on the hood that helps prevent it drooping down over the eyes. I think that at this modest price point, this is a great, lightweight jacket that is very versatile and great value for money.