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Imported.
Item 787702
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Displaying reviews 1-2
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Arc'Teryx Hercules Jacket - Men's:
I bought this jacket from REI about 1 month ago, and I've been very happy with it. I wear it even in the Michigan winter, down to windchills of about 30F when walking, hiking, or sledding with the kids. When exercising vigorously, I'm sure I could wear it in much colder weather, although I have other gear for that. In fact, I think I'd overheat if I tried to run or snowshoe in it. The jacket provides excellent windblocking and insulation. I haven't been in a heavy rain yet but it's done great in light rain and steady snowfall; the water just beads up. I bought the copper version and I've gotten several compliments on it. It looks different (and much better!) than most of the Northface stuff that everyone else wears. The zippers, pockets and other features all work great - of course, for[$], they better! I'm just under 6', weigh 160lbs, have 40in chest, 31in waist, and average length arms. Usually I wear a medium or large in jackets and t-shirts. I originally ordered a medium (and even thought about ordering a large) but sent it back because it was far too large in the waist and belly; it was also a bit longer than I wanted. It would have fit well if I had put on 50lbs and grew another inch or two! REI sent back the small, and it fits me well. It's snug in the chest and arms but that's what I wanted - it looks better and provides better insulation that way. I can't wear a heavy sweater underneath, but I don't want to. I just wear an insulating layer or two, and I'm good. One interesting thing is that the wrist and forearms on this jacket taper very aggressively. I have a large Ironman Shock watch and I usually need take the watch off when I pull on the jacket. I anticipate that the Hercules will be my favorite jacket in almost all seasons for many years to come. A worthwhile investment!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Arc'Teryx Hercules Jacket - Men's:
Arc'Teryx now calls this jacket the Hyllus.
The time finally came to buy a new fleece, as my 10+ yr old basic 200 wt fleece just wasn't keeping me that warm any more. I've long been a fan of the Monkey Phur fleece in the Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man jacket, but the small came up in my armpits, and the medium was comically large. I also had concerns about the fleece matting down under backpack straps, etc, which has been noted by many long term reviewers of that jacket. Softshells always left me underwhelmed as they usually lacked any kind of insulative capability. Then I started thinking: Wouldn't the ultimate fleece jacket be a high-loft fleece interior married to a softshell exterior? You'd get all the benefits of fleece with the durability and versatility of a softshell.
Enter Arc'Teryx with it's Hardfleece concept, epitomized by the Hercules/Hyllus. The jacket itself is everything I could ask for in a versatile fleece jacket. The Polartec Powershield O2 Hi-Loft is very similar to Monkey Phur on the inside, and has the same amazing insulating ability. The exterior is quite durable, comparable to any softshell, and means this fleece will last much longer than a traditional fleece jacket, as it simply doesn't present any face of the fleece itself to abrasion. This being Arc'Teryx, the build quality and finish is absolutely outstanding.
So why four stars and not five? The fit. Let me be clear: the fit is correct according to what Arc'Teryx claims, which is that this is a Relaxed Fit jacket. Moreover, the smallest size available is a small, when according to the Arc'Teryx guides, I should properly be in an extra small. My only complaints then are that I would have preferred this jacket to be made in either their Athletic or Trim fits, and I would have liked to see it in an extra small so I could get the proper size. That being said, I'm a small guy (5'7", 135lbs, 36in chest) so this should not be a problem for most buyers.
The bottom line: this fleece is of excellent construction, kept me warm in temperatures where I previously would have wanted my old fleece AND my fleece vest, and the softshell exterior performs just as you'd expect, easily shedding NW drizzle and blocking almost any wind. Moreover, it should significantly outlast any conventional fleece you might otherwise be considering. Steep price? Yes. But this is quality gear that I do not regret spending the money on, and if you can afford it, you won't either.
Incidentally, if you're a fan of the hi-loft interior/softshell exterior as I am, this is pretty much the only jacket currently on the market that I could find using this material.
Displaying reviews 1-2
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