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$REI Switchback Parka - Men\'s$

REI Switchback Parka - Men's

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The REI Switchback parka offers serious weather protection for just about any backcountry endeavor—especially during the fall and winter months.

Soft and quiet, 2-layer REI Elements® recycled polyester dobby shell is waterproof and breathable; seams are completely sealed for 100% protection
Lining fabrics wick moisture, add warmth and perfect the fit
Switchback parka is windproof to 60 mph
Zip-off hood features a brim to shield eyes and side and rear drawcord adjustments to preserve vision; collar is lined with brushed tricot
Internal and external stormflaps protect front zipper and keep wind from moving through
Pit-zip sliders can be centered for full cooling without the vent flapping in the wind
Adjustable hem drawcord and cuffs tabs
Includes 2 zip hand pockets and a zip flash pocket under exterior stormflap; 1 inner zip pocket with a headphone cord port and a stretch mesh water bottle pocket
Also includes a Hypalon® lift ticket hook
REI Muir Woods fleece jacket and Generator down jacket and vest, all sold separately, attach via snaps into the Switchback parka

Imported.

Item 802250

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If you're an REI member: At steps 3 and 4 of checkout under REI Membership, enter your membership number and coupon code REIANNV. Note: Check "Use my dividend on this order" and we'll apply your dividend balance toward your purchase.
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Coupon applies to highest-priced eligible item. Coupon good through 5/28.

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If you're an REI member: At checkout, provide coupon code REIANNV (or a printout of this coupon) and your REI membership number to the cashier. Note: Ask to have your dividend balance applied toward your purchase.
If you're not yet an REI member: At checkout, include an REI membership for a one-time $20 fee with your purchase and provide coupon code REIANNV (or a printout of this coupon) to the cashier.
Coupon applies to highest-priced eligible item. Coupon good through 5/28.

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Coupon applies to highest-priced eligible item. Coupon good through 5/28.

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Offer valid 5/17/12 9pm PT – 5/28/12 11:59pm PT.
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REI Switchback Parka - Men's Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

REI Switchback Parka - Men's

4.3

(based on 6 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Breathable (5)
Comfortable (5)
Lightweight (5)
Durable (4)
Warm (4)

Cons

Best Uses

Hiking and camping (6)
Wet weather (5)
Cold / extreme (4)
Extreme conditions (3)

- Fit:
- Feels too small
  
  Feels true to size
  
  100%
  (6 reviews)
  Feels too big
- Sleeve Length:
- Feels too short
  
  Feels true to length
  
  100%
  (6 reviews)
  Feels too long
- Chest Size:
- Feels too small
  
  Feels true to size
  
  100%
  (6 reviews)
  Feels too big

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (5)

Reviewed by 6 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-6

Aug

2010

(28 of 28 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

My old friend

By WalkThisWay

from Somewhere in the Cascades

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Comfortable
Durable
Lightweight
Warm
Waterproof

Cons

Best Uses

Cold Weather
Extreme Conditions
Hiking and Camping
Wet Weather

Comments about REI Switchback Parka - Men's:

I've used this jacket for close to 7 years. I'm finally going to have to replace it. I killed the zipper.....I've had many different jackets over the years, NorthFace, Columbia, Marmot, etc. And I'm not kind to them. I used to televise downhill ski events and spent all day hiking around the hill hauling gear and skiing under unimaginable conditions. I'd get them totally filthy, grimy, sweaty, soaking wet. Two or three times each season I'd wash the jacket with Nikwax non-detergent soap and then re-treat with Nikwax water based waterproofing. (Tip) After you get your jacket clean and dried, thoroughly soak with the water proof treatment and toss it into the drier, low heat for 20 min. The extra effort of putting it in the drier brings the jacket back to factory fresh water resistance.Of all the jackets I've ever owned, this one was simply the best. The jacket may seem lightweight, but I prefer a lighter jacket so I can layer for the conditions. When you're hot and you still need to wear a jacket, you really appreciate the lighter weight of this one.My NorthFace Denali jacket zips in for a super warm liner. I see they now make the hood detachable, mine is not. May be good, may not.... On some of the warmer days it may have been nice to remove the hood, but I wonder about potential leaks. Now that I wear a helmet (I hope you do too) the detachable hood may be a good thing.The hood, by the way, is wonderfully adjustable and has a pull string in the back that allows you to pull the hood back to keep it out of your eyes when you're not pulling it down tight around your chin.So, I finally need to replace the jacket because I destroyed the bottom part of the zipper. I took the jacket back to REI and tried to get the zipper fixed, but unfortunately, the patient is terminal. I'll be replacing this jacket with the same one.Some comparisons: The closest jacket I've ever owned to this one was probably the NorthFace Mountain Light. The Mountain Light has a heavier fabric at the shoulders, and that can be nice if your hauling camera cable up and down the hill all day, but as I got older, I didn't have to do as much of that, the Switchback was fine. I also use this jacket for backpacking and I've never seen evidence of pack rub. The NorthFace jacket is a wonderful jacket, but it sells for an extra [$]. The fabric is heavier on the NF, and it's actually using GoreTex for the breathable liner. I've never noticed any problem with the REI breathable liner.So, why 4 stars and not 5?Sorry REI, but why did you remove the two front zipper pockets at the chest? I'll miss those...

Comment on this review

Nov

2010

(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Best thing REI makes

By Delphinian

from Mountain View, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Comfortable
Durable
Lightweight
Lots of pockets
Stylish
Versatile
Warm

Cons

Best Uses

Cold Weather
Extreme Conditions
Hiking and Camping
Snowboarding

Comments about REI Switchback Parka - Men's:

I LOVE this jacket. It's been my primary winter jacket as well as the jacket I've been snowboarding in for the past 5 winters. I've used it in virtually all weather conditions. It's held up to everything beautifully. After 5 years of heavy use it's finally starting to show a little wear, primarily in the places where I repeatedly rolled down the mountain.

It has tons of pockets, all huge to accommodate all the gear you could possibly carry.

It breathes well and has really long (like elbow to ribs) underarm vents if you need a little extra ventilation.

In terms of temperature, I've used it with just a t-shirt for 30+ degrees, and with a fleece or the Muir Woods fleece jacket (which zips in) for 0+ degrees.

The hood is large enough to fit over a helmet and has lots of cords to adjust the fit.

Basically this has everything I look for in a winter jacket.It broke my heart when it disappeared from REI's inventory for a while and I'm thrilled to see it back!

Comment on this review

Feb

2011

(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great jacket but not quite a parka

By TriRunner

from Philadelphia, PA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Comfortable
Lightweight
Stylish

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Wear
Hiking and Camping
Wet Weather

Comments about REI Switchback Parka - Men's:

I was hoping to get this and have this be a thick heavy shell for winter sports or snowboarding and skiing, however, when I got it I was disappointed because it was not as heavy/thick material as I had hoped. I really felt like it could tear in a serious fall. I tested it out on morning in single digits weather standing in the snow for a few hours and it was great. It was warm (with a fleece under it), windproof, and waterproof. Still a great, high quality jacket, it just wasn't the thick heavy material I would expect for a snowboarding jacket. It was also a little longer cut than I wanted. I would recommend it for probably any other outdoor pursuit.

Comment on this review

Jan

2012

4.0

Lightweight and warm

By DocJBP

from Northern Michigan

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Stylish
Warm
Waterproof

Cons

Zipper Puckers

Best Uses

Casual Wear
Hiking and Camping
Wet Weather

Comments about REI Switchback Parka - Men's:

Fits great. I usually have a hard time finding a good fit for jackets because I'm sort of in between a medium and a large. I got a medium and it fits perfectly. It's a bit longer in the back, which I like.

It's very lightweight, warm, and is great for the rain or snow.

Comment on this review

Aug

2011

5.0

Must buy for cold weather

By PhilmontGuy

from Philmont, Cimarron, New Mexico

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Comfortable
Durable
Warm
Waterproof

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Cold Weather
Hiking and Camping
Skiing/Snowboarding
Wet Weather

Comments about REI Switchback Parka - Men's:

i work and live at 11,000 feet 7 months out of the year, and the Switchback along with an inside liner provides neccasary protection when it can get down to -10 degrees. It also works great when its snowing.

Comment on this review

Jan

2011

4.0

Great Breathable Shell Jacket

By Capt W

from Houston, Tx

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Comfortable
Designed Well
Durable
Lightweight
Waterproof

Cons

Less Windproof
Small Zipper Pull

Best Uses

Cold Weather
Extreme Conditions
Hiking and Camping
Wet Weather

Comments about REI Switchback Parka - Men's:

This is a great all around shell jacket, very breathable, great design, good hood and draw cords front and back of hood allows good periferal vision. The jacket is very waterproof, and is a great shell for layering a fleece and base layer underneath. The pit zips are huge, and very good. My only complaints would be the Small main zipper is very hard to grab and zip up, and the jacket feels less windproof as advertised. I used this all weekend at Keystone and Breck. kept me warm and dry in 5 degree weather and snow storms with a fleece and base layer underneath, if the fleece was taken off the thin light material was not enough to keep me warm. Flip side is that i didn't sweat at all in this, and i think the jacket breathes great. [...]