Cordillera Aiguille Down Sweater - Men's - 2012 Special Buy

Comments about Cordillera Aiguille Down Sweater - Men's - 2012 Special Buy:

I use the sweater-jacket for casual wear, cool mornings, and as a layer under my waterproof shell

Service and delivery comments:

product was delivered very quickly!

Comments about Cordillera Aiguille Down Sweater - Men's - 2012 Special Buy:

Tried smaller size and it was way too tight thought the shoulders/back area. Went up one size -- overall fit larger, but tight across the shoulders. Too tight to be practical when lifting a backpack off and on. Jacket was otherwise very light and seemed like a good buy.

Comments about Cordillera Aiguille Down Sweater - Men's - 2012 Special Buy:

Can't really attest to the performance of this jacket as I never found one that fit. The first size fit everywhere except across the shoulders and through the chest, couldn't get it zipped easily. Took it back and got the larger size which was a little big through the torso, but still was very restrictive across the shoulders. Couldn't put my backpack on without straining the seams. Took it back too. Will go back to a brand that runs more true to size.

Comments about Cordillera Aiguille Down Sweater - Men's - 2012 Special Buy:

This is what an affordable down jacket should be. As someone just getting into backpacking, I've taken this jacket with me to the desert where night temperature can drop below 30 degrees F. It's lightwieght and can pack into small volume. Absolutely great for any layer (base, intermediate, outer)

As far as the fit goes, I am a 5'7" slender male with slightly larger than average shoulder width. The medium size is a perfect fit and I haven't noticed any fit issues the other reviewers have experienced. The waist may feel a little on the short side because this jacket will work as a good base layer.

Comments about Cordillera Aiguille Down Sweater - Men's - 2012 Special Buy:

Everything about this jacket is high quality and exactly what I was looking for... except the fit across the back/through the shoulders. Because there is no give in this material, it pulled too tight across the back for me to lift my arms in front of me.... even in Size Large (sizing chart has me falling directly between M and L. I have wider shoulders than average, and this is a problem I have with many garments, so take it with a grain of salt. I REALLY wanted to keep this, but it just wouldn't work.

Comments about Cordillera Aiguille Down Sweater - Men's - 2012 Special Buy:

Bought this to augment other down sweaters I have (Bean, Patagonia) and expected more from it. Purchased a Lg but it's tight in the chest, more like a Medium. Seems skimpy in the volume of down in it too. Was definitely cooler than the L.L. Bean one I just bought. "Exceptional warmth" not so much. Price was right for what I got.

Comments about Cordillera Aiguille Down Sweater - Men's - 2012 Special Buy:

Comparing this to the Cordillera Cascade down JACKET (note the difference between jacket and sweater) - all design features translate between the models. This is almost as warm as the thicker jacket, with the same down fill power. I am long and lean (6'1", 160 lb), and the sweater doesn't seem as long in the torso as the jacket. Overall, there was more room in the chest and less length in the cut. The medium seems perfect for someone up to 6' height and, 150-175 lbs.

zipping into its own pocket is a big plus.

This is a warm, light, compressible, versatile layer well worth the special buy.

Service and delivery comments:

Thanks REI for an accurate and prompt order!

Comments about Cordillera Aiguille Down Sweater - Men's - 2012 Special Buy:

This jacket is absolutely perfect. 700 fill down is the best insulator next to 800 fill down. Packability is great! Material is light weight. I am 6'0" and the arm length on the medium fits me perfectly. The pictures show it well, I feel like it rides maybe a inch or half inch to high at the waist but I think that is intensional because it is a base layer. The picture shows how it fits on me so reference that. The pockets are extremely warm and soft and I think that is a great touch.

I was going to give this coat a solid 4 stars but the price is unbeatable. There is no other coat that is this warm, this light, and this good looking at this price. It is an easy 5 star for this coat.