User Reviews

Owned a lot of jackets over the years & a few years back decided a shell was a better choice than any insulated jacket.  I've also owned a lot of shells and the feel, quality & design of the Stingray is the best I've found.  When (or if) this jacket wears out, I'm buying another.  Like it so much I bought my wife one this year!

This is a great coat when breatheability combined with wind and water protection are your biggest concern.  And still a great coat when it's not a concern.  You can be caught in a raging down poor with this thing and it'll keep you dry.  Don't expect it to keep you warm on it's own though.  This is purely a shell, but combined with proper layering of some nice wicking materials, you'll stay plenty warm, dry, and breathe very well for a water tight jacket. 

Great fit for the most part too.  Nice close to body cut without any bulk or bagginess, but it isn't tight. There's plenty of room in the pits, which is a pet-peave of mine, so layering is a breeze, and arm length is near perfect if you size it to fit, so range of motion is great with near zero restriction.  I'm 5'9",160 lbs and have it in a size medium.  It's a great fit on its own, or with 2-3 layers below it.  Zippers are a little stiff, but the action is smooth for the most part, and they're designed extremely well for zero snag both on the main and pockets.  Cuff straps are easy to use even with a gloved hand, and the velcro has superb tack.  Only one inside pocket, and it's small, but the side pockets are quite roomie and have huge zip entries.  There's also a smaller pocket on the arm, which I've found is useful for a cell phone, wallet (assuming it's not a Costanza) or even an RFID lift pass.  Comes pre-loaded with RECCO avalanche detection, but fortunately I've never needed it... knock on wood.  It's also very light weight, and rolls fairly tight for packing.

The only complaints I have are it could use 1-1.5 more inches of length, and the powder skirt is a little weak compared to others I've had or seen.  It lacks any adjustment, and it's packed into what is already a tight area of a well fitting jacket.   That being said, it's functional if you need it, but comfort takes a hit when you have it buttoned down.  Lastly, the hood isn't removeable or hideable, but aside from these weaknesses, it is designed very well.  It's sized to fit over a helmet, has a supported, rigid brim, and can be adjusted from almost any direction with clamping bungies.

The jacket has been nothing but great for me in both cold and warmer day conditions, and it looks great too, which is never a bad thing.  It's pricey though, and I wouldn't be an owner had I not found such a great deal on it.  There's not doubt you get quality with the price, but I think you could find a jacket that would perform equally as well except on the wettest of days, and for 1/2 the retail price.