Review: 2011/12 Flylow Quantum Jacket

[kevino]

This will start off as prelim review and I'll update as the season goes on. Others are welcome to contribue as well.

In short: freakin awesome jacket.

Performance: I've put about 13 or 14 days in on this jacket. All days have been touring. Early season muir ski i tested out the windproofness. The telemtry said 50+ mph gusts and the jacket had no problem shielding me from the wind. Several tours in 33 degrees and snowing conditions. The jacket continually beeded up the rain/snow and with a simple shake of my arm the sleeves were dry. After a couple hours of skinning uphill and skiing the outerlayer would wet a little bit under the backpack straps but no big worry to me. In summary I haven't been let down by this jackets waterproofness nor windproofness. As far as breathability, I run pretty hot to start with but this jacket did a reasonable job of controlling my body heat. The pit zips are huge and can be opened easily.

Durability: I've only had this jacket for about 4 weeks and as stated, used it about 13 or 14 days. No holes, tears, stains to speak of. Only had a couple of mild falls and some battles with trees. So no real tests yet but no signs of wear so far.

Fit: I'm about 6'1" and 185 lbs with a 39ish chest (read: pretty skinny guy). I love the length of the arms and torso. Personally I would loose a little of the fabric around the stomach area but others will find it fits well. A couple pictures to show the jacket in use/standing to get an idea for fit.

[volklpowdermaniac]

Love my 11/12. Having a little trouble with the bottom of the zipper staying connected so it starts to unzip from the bottom. wonder if anyone else has that. Just might be a mis zip on my part. Awesome jacket.

[Bobcat Sig]

I have last season's and from what I understand, it is unchanged, save for colors. After finally testing it out yesterday in some full-on sideways wind and nuking snow, all I can say is, "FNKA!" Incredibly windproof. The fit is spot on for those looking for a free-ride fit. The waterproof is radness, too.

I can't comment on the durability just yet but I am F-in' bleepin' stoked on this bit of gear.

[XavierD]

Mine is pretty fucking awesome too.

[otnavuskire]

I have last season's and from what I understand, it is unchanged, save for colors.

They changed the material a little bit. More durable now, supposedly.

[kevino]

And lighter too, correct?

Volkl, no problem with my zipper here so perhaps its just limited to you?

Glad to hear that everyone else is enjoying their jacket too.

[kevino]

Bumping this back up. Up to 54 days now with the jacket. Still loving it, hasn't failed me yet. I'm going to give it a nikwax bath this weekend.

My only gripe, the velcro on my cuffs kind of sucks now. Anyone else have this issue? It always seems to come undone during a run then gets snow in it, making it worse...

Shitty action shot for stoke

[Alexander1310]

This jacket is extremely bomber. I love how light it is and the color. Honestly a really well done piece.

They only gripe I have about mine is that the jacket is sized bigger than the Higgins for the same size. The sleeves and torso are about 1 1/2 inches longer than my same year Higgins of the same size. So now it just feels uber big.

[ulty_guy]

Sweet shot! What size are you guys using?

[verbier61]

I have a L quantim which is a bit too large for me (180x83). For info, I use L norrona, L rab and and m patagucci

[Bobcat Sig]

Since this is bumped, I'll give another vote for its toughness. Spent the day up at Big Sky and while trying to find some good way out on the tram, I managed to hook a tip and augered directly into a nice, sharp skree pile. I went in torso first and the jacket took most of the impact. It came out unscathed. My Mammut pants? Not so much ...

Bomber gets thrown around a lot in gear reviews. It is most definitely deserved if it can take a good pull through some sharp granite.

[kevino]

Upon seeing the other thread I realized I never updated this. I put well over a 100 days on this jacket - lots of touring and lift use. I did my own patch work on the velcro, along with a couple nikwax washes and this jacket is still in great shape. Looking forward to another winter full of powder - starting tomorrow.

And to the above poster, size L.