Imperial John
Reviewed: 23 December 2011
I love my Mountain Equipment Firefox Active Shell jacket - it's brilliant!
I go running short distances most mornings in it before I go to work and its incredible. The fit is perfect, it's highly breathable, it keeps you dry, at a temperate equilibrium, and its very lightweight. The jacket also comes with a compression pouch and it compresses down into the size of a Softball which is pretty good.
There was a notice in the pockets when I got it that say the pockets aren't waterproof and that it is a possibility for water to get in the pockets. I've not experienced that, they have stayed dry. They do have a small rubber over-flap at the top that the zip goes up into which offers protection from water ingress.
The jacket itself is shorter than other outdoor jackets which is beneficial for cyclists though some people especially hill goers may not like this and prefer a full waterproof mountain jacket that has more drop.
The judge and jury is still out on long-term durability.
I was worried that I may need to get something more durable for the Winter but it looks like so far fingers crossed it has been a good decision on that front too because we appear to be having quite a mild one in 2011/12 especially compared to the previous winter.
The zippers themselves are waterproof though they are not anywhere near as stiff and rigid as the ones on other waterproof jackets. It doesn't distort the front of the coat much at all with the wave effect which is noticeable on other jackets with these types of zipper, it is a perfect fit.
I find it's great for what I do which is a bit of everything. It is good for up in the hills, for running each morning, and also for wading in rivers when I am fishing, though I don't like to use it for the latter because of the danger of ripping it with a hook.
It has underarm zips which you can open up as an option to increase breathability but I have not done so yet as I have never needed to, the fabric does a good job on its own without any help.
The Hood and drawcords are all excellent and you can adjust to make the jacket be a complete mould of your upper body.
All in all I am very pleased with the Mountain Equipment Firefox Active Shell.
Waterproof 9/10
Breathability 9/10
Fit & Flex 10/10
Durability 7/10
Features/Detail/Styling 10/10
Pockets 7/10
Weight 10/10
Total Score/Satisfaction 89%
Highly Recommended!
