So that's the technical stuff, how does it perform? I suspect that most people interested in this jacket will be active people after something they can wear and keep wearing throughout their activity. I found it gave a surprising level of warmth for such a thin fabric. I haven't yet tested it to full in a howling horizontal gale, when I suspect it could be found wanting, but for the times I have been out, it has been perfectly adequate.
The breathability of the fabric, enhanced by the under-arm panels is excellent and allows full activity without compromise. You don't tend to notice that you are wearing it which is always the ultimate test of a decent jacket.
The pockets are nice and spacious but they do tend to bag out in front slightly which can make it look like you have a bit of a belly, even if you haven't. A slightly tighter cut around the middle may have been beneficial since most people after this jacket are unlikely to have big bellies to accommodate.
Other features the Marmot ROM has are efficient velcro cuffs, two good security pockets inside and out for things like phones or GPS devices, and an excellent spacious hood that can accommodate a helmet but which also looks good without. Actually a good hood is a feature that I have noticed on other Marmot jackets where they seem to have got the design just right so that you get a snug-fitting hood, that doesn't constantly need readjustment.
A great jacket that performs well when active. Good movement and features and the colour range is very appealing. Slightly unflattering cut is the only downside.
About Alan James
Alan is the Director of UKClimbing, UKHillwalking and Rockfax. He started climbing, like many folk, following the example of his father who was an active climber in the UK and the Alps the 1950s and 1960s ( - read Mike James Badile Epic). According to his mother's diary his first route was at Windgather in 1971, aged 7, although Alan himself can't confirm or deny this. Later trips with friends and some very basic gear into the Peak began a life-long obsession with climbing. This included a brief flirtation with Alpine climbing in the late 1980s but a perilous ascent of the NNE Spur of the Droites put an end to any more of that and he gave away his crampons in 1989. His main focus has always been trad climbing especially on the sea cliffs of Britain, but also sport climbing in France and Spain. More recently climbing and walking in the hills of the Lakes and North Wales with his children has provided a pleasant re-acquaintance with some long forgotten classic mountain routes.
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