In reply to TobyA:
> I've owned a reviewed quite a few different belay jackets now over the years, and can't say I've ever been bothered by a zip not opening from the bottom. In fact some come open at the bottom and its a total pain. I can't remember ever having problems belaying caused by an unopened belay jacket.
Fair enough, personally my current softshell in a pain in the arse and just gets in the way on cold days so am looking for one that has a uni-directional zip as a function.
Horses for courses and all that.