In reply to Palindrome: Have you seen the new vids for the jackets on Mountain Equipment's site? They have so many models that superficially seem rather similar it was hard to know what the designed-in differences were. But I think the vids really help to explain those difference even if the ME guys presenting have to keep saying "olliophobic" (or something!) many times with out giggling!
I reviewed the Marmot Alpinist for UKC a few years back;
http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=3282 and have used the jacket plenty more over subsequent winters. I've been impressed with and it's wearing well. They've made a few changes over the last few seasons, but it's still in their line up. Of course expensive, but very good quality.