Originally Posted by
DropBarFan
Thanks for the tips. Marmot Essence sound pretty nice, only 1 pocket though I suppose that's not a deal breaker. Essence includes a hood which is helpful in downpours. Showers Pass Elite surprisingly has no hood despite being $50 more. Jacket could be 100% waterproof & 100% breathable but if rain trickles down the neck what's the use?
The super mica is made of near but not exactly the same fabric (the updated version not the old one) and it has more pockets and is currently on sale 30% off
Marmot Super Mica Jacket - Men's | Backcountry.com
Not sure all the reviews are about the updated version. Not sure if it is a 2.5 layers or 3.
A review here
http://sunrisegear.blogspot.ca/2014/...ca-jacket.html
One little mistake in the review, the essence has always opened underarm openings. No underarm pit zips but it's pretty much the same.
Regarding the hood of SP elite some people prefer to add their own hood to have it at the right size.
On the essence my helmet is covered at about 90% though there isn't much room left to breath
(joking, you can unzip to make more room)