The Seattle Times 10/29/09 Minimalist Jacket

Our female testers loved the Marmot Minimalist jacket. Cut for a trim, athletic fit, the Minimalist does away with unnecessary frills and features. The simple, clean design fits comfortably over a thin midlayer without binding or bunching, allowing freedom of movement while hiking, scrambling and climbing. One tester noted that the hem is just long enough to fit under a backpack belt to ensure it doesn’t ride up and deposit rainwater in your pants. Though Paclite breathes better than other Gore products, the Minimalist provides additional ventilation through armpit zippers that extend forward on the body of the jacket a bit to improve air flow. The jacket weighs less than a pound and sells for $200. - Dan A. Nelson