The first season I had this jacket, the water repellant finish kept me dry through every snowstorm. Since then, subsequent washes have diminished the water repellency. In dry snow, the fabric still sheds flakes easily, but a few weeks ago we had some seriously heavy, wet snow roll into Jackson. Having always lived in the Rockies, I’m not used to that kind of water content in snow, but I got familiar with it—by the time I finished my last run, I looked like I had gone for a swim. Soaked though I was, however, I didn’t get cold.
The warmth of this jacket also holds up in howling winds. If there was ever a test for how windproof this jacket is, it’s the tempest that is the top of the tram. On days when the snow is blowing so hard I can’t tell which way is up, I can at least be certain that I will be warm. Most importantly, the collar is high enough to cover most of my face, which is crucial on a windy ridge or chairlift.
As you would expect from an insulated jacket, the Igniter is not particularly breathable. For cold days, it is fantastic, but on warmer days it can be overkill. I have been caught a few times wearing it when I am hiking or when it gets warm, and I overheat quickly. The elastic cuffs make it easy to pull up the sleeves to the elbow to cool off, however, which is handy in those situations.
When skiing shorter runs in Colorado, this jacket, with just a single layer underneath, was perfect in pretty much every condition. In Jackson, however, where the runs are often much longer, it is easier to overheat. Nonetheless, this is still my go-to jacket every day when the temperature is below 25º F.
The only aspect of the Igniter that hasn’t for me lived up to First Ascent’s perfection philosophy is the hood. Without a helmet, it’s warm and cozy and doesn’t obscure vision, but it can’t quite fit over a ski helmet if the jacket is zipped up all the way. One advantage to this, however, is that when the jacket is fully zipped, the hood is close against the back of the neck and prevents cold air from seeping down.
I have owned this jacket for a little over a year, and it’s held up quite well to more than 60 days of skiing. The nylon shell and lining material look like they would rip easily, but I have scraped through branches and shouldered many pairs of skis without encountering any troubles.
With the lack of pit zips, a powder skirt, or significant pocket space for skins, buffs, and other goodies, this isn’t the most convenient choice for touring or going beyond the resort. I own both the Igniter jacket and a separate shell, which I alternate wearing depending on temperatures and whether I will be hiking; the combination works perfectly. Yet the slim design makes the Igniter comfortable to wear both on and off the mountain, so I get more use out of this jacket than any other piece of outerwear I own.
Bottom Line: For the amount of warmth that this piece provides, it is super lightweight, comfortable, functional, and well priced. The synthetic insulation keeps me warm no matter what the conditions, and it can be stuffed easily into a pack, which makes it a great item for camping, traveling, skiing or any other cold-weather activity.