Gear Review: EMS Mens and Womens Divergence Jacket

[thetrailboss]

Item and Brand Name: EMS Divergent Windproof Fleece

Date Purchased:November 2004 (Ms. Trailboss) and July 2005 (Trailboss)

Retail Outlet:EMS stores in NH and MA

Purchase Price (optional): For Ms Trailboss's I was able to get it for $80. For mine, $59 on sale. No other model comes close in terms of quality and price combined.

MSRP: $125

Description of item and your experiences: Ms. Trailboss was loving my Patagonia R4 so much that it was clear that I needed to get her one. So I bought her one at EMS last November for Christmas. It was on sale (20% off) and I looked it over and reflected, "huh, such good quality, good insulation, at a good value." I saw the versatility in it--windproof for colder days and yet light enough for four season use. Ms. Trailboss was not surprised when she got it--we had looked at some other ones and I had concluded this was the best one in my opinion.

Since then, she has used it a lot and with her Wildcat Ridge Parka for skiing. The two are a dynamic duo--EMS Waterproof shell and windproof fleece for great winter and other uses. She says she loves the fit (sporty and athletic fitting), the color (light blue), its warmth, and windproofness. She has used it for hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, and general wear.

After seeing hers in action, I concluded that IF the price was right I was going to get one. Sure enough, this past summer they dropped the bottom out on the prices--my model going for $59 instead of the list price of $125 . NEW one I might add as well. I originally went with red, but after trying it on realized that I liked the Blue color better. So I swapped.

The weather has been quite warm until now and I have used it only lately on higher hikes and during this latest cool down. I am still impressed with its warmth for weight and windproofness. It looks sharp and fits well. Nice detail work and material (Polartech Windpro like its cousin the Patagonia R4). I find that the R4 gets too warm for full year use, so it hangs up after March or so and does not come out until November. This coat fills the rest of the time and as a nice mid-layer as well. It rarely gets too warm and is never too cold. The pockets are generous and have a nice soft, warm, lining for cold hands. This coat, unlike others, has a zipper flap on the inside that prevents a draft and it really works quite well. The shoulders and areas that stretch and also wear due to use and backpacks have been cleverly outlined and reinforced using EMS's Stretch Tec Material.

One idea: What ever happened to pit zips? I can't find them anymore on any jackets. Though I understand weight and cost issues, they work well and on this coat would make venting better (making it more versatile). On Cardigan, I did vent using the pockets, but the lining is not so great for venting leaving me to remove it quicker than I might otherwise would have. The drawstrings also could be beefier IMHO. Minor though in comparisons to the other many wonderful design features (my brother has owned his version since 2001 and loves his).

If I wanted I could insert it into an EMS shell, but I don't have one and don't plan on owning one anytime soon.

EMS has really stepped up things with this jacket IMHO. I see a lot of them out there.

Overall Rating (1-5 with 1 being "horrible" and 5 being "outstanding"): 5

Would you recommend the item? YES.


[Optional] Internet link to manufacturer and/or photo and description from company: Divergence Coat Link