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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Philadelphia, Pa on 4/28/2008
Poorly made for the price. The hood does not even roll up into a zippered neck pocket but is held poorly by velcro.
Please call us in customer service @ 888.463.6367, check out our website www.ems.com, or visit one of our EMS Retail locations if we can assist you in any way.
from Maine on 2/10/2008
I would say its a great product for the most part but the zippers have alot to be desired. The front zipper is very hard to start and even harder to get undone. The pocket zippers are hard to locate if in the dark and work hard with one hand.
from Salem, NH on 8/24/2007
My son liked it so much i had to buy a second identical one 6 months after I bought this one. Mine is still like new and I wear it everywhere.
from Columbia, PA on 4/29/2007
My first system III jacket and not overly impressed. The material does not allow moisture to breathe quick enough therefore leaving you wet underneath during heavy hiking in the rain. Not impressed with the venting zips (under arm vents work much better because a larger area can be opened up and allow excessive moisture to breathe quicker). [...] The jacket is great for casual wet weather. I will now need to shop for a different jacket that performs better for aggressive hiking in wet weather.
Please call us in customer service @ 888.463.6367, check out our website www.ems.com, or visit one of our EMS Retail locations if we can assist you in any way.
from Chicago, IL and surrounding planet on 4/19/2007
Bought my first EMS products in the 70's. Still shopping with them now. Bought the Thunderhead jacket and the sky hasn't had the guts to rain since.
from Springfield, Pa on 4/15/2007
I've tried other brands, EMS does it for me.
from Hawai'i on 4/4/2007
This is a great jacket for the price. Is does not excel in style, but who needs style, just plain old-fashioned workhorse clothes for me. The only consistent problem I have with the jacket is the zipper. It is hard to get started and when it gets near the top it is almost impossible to get zipped all the way.
I wish they made this as a pull-over!
from Vernon, CT on 4/4/2007
I bought this jacket to replace my perfectly adequate LL Bean packable rain jacket. My new jacket is just about identical to the Bean but saves me almost a half a pound and cost me [...] less. Perfect for my Presi Range trip this August.
from ridley park, pa on 3/20/2007
i bought this jacket the day after a weekend of getting soaked on while i was camping in the poconos...i havent been camping in it but i have worn it many times for work (plumbing).. it hasnt let me down!
from South East ALaska on 3/19/2007
I don't really like shopping on-line. Yet this product I would recommend to anyone! [...] The ThunderHead II Jacket is by far better that the TNF jacket I am replacing!
I wore this during a day of hiking at Green Lakes State Park. It easily shed wet snow and the adjustable hood kept my face happy.
from connecticut & ny on 3/18/2007
This jacket would be 10 stars for the price if only it had a waterproof zipper and not a flap, maybe for the Thunderhead III, EMS?
from Islamabad, Pakistan on 3/4/2007
This lightweight jacket has performed well so far in light and heavy rain. I wish I had pants just like it! Packs up small and fits nicely out of the way in the bottom of a pack, taking up virtually no space at all. Zippered vents are slanted so that rain sheets off zipper covers rather than get underneath and seep in through the zipper itself. Vents also zip open from top and bottom creating up to four separate vents that are fully adjustable. velcro sleeve adjustments make sure the sleves are snug, but they do not bind thanks to spandex inside the cuff. Hood is fully adjustable and rolls up around the collar. Overall, appears very well made. Looking forward to years of good use!
I bought this jacket just as a casual urban raingear. I got it in Gravel cuz it was on sale for [...] bucks online. The Gravel color also stands out here in NYC, where there is a sea of Black shells. It promptly arrived on a very rainy and cold day here in NYC, so I set out for a walk wearing it to a local Library. The Shell fit great over my Patagonia Down Sweater/Jacket. Although, I thought it could be slightly trimmer in the Torso. The product photo is a bit misleading since in the photo the jacket looks like it tapers towards the waist. I found the front zipper would get stuck at the bottom once in a while; woulda liked a smoother functioning zipper. The back hood cinch would slighty loosen when I had the hood on and I would have to re-cinch it occasionally. I also found small patches of the outer material would start to absorb water (around the front pockets and bottom front zipper) but the moisture did not penetrate the inner barrier. I wish the front pockets were lined with the same thin fuzzy material used in the chin of the inner collar of the jacket to help dry off wet hands. This fuzzy material is not thick enough to absorb water so it wont feel like you got a damp towel in your pockets.Overall this Jacket is a bargain at the sale price of [...].
from New York, NY on 2/14/2007
I bought this jacket to replace a lightweight [...] jacket that I had worn to tatters[...]. I think that EMS's design, with ventilation zippers and a sturdier lining, is actually an improvement on the jacket I was replacing.
from Grand Rapids, MI on 2/11/2007
i don't really have anything to add here that hasn't already been said. this jacket is a nice addition to get me through the rainy days and keep me dry when biking across town.
the only drawback is the hood/bill that has been noted multiple times by other reviewers. it's just not a practical design but i see this is something i could live with since the price was right.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Baltimore, MD on 1/21/2007
This is my second EMS rain jacket- my last one went for 5 seasons of heavy wear. This one seems even tougher. Planning on seeing seasons of heavy use for camping and hiking in the spring/summer, or as a waterproof top layer on those autumn hikes.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Hyde Park, NY on 1/15/2007
My wife purchased this for me on the day we were to climb the Windham High Peak Trail in NY. Perfect timing - a winter backpacking (overnight)trip. The air was cold. It rained all day on our way to the summit and back. I was dry - making for a happy backpacker. My wife has the womens' version along with the pants. THEY WORK!!!
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Long Island, NY on 1/9/2007
Given as a holiday gift, the recipient immediately put on the jacket which was a great fit in a beautiful shade of silver gray. He beamed. He is a very active outdoor guy who could have everything. He seemed quite pleased as he uttered "perfect"!
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from nantucket, ma on 1/4/2007
great lightweight jacket!!
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Boylston MA on 1/3/2007
I have used Thunderhead pants and jackets for awhile and love them both....[...]
[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
from Annapolis, MD on 12/26/2006
You guys out did yourself with this jacket. I bought this last year and I have never been happier. You designed this for the active person. I have used this jacket in some extreme weather and came out bone dry and did not have that clammy feel. The jacket fits to a tee does not bind up when climbing and accessability to pockets is a cince. I was in driving rain and the hood and visor did its job with out obstructing my field of vision. and the underarm dual zippers are so sweet. Velcro on wrists are sleek, quick adjust and not cumbersome. I can not believe a jacket with all these features is so light and packs down so small and feels like it has substance. Thank you EMS. Keep on making products like this and you have me as a life time customer
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from Landisville, Pa on 12/5/2006
The hood is a bit too long, is adjustable but awkwardly
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from Mystic, CT on 11/28/2006
More waterproof than a beaver's fanny, but the hood is pretty much useless. It just wants to flop below your eyes, cutting or blocking your field of vision, despite various shock-cords that are supposed to help make adjustments.
Another minor grievance is that the jacket kind of hangs like a garbage bag; the size is right, it's more of how the material is cut. If you're in the woods who cares, the jacket works like a champ as expected, but in public (to me) form is just as important as function and this coat makes you look a bit like an outstretched flying squirrel.
Overall the coat is a great waterproof shell that should keep you dry no matter the condition and does so at a reasonable in price. My guess is that the more expensive brands will have a little more attention to the details such as style, fit, and hopefully the hood.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Grand Rapids, MI on 11/25/2006
Does the job that it's advertised to do.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from Plattsburgh, NY on 11/23/2006
Ok, but not great. The visor blocks my visor and it is a little too tight. Otherwise, ok.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from Pgh, Pa on 11/22/2006
The jacket fits well and it is breathable like they say.
from CT on 11/19/2006
I HAVE BEEN A CUSTOMER SINCE THE EARLY 70'. THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT GEAR! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
from alburgh, vt on 11/17/2006
Love the jacket, very practical
It is extremely versatile and comfortable to wear.
from eastern NJ on 11/2/2006
this is a great jacket and a fantastic price. appears well made, and durable. it is very utilitarian.
from Central New Jersey on 11/1/2006
An amazing lightweight jacket that fights the rain, sleet, snow and wind. I bought it for a fishing weekend at the Great Lakes and the jacket came in handy and its performance was top notch. Easy to pack and stylish to wear.
from Binghamton, NY on 10/31/2006
These sure are the most comfortable and really keep the rain out. Our whole family has these rain gear jackets. We camp, Backpack and hike, and the kids at college. Thanks for a great product.
Regards,
Karin [...]
from Western NC on 10/27/2006
I picked up a Thunderhead II jacket for my wife and myself a few months ago [...]
Though purchased for hiking and other outings, to date I've primarily used the jacket for taking our 3 year old Weimaraner out for long rainy walks along our western NC mountain backroads. (Transylvania County is the second wettest area in the lower 48.)
The fit is comfortable and true to size. The light weight of the material and construction keeps it from feeling burdensome while working up and down slopes.
Thus far the breathability and protection have proven to be excellent.
I've used many of EMS' garments over the years going back to the middle to late 70's and early 80's. I've always found them to be good, durable products offered at a competitive price. (In fact I still have and wear a thinsulate lined supplex jacket I bought in 1986.)
I definitely recommend this jacket[...]
from Washington, DC on 10/20/2006
It's a well put-together jacket and a good price. My only complaint is the bill in the hood. It drives me nuts: it flops around and droops into my eyeline when out and doesn't stay put away when folded under. It should have been on top of the hood rather than on the inside.
Otherwise, it's a good, practical jacket for wet weather.
from Binghamton, NY on 10/6/2006
I love it! Had an old ems jacket that was similar, but lined. Like the liner in old one and inside chest pocket for passport. Also liked that it folded into a pouch I could clip to something else.
from Pocatello, ID on 10/3/2006
Works well even under the tough railroad conditions I have encountered since I purchased it. Also layered well as on some days it was too cold for just the jacket.
from Boston Ma. on 9/26/2006
The only problem i encountered is the side pocket
as they are difficult to get into.
overall the jacket is an excellent product and i would recommend it to anyone.
from Washington, DC on 9/21/2006
I have been looking for a great rainjacket for a while and found exactly what I was looking for in the Thunderhead jacket. Hurrican Ernesto brought rain for days and I still had to walk and exercise my dogs. Even after 3 hours in the rain - downpour at times - I stayed dry. It's lightweight and breathable with all the ventilation zippers.