Marmot Gravity Jacket Review
First Impressions
Marmot hails the Gravity Jacket as their “most popular softshell.” And when mine arrived – a gift to replace a long-ago-lost The North Face Apex McKinley – it was easy to see why the Gravity attained that lofty status. The jacket presents a very sleek package, with fine detailing and dynamite craftsmanship, rugged fabrics and exceptional styling. A winner from the get go.
Features
Feature-wise, the Gravity dials it in. First, the fabric choice. The company employs a proprietary nylon and elastane blend they call Marmot M1 Softshell. The finish is somewhat harder than others but that toughness contributes to solid water resistance. In the rain, water rolls off without a problem. The interior fabric is 100% polyester fleece which Marmot fuses to the outer layer, a very nice touch that allows the jacket to move as a single unit and eliminating bulk.
Specs
Exterior Fabric: 88% nylon, 12% elastane
Interior Fabric: 100 polyester
Weight: 24 oz
The second area of excellence for the Gravity is detailing. Everywhere you look on the jacket, Marmot delivered. On the main zipper, the company used grosgrain backing to keep it from binding. On the cuff, Marmot placed a lightweight stretch insert to remove bulk when synching them down with the hook and loop adjustments. The exterior sleeve pocket is laser drilled. And every pocket includes a zipper to keep contents safe.
Fit
Fit is what you’d expect from Marmot. Not too tight and not too loose. I tried both the large and medium, and stuck with my normal size.
Final Verdict
The old favorite Apex McKinley was hard to replace. The weight and detailing were perfect back in the day. The Marmot Gravity rises to the task, however, with more progressive styling, great durability and performance, and killer details. It’s a fitting replacement for an old favorite. Recommended.
