Hi Andy,
Tried the jacket again since it was re proofed. No leakage whatsoever. As promised here's my honest review of your jacket.
The Claw 2 from Furtech appears to be based on a non memebrane two layer system similar in many ways to Paramo products. However having used Paramo I find that the furtech is softer and feels lighter than a similar Paramo garment. The Claw2 is the warmest jacket I have ever owned, and after a minor glitch with the proofing of the jacket, which was sorted in a jiffy by Andy with no fuss whatsoever, I have found that I am dry and warm even in the foulest of Britisweather.
The jacket is a lovely fit on me, but some may find it a bit restrictive in a couple of areas. Firstly for people with larger stocky arms, the sleeves may be tighter than others, secondly I found that the jacket is snug across the back of the shoulders. I did not find this an issue as I have not had to wear a great deal under the jacket as it is so warm. Be warned this jacket is seriously warm. I usually feel cold even in numerous layers, but with just a merino base layer I managed to feel warm and cozy in minus 12 wind chill in the lake district recently.
The jacket has pocket space galore four in all, all easyily accessible, even with a harness and sack on, and all being fully lined not mesh lined. The front zipper is reversable, something that I don't particulally need as I find that they tend to start undoing from the bottom. It is supplemented by a two layer storm baffle which contains press studs to make sure that any water ingress via the zip runs off the jacket and not through it.
The hood is well fitting with a simple draw cord fitting to the rear so that there is no chanche of being slapped in the face in high winds, and is helmet compatible. On the front of the hood is a love it or hate it clear plastic visor the likes of which I have never seen on any other product. I have found that when the hood is properly fitted around the face, apart from moving with the head as a hood should, the visor has been an adavantage in snow and heavy rain as I could see where I was going easier than my companions.
There is an elasticated draw cord that can be used to keep the jacket from riding up when climbing and for sealing it at the bottom in the worst weather, personally I find the jacket such a good design that I will never need it.
The jacket is the best design I've seen or purchased over the many many years I've been out there. It is quite frankly awesome, and rest assured that if you do have any problem no matter what Andy will show you just what customer satisfaction is all about.
My only suggestion for improvement is perhaps a slight more volume in the sleeves, and inch extra across the back of the shoulders, and maybe a fleecy chin guard as it would just make the chin area a tad more comfortable when the hood is cinched.
All in all a fantastic, well designed jacket that I wished I had known about years ago. Thanks Andy.
...forgot to say that the jacket had very long pit zips for venting which are long and easier to access than other products I have tried, and although I havn't tried it yet I have no doubt that I could get my arms out of the jacket completely without taking my rucksack off for further cooling.
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