Vertigo Jacket

I've waited a bit to write this. I'll admit, at first I was skeptical. After years spent in visibly high tech down puffy jackets, I was skeptical of a lower full, synthetic jacket. I was wrong. When I first got it, I thought it would be too bulky to replace my UL down, especially because it might not be as warm. To some degree, this is still a bit true. The difference is, I dont find a reason to take my UL puffy with me everywhere. It's too hot, and frankly I'm not a fan of looking like I should be at base camp when I'm at the brewery. I've worn this garment nearly every day since owing it. From cold nights in Arizona, to beach camping in Baja, and plenty of places where I wanted to look good and be warm as well, this hasn't left my pack or my back. Is it a total replacement for ultralight missions? Maybe not. But it is probably the most versatile piece of clothing I own, blending function and form perfectly. And honestly, for summer bikepacking, it probably will replace my big puffy anyway, especially considering it resists tearing far better than my other Puffys. This is the most pleasantly surprised and impressed I've been with a piece of clothing, and I'll be darned if my ultralight dirtbag skepticism hasn't been seriously challenged again.

The Vertigo is another Kitsbow garment that goes with me everywhere. It's emblematic of what I love so much about this company - garments that go from trail to table, performing and looking top notch in any setting. I LOVE this jacket - critical notes below notwithstanding. Off the bike, the Vertigo is versatile across a wide variety of temperatures, and looks great as a casual item (see below for some little nits about the fit). On the bike, it's a must-have item on the coldest rides, but gets warm quickly. On most rides here in the middle of the country, the Vertigo is an indulgence when I can circle back to the car to layer down once I'm good and warm. (The jacket is bit too large to be packed into a pocket or saddlebag once you warm up.) Most importantly, it will be a critical addition to my bikepacking arsenal for cold mornings. None of this is to say that the garment is perfect. There are a few flaws which are frustrating for how obvious they are, but not fatal to my absolute love for this jacket. The lack of a bottom button is hard to forgive - it would give the jacket significant additional off-the-bike warmth. The fit of the jacket also falls within a recurring criticism I have of some of the very best Kitsbow items. The armholes are high and the chest is aggressively tight, but then the body is incongruously boxy. For anyone with a flat-ish stomach who can also knock out more than six pull-ups or twelve push-ups (guess I'm bragging now), the fit of some Kitsbow garments can be a poke in the eye. The Vertigo is one of those garments. The chest is tight enough to restrict arm movement in a sport that is practiced with the arms forward, but sizing up would yield a torso size that I could not achieve without significantly upping my tolerance for post-ride indulgences at the pub. Finally, the front is a bit too short. A touch of extra length would not interfere with performance on the bike and would give the style off the bike a bit of an upgrade. (It would also help the jacket better sync with the Icon, which falls significantly longer than the Vertigo - right now, wearing the two together creates the slightest "fat guy in a little suit" look.)

Word class garment. Toasty. Does not stretch. I am 6’2” 190-195lbs. and XL fits spot on. Large was too small. I live by the ocean and I wear this piece with short sleeve underneath. Super stoked with the Vertigo!

Nice jacket- the medium chest measurements are too large; I bought the small. Slightly too small... I bought in your moving sale so no exchange options. Let me know when you do an in between. I'm 100cm chest. Size chart says small is 107 cm Chest??? Confused.

I really like this jacket, it has already become my go-to on and off the bike in chilly weather. It has really good weight, feels substantial but not heavy. Unlike one of the other reviews I really like the cuff, keeps the warm in and easily stretches over gloves. I'm pretty slender and the fitted cut works well for me. The reason for 4 stars is that it is a little too short, it stops right about at the belt line which leaves most shirts hanging out the bottom...not a deal breaker but could easily be better. I’m trying to find a reason for it being short but can't think of why this would be on purpose. The arm holes are also a bit too small, again I like that it is fitted, but with anything other than a t-shirt it is tight in the armpits. (I'm 5'11", 150 pounds and have size Medium)