I was unsure about this jacket at first as I was coming from an older, fully insulated 686 jacket (The Manual 7/10 on the thermal scale) so the body mapping insulation threw me for a loop at first and I wasn't sure I'd be as warm as the old jacket. I wore a baselayer and a medium weight fleece under this jacket on the hill and it performed great! Morning started around 0/single digits and slowly warmed up to mid/high teens and may have scratched 20! I was fine the whole time and didn't feel like I had to shed a layer, which I think is a testament to the breathability of this jacket. the fit is definitely nicer with having insulation in certain spots and I feel less like a stuffed sausage in this jacket than I did in the old one (same size XL). I was pleasantly surprised with the performance and would recommend! Have not yet used in stormy conditions, will report back. The zipper is definitely a little more difficult to grab with gloves on than my old one but that's not a 'dealbreaker' for me, just pop a glove off and zip up real quick and put the glove back on, whatever lol. the media pocket can actually fit my phone which is a nice change and the other pockets seem completely functional. Going to get a second pair of SMARTY cargo pants to go with this as my old ones are neon green and don't quite match the crevasse colorway lol.

This jacket has a completely misleading name, despite it being called the Hydra is not Hydrastash compatible. Absolutely ridiculous for 686 to name the jacket the Hydra considering Hydrastash is something they have in their lineup. Otherwise fit and finish is great otherwise would've given it 5 stars. NAME IT ANYTHING ELSE!!!!

I'm 6'3 inches and weigh 205. I ordered an Xl and it fits great. I have yet to use the product but it feels like a high quality product. Oh, also looks awesome.

Jacket fits exactly how it should. Slightly longer on the sleeves, plenty of internal room for other layers, just pass the crotch area for length wearing small at 5'8. Couldn't be happier with this kit I'm so beyond stoked. 686 is always so chill and easy to talk and this kit is soooooo niceeeeeee. Super warm, and super comfy also. Little swaggy baggy but not weird to put on or catchy on anything. Super warm and totally love it. If you compare this to regular clothes I normally wear medium shirts so I'll say it runs big, but on purpose. Paired it with the nasa pants with black tm2 thirtytwo boots and a white helmet with white smith goggles using a gold lense on top my '23 capita doa and union force black setup. We be steezy baby all the way to Jupiter! Pass Uranus and beyond? ??

Simply the best. 686 is innovation, quality, and functionality with plenty of style.
We all ride and rock many of your products on and off the mountains.

Thanks

Awesome jacket, its warm and big enough to layer up underneath but still not bulky without the layers. Good pocket placement, however i do wish there was a phone pocket inside the jacket rather than the 'phone pouch' in the outer chest pocket.

I don't understand why you include the headphone cable loops but not an eyeloop from the cell phone pocket to the hood. I've looked at it like at like I must be missing something but have yet to figure out what happened there.

Other than that, which is big for me because now I have to cut a hole or go to a tailor, it's an awesome jacket. Love the stretch in particular.

Pros: Good fit, good looking, many great features
Cons: Needs two-way main zipper; offset neck zip clumsy when not zipped, could use a hold down; lighter than expected
Haven't used yet, these are just initial reactions.

I got the spirally white and black/brown color coat. I would give this 5 stars however the inner phone pocket doesn't come with this color and I didn't realize that until it got here. so the headphone wires and stuff like that is borderline worthless. still good coat, just missing something that would make it awesome.

Love this jacket?so well made, got the xl and fits well. The color 'pops' and looks great with the matching surface cargo pants! Used to only buy BURTON AK but with the style and waterproofness of this setup decided to try 686 this season. Fully satisfied. Don't wait, just buy it because you know you want it and enjoy!