The Volcom Guide Gore-Tex Jacket Is missing waist pockets and if you can get past that you have a minimalist, incredibly waterproof, lightweight jacket for anyone who is into the backcountry, and it’s ok for the mountain too.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  No one is perfect and we do make money from the “Where To Buy” links below, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

A big thanks to Gravity Sports at Mt Bachelor for giving us access to this.

Grant’s Jacket Specs

Size: Medium
6’0”
165lbs
Chest: 42”
Upper Chest by lats: 42”
Arm Length (pit to wrist) 22.5”
Neck: 16″
Torso Length (collarbone to pant line) 22”
Shoulder Width 17.5” wide
Gloves: Burton AK Guide Glove
Helmet: Smith Vantage
Goggles:  Smith IO Mag

James’ Jacket Specs
Size: Large
5’10” 185 lbs
Chest: 43.5”
Upper Chest by lats: 46”-47”
Arm Length (pit to wrist) 19.5”
Neck: 16″
Torso Length (collarbone to pant line) 23”
Shoulder Width 19” wide
Gloves: Burton AK Guide Glove
Helmet: Smith Vantage
Goggles:  Smith IO Mag

The Volcom Guide Gore-Tex Jacket doesn’t have a great media pocket but just about everything else about this pant matches well for anyone who is into the Backcountry. Or if you are someone who sees a ton of weather when riding/hiking around the resort and doesn’t care that it’s missing handwarmer pockets, then this could be a great call for those that want top tier waterproofing.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  No one is perfect and we do make money from the “Where To Buy” links below, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

Size Tried: Large
James’ Specs:
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 185 lbs
Chest: 44”
Upper Chest by lats: 45”
Neck: 16″
Torso Length (collarbone to pant line) 23”
Widest Width Upper Body (Just below shoulders) 21” wide (52” Circumference)
Shoulder Width 19” wide (48” Circumference)
Arm Length (pit to wrist) 19.5”

Helmet: Smith Maze

Goggles:  Smith IO Mag

Fit: Very flattering fit and the size Large worked well for my specs above.

Construction: The Volcom Guide Jacket has one major flaw and that is the lack of a decent media pocket.  When I am on a long hike there is no better motivator than listening to some good tunes and this makes it difficult. If you have a bib pant you will most likely have a media pocket there though. Everything else about this jacket is well thought out and really well done. The construction is almost flawless and I couldn’t find even a minor flaw. The front pockets are massive and designed to hold as much as possible on the outside with a pretty sizeable backpack around the waist. I love the zippered goggle pocket because now that it doesn’t have a single button it can be more than just a goggle pocket.  I always forget to mention that there is a face mask in the hood that you can pull out which isn’t a bad idea. I don’t like wrist gators but as far as wrist gators go they are really well done.

This isn’t something I normally talk about but the color of this and the blue Volcom Guide jacket is quite a change up from the colors we have seen from Volcom in the past.  They usually had one super outrageous color and then 1-2 ultra subdued colors. Both the Blue and Red really have a multifaceted color scheme to it that I can’t stop staring at. In lower light, it seems like a deep dark red but as the sun comes out it really lights up and almost seems like a different Jacket.  Same for the blue jacket but even to a lesser extent, the grey jacket does the same thing. My camera doesn’t do this jacket any justice.

Hood: The contoured hood is great and even though doesn’t look as good as the articulating hood it sure protects your face a lot better.

Insulation/Warmth: Almost none but that is expected of a 3 layer shell of this type.  It does set you up perfectly when creating a barrier against wind chill so you don’t have to layer up as much below when it’s super windy.

Waterproofing: 3 Layer Gore-Tex. Almost enough said.

Breathability: I have experienced a few (not many) Jackets that have better breathability than Gore-Tex but not many wraps it all up in a reliable super waterproof package like this jacket.  That being said this is incredibly breathable and better than many Gore-Tex Jackets I’ve owned.

Packability: Very light and takes up little space in a bag.

Overall: The colors called me to the Volcom Guide Jacket but the construction, waterproofing, breathability, and fit really work for me. If you can get past the lack of any viable media pocket or handwarmer pockets, then you have a pretty special jacket.

The Volcom Guide Jacket is a pretty technical backcountry shell made for those who always have a backpack on.  It’s also got a face mask and wrist gaiters for those that want a little extra for a technical shell.

Size Tried: Large
James’ Specs:
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 192 lbs
Chest: 44”
Neck: 16″
Torso Length (collar bone to pant line) 23”
Shoulder Width (widest point of shoulders) 22”
Arm Length (pit to wrist) 19.5”

Helmet: Smith Vantage

Goggles: Smith IO7