This jacket was not worth the hype. I did get it for a great deal in Jan 2011, but that was the high point for me... I backpacked around Europe and spent most of my time in the Netherlands (the stereotypes about the weather are all true by the by) and I found this jacket to look better than previous rain jackets I'd owned, but not all THAT much more effective for the price paid. Oh well, I was happy enough with it until just this morning...

I got a special, expensive waterproof-friendly laundry soap because I'd always been afraid to do more than spot clean with a damp cloth. I checked the tag, which only specified 'gentle wash', and checked the soap, which said use the heavy cycle. I put it on the 'normal' cycle to compromise. I also checked the original amazon description to see if there were further instructions, and found nothing.

The inner lining is torn to SHREDS. I had zipped it up all the way, had it turned right side out.... its got giant gaping holes in the white bits, which not only mean its essentially ruined, but also makes it look extremely tacky because the holes show through the outer layer. If I had had ANY clue it would have completely disintegrated the way it did (I am not talking about small rips, I am talking about gigantic pieces just... dissolving basically, and shedding all over) I wouldn't have even put it in the washer to begin with. I cannot understand how they would even recommend to put it in the washer when the white lining is so insanely flimsy.

Of course, I see now I should have paid more attention to 'gentle cycle' directions, but my gut feeling is it would NOT have made that much difference. Maybe the damage would not be as bad, but theres no way it could have just completely disintegrated on 'normal' and not had any ill effects on 'gentle'.

Very, very disappointed. Cautionary tale- DO NOT PUT IN THE MACHINE WHATSOEVER!!!!!