North America's wilderness is as pristine and tranquil as it is unforgiving. From clear mountain lakes to alpine meadows, the terrain is rugged and the weather unpredictable. Whether you're out there to fish your favorite river or hike a steep mountain trail, your jacket should keep you warm and dry without hindering your movement. And if you happen to be out in search of that trophy buck, you also want your jacket to be as quiet as possible.

After two years of research and development and a year of testing, Rivers West designed the perfect system for active outdoor endeavors. Utilizing the 100% waterproof / windproof protection of the H2P® System, this Seattle-based outerwear manufacturer created the Articulated Body System® (ABS®) to provide a full range of motion while keeping the wearer warm, dry, and as silent as possible.

Whenever possible, I prefer wearing a vest to keep my core temperature warm without hindering my arm movements as a jacket does. But when the weather turns inclement, I long for a garment that fits like a jacket but feels like a vest, giving me the vast upper body mobility I need.

Thankfully, the ABS® System works in just this way. Built like a vest, Rivers West constructed a separate torso made completely of Cordura LYCRA®; the same material the NFL uses in its jerseys. The chest and sleeves are then sewn onto this fully stretchable/breatheable torso which is, in turn, connected to the upper portion of the vest. The result: a warm, 100% waterproof jacket that provides the wearer with a full range of motion. For years, I've tested Neoprene, GORE-TEX® (or one of its many replicas), coated nylon, or old-fashioned vinyl rain slickers. What this wet-weather gear offers in waterproofing, they lack in comfort, durability, warmth, insulation, and/or mobility. With Rivers West's ABS® System, those concerns are a thing of the past.By adding the comfort and mobility of the ABS® System to the already highly-touted 100% waterproof H2P® System, Rivers West has designed the perfect North American outdoor jacket. The soft fleece keeps you warm, dry, and insulated and your movement as silent as possible while the LYCRA® provides ventilation during excessive activity. In all the time I've spent in the woods and all the jacket samples I've field-tested, the ABS® jackets provide the best protection against the elements while keeping your movement quiet and effortless. I highly recommend the ABS® System for any sportsman looking for a better product than those currently on the market.

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