This jacket performs great in the rain and the wind (it completely stopped 40 MPH winds!). It is very easy to move around in and special bonus, you don't have to listen to the regular raincoat crinkling because it is a softshell, though definitely a little stiffer than a regular one. The hood has a bungee on the back that works admirably at keeping the hood properly located on your head. I'm 5'3", 130 lbs, and I have a medium, which leaves space underneath for all of my base layers and a fleece (I wear this in all wet conditions, including the winter). If I were to use this just as a spring/fall jacket, I would go with a small.