Very impressive that this packs into its own handpocket, which is awesome because the handwarmer pockets are microfleece lined so it becomes a nice fleecy pillow. Right amount of pockets in the right places and the hem drawstrings are NOT in the pockets which I like so much better. The cuffs are the best kind with velcro and some rubber stretch. For me, this is a great layer and ok as on outerlayer on it's own. It's on the light side, so it's good to about 40 degrees, 35F if you run warm but no more. Sizing is pretty true to size. I fall inbetween sizes and went up to make sure I could layer underneath if I wanted and it's not to baggy with just a long sleeved shirt underneath.

Couldn't decide between this and the Venta SV, so I ordered them both to try them in person with the idea to give up the loser. Bad idea. With Arc'teryx there are no losers and I have to explain to my wife why I need both these jackets.

There are so many things to love about this jacket. Despite all the technical features I have to start out by saying just how good it looks. I have the "nightshade" and both the grey and the blue of this jacket are darker than what is shown here, but look super sharp. If anything bad could be said about the look of this jacket, it is that the logo is printed and not embroidered. You give up a little in weather protection with not having a membrane like windstopper in the Venta SV, but the gains you get in breathabilty are noticeable - pit zips not included because they aren't necessary. The outside pockets are plentiful and definitely adequate but I do always like an inner zip pocket as well which is missing on this jacket. The cuffs are stretchy and slide on nicely. Sometimes I prefer being able to adjust the cuffs, but being able to just throw the jacket on and not fuss with velcro is also nice. This jacket isn't intended for as severe weather as the Venta SV, but still handles a wide range of conditions and is preferable in many of them. It also works better as a mid layer if you ever want to throw a shell over it, as it isn't cut as long in the rear and has no hood.

What's awsome:
-the jacket is completely windproof
-keeps out snow and all but the worst downpours.
-hood is truely helmet compatible, and can be forgotten easily if you want due to design of drop hood.
-breathable. Pit zips give you added control over your temp.
-cuffs cinch down nicely without bunching up and getting uncomfortable.
- included pockets are good sized and well placed.
- material is soft and flexible and downright comfortable.
- fit is really nice throughout body, unrestricted arm movement
-zippers move real smooth, even pit zips.

Critiques:
-Drop hem is very pronounced, could lessen the difference in length between front and rear hem.
-exterior chest pocket would be nice

Lots of weather protection and a solid set of features with spot-on fit. Good luck finding a better softshell.

Spyder... what happened with this jacket? The materials and workmanship are fine and the styling of the buffalo plaid is really attractive. However, the fit of this jacket is awful. It is incredibly boxy and seriously rides up with arm movement - in no way could this be used for skiing or anything active. And Spyder, you really need to do something with your cuffs. This is my 3rd spyder jacket (only keeping one, not including this one) and NONE of them have any finishing to the cuffs. Step it up or get out of the game, the $30 black diamond knock-off soft shell at costco is better than this jacket.

I have a redpoint optimus and love it. A non-hooded version became available at a super price so I got it not really needing it and I am so glad I did. Sometime you feel like a hood, sometimes you don't. Can't go wrong with the redpoint series as the jackets are warm, lightweight durable and even good looking. The logo on my older optimus is embroidered, where this one is just printed on. Probably saves a little weight but not worth it IMO, but oh well. Still buy it.

The materials really are nice. Fit is good and not so good. First off, you really can raise your arms or stretch to any position and the sleeves move independent of the jacket - very nice. The jacket is trim through the torso; room if you're big in the chest, not if you are big in the gut. Also cut short which is good for some activities, but poor coverage for skiing. Hand pockets are placed high, and the cuffs seal up tight and weren't a problem for me.

Pretty great jacket, gives that instant warmth that only down encased in thin polyester can do. This jacket is cut a little bit longer in the torso than most of the down sweaters, but I like it. The one down side is that the arms at the pit are a bit tight.

Needed a replacement for a patagonia down sweater jacket and tried out a couple. I have settled on this spyder piece because it does what I want - provides that instant warmth. It's not as light or compressible as the down sweater (along with all similar jackets from various makers), but it's still lightweight and does compress very well. It's definitely more durable. I like that the hand pockets are fleece lined. The cuffs are a bit of a mystery though, they are tapered toward the thumb so they fit nice, but have no closure at all. Works nice for layering under a shell, but in all other instances I think I would prefer something at the wrist - elastic, velcro, etc. The styling (not that it really matters) is sick - The jacket might be a tad larger when compressed and have a few extra ounces, but I stand out from the rest of the ultra light down sweater crowd with this spyder.

The outer of this jacket is burly. The fleece interior mentioned in the description covers the core, while the inside of the sleeves is smooth and lightly insulated. A couple little details are absent though, namely in the cuffs which are just wide open. The chest pocket opens from the top, as opposed to the more convenient side entry. The cut is pretty boxy. The price point on this is on the low end, and it feels that way without being able to be more specific. A good medium warmth work horse.

This could be one of the most under-rated jackets out there. Windstopper softshell is the most hardcore of all softshell materials for weather protection and you add in water tight zippers on the chest and hand pockets, and a beefy storm flap on the main zipper and you are as close to water tight on a softshell as you can get. Adjustable cuffs plus the drawsting at the neck in addition to the one at the hem makes it so you can really seal out the cold and wet.
Additional things I like:
- the cut of this jacket is on the longer side, I get full cheek coverage.
- the over sized collar. nice when you want it and lays flat when not using it.
- grid fleece backing. underlayers still grab it some, but its better than other types of fleece lining.
- Cuffs. They are pretty good as adjustable cuffs go, with a design to minimize bunching up when cinching down.
- Pockets. good number and placement. Hand ones are lined and huge.

Other notes:
-Fit: backcountry's listing of this as "loose" fit is completely inaccurate. Seems to be designed for people with slim builds and small frames, you will need to size up if you have any mass in your chest, or gut. It is loose in the arms though, to accommodate layers nicely.
-warmth: fleece backing is light but not ultra thin. About on par with TNF apex bionic.
- windproof: The trade off is it's less breathable than the stretch woven softshells, but you gain 100% of the wind blocked and still pretty good breathability.
-cost?: pretty good price for a windstopper softshell. About 40% less than something similar from arc'teryx.

I own and have owned many softshells, and like this one for the couple of things that make it different, such as the longer cut and high collar. That, and it does what it's supposed to - block the elements while remaining breathable and not hampering my movement.

since most airlines charge per bag, needed one large suitcase that could hold everything. Before purchasing this one, I was a little worried about the split design and the divided compartments - would those features not allow for large items, or interfere with over stuffing the thing, etc. All my worries were non-issues packing for a 10 day trip to the caribbean with snorkel gear and hiking gear. A normal carry-on fits in one side of the split roller with room to spare on that side, just to give you an idea of how much space you get. I do have mild concerns over durability of the bag, as it has all material outer. It seems to be thick, beefy material but airlines are brutal with your stuff. No problems so far. The compression straps are awesome as it makes the bag very usable still if you don't need all 4000 cu in. of the bag, and it seems to take some of the stress off the zippers. Smart design that works for me.

Out of the box these boots were a bit to tight on my calfs. Good thing these boots are so adjustable. I've been able to get a nice snug fit that isn't uncomfortable. These feel really good on my shins so far, the flex of the boot provides good give and take. My feet do feel compressed, but that's the nature of this type of boot. Or any properly fitted ski boot I suppose...

Have a pair of Keen Newport h2, so have to compare them. The keens are more rugged and overall more comfortable mostly due to the footbed - the material compresses better. The hedgefrog fit better and closer to the foot, are lighter and are still comfortable. I think the hedgefrog is a better choice for boating/canoeing/kayaking type activity but still feasible for camping/hiking/trail, with the Newport a better choice for overall hiking/walking.

Extremely solid boot. I've had some Sorel's for years and loved them for being burly, but also wished at times they weren't as bulky and clunky, particularly when trying to run (not exercise running, but in snowball fights, etc). These Baltoros are less bulky and easier to walk/run in than the Sorel and sorel-type boots while still being rugged, absolutely waterproof and maintaining excellent grip. They have been overall more comfortable to wear and feel more like a hiking boot than a snow boot on your feet. I don't know about the -40 F rating, but they are sufficient for snow shoeing and what not in Utah and, I believe, would do the job of staving off frostbite if you got stuck somewhere overnight in the mountains. Lip on the back heel of the boot for snow shoe bindings is a plus as well.

I just want to add that this jacket is great for travel. compresses well, and when stuffed into it's own pocket makes for a nice pillow on the airplane. I was torn on which redpoint to get - hood or no hood. The hood is nice because it fits well and extends the range of the jacket. Down side is that you can feel it under a shell if used for layering but not a huge deal. I also like the cuffs. zippers for pockets need garages. It's comfortable and gets a lot of use.

Not sure how to rate this jacket, as it just wasn't what I was expecting. It's only half insulated. There is down insulation down your back, chest, shoulders and the top of your arms. The complete sides, bottom/sides of the arms, and hood are just shell. That's not clear at all in the description.

I sleep on my back, side and occasionally stomach. This pad is just thick enough that I never feel the ground. Can't really ask for more, and the size and weight are plenty acceptable for the comfort. The shape works for my mummy and semi-rec bags alike as it tapers only a bit toward the foot. It isn't as thick at the bottom starting at about the calf, but unless you have some seriously heavy cankles you won't notice.

It's well made and has a good fit to it. The material performs how it's supposed to. It has pockets and drawstrings where you want them. It looks good and is comfortable. It's got a lifetime warranty. Great purchase, no regrets.

Nice, lightweight and comfortable shirt. One chest pocket is zip napolean style, the other is a normal pocket with velcro closure and they are pretty well disguised into the shirt. Looks very sharp, not too techy.

One of the most comfortable shirts I've ever worn. Breaths so perfectly, is lightweight, soft and moves with me so well it almost feels like a part of me.

I bought this as a possible replacement for an aging patagonia down sweater jacket. Same 800 down fill, construction is no better or worse. The material of the diez is supposed to be more durable and "down proof", making it harder for feathers to poke through, but it's only used on the outside of the jacket leaving the inside still susceptible to leaks. I haven't had much an issue with durability or down leakage with the patagonia anyway, and the outside of the diez is super shiney to the point of detraction (color: black). It lacks an inside pocket as well. As my patagonia still has some life left in it, I won't be keeping the diez and will keep looking. It's a fantastically warm, light jacket but with so many contenders in the super-light 800 fill down jacket category there is no reason to settle on this one if you don't absolutely love it.

These pants are durable. I currently have 3 pair that I use for work, which involves A LOT of walking. The stash pocket on the thigh is by no means a cargo pocket (it's smaller and has an open top), but is extremely useful and was one of the main reasons I bought these pants. The leg has a full gusset from ankle up to the crotch, not sure how useful it is though. These pants are a heavier fabric with double stitching through much of the pant - good for heavy use. The front pockets are unique, but do not detract from the pant. They won't pass for slacks in a pinch like some khaki pants can, but look sharp none the less.

This is what all other soft shells are trying to be. All the hype around the polartec power shield fabric is well deserved, and backcountry did not do it injustice in their design and application. I worried about there not being any wrist closure, not even an elastic cuff, but it has been a non issue. Performs top notch for breathability and flexibility but it's also durable. This thing is also surprisingly really comfortable - as much so as a fleece but performs like a shell.

Nice softshell, very lightweight. This shell breaths like a champ and moves with you very nicely. Looks sharp. It's a softshell, and works about like the rest of them as far as blocking wind/water. Wish it had an additional external pocket on the chest or sleeve for added convenience, but the pockets it does have are large and have been adequate. This jacket is great with long sleeves underneath, but becomes less desireable with just short sleeves as the pit zips are uncomfortable on bare skin and the thin wool lining isn't that soft and a bit itchy.

I love the schoeller fabrics of this jacket, they are strong and durable but still move with you and look great. It breaths better and gives the jacket a softer feel overall than softshells that use laminates/membranes. The weather protection is outstanding, if you face conditions that will overwhelm this jacket, you're looking at gore-tex conditions. This particular model uses 60g of insulation I believe, giving it a wide range of temperatures you can use it in depending on what you layer underneath.
I bought at a discount but wondered at the reason full retail was as high as it is for this piece, and can tell you the money is in the details. Aside from the schoeller fabric and primaloft one insulation being top notch materials, the pit zips aren't exposed to bare skin and/or uncomfortable in short sleeves like some. The snow skirt uses grippy elastic and stretches to move with you, attaches to belt loops of most pants, but is also removable. There is mesh over the pit zips so if they are open, snow is still kept from entering. There are stretch panels in the lining of the jacket at the shoulders and elbows to make sure the jacket moves with you. The Hand pockets are fleece lined, and there are two internal pockets not listed in the tech specs; 1 drop pocket that's big enough for goggles, and a zippered pocket that features an mp3 player slot and headphone cord exit. There is a cool dedicated pass pocket with drop down bungee clip on the sleeve as well. You can block out the cold with drawstrings at the bottom hem and collar, and the cuffs cinch down with velcro. Outside pockets zip close and have garages for the zipper pulls.
And this jacket just looks good. Many ski jackets boast they look good on the hill and off, but I've never seen a jacket look at home on the mountain or in the city like this one. Color for "Metro" is way off, it's a dark navy blue (better looking IMO) rather than the lighter blue pictured here and elsewhere.
Watch cloudveil give a tour of the jacket here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG051TFWtGE

I cycle through gear like mad. After two seasons I still love this bag and am not looking for a replacement, and that says a lot. LOVE the expander, I have a broad chest and mummy bags are just too restrictive, this strikes a very nice balance and puts the bag in a class of it's own. It's super adjustible with seperate drawstrings for the top and bottom draft collar, and hood. The zipper is awesome, it is long enough to get in and out of the bag comfortably. If you open the two way zip from the bottom to vent if you get too warm in the night, the cool air doesn't come in right on your feet - zip goes to about the ankles. The synthetic fill might not compress as well as down, but I don't have to worry about moisture (outside sources, sweat or what naturally escapes the body) eliminating the insulating properties. MH did great with this bag.

I love how this down jacket is designed, it doesn't look at all like a puffy. This is a very warm jacket with a nice set of features: waterproof/windproof outer, plentiful pockets, cuffs that adjust nicely, removeable hood and powder skirt, fleece lined collar, drawstrings at hem, waist, collar and hood, fleece lined hand pockets, two way water tight front zip, water tight pocket zips w/garages. A true winter parka that makes you fear not the biting cold nor the driving blizzard.

everything is solid about this jacket, it's a great warm winter piece. Only a few minor things I would change: put a two way zip on the front zipper, and not put black fleece on the collar of a brown jacket (I have the henna color). The cuffs adjust nicely without bunching up when cinched down, drawstring waist is nice and the powder skirt and hood zip off. Also, there is a small mesh pocket inside the outer chest pocket that's pretty cool. Not a totally water tight jacket but great for cold, snowy conditions.

I have the 2009 model which is the same except they ditched the awesome (awful?) print on the lining. I bought this jacket as an around towner that would fend off weather and be warm on it's own. This jacket does that beautifully. It's warm, no question about that. The fit is pretty generous to allow for layers, and the length covers your rear end - long enough a 2 way zipper would have been nice but no biggy. Also has a sleeve pocket not listed. The hood has just the one pull in the back to tighten down all the drawstrings, where I prefer the 3-way adjustible hoods although it is fully insulated and packs a brim. Despite the jacket's technical features, it's lacking in some areas to make it bomb-proof: the zippers are covered or tight but not sealed, seams aren't sealed, and 75% of the body is just water resistant. Will stand up to cold and snow great, but downpours/freezing rain will overwhelm this jacket. I like this jacket because I never see freezing rain here, and if it's cold enough to wear it anything falling from the sky is going to be snow. It's just plain comfortable to wear, keeps me dry and at a comfortable temp, and the dark brown henna color I have looks great.

SIZE: 70" wide at the head, 50" wide at the foot, 88" long. This tent is amazing! The tech specs have it wrong, it packs down to 6x18, could easily make it 5" or less in diameter with compression straps. When it was time to get a new motorcycle/backpacking tent, I went through 4 other tents before finding this gem. It's a good size for up to 2 people, but isn't over kill for just one either. sturdy free standing design. The "D" style doors don't fall to the ground. Mesh isn't the warmest but can help keep you warm by cutting down or eliminating condensation, giving you the best chance of a warm dry bag all night long. Fly is full coverage and has 2 vents and 2 windows. Only things I take issue with is just one pocket on the inside, and even though the sleeves are short and it's mostly clips, I wish it were all clips.

Nice shirt. Good as an insulating layer, looks good on it's own. Very comfortable. Thumb hole on the cuff is nice at times, but mostly I ignore it and don't even notice it's there. The thickness of this shirt gives some good warmth, but is not bulky or a hinderance when used as a layering piece. It's thicker than most base layers, but isn't sweater thick either although it is as warm as a light/mid sweater. Order your regular size if you only want to use as a base layer, size up if you plan to use it as casual wear as well, fit is trim.
*note: the "raven/graphite" piece has a smooth texture, while the blue and olive ones have the slightly ribbed texture shown in the detail views above.

The gogs are good quality, the lenses give little distortion. But they have crappy peripheral vision. Might be better if you have a small face, but these say they are for medium and large headed folks. I wear a size L helmet for comparison.

This jacket is under the category "casual jackets" and lists the recomended use as "streetwear", which is spot on. If you bought this with any other use in mind, you might come up disappointed, but for it's intended design and use it's really pretty decent. Warm, insulated hooded casual jacket with a soft fleece lining. What's not to like? It's got handwarmer pockets plus a bonus inside pocket not listed in the specs. The hood is insulated and fleece lined as well, and even zips off. The cuffs as well as the collar are ribbed knitting and stay in place. Perfect for chilly temps when the weather and activity don't require a more technical jacket.

I like this shell. It's insulated, but light enough it doesn't sweat you out for skiing and only requires minimal layers. Also, the insulation means I can throw it on over just a sweater and head out on the town in winter conditions where you need a waterproof shell, where a non insulated shell just wouldn't cut the cold down enough.
Things missed in the "tech specs":
hood is removeable. drawstring hem. hand pockets and collar lined with thin soft stuff. two way zip up the front. ski pass clip. goggle wipe in sleeve pocket.
This jacket is cut long, and with room to layer. Sleeves seem particularly roomy. cuffs have some elastic in them, but also cinch down by velcro - a nice combination.
4 stars because the cut isn't very athletic and the powder skirt isn't removeable. And the jacket is made entirely of TNF proprietary stuff. Hyvent and heatseeker work good and all, but isn't as nice as gore-tex and primaloft or polarguard.

For me, this shell is perfect, if I designed a shell this would be it. First off is material - Gore-tex Pro Shell, which is unbeatable in blocking wind and water while still being breathable and light. It really is surprizing how light pro shell is while still being so absolutely stormproof. The fabric is less stiff than some other pro shell jackets (TNF Free Thinker II, for example), not sure what that means other than it moves better. The jacket is fully seam sealed and built true to Mountain Hardwears legendary quality standards - no goofy or weak stitching and the like.
The design of this jacket is superb. It's not minimalist where you end up making do with what you have, but it doesn't look over the top even though it's fully loaded and functional. It has all the pockets (wrist, chest, multiple internal), but it's not bulky or flashy. The pockets are well placed. The hand pockets aren't too high like on some shells - they don't need to be that high to be harness/pack compatible. The inside pockets are in good places and easy to access and operate. The core vents aren't in the armpits, but a little lower so they get good air exchange even if your arms aren't out. The powder skirt is removeable, so this shell can be used for multiple activities (like snow shoeing, for example where you don't need a pow skirt and it just makes your layers ride up with that kind of arm and torso movement). The hood is 3 way adjustable + removeable - if you know you aren't going to use it that day, you can take it off and not worry about it flapping in the breeze or snaging on stuff. The cuffs adjust well, the fabric doesn't bunch up when you tighten them down. The external zippers are all water tight with garages, except the main front zipper which is two-way and has a storm flap. There is a drawstring cinch cord at the collar, waist and hem for ultimate adjustibility. The entire collar has a microfleece lining to keep your cheeks and chin from getting raw.
The fit of this jacket is great. Not restrictive in the arms, shoulders or chest. The torso is accomodating but not baggy. There is room to layer and go over your gloves at the wrist (if you choose) without being restrictive, but not enough to create excess that flaps around in wind. You will likely need to size up though, but who cares what size it says on the tag when the proper size fits so well? I have a Mountain Hardwear Cohesion and Downhill Down both in L and the XL in the Vertical is a perfect fit.
Missing a recco but aside from possibly that, this jacket leaves you wanting absolutely nothing more from your shell.

Great casual jacket, comfortable features. Really nice looking too. It actually has a side entry (napolean) zipper chest pocket on both sides, and on the outside of the left chest pocket there is a small velcro pocket that must be for style cause it's too small to hold even a phone. The hand pockets are nice, but don't have any closure, no zipper, button, velcro or anything, but not a huge deal because the chest pockets are zippered. Also has an inside pocket not listed. The cuffs are nice, the hood is nice (and removeable), and the jacket has quilted insulation, so it's pretty warm - more so than a fleece, but no replacement for a down parka. You might think it's technical with the adjustable hood, storm flap over the zipper, and wrist gators but despite all that and its DWR coating, bottom line is it's corduroy. I like this jacket. It's a "go to" when it's cold out and you just have places to go, people to see and things to do around town.

I really appreciate which details were paid attention to in this jacket. The cut and fit is exceptional. This jacket moves with you well as in it doesn't ride up when you raise your arms out and gives you good freedom of movement. It's warm, probably somewhere inbetween 200 and 300 wieght fleece, but is exactly the opposite of bulky. This jacket looks sharp on it's own, but also is the perfect layer under a shell because there isn't a bunch of extra fabric around your arms, your gut, your armpits, etc to content with the shell. The sleeve pocket holds a phone or mp3 player well, and the hand pockets are actually enormous - they cleverly run from the waistband up to the seam at your collar bone, and are large enough for a 1 liter water bottle with room to spare. And the pulls for the drawsting waist are found inside. The zippered hand pockets are at a great spot, too, high enough for a harness or pack, yet still at a comfortable and natural level for handwarming. Arc'teryx kept thier name and logo subtle yet visible so you don't feel like you're a walking advertisement, but if people want to know who made such a great jacket it's there. A lifetime warranty makes it a complete package. well done.

The point of fleece is warm, comfortable insulation. 300 weight polartec fleece is just that, but the North Face kinda ruined it in their design. The 2nd chest pocket is overkill and combined with the pit zips leaves way too many zipper pulls hanging around. The nylon chest piece does give some wind protection, but leaves the jacket incredibly boxy, looks like I have shoulder pads when wearing it and I already have broad shoulders. That and the zippers in your arm pits just detract from the warmth and comfort. The cut is disappointing in that it's not fittted at all, which is fine for stacking layers underneath, but makes it bulky to try and layer over and basically it looks better in pictures and on a hanger than it does on you. It's not that this is a bad jacket, but warmth and comfort can be found packaged better elsewhere.

The outer vest itself is made of good material. It alone as a windproof microfleece lined softshell vest is worth the sale price alone, IMO. Has zip hand pockets (not mentioned in specs), and the chest pocket functions as a pocket (imagine that) when not using the hydration system. Dual drawstrings at the waste is nice, but I'm confused as to why the zipper is backwards. I quadruple checked the tag to make sure I got a mens vest, cause the zip is like a ladies.

The bladder inserts into a second mesh vest that's removeable. This inner mesh vest is also stretchy and quite a bit smaller than the outer softshell, and zips up tight on your chest to hold the bladder secure. There is padding between you and the bladder. The hydration system is pretty inventive but I thought it would be limited in use because the bladder is inside the vest with your trapped body heat. But, fill it full of ice and it keeps you cool as it melts, with minor condensation issues. It's mitigated greatly by the padding provided inbetween you and the bladder. I was also worried that the hose would be annoying up against my body like that, but after a few minutes with it on, I didn't notice it unless I thought about it.

Also, nothing is mentioned about the spiderweb design that covers most the back of the black one, suprize! Since I bought this with motorcyling in mind it didn't bother me, kinda fits in. If nothing else, the money is worth having a unique piece of gear no one else has, that fact that it has multiple functions is a bonus.

Runs pretty slim, size up!

Great pair of pants. Pretty much think of them like softshell pants - breath better, are more comfortable and light weight and block wind like a champ. But they aren't as rugged or durable, and sustained heavy moisture will get through. A really great option if you're out in the snow or wind and it's not a monsoon or blizzard. They fit true to size as a first layer or over long underwear, but if you just want to throw them on over pants consider sizing up.

This little unit is great. Weighs very little, is comfortable. I've used it for camping, moving friends after dark, working on the car, BBQing after sun down. The brightness and tilt housing work great for all conditions. Recieved first one as a gift, bought another because it's so awesome.

This sweater is nice and comfy, pretty lightweight and thin. It's been treated with omni-shield, has pockets and a full zip front so you might think it is a jacket, but it won't really work as such - it's a comfort layer for mild weather. The hand pockets are small and flimsy - good for warming hands, but not holding much else (no zipper or other type of closure). The fit is slightly on the slim side. Good for indoors or outside on a cool evening. Pretty packable for hiking (it does breath pretty well) or travel.

I have an older version (2007 model) and love it. It's basically a down jacket sewn into a waterproof, breathable shell with some ski specific features. It's pretty warm, almost too much for skiing backcountry, but will keep you warm on the lift in even the worst condidtions, night skiing not excluded. It's cut longer, good coverage for your backside and a two-way zip down the front to make sure hip movement isn't constricted. The hood is fully insulated as well, you really don't know how much heat escapes your head till you trap it in down. With removeable powder skirt, it's great for around town in those fridged temps as well. I do like the old design better, didn't look like a down jacket at all, where this years does with the way the stitching is, might even have different construction. And the fur? at least that's removeable.

I really like the fabric of this jacket - breaths like a champ and moves with you very well, is less stiff than most other soft shells. The velcro cuffs adjust very nicely, designed to not bunch up not matter how tight. Earbud port on the inside of the jacket from the napolean pocket. I'm not really sold on the "powder guard", but a drawstring waist more or less solves that. The hood is attached, but the jacket is designed so that the hood doesn't ride halfway up the back of your head when you zip the collar all the way up, done really well. The zippers are YKK, but they look kinda cheap, maybe because they use yarn for zipper pulls. Pit zips are average in length and open wide. I really like this jacket, looks sharp and functions beautifully. Size up!! runs small.

Soft, itch free wool. Beats out underarmour, capilene, or anything else as a baselayer/underwear.

Nicely done merino sweater. If you look, you can see the sleeve doesn't stop at the shoulder, but extends all the way to the neck - makes sure this piece hangs off your shoulders right no matter your build. Sizing is a bit on the slim side, go up if you normally fall inbetween sizes. Feels nice and looks great.

I recently had a chance to check out this jacket, and was pretty impressed. This jacket is water tight, no question. I just have an issue with a few design oddities for a jacket. The hood is attached. Not removeable, not stowable, although it IS 3 way adjustable. All inside pockets are on the right side, accessible with the left hand. Lefties rejoice, but most people are right handed. The sleeves seem extra roomy, Popeye would have no problems stuffing his abnormal forarms in them. There are many things to like as well: The material does seem rugged, it isn't going to tear easily, and has a slight sheen to it. A few patches of microfleece added on each shoulder, around the back of the collar, on the back of the neck and at the chin add some comfort with negligible affect on wieght. All external zippers including pitzips are water tight. The hand pockets are huge - ample storage, but not lined. Without having really tested it in rugged conditions yet, this is more a review on function than performance. I'm not worried about it's performance, but can't get over wondering why they put ALL the inside pockets on the "wrong" side.

My wife uses it as a purse and can't be happier. A few internal pockets for organization, and being water-resistant make it a complete package. The velcro closure isn't going to let anything out, but is a bit noisy.

feels lighter than cotton usually does, comfortable to wear. Design is nice, construction is solid. Not technical, but for casual wear can't go wrong.

These are pretty nice. Waist size is generous. The front pockets are pretty good size, but the cargo pockets and especially the back pockets are undersized. The zip at the ankle is nice, don't have to take off shoes when converting from pants to shorts (or from shorts to pants). The 100% nylon is good for moisture management, and these aren't especially noisy, but don't expect to sneak up on somebody in them either. Good construction, so all in all a good buy.

The fabric is really comfortable. The shirt looks sharp, too. The bottom button is actually a nut (like their logo), and they've sewn a nut on the back of the shirt as well - really cool. The fit is nice, length is long enough, leans a bit on the slim side, but not enough to size up.

You know when a girl has a shirt that's just a little too short and shows a little skin, and she pulls it down from time to time cause she's self concious about it? Yeah... cute for girls, stupid for men, and is exactly what happens with this shirt. The side vents are functional and vent really well, but look a little silly when open - good to cool down on the trail, not so much at a club/bar.