Backcountry.com Shift Composite Jacket - Men's - 2008 BCS

This is the every day jacket. I protects from the wind just enough that you can wear it getting in and out of the car running around town, but it breaths enough that you can wear it under a shell on cold days and be comfortable. I wear this thing almost every day ever since I got it. It repels water like it has scales, and fits great.

I got the Backcountry Shift softshell, size XL in the Carrot color (which is a very nice color in person).

The jacket fits well on me. I'd say true to size actually, even with the athletic cut. The outside has 2 large hand pockets (lined), with hem drawstrings on the inside. There is also the outside chest pocket which is fairly large. There is also one more inside chest pocket which is a bit smaller. All the pockets are zippered.

A big plus for me was the fact that the inside of the arms/sleeves are actually lined with polartec too. I've dealt with too many jackets where the body will have a fleece lining, but the sleeves will be the smooth polyester/nylon feel which I hate.

In terms of insulation, this is a lightweight insulated jacket. I'm located in Southern California, so this level of insulation will probably be fine for the majority of my needs. I was still able to comfortably wear a fleece sweater underneath this though.

This is definitely my go-to jacket. It's lightweight and incredibly durable. I recently took this jacket on a trip to Northern Washington. The temp was around 8 degrees and even with incredibly high winds I was able to stay warm with only one cotton base layer (long sleeve tee). It got a bit chilly when we walked about a mile to the store with little activity, but doing anything strenuous would keep you warm in sub 10 degree weather. I am amazed at the versatility of this jacket. I rock it everywhere! Great job BC.com

Recieved my jacket, seems to be very well built and much warmer than I antisapated even though it's so thin. I wear mine with 2 thermal layers underneath and large fits me perfect, I'm 5'10 200lbs.

Works perfect for me under my ground technical shell.

Don't let the 4 stars fool you, I love this jacket and wear it all the time. I bought it a year ago but I wanted to wait before I review it on here. I bought it for $90 on SAC but I've been seeing it recently for $60, I'm jealous because that's a great deal. I'm 5'9'' 140 lbs and a Medium fits great, a little tight around the waist and neck but that's the athletic fit for you. It still has plenty of room in between. A couple things I like about this jacket. I like the color design a lot, the green blue/gray is nice and isn't dull like most of my clothes, it also isn't fluorescent like it seems most jackets are these days. I can wear this over a tshirt down to 45F, I usually wear it with just a tshirt and cotton sweater and it's warm down to 15-20F. I don't really know how it is below that, it rarely gets colder than that in the Triangle of NC. It is a softshell so it isn't warm right off the bat, I usually wear it 5 minutes before I go outside or walk quickly, once you get some heat you'll never feel cold. The pockets are all that you want, plus they don't describe how large the hand pockets are. They are open all the way up to your neck, which I've found great because I can fit an entire water bottle inside. Or what I usually use it for are gloves, hats, and extra layers. This all works well when you need extra layering. It is not waterproof, but it is very resistant and I've never had any problem in a moderate shower. Although I would not trust it in a downpour, but I've never tried. It is highly windproof, it is a great shield. I know it's not 100% wind or water proof, but some people say the stretch panels are a problem which I don't agree with.

Things I wish were better. The cuffs are fine, but I wish they were adjustable, they don't stretch very much. Pit zips, sometimes there's too much heat especially when I leave the gym and it's not the best at venting. I also wish the waist was a little longer, it feels a little bit short. Mainly because most of the time my shirts will poke out of the jacket.

I've worn this jacket every day since I got it. It's nearly windproof. I've warn it in the rain and stayed dry. Heck, I even had a friend dump a bucket of water on me while I was in it and I stayed dry. It's even surprisingly warm for such a thin jacket.
Best of all, it looks great! I'm not a good looking guy, but several women have complemented me while wearing it.
I highly recommend it!

I was a bit dissapointed, I thought the Backcountry.com Shift Composite Jacket - Men's was a warmer, more fit for the cold weather of Colorado. I have used other jackets like Outdoor research and North Face, and they are warmer, keep the warmth in the body better and seem to be a better fit against very cold climate like we get here in Fort Collins in the winter time.

Frank

Excellent...the first two days I wore it in 50 degree 30mph winds and steady rain at Oktoberfest in La Crosse, WI. Couldn't feel the wind and liquids like rain and beer bead up immediately. My main use will be my midlayer skiing so when sub-zero hits I'll let you know what I think. Fits great, looks great and well constructed.

I just bought this jacket online and was super excited to get it in however, I was very sad when I tried it on. The jacket is super short (hits about 3/4" above my hips), fits like a box and has big baggy arms. I will certianly be returning it tomorrow. I am 5'1" 120lbs with a petite frame. Unless you have an abnormally short torso, a box shape and really big arms, I don't think you will enjoy the fit of this jacket :(.

I don't see how this jacket could be any better for me. I'm tall and thin 6'3", 185# with a 35 in inseam. What can I say, someone finally made a jacket for those of us with really really long arms. I wore this through a rainy concert earlier in the summer, climbing 14'ers, fishing, motorcycling, and on the town. It looks great, fits better, and does everything as advertised. It's not as thick as some soft shells, so not really for sedentary activities in sub-freezing temps, but it really blocks the wind which is the main reason I end up putting on a jacket most times anyhow. It's light weight and made in Canada!! My only advice is to buy 2, which you can afford to at this price, because if your girl is anything like mine she'll be stealing this one off your back every time you pull it out of your pack.

I got this mainly for a shell for winter bike riding/commuting, but after putting it on, I'll be wearing it all the time. It was 30 and windy today, and I didn't feel one breath of cold air inside this jacket. The shell is soft, the pockets generous and soft as well. I got the mustard color, which is not to bright at all. What a great find.

Got this jacket and the regular shift, which doesn't have the thinner polartech stretch panels. I'm keeping this one because of the color (black/gray instead of my red shift), and am overall happy with it for climbing / walking around town. It's stretchy enough for climbing easy long routes. I took it to Red Rocks in December, and found it to be adequate with two thin base layers and a wool mid-layer underneath, in 35-42 degree weather on a multipitch climb.

pros:

- really excellent athletic fit. looks great. if you're in shape, you won't find this jacket too baggy like a lot of other softshells.

- nice and stretchy and waterproof

- extra pocket inside the main right-hand pocket, good for keys or ipod

- goat logo

cons:

- forearm pocket isn't in a great place, and is unfunctionally small

- the power stretch panels ARE colder than the rest of the jacket

This thing is great for bluebird days, also layers well. Use it on my motorcycle too in the spring and fall to keep the wind off, caught in the rain a couple times and stayed dry for the most part, even behind the zipper.

Unlike most BC.com products I found this in a XL to be true to size and the length is right too. It even sticks out a tad from under my BC.com Stoic shell. Still have the long arm issue but I think this is going to work great. I'l check back in after I take it out a few times.