Backcountry.com Shift Welder Hoody - Men's - 2008 BCS

As an avalanche forecaster, I'm pretty hard on things. Two stroke machines, storm days where you can't see your ski tips, spilling the red bull on yourself on the last hour of a 15 hour shift, these things are hard on gear. The shift welder has been my go to shell all season, from winds blowing 50 mph on the skyline to snow falling at 3" in an hour, the shift welder has clocked in and given 115%. I'm super psyched on this piece. I'm 145 lbs, 5' 10" and I wear a medium. Plenty of well placed pockets to hold camera, compass and more. As soon as there's a womens available, I'm buying my wife one!

This is the sweetest jacket/soft shell I have ever worn. Just last week I was in a restaurant and my buddy spilled a full cup of Hawaiian Punch across the table and all over me. I stood up and the juice just beaded off. I was dry and the jacket was not colored or stained at all. Furthermore, in the cold this jacket is wind-proof and worm. Great color options and an all round sweet coat.

I am writing this from the University of Utah library, to where I have trudged 2 miles uphill in my Shift Welder hoody to complete a paper. I had no intention of writing another review, but its performance today compels me to write this.

Its a complete blizzard right now in Salt lake city, with winds up to 20+ and snow making it a total whiteout. All I wore was my R1 fleece underneath, and I was COMPLETELY warm and dry the entire way. I was so gracious for the fleece lined pockets for I had left my gloves at home (stupid, I know). The cut of this jacket allowed for complete protection from the elements, while the materials allowed for an uncompromising range of motion.

Its seriously the best jacket I own.

Best softshell I've owned... until I left it in an overhead bin and never saw it again. I replaced it with one from Mountain Hardwear, which I don't like nearly as much. The backcountry one was flexible, had a good fit, kept me dry and warm, all while being light. It also looked good.

I have literally waited months for a jacket of this type. Truly, this is your do it all softshell. From skiing, to climbing, to biking and just hanging around, this jacket does it all. Its INCREDIBLY water resistant, almost waterproof even, and has a fit that is honestly second to none. All of the nice little features really round out this jacket: the in pocket hem cinches, the fully adjustable hood, the awesome double zippers and pockets (fleece lined), complete with impeccable articulation on the arms truly make this jacket your go to softshell. This jacket will easily replace three of my current jackets the thing that can do it all.
GET IT this jacket you wont regret it. I have owned a number of different softshell, such as the MHW Dragon, TNF Cipher, Marmot Super Hero and Patagonia Slopestyle and the Welder beats them all in both fit and comfort. A word about the Carbon color, its a bit lighter than the picture tells, more like a grayish than gunmetal.

This jacket is my new go-to. It's hard to replace the shift composite, but I love the hood on this jacket (been rainy here lately) and the softer feel is nice. I'm 5'7" - 165lbs, athletic build and the M fits great. The jacket is super comfortable and regulates my tempature perfectly. You can go for jog in the morning, and wear it in to the office in the afternoon and not get cold, or hot. The shift composite seems a bit warmer, but I think that may be the higher neckline keeping more wind out. I've yet to test under extreme conditions but if it's anything like the composite, I'm confident it will be great

I have been lusting after this jacket for quite a while, and I picked it up on SAC recently. It would be an understatement to call me a jacket whore, and I felt guilty about ordering another. Until I got it in the mail. This thing is AWESOME and a half. It's super comfortable and it looks killer (I am 6' and 145 pounds and the small fits snug but not tight) It's quite breathable and it pukes heat. I had this packed for a backpacking trip, hoping to only use it at night for lounging around camp. A few miles in, it started raining and I pulled on the Shift Welder expecting to be MISERABLE in the 80 degree heat and Tennessee humidity. Granted, I was toasty, but I was dry inside and out and far from miserable. I could go on an on, but I will stop here. Buy one.

6 month update: After ordering this jacket the day it came out, I must say that its the most used jacket in my closet. For drier climates, its the perfect 4 season shell. In light to rather fairly steady rain it keeps you dry, perfect for days in SLC. It has soundly replaced my ski shell in all but the coldest of conditions. The superb breathability of the Powershield makes it better for aerobic activities than any windstopper, and is very very durable.

However, there are some things that I should note:

1. Do not expect this to replace your hardshell unless you live in very arid climates, like Utah. Washington DC downpours just cut through this thing, but that is to be expected.

2. A lack of wrist cuffs leaves something to be desired.

That being said, the pros grossly outweigh the cons:

1. SUPER comfortable, the fabric just stretches amazing amounts
2. VERY VERY breathable
3. Excellent pockets
4. A fantastic athletic cut
5. Great hood that fits well over most helmets

Seriously, you are looking for a hooded softshell this is THE jacket, trust me. Just look at my profile and you will see the enormous amount of jackets I have tested and owned.

This has turned into my favorite jacket for about everything! I've taken it up on really long alpine climbs in heavy snow, rain and stayed bone dry. The fleece lining is extremely soft as well as the fleece lined pockets. The hood fits well over a helmet and it zips up nicely to somewhat cover your mouth. The arms are just right....a little longer than other brands. Great jacket and what looks to be one that will be around for a long time to come.

Bottom line this thing rocks. Details....I bought both colors in an XL to see which one I liked better. The "blue" looking one is really turquoise and rather bright. The Other color is gray with the slightest hint of green!

I wear an XL in the BC.com Hoody and the BC.com Stoic shell. I needed a Large in this Welder. I found this coat to have more room than other BC.com products and less of a slim fit. I exchanged it and the L fits great with my broad shoulders.

I took a major digger on pavement while wearing this jacket. I had a major bruise and raspberry on my shoulder, but the jacket was fine. No rips, I just brushed some dirt off. I thought it was toast, but it held up fine.

I got my shift welder off SAC a couple weeks ago...liked the fit, liked the style but hadn't really tested it...until today. It was -10F or colder at the summit of Jackson Hole Mtn Resort today. I get off the tram and am greeted by a huge blast of wind that knocks some other dude's skis over. But I'm not cold. Not feelin the wind. I skied the entire day with this jacket over a mid weight fleece and patagonia capilene 2 base layer and while I got cool at times (sitting on the lift), it was never uncomfortable. If you're on the fence about this one, just do it..buy this jacket.

For a long time I was skeptical of softshells because they seemed like a really expensive layer that I just couldn't see myself using. Every time I went shopping for outdoors gear, I would glance at the softshell jackets but simply wasn't impressed. Then, I discovered the Shift Welder on Steep and Cheap. I thought, "now that is a sick jacket!" but didn't buy it right away. I told myself that if I saw it on SAC again, I'd buy it for sure. A few weeks later, my brand new Shift Welder arrived and I was subsequently blown away by the quality of this softshell hoody.

Check it out:

The fabric is incredible! It's the softest softshell I've ever felt and 99.9% windproof. I took it backpacking in Death Valley and busted it out to combat the chilly desert nights. I was actually camping in a canyon so the wind was extra fierce. I stayed completely warm with just a base layer underneath and could only hear the wind. I also used this jacket in Chicago just last week. As you may know Chicago has ridiculous wind and COLD! But I was fine with a long sleeve shirt under this jacket. Also, having the hood was nice in Chicago since the wind seems to come from everywhere.

I know this is a long review, but I also just have to attest to the excellent design of this jacket. I mean this thing is extremely well thought out. I'm talking about extra long sleeve to tuck your hands into when you don't have gloves, drawstring adjusters in the front pockets so you don't have to fiddle with them with cold hands, and an inside i-pod pocket with a hole in it to run your headphone through.

I highly recommend (love) this jacket.

-from a person who hates softshells

This is my first soft shell jacket. I put in a lot of research to find a great one. I really wanted on with a hood. And a nice thin lining. Powder skirt? Would be to have a removable one. Pit zips? Could be helpful while ski touring. But I bought this one because I found it was a good balance of features/function and price. I got it in a medium (Tahoe Blue, totally love the color), and I'm thinking I should have gotten the small. I really like its cut and a small might hinder layering. The sleeves are plenty long (maybe too long) and never expose my wrist no matter how hard I stretch. And so far, I've forgot about it's lack of venting, it was 50 degrees out on the ski hill today and the jacket was breathing real well.
The only really down falls I've had are the the zippers. The main zipper is a little hard to initiate due to the double zipper. And my hand zippers have bound up on me once each.

i was quite excited when i received the jacket in the mail and couldn't wait to open it and test it out. i got the carbon colored and gotten good compliments about it from several friends. nice slim fitting, welded, warm, and great attached hood. my only gripes about the jacket is that the sleeves could've been better made with elastics or a cinch of some sort to tighten the ends of the sleeve. i got the small and while the body of the jacket fit well the sleeves were quite long, making me feel like an orangutan. but it wasn't all too bad since i could tuck my hands into the sleeves during cold and rainy weather. although i would like to add that this jacket isn't for being out in heavy downpours. i was in mild to somewhat heavy rain for 15-30 mins or so and after a while of the water beading off the jacket the shoulders of jacket soaked through leaving the shoulders of my shirt underneath wet when i took off the jacket. which was somewhat disappointing, but i suppose it is a soft shell after all. the other thing that bugged me a little was the cinch tassels in the body and hood of the jacket, a little hard and troublesome to get just right. but other than that, i love it!

This jacket has a nice athletic look to it. Backcountry nailed the lengths for the torso and sleeves. I have long arms and always struggle with baggy fits in order to achieve proper sleeve length. Contrary to the review below, I wore this jacket at a football game in the rain (not just a drizzle) and stayed plenty dry. The only drawback I can find is that it's not as warm as I would like it. I guess that's why I own a down coat also.

Ok, let me start off by saying i love this jacket, the fit is great, and the color is awesome (tahoe M 6'2 185). I find myself wearing this jacket more often than not. Now to my complaint. The jacket is just average in its water shedding abilities. I live in Olympia, Wa and after only 15-20 minutes in a light drizzle the shoulders are soaked all the way through as are some spots on the arms. Now i know that this isnt a "waterproof" jacket but i was expecting a little more in a "highly water resistant" jacket. Another complaint has already been mentioned, the fact that there are no velcro wrist straps. As well as the jacket repels the wind a breeze always seems to climb up the sleeves. Therefore i can only recommend this jacket for moderate to light weather, anything more than that and your better off with something else. Though i guess this is the niche market a softshell is fulfilling.

because this is the best, most versatile jacket ever made. I got it a while back and wanted to use it a bit before I reviewed it. PERFORMANCE: Repels water like crazy. I've yet to see any water soak into the material (I have some things that are 'highly water resistant' but don't live up to it). Crazy light as far as weight goes, and blocks wind perfectly. Insulation is light, but I think it is meant to be layered with. I've worn it with the BC Rime under it (at TShirt under that), and don't need anything else. THE FIT: I got a large and its perfect. This is what I wear in pretty much everything. Length is spot on, and not bulky anywhere. Athletic cut, which is nice. I'm pretty athletic, but not exactly in perfect shape, and no problem with the fit around the stomach. Arms are long, but not so long that there is any issue. There is plenty of room to layer...I've worn a heavy weight Icebreaker and the Rime under it at the same time, and I felt wonderful. BOTTOM LINE: buy it. It's worth the money. If you get it at the SAC price, that's just gravy...but find a way to get one, however you do it.

This jacket is so comfortable, it almost feels like an old cotton hoodie. But it repels water (in heavy, constant rain it is not completely waterproof), does great in the wind, is thin and lightweight, and is very warm (in part, because of the higher neck). It seems very well-made, and the welded seams cut down on bulk (and also look pretty cool). The chest pocket is decent-sized, the interior pocket has a hole for your earbuds, and the hand pockets are huge. The hood is not just for looks, it is fully adjustable (you can adjust it to fit your head). And the interior is soft and cozy enough that it feels great over a short-sleeve shirt. The sleeves are indeed on the long side, but tapered enough that this is not problematic. I agree with others that the Tahoe blue isn't as pictured (it is more of a brighter teal) so if you are not into vivid colors, you may wish to go with the Carbon.

This jacket rocks. Be aware: Tahoe isn't the awesome blue that it is in the picture. It's actually teal. If you're into teal, go ahead and get it. Otherwise, get carbon. I returned the "Tahoe" one for a carbon color and it's great now. Also, the zipper blows. Outside of that the jacket is a perfect softshell. Not super insulated, but it does an incredible job keeping out the elements that insulation isn't super necessary (or just do some layering). This review sounds full of grips, but I'm just grasping at straws, I love this jacket.

This jacket is awesome. I wear an XL in BC brand, MH, and Patagonia, and the XL fit me great. The powershield fabric is wonderful. I threw a dixie cup of water at myself when the jacket arrived and it was like a force field knocked it away, just rolled on off. Wouldn't wear it in a long down pour though. amazing range of motion with the stretchy material. ipod pocket is a nice touch. get one before they are gone.

I got this off of SAC the day they unveiled this, and for the price I don't think you could beat it. I got the medium and it is a very athletic fit. I am 5'9" and 185 with broad shoulders and it fits like a glove with a layer underneath. You don't need much under this b/c it is surprisingly warm for the weight, so i wouldn't try and layer this over a heavy sweater due to the fit. The sleeves are on the long side, so keep that in mind if you have to size up. The welded seams rock on these and the hood allows for a wide field of vision that moves with you head very well. The carbon is lighter in person than in the pictures, but still looks great. My only complaint that I can think of is that the two way zipper doesn't catch on the first try sometimes like it should. This is more of an annoyance than a problem, but for everything this jacket offers I will grin and bear it.

I have shells from MH, Marmmot, Columbia, NF, and above all stands my BC Shift Welder!

I am 5'11" 160lbs and the large fits so well, it almost feels taylored to my frame. Sleeve length is long, but perfectly long. I can lift my hands over my head without the sleeve creeping half way up arms. The cut and fit is awesome...It has just enough room for a good thin base layer and a good solid mid layer without feeling like you're wearing a straight jacket or a looking like the stay-puff marshmellow man.

The Shift Welder is an excellent wind blocker. And just as awesome in the snow! It handles light rain with no problem...not sure i would stay dry in a prolonged downpour however.

As I mentioned before, with the right layers this shell will keep you nice and toasty warm in cold temps (15F on the lower end, personal opinion based on experience). I wore this shell on a 25F multiday hike in which we encountered wind gusts as high as 40mph and this jacket took it all in stride and kept me perfectly comfortable.

Dont think about it, dont weigh the pros and cons...drop the coin when you have a chance to pick one of these up! If you dont have enough lettuce to pick one up...beg, borrow, steal, sell the dog, or hock your guns and get one, you wont regret it!

But at least the Shift Welder softshell would be a solid triple. First of all, as mentioned in other reviews..the colors shown in the pics are way off. My monitor rocks an AS-IPS panel (best lcd you can get) and I calibrate it monthly with an Eye-One pro....the "carbon" I received is a lighter shade of gray than the carbon in the pics...and much lighter than the carbon portions shown in the "Tahoe/Carbon" model. This isn't a bad thing however..just something to be aware of.

The look of this hoody is techie and sharp, the welded seams offer a very sleek and streamlined look, yet the polartec material is very smooth, soft and quiet...moreso than any other softshell I own. I had the chance to try out the hood the very next day that it arrived, and I found that it can be adjusted to fit very well and the jacket as a whole does a good job of blocking an icy wind of 10-15mph gusts. The athletic fit means that I will likely never use the bottom hem cinch unless I lose about 10lbs and use it for rock climbing with updrafts. Overall, very impressed with the jackets windblocking and warmth with just a t-shirt and mid-weight longsleeve baselayer underneath in windy 38-45F weather...not made for extremely cold, stormy weather however. Haven't experienced the wet yet...but with welded seams and polartec material it should pass with flying colors in anything short of a white-out or downpour.

Now for the stuff that keeps it from being an out of the park homer and rating 5 stars. I've never owned a jacket with a double zipper and can't think of a good use for it personally. This one just makes it difficult to zip up the first try and I've never successfully unzipped the bottom zipper...maybe mine is defective? Even though I like the no velcro cinch cuffs for casual use (it falls fashionably to the middle of my hands) it could be a drafty problem with gloves that don't have a gauntlet that can be cinched down. The last minor detail is the heat transfer goat logos which may or may not survive for long (especially the one on the back hem) ...maybe on the next version, BC could just use a regular zip and spend the money saved on embroidered logos?

The bottom line is that this high quality jacket deserves to be on the same shortlist with TNF, Arc', Marmot, MHW and other top brands when you are looking for a weather resistant hooded softie. I can't say that it's totally worth the asking price (got mine on S&C) but you can definitely spend more and end up with a less worthy piece. And the best part...since only BC sells this jacket, it is fairly rare and you likely won't see anyone else wearing one ;)

I am 5'8", 135 lbs, slim build. I bought a small jacket and ended up returning it. The small fit me OK, it was not skin tight but there was zero extra space- no room for anything other than a base layer without an uncomfortable body-hugging fit.

I am just writing this review to give people a heads up on the size. If you plan to layer at all with this, I would definitely go a size up.

Ok, so I just got this jacket and haven't been able to test it out. But first impressions are great. The fit is awesome (6'2", 165, got a large), the color is really cool(tahoe, looks great in person), the hood is a little big, but thats really nothing to complain about considering you will probably have a helmet on. All in all I can say im greatly impressed and can't wait till im able to give a full review on this jacket

This jacket does it all. I have used it anywhere from skiing in February to backpacking in July. The breathability is excellent, super comfortable, stretchy, durable. The water repellent does a fantastic job except in total downpour. Definitely recommend this jacket as well as all other backcountry.com gear

Plenty of people have weighed in on just how ridiculously stupendous this jacket is.... especially at the SAC price. I'll refrain from joining the chorus, and just comment on size. I'm skinny with wide shoulders at 6'2" 190lbs and the Large is pretty tight (esp in the sleeves) with a base layer on and 100 weight polartec. You shouldn't need much more than that, but if you're any larger than I am or want some extra room to layer, you may want to step up to the XL.

Okay.... I'll join the chorus... the jacket is absurd. The construction, durability, breathability and cut are perfect. It's all wrapped in an understated look in true BC style, is purposeful and not slapped all over with zippers or logos.

This jacket is bomber. Killer construction, light weight and looks sexy, too. I wore it on an extended trip through the Wind Rivers and it held up beautifully. I wore it with one thin base layer and it breathed great and repelled water and snow all day long. When I wet it out under a hard shell a night in my sleeping bag dried it out fine. comfortable over a helmet and goggles. I'm 5'10", 170 lbs and bought a small (weird, I know), it fits slim and I don't layer much under it so it's perfect.

A little pricy on backcountry, but jump at the SAC price! As the other reviews state, this jacket rocks and handles just about anything you can throw at it or on it. The only drawback is the lack of adjustable wrists, but it would not prevent me from getting this again!

I ended up scoring one of these at the end of the Big LePowski and I haven't used my old jacket since. It is incredibly light and amazingly durable. Ive gotten caught in trees and brush that would have reduced my old jacket to tatters but BC.com jacket is unscathed. It is also entirely waterproof and wind proof. but definitely layer up on cold days, it doesn't carry much insulation, but it is after all just a shell.

This is one of the best softshells i have ever used. Under the sink test, it sheds water with no problem, I don't feel a think on a windy day, and the cut is pretty sick. I'm 5'9 170 and i got a large, and it fits perfect with a sweatshirt underneath. It extremely comfortable, the inside is so soft and the outside moves really well. it also has kept be very dry as it breaths so well.

The reason it only gets 4 stars is because of the looks (It is very important, admit it). As you might have read, the Tahoe color i received what not what i expected. The one in the picture would have been SOOO awesome, but instead i got a teal (much like this http://www.candlechem.com/images/D152teal.gif) instead of the awesome blue shown in the picture. I think the teal will be bearable, there are no Carbon's in large left anyway. The other thing is the welded seams. They do not let in any water. But as for looks, the seams do pop out and I'm pretty sure there are more seams on this jacket than any other jacket I've looked at.

Love the jacket!!! One of the sickest soft shelled jackets I have ever owned! Super water resistant, super warm, super comfy. Can't say enough about it. One thing though that drives me crazy, the zipper can unzip from the bottom which is a great idea but it is tough to zip up and gets stuck all of the time.

I'm 6'0" 175#. Originally went with the Large, but it was a little too large for my liking. I guess it would have worked well with multiple layers, but I opted to trade it in for a medium, which I love the fit of. It is form fitting in a nice way, but starts to get a little tight with more than a couple of thin baselayers. Very thin and light - like wearing a long sleeve shirt with a hood. Works well in wind and light rain, but it will soak through if you're out in precipitation for too long - even the light stuff. Of note, the fit is NOT exactly like the Rime Pullover. At least not on me. I wear a Large in the Rime because I could barely get the medium on and off without dislocating a shoulder in the process.

Originally I bought the regular shift jacket with no hood on SAC. The fabric is awesome. It's just plain comfortable, blocks a good amount of wind and when I was walking in the rain (without the hoody) the water just shed right off. I'm 5-11ish, 250lb with a 49" chest and bought the shift in an XL. The shoulders and chest were just about roomy enough but the torso was snug on my belly. When I decided to return it I also went for this hoody. The picture for the Tahoe/Carbon two tone jacket is just plain wrong. Instead of a dark navy blue and black two tone I got a teal and light grey two tone... SHould have known better looking at the other two available colors... I am going to wear this to the mountain this weekend but if I can't get over the color it's going back. I might look around for a similar jacket with pit zips as well. I'll take any suggestions of an equally awesome softshell with pit zips and color options that don't make me feel immasculated. Seriously, white zippers?

Love this jacket. The material is unlike anything I've worn before; very, very soft and quiet - the softest of softshells. I have an Arc'teryx Gamma SV (no hood) and used to wear a Cloudveil Serendipity back in the day. While both the Arc and the Cloudveil are excellent pieces in their own right, the Shift Welder is better suited - I think - to high-output athletic pursuits. The jacket blocks the wind, but the lighter material means that you're less likely to over-heat climbing or earning some turns. The fit is VERY athletic. I am 5'8" 160lbs and ordered a M. The fit is snug, but will accommodate a base- and mid- layer [R1 or El Cap 1/4 zip] without a problem. The sleeves are a litte long, but I wouldn't let that influence your decision. They don't look awkward and they're just long enough that they won't get pulled down your arm when you reach overhead. Oh, and the hood really is designed to work with a helmet. I can get a Petzl Ecrin or a Smith Variant under it with no problem. I bought the Carbon; my roommate went with the Tahoe. I look way better in this jacket... do with that as you will.

***Review update***
I ended up returning this jacket because of its dissappointing performance in the rain. The jacket leaked around the seams and then the inside of the jacket became soaked. The jacket seems a little pricey considering it is not waterproof.

Original review:

I love this jacket. I was a little unsure on the what size to order and I'm happy with what I bought. I'm 6'0" 155lbs, and I purchased a M. It is a very athletic fit, but I can fit a hot chilis long underwar and a patagonia R1 pullover without the jacket feeling too tight. Basically warm enough for 20-30 deg F weather. I'm tempted to buy a large too, to allow for one more layer.
I gave it four stars because of the zipper. It's a nightmare. I absolutely love this jacket except for the stupid zipper. It takes me 5-6 tries to get it each time. I would still purchase this jacket because it is a great softshell especially when on sale, just be ready to get pissed off when the zipper is sticking. The key is to just force it down as far as you can. It takes a little practice.

Happy hiking

My shift welder hoody finally came today-and I was not disappointed. It is the best jacket EVER MADE. It allowed the ancient Atlantians to survive underwater and turn water into straight breathable air. No, but seriously this jacket is everything they say it is and more. Soft, breathable, Frickin' Sweet Looking, lightweight, mind-blowingly amazing feeling and looking, and amazingly comfortable. Did I say it looks really cool? My only complaint would be with the sizing. As usual BC makes the sleeves a little long, or maybe my arms are too short :( ! It's not long enough to be a problem though, thankfully. They also say that is is an athletic fit, and this is surely true, I am 5'9.5" and have recently dropped from 190 to 175 in the last couple months. At my current weight it fits pretty much perfectly, but with no room for a second layer below it. My biggest problem at this point is that its 80 degrees out in D.C. and I can't really wear it outside. It looks like its going to rain in a couple days and I'll get to go outside and dance in pure ecstasy. I might sleep in this jacket and nothing else tonight. I think I'm in love. Thank you backcountry.com .

My shift welder hoody finally came today-and I was not disappointed. It is the best jacket EVER MADE. It allowed the ancient Atlantians to survive underwater and turn water into straight breathable air. No, but seriously this jacket is everything they say it is and more. Soft, breathable, Frickin' Sweet Looking, lightweight, mind-blowingly amazing feeling and looking, and amazingly comfortable. Did I say it looks really cool? My only complaint would be with the sizing. As usual BC makes the sleeves a little long, or maybe my arms are too short :( ! It's not long enough to be a problem though, thankfully. They also say that is is an athletic fit, and this is surely true, I am 5'9.5" and have recently dropped from 190 to 175 in the last couple months. At my current weight it fits pretty much perfectly, but with no room for a second layer below it. My biggest problem at this point is that its 80 degrees out in D.C. and I can't really wear it outside. It looks like its going to rain in a couple days and I'll get to go outside and dance in pure ecstasy. I might sleep in this jacket and nothing else tonight. I think I'm in love. Thank you backcountry.com .

Just

After buying on SAC, just received this today. Very sweet softshell. Workmanship looks great, it's very comfy, stretches well, and the colour is great. I'm 5'8", 165 lbs, and it's a good fit on me; enough room for a layer underneath, Only one minor gripe: the sleeves are crazy long--I wish they were a bit shorter or had velcro cinch. I bought the Flylow Kung Fu jacket recently, and wasn't really happy with it (it didn't seem to breathe that well), but just wearing this around the house, it seems like it breathes like a champ. I can hardly wait to get 'er out to the hill for some spring turns.

I just got this jacket today, and I already know i'll be wearing this all the time. I talked to some gearheads after I purchased a large and they recommended a XL for my 6'2" - 6'3" 180lbs build. I disagreed with them and just let the thing ship. I have it on right now and I can tell you the sleeves do not fall short of my wrist, I actually have about an inch and a half of sleeve I can pull on my hands if I wanted to...

BOTTOM LINE: If you are Tall and lanky and are worrying about getting short sleeves, A large will fit you amazingly.

NOTE: it is an athletic fit but not skin tight definitely ideal for layering.

Dude stop thinking about it and just buy it...