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've been going through a long and arduous search to find the perfect 3 season softshell jacket, to wear by itself in fall and spring, and as a layer in Minnesota and Montana winters. I've been living with The North Face Apex Bionic and the Mountain Hardwear Alchemy for a few weeks, and when the Shift Composite popped up on SAC I decided I might as well try that too.

I'm definitely glad I did. It is my favorite of these jackets. The fit is great, very similar to the Alchemy except that it moves with me better because of its stretchiness. There also isn't as much extra room in the shoulders and arms, which helps retain warmth. I'm very partial to the material of the Shift. It's not as crinkly or "hard" as a lot of softshells I've seen. I've worn the Shift in moderate rain for about a half hour and nothing got through, but it's hard to tell if the softness and stretchiness of the fabric has a cost in waterproofness in significantly wetter conditions.

The Shift is lighter than either my Alchemy or Apex Bionic, but feels just as warm, if not warmer. I was getting chilled in 30 degrees and windy this weekend with the Alchemy, but walking to work in the Shift today in 20 degrees and breezy was perfect, if not a little too warm. The only problem I've found is that the neck of the jacket is pretty tight when it's fully zipped up. I would definitely have trouble zipping it up around a hooded midlayer or a turtleneck.

A couple of other notes: I find the blue color to be similar to the top picture (the main picture), but the gray chest area is actually like the detail images (lighter gray, with a darker gray chest pocket). The turquoise is a pretty strong color, but in a cool way IMO. I've also not been able to find any "hidden security" or wrist pockets that the product description refers to. The jacket has two normal hand pockets, an internal Napoleon pocket for an audio player, and an external chest pocket just above the audio pocket.

The Shift is a great jacket. I wouldn't pay full price for it, but that's because I'm a cheap bastard. This is definitely a competitive alternative to the other name brand softshells at a great sale price. The Shift Composite has earned itself a permanent place in my closet.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.