Super Quality that, in my opinion, trumps The North Face. Cuts the wind and rain out, and keeps you nice and cozy no matter the conditions. I can not say enough good things about Backcountry products or their customer service. Superb!

Now this is a soft shell and at a great price. I am 6'2" and about 160lbs and the large fits well. It is a bit bulky in the arms but the chest isn't too large and the sleeves are long but a bit of extra baggage. It would be nice if it had an internal pocket and hook and loop closure around the wrists but not a big deal. The fabric is the thickest for a powershield I have seen, thicker than my Gamma MX Hoody. Fabric is super durable and will last for years. The pockets are glued which is a nice addition. Check the Jacket out, you'll be glad you did!

I own last years model of the Shift (the one with the pocket on the sleeve).

In comparison, this year's Shift verison has markedly DEGRADED. Last year's model was perfect. Solid construction and function. This year's Shift **LACKS** the zipper wind flap(!!) and the cuffs are really WIDE(!!). Since Power Shield is billed as a wind shield(!) for the elements, having wind pass thru the zipper or wide cuff is sacrilegious. Secondly the length has been markedly shortened in the the front especially....less material, but the price is still the same?!! Thirdly, it lacks the pockets of last year's shift--no sleeve pocket, mp3 port, internal front pocket (and you still pay the same?!). Fourthly, the build quality is ***really AMATEURISH***....the shockingly horrendous un-parallel stitch line(!!) and bundled sew quality throughout maybe would be expected as a factory seconds product made in China but not for a product made in Canada! Fifthly, the sleeve panels are really goofy (no joke)--my arms look like wrinkly accordions from the maladjusted assembled wide panel width (sort of what you see on a puppet with no filling in the arms) and the front forearm panel SINKS(!!) into itself like a DENT ready to collect water....it looks like something a fashion student hurriedly put together in their first semester class--no joke (the stuffed jacket pictures on this website is seriously misleading when you have it at home to personally try on with a base layer long sleeve and actually use it in the elements). I hope Backcountry ***SERIOUSLY REEVALUATES** this model and comes out with a better version next year (like the 'good ole days'...or better). What a disappointment!

Ordered this thing off SAC for pretty cheap thinking I scored a fine deal on a quality softshell, but just ended up disappointed. Where to start...I guess the best way to put it is that the fit is just awkward. The separate paneling in the front makes the material rest and bend unnaturally. As I sit here wearing the Shift Element, the middle of the jacket is sharply bulging out because of the center panel divide. There is panel dividing on the sleeves too which also creates unnatural folds...the fit is made more strange by the fact that the sleeves are long (which in itself isn't a bad thing). Functionally, the awkward fitting around the chest and arms is not a complete disaster, but it simply does not look sharp. The shoulders, however, are quite a disaster. It is boxy as hell, looking like I'm wearing shoulder pads. In fact, the whole upper limb joint is unimpressive. In addition to robot-looking shoulders, the range of motion for the arm is greater restricted by ungusseted, tight-fitting pit region. The softshell fabric stretches well, but not nearly enough to prevent the jacket from riding up when lifting an arm, or preventing those weird folds all about the body when sitting down.

As others have mentioned, there is no chest zip flap. I haven't had the opportunity to test this jacket out in cold and windy situations, but I cannot imagine having a gaping hole in the middle being a good thing for keeping body heat in. The 3 pockets are for the most part fine, except that the side pockets are not positioned well for hand warming. here is no interior pocket. And by god is this center panel divide bothering me.

The fit overall is athletic, which was what I was looking for. At 5'11'', 135lbs, the small fits athletically, certainly no room to layer underneath. This would be fine since the jacket itself is warm, but with the lack of center flap, only warm when the wind isn't blowing?

The Shift Element is not ideal for layering over for outdoor activity, either, strictly because of the arm restriction. It indeed is a shame, as layering over it would be the only way to hide the hideously unnatural fit. Did I mention that I hate the center panel division?

I wanted to like this jacket, I really did. But I questioned it enough to order another softshell--the Marmot Sharp Point. Well now that I have received the Sharp Point there is simply no way I am keeping the Shift Element, even if the Sharp Point is twice the price. It fits much better, breathes well even without opening the pit zips, and is simply of far higher quality than the Shift Element. The Element is going back for sure. I do suppose that at $60 on SAC it still is not a terribly bad deal, but I prefer quality over quantity, and the Shift Element is definitely not quality.

This softshell provides a great layer on a cold day. It stops wind from penetrating but is relatively thin. Thus, you won't look like the Michelin (sp?) Man on the slopes.

Bomber jacket with great looks! I disagree with "D's" review in a few areas... I thought the fit is perfect... I'm 6'0" and about 165lbs with kinda goofy-long arms. The sleeves drape perfectly below my wrists and the openings are snug enough that it's not a challenge to get your hands through, but would be tough to go fishing in the sleeve for that undershirt sleeve that got tugged up a bit. The length of the jacket is perfect... comes right down to the base of my manhood, so you don't have to worry about peeing on your jacket on the way home from the bars. The Shift Element is a bit stiffer and thicker than the standard Shift. Perhaps I can clear up the matter of the wrist pocket and the internal/MP3 pockets... they don't exist. The neck is nice and snug (I wear a 16.5 in mens shirts) and there's room to breathe, but it's snug enough to keep the wind out. I got the Earth color for casual wear and love the look. Overall, I couldn't be happier with this jacket. Oh, and I found mine on SAC for under $80... but my review would be the same if I had paid full price... it's a great piece of gear.

Great jacket. 6'3" 190 and a large fits great, maybe a hair snug which is good. I love the cut of this coat; it's made for people in shape. Length is perfect (just slightly below waistline in front, a 1/4" longer in back). Collar is great - stays up when you want, down when you want. This coat seems warmer than most softshells I've tried - nice lining inside that works well. I really do love everything about this backcountry softshell...... except that there no wrist velcros. So very close to perfect.

F.Y.I. - The Abyss color is not black. Abyss is a dark navy blue. I know because I have one.

I got this as a gift for christmas from SAC from a family member in abyss (dark blue by the way) and it looks very sharp, but like previous reviewers have stated it is not a technical shell like the Shift (this is the Shift Element). This is a great shell for around town and maybe to layer under a rain shell on a ski trip or weekend hiking, but I wouldn't use this as a stand alone backcountry piece. For that I would get the Welder (the hooded Shift version which although it is a much softer material) or the original Shift (which my wife has and loves). The lack of an internal pocket is a little puzzling, but the outside ones do the job I guess. If you are looking for a semi-technical shell to wear around town and maybe as a layer under a shell this will do the trick and look nice doing it, but for the full price I think you could do better. So 3 stars at full price, 4 at more than half off on SAC.

great material but the fit is as screwed up as any jacket i ever had. 6-2, 190# with long arms and i'm a large in patty and most other brands. this was a very boxy, short fit everywhere - arms/torso. i guess if it fits you'll be happy....must send back unfortunately.

I bought these as christmas gifts for my little brothers, and they abosolutely love them they really like the backcountry logo on them, explaining how great this company works is fun for them, the jacket itself is made of great material, very waterproof, and pretty warm in freezing temperatures.

this thing has worked better than expected. i am usually faithful to tnf, marmot, and mtn hardwear since they are tried and true and have be consistently reliable. was nervous about dropping the cash (that i barely had) on a new company. if it hadn't been for the coupon backcountry.com sent me, i wouldn't have bothered. that said, i've been impressed so far. bike commuting in wind, rain, and snow hasn't been an issue. this shell blocks them all very well. it fits me (5'9" 165lbs - got a medium) better than most gear. i always seem to be in between sizes, but that is not the case here. when zipped up all the way it's tighter than other softshells i've worn which i like. wind does not go down and chill my neck. not constrictive though. my only complaint is the decreased breathability. it definitely does not breath as well as other shells i've used. however, considering the price (especially with the coupon), the fit, and how well it keeps out the elements, i'd still recommend this to someone i liked. i'm likely to try other backcountry.com gear as a result of my experience with this shell. would've given 4 1/2 stars had it been an option.

This jacket is pretty much exactly what I wanted. It is very weather resistant and very warm but you don't overheat in it. The only thing I don't like is the lack of inside pockets and the wrists don't have velcro on them to make them smaller. Other than that it is great.

The fit is great for me. I'm 5'10" and 165 lbs. I'm looking forward to using it as soon as the -10° cold leaves Iowa.

Fantastic Jacket! The DWR material made by polartec is the best you can get. Its like comfortable and extremely water resistant. The only draw back for me is that it is a little short in the front, however I am 6'4" so....and I ordered a large. Also the 18% spandex is great!! The material is very duarble, form fitting, good looking, and quieter than my previous apex bionic from northface which i lost. Definitly but this!

Fantastic Jacket! The DWR material made by polartec is the best you can get. Its like comfortable and extremely water resistant. The only draw back for me is that it is a little short in the front, however I am 6'4" so....and I ordered a large. Also the 18% spandex is great!! The material is very duarble, form fitting, good looking, and quieter than my previous apex bionic from northface which i lost. Definitly but this!

I am 6'3" and purchased the Large...it fits perfectly. The jacket adapts very well to different temperatures. When it is cold and windy the jacket performs wonderfully! Great fit, great craftsmanship. Cheaper than Arc'teryx and TNF. Looks good enough to wear around town, too.

this is an amazing jacket. crazy breathable but still surprisingly warm for the weight, and virtually water proof thus far. i live in west michigan and we've had over 4 ft of snow so far this winter, and this jacket has served we will in a variety of activities already. my only gripe is a slight sizing issue, but i think that's more my issue rather than the cut of the jacket. i have a broad chest and shoulders, but not particularly long arms, so the large's sleeve length was perfect, but i had to go with an XL to fit my chest (44") and shoulders and deal with slightly too-long sleeves (i'm 6' tall and 200 lbs). overall, though, i love this jacket!

I'm 5' 11'' and I got medium. It fits me perfect. It blocks all the wind, water, and keep me warm pretty good. I got it form steep and Cheap. Good price and good quality. I love it.

I was desperate for a jacket I could wear for those +3ºC days. THIS is the jacket. It's warm, windproof, waterproof and light. It fits close enough to the body to keep the wind from blowing in from underneath but it's loose enough to allow a full range of motion. I'm 6'1, 170lbs. and 36" sleeves and the large fit me like a glove.

The Abyss is black, and a perfect cool weather jacket. It is not the warmest jacket but water resistant and lightweight. I am replacing a North Face Apex jacket that I lost. This is an identical product but much cheaper.

I think this jacket is good for both all day outside and as a casual jacket. I wear mine all day out ice climbing and then to go to work or going out. It is very comfortable, warm and protects from the elements very well. I wish it had inside pockets, they come in handy and velcro wrist cuffs would be really nice for climbing too. the wrists don't bother me too much because they are fairly snug.