Got it for my wife who is a M in Arcteryx, Patagonia and anything else. Too small...sent it back...quality looked real good...Picked up a L on Sac for $70..

The fabric is a lighter gray shown in the picture- a tad darker than the picture of the "steam" hoodless shift softshell. The blue (the background of the current backcountry.com header) zippers add really pretty contrast. By helmet compatible, they must mean people with helmet-HAIR or fits under a helmet, I can't imagine fitting even a super-low volume helmet under the hood. Seems very well constructed though, backcountry.com stuff runs slightly on the small/slim side (what, backcountry enthusiasts are thinner than the average American? No way...)

This jacket is great for nordic skiing, and I am looking forward to using it while skinning up for backcountry skiing. I wear a small in most things I buy (I'm 5'5" and about 120 lbs), but I got a medium in this jacket because the sleeves and length were a bit short on the small. The medium fits great, and I definitely recommend this jacket.

My boyfriend bought me this jacket a few days ago since I've been complaining about not having a soft shell and let me just say I LOVE this jacket. You don't even feel like you are wearing a jacket! The material is amazing, soft, and incredibly warm for how thin it is. It was about 20 degrees this morning and this jacket kept me toasty! It does run on the small side - I'm about 5'3 and 125 and needed to swap out the small for a medium like everyone else, but now that I have a size that fits I don't want to take off. If you need a softshell, this is the one you want!

I love this jacket. I've used it for hiking, snowshoeing, skiing and just around town, all of which it worked great. I'm 5'9 and about 150 lbs., so I got a large. The arms are long enough, the torso length is perfect and it's roomy enough for (thin) layering underneath. I wore an Underarmor baselayer with a Pearl Izumi Woolie Mammoth under the Shift; it was about 15 degrees and windy outside and I was almost sweating. I haven't tried bike commuting with it yet, I doubt I will, as someone said on here it's not made for that.

I have yet to find any drawback to this jacket.

I'm 5'6.6" and 120 and got the medium. It fits nicely throughout and the sleeves are plenty long, BUT its TOO SHORT. A good inch or two shorter than the men's version. I suppose this is good for style, but not functionality. I commute on bike through the winter and don't want a cold mid-drift. I will be returning and trying the men's version.

I agree, I expected this jacket to be darker. Apart from that though, I love it. I wear it all the time; its comfy and lightweight enough that you can forget you have it on. But it can also keep you warm when it gets pretty chilly. I have worn it when it's in the forties and been alright, though I would suggest something warmer for that temperature. But really, it's great. I highly recommend it, and am actually wearing mine right now. happy trials!

I got this about two days before heading to northern WI to help pull four docks and a few boats out of the water. The weather turned out to be unseasonably cold and very windy. This shell did the trick! I put an insulating fleece underneath, as it likely wouldn't have been warm enough on its own, but it blocked the wind like a champ (I'm 5'4'', 150 and a large leaves just enough room to layer without being too big). I have another backcountry shell - an older shift with no hood - this one is a smoother, lighter, and more flexible fabric (which keeps the hood from sticking up and being annoying). Great jacket for the fall so far, can't wait to take it skiing!

Got a sweet deal on S&C and love it. I'm 5.7 and 120 lb and it fits perfectly. This is slightly fitted so if you are planning on layering w/ a fleece then get a size bigger. I layer it with icebreaker and it was warm enough in 40` weather. If you climb and want something that will move with you then this is it. I returned my North Face Bionic shell for this one because this was just more breathable and fits better. Happy shopping :D

Bought this for my roommate, she loves it so much that I've bought several more as gifts, for my niece, my girlfriend...etc. Great jacket, great price.

I am in love with this jacket! I'm 5'4" and 125, athletic build, with a somewhat shorter torso. The fit is perfect, and looks like it was made for me. It has a very flattering feminine fit and the colors are great. I especially love the blue zip