I was researching several softshells, mainly to go running during the fall/winter months in the Wash DC area. I ordered the Shift, mainly cause of the price and the rave reviews. Though I can't say I'm disappointed I can't say I'm thrilled either. It is a good jacket, feels soft, fits well, light and blocks wind. The clincher was the collar, it kept rubbing against my adam's apple and chin and bothered the hell out of me. Also the fit is snug and athletic (which is what I wanted) but it didn't move as well as some others I tried. And though it was light, seemed lighter than other softshells that were in that price range. Ultimately I ended up returning it and buying the Marmot Leadville (when it went on sale). The Leadville was a bit heavier, moved slightly better, but most of all, didn't rub against my chin and throat. All in all, not a bad jacket, was almost a toss up between the two(yeah I do have some regrets returning it).

There are a fricking ton of softshells out there...most of them itchy, cut weirdly, or with Elvis-esque collars that those toolsheds who wear popped-collar polo shirts probably drool over. Why I never heard of this one outside of some late-night searching on Backcountry.com, I have no idea. It absolutely destroys everything else out there. Fits perfectly across the chest and shoulders (hello outdoor companies, are you listening?...they're jackets, not leotards) Perfect length...I want a jacket, not a butt-warmer. Warm as can be with an ultra killer softy fleecy lining, but not too much as to make you sweat.

So...Backcountry marketing department, you are of the suck. You should have a spread of this thing on every mag and gear website. Because your little in-house creation embarrassed the Marmots and North Faces and Arcteryxes in my eyes. Outstanding jacket folks, grab it with no worries and full confidence.

I am 5'8", 170lb, and chest 40". I bought this in Medium and in carbon. I specifically chose carbon as opposed to the other brighter colours because it's styling when you wear it around town, even though it will get most of its miles on the trails.

Fit: For my height and weight, this jacket is a VERY snug fit. I can definitely not fit anything under this besides a 100-fleece. It is great if just wearing a base layer/t-shirt underneath. If you want to layer it, I highly suggest you size up. BC is known to make clothing tighter than other big brands.

Design: 2 hand pockets by the waist (not compatible with a backpack). One chest pocket. One pocket on the inside of the jacket directly behind the chest pocket. The inside pocket has a little hole for you to feed your MP3 cord allowing for a cleaner setup.

ALL zippers on this jacket are NOT water resistant. They are just regular zippers with a flaps on top to prevent water from getting in.

Arms are NOT articulated. In fact, I don't think any part of this jacket is articulated. But it shouldn't really have to since it is a stretchy softshell.

Material: Jacket is made entirely of Polartech Power Shield except for the chest and inside pocket which is something similar to Schoeller. All seams are just stitched and not taped or welded. So there is a chance that water can get in during bad weather.

The inside is like microfleece keeping you warm in temperatures above 10C. Anything colder, and you'll want to start layering.

I drove my car at 55mph and stuck out my car. Little to no wind gets through this material! They claim 98% which is probably true.

There is a large storm flap behind the main zipper giving you a feeling of comfort and protection from the zipper and the elements.

After two months, the DWR seems to be holding up but again, I have not been under too much precipitation. The DWR around the elbows are wearing down a little bit after two months but that's because that area gets the most wear and pressure. This means that water will not always bead up and some will soak a little into the face fabric, albeit, it's not that bad yet. The same will be true for the shoulders too when wearing a heavy pack.

Cinch cords are located on the bottom only. I never use them because the jacket is already really snug.

Summary: Not worth $200. It is a simple jacket without any bells and whistles. It is a good combination of being light-weight, light warmth, high wind-resistance, and for turning heads when walking around town. It feels good against your skin when you wear it too. Just make sure to size up if you plan on layering.

Give me some thumbs up if you like this review.

Running, snowshoeing, backpacking, layering, this is the goat-to piece for it all. Throw a hardshell over it and you're golden for any rain/snow/cold combination. It breathes pretty well for cold-weather runs too (though, the sweat wicked away from the body but hung out on the iPod in the tech pocket). The wind protection and fleecy liner make it pleasantly warm as a standalone layer. My only wish is that it were available in a tall size. The medium fits closely and comfortably around my 32" waist, but is a bit short on the sleeves and torso length. A large would fix that but would balloon the waist. Alas the woes of the tall and lean. For you normal-sized people -- buy this. The carbon jacket matches the carbon colored himal beanie, a combo that, when paired with designer denim, no storm or gear-savvy woman can resist.

Just picked this softshell up about a month ago, and of course got a great deal from Backcountry. This is now my favorite of two softshells; my other is the Marmot Superhero. I like the Superhero, but I've had a number of problems with it. The material really isn't water resistant at all on the Superhero, and it takes FOREVER to dry when it does get wet. Also, I wanted to try Powershield for its better breathability than that of the Windstopper softshell in the Superhero. This jacket fits the bill. It is built better than most softshells, made in Canada, and HALF the price! Absolutely perfect for active wear in cold weather. By the way, I'm 6'2", muscular build, and the large fits great. I wouldn't expect to layer anything more than a Capilene 3 or similar under it though.

This jacket is awesome. I have owned many jackets from hard shell to soft shell over the years and this thing is beast. Comfortable, breathable, and definitely element proof. I have been snowed on, rained on, and been in gail force winds in this bad boy. Although you will need some additional layering in some conditions, this jacket is ideal for looking cool whether headed to your favorite coffe shop, hitting the gym, going for a brisk run, or just hanging at the bar, look no further. I was truly impressed with the quality of the jacket, and the fit seems custom tailored for me, I'm 5'8 155 lean build. I also get comments from guys and girls, from fellow gear junkies to naive friends. Truly a great jacket to have in your arsenal, in fact I bought this originally for specific activities and fell in love with it, and now its all I wear. Ok, I could keep praising the jacket but you get the point - money jacket.

Another quality piece from BC.com! I own the Shift Element and just got the standard Shift (Size L, in Carbon) to add to my gear list. The fit is nearly the same as the Shift Element, but the fabric is slightly thinner and a bit softer. The wrist pocket doesn't exist, nor does the interior chest pocket... there's the welded chest pocket on the chest and an MP3 pocket on the inside... plus the 2 hand pockets, and that's it. The fit is nice and athletic, and there's even a full length zipper fly to cut the wind (not found on the Shift Element though). If it helps, I'm 6'0" and 165lbs and found the Large to be just right... roomy enough for a base layer, but you'd have a tough time squeezing a 100 weight fleece jacket under it.

I was super stoked to get this soft shell at such a good price. The quality of the product was up to snuff compared to all the other BC gear I have but the fit was less than desirable. The jacket was very short around the waist. I have run into this problem with a few other softshells but was disappointed with the fit of this one. Construction is great and material good.....just wish the fit was better. I am 6'0 and 200lbs and should have sized up to the XL instead of the L.

Awesome jacket! For those that are thinking of buying one you need to know that it is a very light jacket and has very little insulation value. If you want a jacket with more insulation get something else. I wanted a very light, wind resistant, breathable jacket for running in the winter when it is really cold. This is going to be awesome and exactly what I was looking for. Most jackets are bulky, especially in the pocket areas which is bothersome when running due to the swaying. I love the fit as it is an athletic fit which works best for the active crowd and isn't built with belly room like most jackets are now days in an effort to appeal to the masses that have bellies. It runs small by comparison to most jackets. I would say a medium in this jacket is mid way between a normal small and a normal medium in most other brands. I have the Backcountry Rime Pullover as well and the fit is the same there. I love the material of both. I ran a bunch in the Rime last year on fairly cold days but on the coldest days it was just not quite enough. The Shift Jacket will be perfect.

I got this shell on SAC for half price! I was amazed by the style and the nice color of carbon. It fits me well although I could go for a M: I am 6 foot 3 tall, weight 175lbs and I got a L.
I really love the fact that this jacket stretches and that it is hecka light. The side pockets are very convenient too added that they have long zippers. There is an internal pocket you can use to stash anything you need to.

Got this on SAC, great deal, to replace my stolen Apex shell. It's my first BC.com product and it has definitely made me confident in their products. This is really a great jacket. It works well for casual wear as well as the ski slopes. The Polartec PowerShield works perfectly. Its essentially windproof and the strings at the bottom help to keep you warm all round. Good deal.

Review by Meg's husband: Incredible jacket. Lighter than my THF Apex Bionic. The description must be from the last generation of jacket, since the new one has a chest pocket--not a wrist pocket, and is made in Canada, not China.

i purchased this specifically for it's fit, weight/size, and ability to block wind. it is very windy where i live and i also ride my motorcycle in to work in the early AM.
i got this jacket in XXL, which fits my 6'4 230lb frame very well. no issue w sleeve or body length. it is very light weight, which is the first thing i noticed. however, it doesn't block ALL the wind. it will block a light breeze, but when it picks up it will cut through the jacket. maybe iwas expecting too much. it is still a very good jacket for the weight of the thing. just don't expect it to take on a good wind.
also, the color on SAC where i bought it looked more blue than the actual jacket which is more of a grey w a slight blue hue.

Fantastic shoftshell. Couldn't ask for more or better value. The interior lining is extremely warm and soft. The exterior does everything I need it to do.

The description is wrong about the pockets, though. There is no wrist pocket or "interior security pocket". Who needs 'em, though?

The shift softshell fits better, is more functional and the construction is of a higher quality than I have experienced from the likes of The North Face or Marmot. Get more for less.

I have several soft shell jackets including acrteryx and this one is perfect for every day use. It is lite and comfortable.

Some of these reviews are crazy! I am 6'3'' 175 lbs and I ordered a large and the torso was most definitely short. So I don't know if some of you guys are lying about your height and weight, but if you are tall and slender this jacket is not for you, unless you have extremely long legs and a short torso. Otherwise, the material and jacket are great!

To start, I'm 5'9" and an athletic 175, and the Large fits me perfectly. When I first received the Shift I was struck by how thin the jacket is, and wondered how warm it would be. Well, bike commuting through the 30 MPH gusts and 30 degree temperatures that are currently gracing New Jersey proved the jacket's worth. It really doesn't let wind through at all. Zipped all the way up, the Shift is very warm for normal cold-to-cool weather conditions. The jacket's cut allows for some layers underneath, but I've stayed surprisingly warm with the jacket itself over a cotton T-shirt. It somehow allows warmth when you need it; once you don't, it's quite comfortable to wear unzipped, too (in other words, it doesn't get too hot). On top of all else, it looks pretty stylish too, and isn't out of place in the backcountry or at work or out on the town. A great jacket.

I bought this jacket a couple of weeks ago, and have had few opportunities where it has been cold but likewise, this jacket is still great for keeping you warm and not loading down your pack. I am a pretty skinny guy 5'9" - 130 lbs. and I bought a small. The sleeves are a bit baggy on me, but I have skinny arms. This is an outdoors jacket, not a hoodie, it is cut perfectly and doesn't cover your butt. If anyone can tell me where the wrist stash is that would be great, but as far as Im concerned, its not there.... With that in mind, the other four pockets are plenty for me, and I usually carry a lot of stuff with me... From my understanding, the Polartec Powersheild is great for water resistance and wind protection. I don't remember seeing anything on the description, but there is a drawstring along the bottom edge of the jacket so you can tighten it up when the wind gets a little gusty. Unfortuneately, there are NO drawstrings or cinch straps on the sleeves, but thats not a big deal. For my first soft shell, this so far has been definitely what I expected. I will post a later review probably when I get it out in winter...

Here's a link for information on the Polartec PowerSheild
http://www.polartec.com/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/213

I have been wearing my ArcTeryx Gamma MX for about a year (I love the Gamma MX, it's a fantastic piece of kit) and wanted to buy my father something similar. But I wasn't about to drop the same kind of $ on Dad not knowing if he'd like it or even use it, so when the Shift came along on SAC I was all over it. Well, it arrived today and I am very impressed.

The Shift appears to be a very close copy of the Gamma MX. Very close, but with more useful pockets (ArcTeryx must have a policy of putting the bare minimum of pockets in their jackets. Oooo look guys, we saved a quarter of an ounce!).

The materials seems very similar between the two, both have Polartec, and the cut is identical as far as I can tell. I am 6'3" and about 210lbs, and the XL in both jackets fits me very well: big enough to get as much warm clothing on underneath as I may want but without looking like it is a size too large. They have a very tidy, athletic cut.

If you told me the Shift was an ArcTeryx product I'd have no reason to not believe you. Additionally, the Shift is made in Canada, whereas the Gamma MX is now coming from China. I know what I'll replace my Gamma MX with when the times comes.

This is a great jacket. If you're a normal size, buy it.

However, I'm a lanky guy (6' 3"), and it's tough to find outerwear that fits right. Although my chest, neck and waist would be medium, I usually go with a size large jacket, and the fit is baggy, but it would work. This large fits my body nicely, but it's short in the torso and the sleeves. So all in all the fit is of... a medium... I had the same problem with the OR Frenzy jacket. So effectively, you guys have just slapped a larger size label on all your jackets, what's the big deal? It's not athletic fit, it's just smaller.

I want to love this jacket, and maybe it's just me, but I don't get the sizing voodoo that some companies are trying right now.

I was obsessively tracking SaC for the Outdoor Research Frenzy jacket for weeks. Turns out I missed it. I needed a layering jacket that would stop wind. Then I stumbled across the BC Shift Softshell. Figured what the hell and went for it. This thing cuts wind like my Uncle Ernie after a three bean dip (read: effectively). If I could find a way to curl up and live inside the pockets I would. They are incredibly soft. Also the side pockets extend up into the jacket (from hip to chest). Not sure why I would ever need to stuff a rolled up newspaper vertically in the jacket, but it is good to know I can. The fit is athletic (not tight though), which is what I wanted. I am 6'2" 190lbs and I got the large. Fits great, perfect for layers. Well played BC, well played indeed.

I just got mine and i have found a few pockets: 2 ext. hand, 1 ext. wrist, 1 int. chest/MP3, and 1 int. security in the right hand pocket.
No ext. chest and -besides the MP3- no other int. pocket either.
Mine does not have the lettered stitching on the arm or ass-- Just the Goat on left chest and back of collar.
The one i got looks a little more plain than this one. Mine is black with gray wrist pocket and small gray "stripes" (look better than they sound) above ext. hand pockets.
I am 6 foot 255lbs. and the XL fits damn good- my lady friend even said so ;-)
Really warm. Perfect multi-use jacket.
Tag says made in Canada. Hard to beat the Black.
Think i got mine at the outlet? if that makes a difference.

Backcountry shift softshell
I really like this Jacket good job backcountry!!!! I have been using it about everyday now in weather from 25-40 rain, snow, and wind. It protected me in everything Mother Nature could throw at me. I would not use it as a only jacket anything below 25. I have only been wearing Tee’s under it so if you had a base layer or two you may be able to go colder than 25. It is big enough to put a few base layers under it yet it has the athletic cut to it. (which is very nice) It is very light soft shell, It is made out of some of the best materials out there, and is great looking. SO SO SO soft. It is so soft that it almost feels like the soft shell is not that strong but I am not worried about it ripping because it is stretchy and backcountry backs there gear 100 %.......:-). I did the water test under the sink and it repelled all the water. I have a MH soft shell jacket that says its water prove yet it does not repel the water as good as the backcountry shift. Don’t get me wrong I like MH but this Softshell may be the best one out there!! CONS: it says it has a pocket on the sleeve, it does not have it. At lest mine does not have it. Other than that I love this jacket and if you’re in the market for a softshell you won’t be disappointed.

This is a great jacket. I've had it for about 4 weeks now and have already taken it for a few test drive in unfavorable conditions. I stood out in a good steady rain for over 3 and a half hours before the water began to penetrate the jacket. Very wind resistant, and pockets in all the right places. I'm 5'10" and 165 lbs and bought a medium. Definitely more of an athletic fit, but I like that look, so I'm satisfied. I bought the jacket on S+C.

Overall i LOVE the jacket. Well thought out and very practical. My first trek with it was thru 2 ft of snow up the incline in CO Springs and on to Barr Camp and the jacket worked great. Regulates heat nicely and wind is a non-factor. It's not that warm on its own (especially in the CO winters) but throw a fleece layer underneath and you're good to go. As for size, i'm 6'1, 180 and the XL fits nice, especially after the initial run thru the washer & dryer. Sleeves are a tad too long but are not a burden and can get tucked in if need be. Overall, i'd definitley recommend this, especially if you can find it on SAC for around a hundo.

I've had the jacket a few weeks now and I love it! Breathes great, blocks the wind, the interior feels nice and soft for next to skin wearing. I can't imagine any other jacket in this class coming close to this quality for this price! Buy one now. Oh, and it looks killer.

This is my first softshell and I love it. I'm 5' 10" 175 and got a large. Has just enough room for my R2. My wife talked me into the Carrot and it's a little loud but it's growing on me. One thing, it DOES NOT have a wrist pocket and only the one interior MP3 pocket, they need to change their description. Got this on S&C so got a smokin' deal!

Just got this in from SAC and this far exceeds my expectations. I am 6' tall and weigh 150 and was a little concerned about how this would fit(Size: M). I am a size medium in everything and this fits great! Love the color of the jacket(carbon) and it feels so lightweight. The sleeves are nice and long, craftsmanship is top of the line, and feels great. I would highly recommend this jacket.

I returned this coat because the Torso wasn't long enough for me. I'm 6'2" about 175lb. I ordered the large and the sleeve length was fine, but the torso was too short. Looked like it was a nice coat, just didn't fit me right.

i got the old one (i think i was the last one!) and love it! good athletic fit, but not spandex tight--material is soft and gives slightly, but still stands up well to a stiff wind. VERY impressed for the price