When you can have this jacket for a fraction of the price? Excellent piece of kit. It's pretty much the same as an Arc'Teryx Alpha SV, but it's not $600 retail. What's not to like?

OK, my only criticism is that the collar of the jacket is a bit rough on the underside of my chin, be it zipped up or not. Somehow it manages to poke me uncomfortably, but it's a small thing, though.

I am 6'3" and 205 lbs, and the XL fits me like a glove. There's a decent amount of room for some layers underneath, but I could not get a down jacket in there.

This jacket is awesome!! I own a Arcteryx Beta AR, and this jacket is just as good if not better for half the price. This proprietary fabric is legit. Backcountry.com is awesome and so is their customer service. I was having trouble tracking my order through UPS' website, so I sent them an e-mail and they kept me up to date on the progress of its delivery.

It's good to see that a company is interested in more than just taking your money, and I will never shop anywhere else, between their products and their prices on other brands there is no need to.

(5'7", 140 lbs, small/medium build, Size S jacket/fleece)
I got my Stoic shell and the next day it started raining, perfect timing. It was fun to watch light rain literally bounce off the shell fabric, I didn't even feel damp after an hour of light drizzle. I got to test the flexability of the jacket and the material on a gnarly cliff approach and a morning of climbing in drizzly conditions, everything worked well and even though I got the slim-fitting small, there was the prefect amount of stretch and fabric to go for the big reach moves without the jacket riding over my waist. The afternoon of the climb turned into flash flood conditions: 40 miles per hour winds, rain going sideways, hydroplaning vans, useless windshield wipers. I ducked out of the car with the Stoic already on and watched as everyone else ran for cover. I strolled across campus totally dry while everyone else hid indoors. Twenty minutes later my core was still dry with a little bit of soak through around the cuffs and the hood brim where there is some elastic fabric. The pockets and vents are well placed and the zippers slide like magic. Layered over a backcountry midlayer it is snug and going up a size may be a good idea, but not necessary if you are okay with a close fit. This shell is going to replace my ski shell and even without the powder belt it should work great.

Am 6'5", 195lbs and ordered the XL and it fits perfect, with some room for some base layers underneath. A MUCH different (read: Better, slimmer, more athletic) fit then my Backcountry Primaloft Siphon jacket of the same size. I typically have torso/sleeve length issues with my jackets, but these are ideal length.

I love the angled cut on the sleeves, ingenious! Fabric is tough and durable, I ordered this during the summer, so I don't know how it will stand up to riding in the trees, but I would have to guess that it will hold up fine.

Only down side is no snow skirt or wrist gaiters, but I knew that going in, so I can't be too bummed.

The Zipper is a little sticky (as others have commented on) but I assume it is a result of it being water tight. It's not something I lose sleep on at night though.

This is one small, tight, tapered jacket. Me - 5 feet 9 inches, 33 waist, 180-185 lbs. average build, not really skinny nor fat, just average. I ordered the medium because I am a medium in everything, and I heeded BCs advice "In your normal size, the Stoic 2.0 is a trim, weatherproof shell for fast, three-season alpine assaults."when I put on the jacket the waist was so tight that it was a struggle to engage the zipper. Around the waist and stomach area it is VERY tight at tapered, no room anywhere "nothing gets between me and my stoic" type of fit. it is the perfect length however, a few inches below the waist.going up it kinda fans out, not tight across the shoulders or chest at all, fits like an upside down triangle. Sleeves are roomy but not flapping around, and are great length, not long or short.I have to send it back but my regular size was just too small, I couldnt really move or bend and could not fit even a thermal under it really...its just to small to be shell, but im really bummed I have to send it back because it felt sturdier and more high quality than any jacket I have owned before (gore tex included)

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The large is now my go to jacket, well for the few days ive had it, review coming soon

I just got back from a 6 day kayaking trip in the Broken Islands on Vancouver Island. I took this jacket with me as my rain protection. On the last day we had thunder, wind, and torential down pour. All while paddling a kayak in windy waters.
The jacket kept me dry and protected for the 2hr paddle that day, mostly in HEAVY rain.

Very pleased! With the jacket. Looks good, and performs better!

One note to buyers is to seriously think about getting a size larger than you would think. The jacket is slim, I normally fit medium-large jackets (6"0' 190lbs atheletic build). I took my measurments and ordered the medium but when I got it the waist was Waaaaaaay too tight and my chest and back where too big for it. When they say slim cut they must mean its cut for a skinny guy and not a guy with muscle on his frame. Sent it back and got the large instead.

I really love this shell. I'm a thinner guy, so the super-athletic/tailored fit is nice. It is, as one reviewer put it, an "upside down triangle". So it works great for broad shouldered, narrow waisted guys like me. Moving on from the fit (Cyrus Baumgarten analyzed it well), the complete bombproof-ness of the jacket is great. It holds up in heavy rains, and the pit zips provide lots of ventilation where you need it to keep you from getting wet inside out. All in all, this is an excellent buy. Period.

I'm a Stoic 1.0 Event lover but I could not resist from picking up the 2.0 also. Here are the differences. The first thing I noticed was the obvious weight difference. The 2.0 feels much thicker and more cumbersome. As far as a winter shell goes, the 2.0 is not insanely heavy, I'm speaking more in terms of an Event user. The 2.0 reminds me more of a Shift Welder material with a tad more plastic feel. I feel the 2.0 would hold up better to longer trips, rocks, sharp tree branches, and other more burly opponents. The pit zips are needed and welcomed. Overall, decide if you want a super special light weight breathable 1.0 or a high-end (but relatively average) 2.0 that may be more durable. I'll be keeping them both.

I have the BC Siphon primaloft in an XL and I got this in an XL. It just barely covers the bottom of the Siphon. After moving around a while the Siphon tends to show about half an inch out the bottom. It is a little tight in the back when moving but I have broad shoulders. Design is great, I got the carbon color and the red zippers really pop, looks sharp. Can't imagine this thing snagging or tearing, it is strong. Sleeves are cut at a different angle, you can tell from the picture. Took me awhile to get used to it but I am a fan of them. If between sizes or planning to wear heavy layers size up.

It's like a softshell with zero insulation and no liner. That 'bombshell' fabric they use is 3 layers in construction. Seems to breathe well.

It seems that the fit causes a bunch of problems for people. I'm about 5'8" and 150lbs, pretty plain build and the thing fits quite well. It's snug around the waist (you can tell if I had a big lunch or not) and roomier in the chest, through the shoulders and down the arms. I love the way the cuff is cut: it leaves the palm-side free, but covers the top of your hand. I guess they took a design cue from cycling jackets, because it works well for just that.

Overall, a 'pretty cool' jacket... with one niggling issue. The welded seams on the inside aren't perfectly smooth and you can feel them if you're wearing just a light base layer or a t-shirt underneath. And... the dwr doesn't seem to last too long.

This shell isn't just great for the price - it's great, period, and would still be my choice even if it were priced the same as competing shells from Arc Teryx or Patagonia.

Materials: The Bombshell fabric is solid, quiet, supple (compared to Gore-tex Pro Shell), has just enough stretch and has a soft inside lining, and the whole of the inside of the collar has a soft fleece like lining, all of which together make this one of the most comfortable tech shells I've worn. I find a lot of other tech shells have a stiff/boardy feel and a tacky touch on the inside next to the skin if worn with a short sleeve shirt, as a result of which I tend to wear them only when I really need them and take them off the moment I don't in favor of a softshell. This shell, however, feels great on - it's soft next to skin, supple and quiet, and I find myself throwing it and leaving it on even when I could be wearing a softshell.

Features/Design: The angled cuffs are awesome - every shell should have these. Pockets, inside and out, are exactly the right size and placement for me, but I could see how for a lot of people the hand pockets might be too low for use with a pack. The welded seems and watertight zippers are trick and minimize bulk, although the main zipper doesn't engage quite as smoothly as on some other jackets.

Fit: Perfect for wearing with or without layers if you have a lean to mid athletic frame, but too snug to really layer without sizing up if you have a stocky or large athletic frame (if you don't have an athletic frame - look elsewhere). I'm 6'0, 175lbs, have a 31in waist and I'm thicker than average in the arms, shoulders, back and chest (I lift weights regularly, but I'm by no means a muscle bound gym rat), and the large fits me perfectly with lightweight layering. With midweight fleece, it still fits fine and is perfectly comfortable, but is a smidgen snug at the shoulders (which is more visible than it is noticeable in use because of the jacket's stretch). Heavyweight layering is doable, but noticeably and less than ideally snug at the shoulders and armholes.

Weight: With the caveats that I'm not an ultralight backpacker and don't plan on trail running in this jacket, the Stoic is plenty light for me. Yeah, there are some competing jackets that weigh 4-8oz less, but most of them are missing at least 1 or two features of the Stoic (e.g, 4 pockets, 360 degree fuzzy collar liner, soft bamboo carbon lining, tough exterior fabric) that, for me at least, more than make up for those few extra ounces. And to get up on a soapbox for a second, anyone who thinks that they can tell the difference between a 16oz jacket and 22oz jacket once they're loaded up with 40+ pounds of other clothing, gear and a pack is kidding themselves.

First, I am a Backcountry employee. If you consider my opinion moot as a result, I can't change that. What I can say is that I have had and used jackets from every top outerwear company, I live and work in the mountains, and I am hyper-critical of our in-house designs. I try to remain as objective as possible and I hope you find this review helpful. I have been testing the prototype Men's Stoic 2.0 for almost a full season (size L, my measurements are on my profile page), and I am very impressed. It's a light, trim, welded waterproof softshell designed for year-round use when layered properly. So far, I have worn it in heavy rain, backcountry touring in good and bad weather, and at the resort when it is dumping. Bombshell, while not quite as breathable as eVent (my membrane of choice) or Gore ProShell, compares in my opinion to Gore XCR with a softer hand and mechanical stretch. I've yet to experience any soak-through, and it's definitely breathable and durable enough for any cold-weather activity. The armpit vents open smoothly every time when hiking or skinning in the sun. The soft mesh hand pockets fit gloves, keys, cell, and a thin helmet liner, no problem. The hood is cut on the trimmer side with a soft brim and a high neck. My Bern Watts helmet fits easily underneath; higher-profile helmets (e.g. Smith Holt) are do-able, but snug. The smooth tricot weave inner face is comfortable, but does not provide insulation. I usually wear a Patagonia R1 Hoody as midlayer, and on very cold days, a size Medium Siphon Primaloft Hooded Jacket. The interaction between the Siphon and the Stoic is flawless, and definitely my favorite feature of this jacket. The welded seams look trick and perform as advertised. The only gripe I originally had was the lack of a powder skirt, but the Stoic is not a 'ski-specific' shell, and I feel the weight savings and packability are worth it. I should also mention that this jacket looks killer; I receive compliments and questions every time I wear it. It’s a solid shell that fits and performs on the level of an equivalent Westcomb or Arc’teryx jacket, and I’m pretty sure you won't be disappointed. Highly recommended.

Just echoing the sizing comments.

The cut is pretty similar to Mountain Hardwear softshells (think Synchro). It fits fine if all you'll ever have underneath is a heavy shirt, but if you want to consider a liner of any sort size it up. The other thing is that with a beacon and other crap in my pockets I couldn't even think about staying at my normal size.

5'8" 135 lbs 36" chest and the small was a tad too small. Medium was much more like a small in other company's shell sizes, and enough room for my beacon harness, some crap in my pockets, and an insulation layer.

Haven't taken it out yet. Material feels nice - very similar to Patagonia Primo Flash shell, but this one has pit vents which the Primo does not.

What everybody has been saying about the fit is true. I am 5'10", about 190, so a little bigger, and went with the XL. It's not super loose, but loose enough to where I could put a medium layer underneath it. It is definitely more of a functional fit than some of the more fasion oriented jackets that are longer and baggier, but way it is cut is still quite nice. It is longer in the back, and the sleeves have some extra length so that you can move around without them pulling up off your wrists. The only issue I have found is that there is no mesh on the pit zips, not a deal breaker, but would have been nicer with it. Great shell overall, hit it up on SAC for 100 bucks!

This jacket is amazing. The fit, material, performance, everything is top notch.

For starters the fit - I am a trim fit lovin' type of guy. The last thing I want is my gear to get caught in what I am doing + slow me down. I am 5'11" 165 with an athletic build + the medium fits perfectly to my liking. I can throw on a softshell underneath or a base layer + I am ready to hit anything nature has to throw at me.

Speaking of nature throwing stuff - this jacket can take it. Rocks, limbs, rain, snow (assumption b/c it has yet to be tested), rabid raccoon...anything.

BC didnt sacrifice the material comfort in the process. Its a quiet propriety material that feels good against the skin + breathes well. The zippers are the closest thing I have to a complaint and thats only because they are so water tight it can be hard to get them started sometimes (more or less a non issue).

Also, collar has an even softer material on it so the edge doesnt scuff your face up when you find yourself wearing the hood all day.

Stop looking around + just get this one.

I have yet to get a chance to really test this jacket, but wanted to re-iterate what several others have said: Like all the other Backcountry brand stuff I've seen, this has an "athletic" fit. For another point of reference, I'm 5'8", 155, and I like the fit of the medium. It's not too big, but has room for a fleece layer. The cut also allows good freedom of movement (in addition to the slight stretch), and the construction looks top notch. This is a nice "mid-weight" shell, in my opinion... not as heavy as a true winter shell (and no powder skirt, etc), but definitely not a "fast and light" rain jacket either (but certainly feels more durable). The fabric is comfortable to the touch.

If I was a gortex supplier I would be quivering in my boots. This jacket is an awesome piece of engineering. The quality is unreal, for the money you need look no further for a four season outer shell.

I am 6', 150lbs. The medium fits well with room for medium weight fleece. The summit sky is truly bright sky colored with a hint of green. Additional features: there is also an open mesh pocket on the inside. The hood has two bungee adjustments, one for the face opening, and another that tightens to the the back of the head. Will be a great jacket for winter, I only wish the bungee lines used for the waist and hood were a bit thicker.

I climbed through a few miles of sallal (not sure if that's the right spelling) bushes with this on. Not a single tear. Even sharp branches just slide off. Feels like it will last a long time. All of the pockets are also vents. Keeps the rain out, and the whole thing folds nicely into the hood.

This jacket is amazing. I'm 5'8" 200lbs and this jacket fits like a glove for the large. If you are any bigger than that then deffinetly go up to an XL. It keeps me supper dry and the hood fits perfect with a baseball cap on. The hood is made to be used with a baseball cap so its a bit large but fits perfect with that cap on.

This thing is super nice. I'm 5.5 and about 150lbs and this thing fits great. I got a small and I can still fit two fleece under it pretty easy. It's nice but nothing I'd wear on every trip or around town to much. Has kinda a rubber like feel to the outside and the pit zips are pretty big in my opinion. It works good in stormy weather, it's been raining and near 80 around here lately and I've worn it a few times only to stay completely dry.

seen me through torrential downpours, Olympic/Rainier backcountrys. this thing does not wet-out period. very wind proof. Only complaint is main zipper is a we stiff, (Only better material is Gore-tex Pro). Fits Helmet nicely. I wear a smartwool lightweight merino or/and backcountry.com's merino/polartec zip-top. vents superbly.

I'm quite stoked about this piece of engineering the design team has come up with at BC. Nice work everyone. The fit is smaller just like most of backcountry.com's product line. So if you are layering with fleece/midlayers underneath, then I would size up. I am 5'10", 165 lbs, 34 waist, 41 chest and went with the XL because the large felt too tight, especially with a layer underneath. I also like a roomier fit for snowboarding and freedom of movement. If you are climbing in it, then maybe go with the smaller size so there isn't much extra material.

The material itself is impressive. For the cost, definitely a shell to consider up against Arc'teryx and the other high-end competitors. You are getting a great shell for half the cost of paying for the Arc'teryx name. Plus backcountry.com products are way more hip anyways. The jacket rolls into its hood nicely for compression on lightweight trips. Its ability to stretch with your movement is key. Water beads up nicely on it but I have yet to test it in full on downpour, although from previous reviewers minus the complaints it sounds like it will shed perfectly. As I found out this weekend backpacking, the material can withstand melting temps quite well. I bumped into my Snowpeak stove while cooking and it only left some minor "seared" markings on the arm. I was thrilled it was not melted through and annoyed with my own stupidity.

All in all, a great buy for me and I am excited to use it in the devastating Utah winter and also on the Appalachian trail this fall to see how the DWR issue pans out. You cannot go wrong with this one for the price.

I bought this shell looking for something to replace a different shell that was starting to leak and was just getting worn-out in general. After looking at dozens of shells and reading hundreds of reviews - I settled onto the Stoic. I was looking for something that could see 4 season use (with proper layering) and something far more functional than the uber-hyped fashion pieces I see everywhere.

First off, the fit of the Stoic is just as advertised - trim. I am 5'8", 155lbs with the athletic V shaped build. That said the Medium is a perfect fit with just enough room underneath for a couple lighter layers. The BC Siphon wool jacket (also in a medium) with a t-shirt under that, fits perfectly underneath the Stoic on me and should make a real nice combo once the snow starts flying. But really it's the small things on this jacket that make it a great jacket. The sleeve length is perfect and the little extra length in back is great. The material rocks - I had never worn Bombshell, but it is super light and actually feels rather durable. High quality zippers and pull tabs are a great touch and having adjustments on the hood in a couple spots is also very nice.

I plan on taking it out on one of the local trails here on a rainy day to see how it does and will update my review then!

my original choice: arcteryx SV. bought this instead... it fits EXACTLY like the SV, it is half the price, and it feels great on my skin. this is by far the best shell i have ever owned! EPIC JACKET!

For me it is too tailored for having any type of layering. Pockets could be a little larger and better designed.
A nice jacket if the above could be redesigned for next year. For this year I will go with Marmot and Mountain Hardwear.