I was really excited about owning this jacket but it ran really small. I wear an XL in everything -- including other Cloudveil products -- and this was way too tight in the armpits. Wasn't wearable. It rode too high in the pits and was way too restrictive in arm movement. Downright uncomfortable. That's all a sizing issue. Other than that, this seems like a kick ass jacket. It was the hefty midweight I wanted and it had a faint/unique texture that gives it a nice style. I really like Cloudveil products, and I'm sure this had excellent quality, but be forewarned on sizing.

Let me start by saying that this jacket should be saved for the colder days. If you're walking around and it gets above 40 degrees you'll want something lighter. The polartec lining is apparent and really locks in your body heat. I'm one of the few people with Raynaud's disease so keeping my hands warm is pretty important, and this jacket keeps them comfortable. The jacket has three large pockets so you're covered if you carry lots of stuff. I haven't had this jacket long enough to determine when it's inadequate temperature wise, but I'm certain it'd be around 20 maybe 15 depending on your baselayer. It's very warm, but it's not perfect. And it says wind resistant, it is to about 10 mph, that's about it. The colder it gets the more apparent it becomes that this jacket isn't windproof so don't count on it to be.
There are a number of issues and concerns with this jacket. First off the price, 185.00 is way out of line, lucky I bought it from backcountry for much less. Cloudveil's prices have always seemed too high for what you get. I own two of their items; this jacket, and their inversion jacket, and both are great products but nothing that makes them extraordinary. Back to the jacket and my second point, the fabric. Upon receiving the jacket I wondered how well the fabric would hold up, and thought that it clearing wouldn't work well in an abrasive environment. As a Geology major this was a concern. I've avoided taking taken this jacket into the field and after three months of wear it's not much different. I did use crutches for a month and that did cause a good deal of the arm pit fabric to ball up or pill, but other than that it's mostly the same. The cuffs of the jacket are very odd; as the pictures show, and they don't seem like they'll fatigue or age well; poorly thought out design if you ask me, not something that belonged on a 200 dollar jacket. The stitches are heavy-duty and well probably never fail, but at the ends of each stitch there's almost 1/4 of an inch of thread hanging off. I understand this is probably and insurance to make sure the stitches don't back out, but it looks crude for something made in Canada.
Other than those issues this is one nice jacket that will really keep you warm in almost any environment, maybe too warm. And even though I have my concerns they are more than outweighed by what the jacket can do. It's backed by a lifetime warranty so I'll probably have it for a long time if it doesn't ball up too much. If you're looking for a jacket to keep you warm, fit nicely, look good, and have no price range, then this would be a great item to consider. And one last thing the new jacket has cleared up the issues that this one had.

wear it often very warm and stylish my only complaint is im 220 lbs not fat and the xl is a little snug if i layer to much other then that great jacket

Wore it in NYC Nov 1st this year, temperatures ranging from 45-65 with only a short sleeve t-shirt underneath and a beanie on top. At 45 was pushing a little cold but good enough to withstand a ride on atop a double decker bus. Outstanding, not much else you can expect as far as warmth from a fleece. Fit is perfect for me, I am normal stature 5'7" and 150lbs and the size M fit like a glove. The texture is beautiful - I got the black - and at $79 this was a steal. Will order again from BC, excellent service and great prices.

ok. first, i have to say the grid pattern on the jacket is hard to get used to, but it does grow on you. Go for black if you want to hide the grid pattern....black looks better comparing the blue as the pattern is not as obvious. i bought one black and one blue as my friend wanted a black one. weird thing, though, that the vendor tag on the black showed the material as Thermal Pro while the blue one showed Wind Pro. both jacket materials look identical so i think they're both the same.

very warm jacket, sturdy. have not tested wind resistance part, but it's a very comfortable jacket, and layer easy compare to North Face Denali.

between Denali and Gridlock- i definitely recommend Gridlock, especially when it's on sale.

I bought this primarily to serve as a heavy mid-layer for layering on very cold days. It's an excellent fleece that is of comparable weight as Patagonia's R3 line. I like the styling and its admittedly slim fit. It's certainly not windproof but I think it's very warm and have been comfortable wearing it over a T-shirt in calm 40+ degree weather.

I own alot of Cloudveil clothing and love it all-the Gridlock is no exception-well made, very functional, and good looking-what more could you ask for! Also thanks to the fine folks at Backcountry for their exceptional customer service and competitive pricing!:)

This jacket is very warm. However I noticed that when I got the jacket it said Polartec Thermal pro but said nothing of the website stated Wind Pro. The jacket has very neat, clean stiching, great quality. only complaint is no elastic in the wrists. The sizing is a little odd. I'm 5'9 175 and the sleeves were much too long but it was too tight in the chest and arm pits and a little too short. Sent it back for a large. Great customer support, as always. They were very informative about the sizing

Just received this today and it seems like a pretty good little piece. Just wore it out on a nippy, windy spring day (4 degrees Celsius) in Calgary, and it seems pretty good. I don't know what people are complaining about with the wind--it seems to do pretty well in the wind all things considered. Yes, a little wind goes through, but, c'mon it's a fleece. That's what shells are for. It performs way better than my old Polartec 300 fleece in the wind, that's for sure. I am 5'8" and got the medium. It fits pretty much true to size. I have a bit of room to layer under there. It's a little expensive, but I got it on S & C, and I think it's good piece for that price. The only thing I would change is that I'd add some pit zips, but that's not a big deal. It's not often that I open those vents in my mid-layer anyway.

The Gridlock is not, by any means, a windbreaker. I wore is in Boston and along the New England shoreline in Oct. and needed a windbreaker shell. The jacket is warm and warmer than most fleeces in it's class but should not be advertised as a windstopper. A bit pricey for it's capability. But a great fleece jacket.

I bought 2007 model with high ratings and found that how bad it is compare to Denali(not greatest jacket though).
1. Front zipper disengaged under normal use the very first day. Not good for any serious sports.
2. Outer material is irritating to skin with a contact whereas Denali feels soft, warm and comfortable.
3. Warmness is poorest among others with this price range.
4. Bought from Backcountry, but I can't use it in backcountry...too dangerous to use it poor qualities.