James Scriven

So I recently purchased the Welder Hi Jacket and had mixed feelings. It fit nicely, good sleeve length, and kept me incredibly warm. . . almost too warm. I also just got the Bombshell and I'm far more impressed with this jacket. I'm not sure why you'd make a ski / alpine type jacket and leave out a helmet fitted hood, wrist gatiers, powder skirt, or media pocket. These are all features that the Bombshell has yet the Welder has none of. The Welder is a top notch jacket but it falls short in those above mentioned areas. If you paired these jackets up gave the Welder all the features of the Bombshell I would definitely be keeping both jackets. . . however at this point I'll be returning the Welder, keeping the Bombshell and simply adding one more layer. I'm 6'3" 205 and the XL fits just right and the brown / orange is a pretty blinging colour scheme.

So before going any further this is my preliminary review having just received it and not been out on the mountain with it. First impression. . . it will be warm. That threw me off a little, the weight and build of this jacket puts it in the class of an insulated shell. I initially thought the insulation or loft whatever you call it would be minimal and subtle. It's there and it's there to keep you warm. Thankfully the jacket keeps a very low profile. I'm 6'3" 220 athletic, etc. and the XL fits. If it were a shell I would have to size up so I could get some good layers underneath. With the insulation I will have to rethink my layering approach. . . I'm a sweaty beast as soon as I start moving so I'm wondering how I will match up the layers with this on the outside. Hopefully with the insulation I can eliminate an under layer. If I wear a Calipene 3 fleece underneath everything is good except the chest movement and around the arm pits gets constricted.The construction is top notch but it also leaves room for improvement. I really want an interior chest pocket for an MP3 player LIKE EVERY OTHER JACKET IN THE WORLD. . . I believe the tags in fact mention this but alas it is not there. The drawstrings seem like an after thought. . . thin and small and the cords themselves seem very weak / cheap. The zippers also feel like they will be the first thing to go on the jacket. For the price I'm used to the quality and durability of the bigger brands. The drawstring for the waist is weaksauce and does not cinch down to protect. . . which to me was a big downfall as the jacket has no powder skirt.So I'm sort of on the fence for this one, I really want to like it I will just have to put it through some licks and see. I have a gut feeling I will be returning it, but I want to be wrong. Thankfully and as usual BC has a kick arse return policy and I always leave satisfied.Bottom line. . .needs improvements to make it really stand out and worth the money. If it stands up to the pow and breathes enough in the west coast blue bird days then I'll be happy. But again I think it might be too much jacket and the traditional shell and layer system could be what I go back to.

I would also like to see how the fleece holds up to washing and long term use. Something about it just reminds me of those old swim team parkas. Perhaps it would be better with one of those trimmed fleeces and not so much the monkey fur type fleece.

I've got a huge dome, sweat like a (insert catch phrase) and these goggles (paired with Hustle helmet) are all I need. What would usually fog up any other goggles I've owned simply appears then disappears on these goggles.

I've had a number of Oakley goggles before and always felt that they were wayyy to small, and that the lenses were too finicky but more importantly the fogged up horribly.

Only thing I need to change or would change is the option for a longer strap. When I've got these with the helmet, they are as loose as I can get them and still slightly tight. Not uncomfortable at all, but noticeable when you take them off. I'll add to the review when I start getting face shots this next week (hopefully). . .

Great pack with all the right features. . . zippers are shot after about a year and a half of sweating and cinching em back and forth. Still works, just compromised, don't want a bike yard sale after a wreck, lot harder to pick up all your mtb bits than your pole and planks! Armor carrying I've usually strapped the leg pads underneath, FF as shown, and the elbows are either worn or stashed inside the FF helmet. The sunglass pocket fits just that, not goggles. Nalgene make a superior reservoir in my opinion, and if you get the wide mouth you can throw a beer or two in the bladder for when you reach the top. Just wash the can first.

Only downfall is storage. . .If I have an extra downhill tube, you can kiss carrying anything in the main compartment goodbye, especially if the bladder (3L) is full. Plenty of stash pockets for tools, etc. Killer pack, but when she dies I think I'm gettin' the new Amp. . .

5 stars would be the zippers still working and slightly more room.

This is on the top of my list for when my Nomad dies. . .

Easy to set up, nice and strong, nice and heavy. I thought I would be getting something of a lesser quality as it referred to it as a "home mechanic" stand. It's perfect. I can hang the 38 pound sled on there and wrench away. Paint has come off from tightening where the clamp attaches to the bike. Does not look like any stress on the metal, just the beautiful Park Blue. Im confident that if there were a problem, Backcountry or Park Tool would take care of the situation. I saw the PCS-9 and it looked a lot flimsier especially with the clamp for the bike. Would give er' 5 starts but Im going to wait and see if anything more comes of the paint stress areas.

The mesh vent line down the front of both legs is killer. Nice and drafty for the goods. Material is tough as nails. Took a good digger down a rock face and not even a scuff. The chamois is really comfy as well, probably better than the one I was previously using. Nice size and length. They dont move around on your waist or hike up either. I think thats a huge plus. They have some sticky lining on the interior of the waistband that gets the job done. Only compaints? Would like a back pocket and even two normal pockets, thought it would of had them, it's only got the two cargo pockets. Additionally the zippers on the cargo pockets are finicky and catchy.