Ben Jay

So I received my 2010-11 Stoic Bombshell Jacket and was shocked at how different it was from '09-10. I REALLY think the Backcountry staff should edit the description to let people know there are a lot of changes.My stats: Male, 5'7", 145lbs, 29" waist

Fit: The fit is much different from last year's model. This year's overall cut is much better. Gone are last model year's poofy shoulders and super short/narrow waist. The jacket has to be at least 5" longer in the torso than last years. It's bit more relaxed than I'd like but still 'Euro' 'Athletic' cut. Last year people made some comments on how short my (size small) jacket was when skiing. Not anymore with this one. Oh and because of the better cut, there is more fabric in the front near the face, which will make zipping up past your nose while on the lift possible.

Fabric: The Bombshell fabric for '10-11 if again very different from last year's. I much prefer it from an aesthetic/feel perspective. It's got some stretch to it, it's thinner, softer and lays better--almost more of a softshell outer layer (minus the fleece). The jacket is much more comfortable and quiet to wear as compared to last years because of the new fabric. HOWEVER, I am concerned that because of the thinness, wind will cut through this like a knife compared to last year's model. Also, durability concerns me--last year's fabric seemed very tough and took a bunch of tree strikes from me without issue. This new stuff seems like it would tear easier--but I can't confirm. Additionally, it feels like a fabric that will need waterproof spray applied to it to keep it waterpoof where last years had a more plastic industrial feel that would repel water without chemical coatings. Again, the jury is still out, these are just initial observations and I will report back on this after some ski days in it.

Color: I purchased the black jacket as I have last year's orange bombshell pants so I figured the oranges would match nicely. However, I was a bit upset/surprised to see that the zipper portion on the new jacket use a different orange than last year's pants. It's more of a blood orange color. Which is fine, but then the actual zipper pulls are the orange that matches the pants. So the zipper pulls and zippers/zipper seams are different colors. Also, because of the fabric type, the 'black' is not really a JET/glossy black like last year's bombshell color material.

Conclusion: As of right now--before putting it to the test in the elements--I really like this jacket for it's feel/cut/fit. I've very excited to wear and use it! I will say that the sizes seem to run big. I'm a small guy (see stats above) and this jacket, in small, is at about as big as I would ever wear something. I'm not a fan of baggy stuff. The jury is still out on wind/waterproofing/durability with this new fabric though. I'll report more once I've really used it in the elements.

I skied in the men's version of this glove last season but lost them. They're not made anymore and I love them so much I chose to buy the women's 2010 model (black). I sized up one size and they fit perfect.

Very warm (not overly warm) and breaths good. I love them for their super low profile look--that's why I bought them.

Even with their low profile-ness they're great in 10deg-30deg with no additional liner in there for my always cold fingers!