perfect winter jacket

By Ben Reff Ranked #261 - Men's Softshell Jackets November 30, 2010

I've owned this jacket for almost a year now. Of all the technical winter jackets I've ever worn, this is by far the most comfortable and functional. The softshell material has great stretch and comfort, and is highly water resistant and virtually windproof. The insulation offers plenty of warmth without being bulky, heavy, or restrictive. With just a t-shirt underneath, this jacket keeps me perfectly warm down into the 20s. With a midlayer, it's comfortable much colder than that. Living in Minnesota last winter, my set-up for truly cold days (-20F or so) consisted of this jacket over a fleece-lined hoodie, which provided all the warmth I needed. Between living in Minnesota and frequently visiting my home state of Montana, I never felt cold or clammy even while wearing this jacket in fairly extreme conditions. Despite its warmth, I was also able to wear the Welder in warmer conditions and during aerobic activity thanks to the jacket's breathability and core ventilation.

This jacket has no downside that I can tell. The sizing, as many have noted, is rather different from standard sizing. I take a small in virtually every jacket I own (5'9", 140 lbs, slim torso), but a small in the Welder Insulated fit me like a baselayer. I ended up exchanging for a medium to give me a little more freedom of movement and room to layer. I own the jacket in red and it looks good enough to wear both on the slopes and in town. If you are between sizes or prefer a roomier fit, definitely order a size up.

I'm so pleased with the quality and performance of this Stoic product that I've gone ahead and ordered the updated '10/'11 Bombshell jacket, as well. Stoic has done a great job responding to the demands of their customers and I hope they continue to tweak and improve their designs in the coming years.

View Details: Stoic Welder Insulated Softshell Jacket - Men's

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