Contributions by Russ A (5)

Like the other reviewers, I wanted a soft shell that had more casual versatility than my other pieces. Cloudveil has filled this gap nicely with the Headwall. Compared to the Gamma SV, stretch and breathability is not as good for hiking but the Headwall blocks wind better, has better neck protection (higher collar with cinch) and the hand pockets are placed lower for easy access. The fit is great and allows for a midweight base layer and a light fleece underneath but it tends to run large. I am 6ft with 42” chest and usually take a large from others but the medium fits me perfectly. I am stoked with this jacket – from peak to street. Well worth 250 bucks.

Like the other reviewers, I wanted a soft shell that had more casual versatility than my other pieces. Cloudveil has filled this gap nicely with the Headwall. Compared to the Gamma SV, stretch and breathability is not as good for hiking but the Headwall blocks wind better, has better neck protection (higher collar with cinch) and the hand pockets are placed lower for easy access. The fit is great and allows for a midweight base layer and a light fleece underneath but it tends to run large. I am 6ft with 42” chest and usually take a large from others but the medium fits me perfectly. I am stoked with this jacket – from peak to street. Well worth 250 bucks.

This is the warmest fleece out there - perfect for cold, windy blue sky days in the Alps. Superb fit, unbelievably comfortable and 2-way stretch. When you need more warmth than a mid-weight fleece or windstopper type jacket can provide then this is the piece... my The North Face Pamir is now retired. With a soft fleece outer, the R4 is a bit limited as an all-rounder. For damp and drizzly conditions get a synthetic filled jacket.

Think of this hoody as a Gamma MX Hoody that you can wear around town without looking like a tool. This hoody is expensive, but it puts all other hoodies in the museum. What I like is the great cut, stretch, superb hood, chin protection, nice hand pockets and the cuffs and waist band seal out the weather really well. You will not find another hoody with such excellent details. The Polartec material is warm and soft on the inside and sheds light winds and drizzle on the outside, but a heavy weight winter fleece this is not. I wore this jacket touring around Europe this Fall and it keep me sufficiently warm; it worked brilliantly well with the Beta SL jacket when the weather was very windy and wet. Yep, I love my Fugitive.

I like this jacket because it is warmer, blocks wind better and moves better than the Delta AR. Patagonia has done a great job in refining this jacket. It is not bulky, breathes, it layers well, and does not snag on base layers like other fleeces such as the Apache AR. Patagonia has the best and the most comfortable collar in the business, nice to wear all day long. The pockets are a generous size for keeping the mitts warm and all the zips work really well. The only down side to this jacket is that it does not have a waist hem drawcord. Patagonia could do more to improve this and they could also shorten the front by an inch or so. It is the same length as my Gamma MX Hoody & Alpha Comp Hoody shells which means it can creep out and get wet. Other than these points, I would have given it a 5.

This is a great technical jacket with the usual cool Arcteryx details, but has several short comings as a riding softshell... I found cold air creeping up my lower back due to the waist cut while riding the chair. Falling snow also channeled down the open neck which was annoying. As a mid-layer, during more severe conditions with an XCR hardshell, I found myself overheating badly during times of heavy exertion - probably due to the thick fleece layer. As a day-to-day option, I also found the Easyrider not so easy to get on and off, as the elasticized cuffs are very tight and the high-loft fleece tends to bind on long sleeve shirts. I could not get the waist adjusters in the pockets to work well either. Nonetheless, this jacket probably serves it purpose well for other demands. It is also warm, wind and snow resistant but I’ll try another softshell for boarding... maybe the Sidewinder Comp Hoody.