Reviews by User: Big_Jim (8)

I spent a few months tracking down this jacket back in '06 and it was more than worth it. At around $175, you are getting a steal. Everything that made the Gamma MX famous is done better in this softshell. The fit is perfect for larger folks - I'm 6'5" with a wiry build and this trim, tailored piece fits me like a glove (size L). Very warm, enough to throw on over a cotton t and not feel the cold down to about 40-50 degrees. Throw a fleece under it, like the Delta AR zip and you won't ever feel cold. Blocks 90% of the wind out there. Super durable - you can climb and snowboard and bike in it, and I have yet to see it look like anything but new. Plus it's super stretchy, so you never feel constricted. Put it in the wash when it gets stinky and you are good to go. Westcomb is a badass compnay - all their gear is designed and manufactured in Canada and the quality shows. This is as core as it gets - buy with confidence!

Power Stretch is a great material and this shirt uses it well. Ideal uses for this sweater are coming out of the gym, you've been sweating, it's cold and you're going for a run. This fleece will wick that sweat away plus keep you warm and toasty. A major factor that keeps me from loving it though is the fit. Cloudveil stuff just fits funky - this top is too short for taller guys, even though it fits me perfectly in the body. Other items from Cloudveil are too big yet too short for me. So if you are a thin guy shorter than 6' you will fit this.

Make no mistake, I get as much enjoyment out of these socks just walking around my house and picking stuff up w/ my toes as I do using them to run in! That said, they are great for running/lifting/biking/whatevs. The first thing I noticed was that my shoes seemed bigger, because these socks fit so thin and light. Second, you begin to realize how much you use your toes for support while running because they can move so freely. Lastly, they breathe really well and seem to be holding up nicely. Try 'em out, at the very least you can wear flips w/ them!

I'm 6'5" and wiry and this shirt fits me absolutely perfectly. I'd love to know who makes these because the length and fit are amazing for us tall folk. If you are skinny/athletic build your normal size will fit. Order a few because you will be wearing these out.

Flat-out these are the best workout shirts that exist. They breathe and wick better than anything I have ever tried, even merino (although they still get quite stinky after use!). I live in Georgia and in the summer heat/humidity your activities are limited - the best thing I can say about this shirt is that they enable me to work harder, longer. Plus the fit is like it was made for my tall lanky self - in other words, perfect. If you see them for $20-$25, don't think - just buy. You will get more than your money's worth.

A 4 star piece, because nothing can ever compare to the latest and greatest fabric in my life, merino wool. 4 stars becuase it's better to sweat in than cotton (but not better than Cap 1), feels really nice and comfy, and even my wife just HAD to know what "beater" meant. Thanks for including the explanation card BC!

So much has already been written about eVent, all I can add is that this jacket is totally windproof. It has a great cut and is super lightweight, which makes it great for many different uses. I missed having a powder skirt while snowboarding, but it fit so well and weighed so little I barely noticed I had it on. My favorite feature by far was the hood - when fully zipped up, the lower portion covers your mouth. Usually with jackets like this, my breath wets it out and the fabric freezes, turning to ice. Not so with the Mirage! The moisture was constantly pushed out, even in a snowstorm, and never once stiffened or iced up. Bottom line - there are better pure snowriding jackets out there, but if you want a bomber piece of gear that can handle many different applications and is lightweight to boot, you've found it.

Use this fleece for what it was designed for and you will never need another. It's worked it's way to the top of my gear pile for 3 simple reasons: 1. Weight - 11.7 oz. On your body, unnoticeable. 2. Warmth - By itself, wonderful is mild weather or around the house. Under a shell, all you need to stay warm and keep moving. 3. Breathability - Somehow the folks at Arc'teryx have designed the grid fleece pattern in a way that keeps you warm but never sweaty/clammy. I had a cotton t and this fleece on when I got stuck 4-wheeling off of Jack's Cabin cutoff in CO during August. I had to hike out as the sun was going down, and from the start to finish, this fleece kept my temperature perfectly regulated. I truly didn't need another piece of gear; it kept me warm and yet cool because it breathes so well. What makes it killer is that it looks great for casual wear too! Don't think - just buy.