Men's FirsTurn Jacket
This hooded backcountry/sidecountry soft shell combines two-way stretch for ease of movement, breathable wind/water-repellent Cyclone™ Soft Shell fabric and a high-loft fleece interior so you stay comfy no matter what comes your way from either below your feet or above your head. This piece combines clean lines with performance-oriented features such as a helmet-sized hood, handwarmer pockets, and a zippered chest pocket to keep your electronic stuff handy.
- • Attached storm sealing helmet compatible hood and elastic bound front Lined chin guard
- • Hand warmer pockets
- • Chest pocket
- • Adjustable storm sealing hem
- • Laser cut and bonded YKK® Reverso Zippers
Highly functional 2-way stretch fabric with a double-weave construction. Durable, air-permeable, permanently elastic, and water and wind resistant. A Tactel nylon/lycra blend woven face fabric with excellent abrasion resistance and an 80/20 wash DWR. The poly fleece backer offers a brushed soft hand with natural temperature regulating features.
94% Nylon / 6% Spandex
Soft Shell 101
Why wear one?
The soft shell was pioneered by Cloudveil in the late 90s, and since then, it’s become a key tool for active outdoor enthusiasts. Why? It’s the multi-tool of outdoor apparel delivering hard shell protection combined with a much higher degree of breathability and durability, and engineered with built-in two-way stretch to provide added mobility and allow a snugger fit so you won’t have a lot of extra material to catch on stuff.
What are they good for?
Soft shells are great for any situation where a combination of protection, breathability and durability are important. For instance:
• Side/backcountry touring – when you’re going both uphill and down (huge inside drop pockets for hats/goggles on the way up and skins on the way down)
• Tree skiing – when branches are trying to trash your gear
• Alpine mixed climbing – when your shoulders and elbows are in frequent contact with rock
• Cutting/gathering wood – awesome range of motion and durability, and it cleans up easily
Basically, any situation where you might trash your hard shell or sweat to death in it and a fleece doesn’t provide enough protection from the elements is a good time to wear a soft shell.
How do I pick the right one?
There are essentially two types of soft shell fabric: stretch woven and laminate. Each does certain things better than the other. Here’s how to think about your choice:
Stretch Woven (Serendipity/Symmetry)
• More breathable
• More stretch
• More durable outer face
Laminate (FirsTurn/Saratoga)
• More water resistant
• More wind resistant
Though each of these fabric types delivers all of the above performance characteristics in some degree, you should select the one that’s right for you based on the activities you think you’re going to use it for the most. Spend more time going uphill and/or generating BTUs? Go with a stretch woven. Looking for something that can double as an outer layer when necessary? You may prefer the laminate.
If you’re still confused, feel free to give Customer Service a call at (877) 255-8345. All of our CSRs are dedicated outdoor athletes, and they’ve tested every type of shell in a broad range of conditions and activities. They’ll be able to help you make the right choice.
Product Reviews
-
Great jacket
Posted by Patrick
This is currently my favorite jacket for skiing. It's lightweight, warm, and fairly compatible. I like that the design is pretty simple but doesn't compromise functionality at all. Recently I tore a 3 or 4 inch gash in the right bicep while tree skiing and repaired it myself. Other then that, I haven't had any issues or complaints about it and will continue to use it for years to come.
-
Big Hood!
Posted by chris l
Nice jacket. The hood is huge! Great if you are wearing a ski helmet, otherwise it is almost useless.
-
Versatile but simple
Posted by Brian P
I really appreciate how a jacket like this can be used for climbing, skiing and mountain biking and . . . hold-up really well. I also like the size and fit of the hood for use with a helmet. The asymmetrical cuffs are a plus and show how much thought went into the design.
I would recommend a few things design tweeks, but am overall really happy with the jacket. The fact that I wore it all last winter and spring for backcountry skiing and climbing in the coastal ranges and Sierra Nevada is indication enough of its value in the mountains. It also saw me through a few long mtn bike rides in the Los Padres National Forest in cold, drizzly conditions.
-
For the price, perfection
Posted by Sam B
Great all around jacket. Use mine as a mid and outer layer, biking, fishing, skiing. Hood is nice and big for a helmet, and I like the integrated deep collar fit. Great stretch and movement, non-restrictive and versatile. Simple and to the point just the way it should be. For a buck fifty, keep 'em coming!
-
The bomb mid layer softshell
Posted by Aaron L
Winner of the 2009 Outside gear of the year award, the firsturn is truly amazing and almost perfect. It's very water resistant and wind resistant. And the fabric is tough enough for a geologist. I haven't seen or tried on this years model but last years only had two problems, and that was the length of the collar and the difficulty of wearing glasses with the hood up. The collar is a little tall casuing it to dig into your chin when zipped up all the way. And the surround around the hood pushes down on you glasses because its just a little too tight. Other than those two issues it bombproof.
And at 150.00 you can't go wrong. More of cloudveils items should price around this number.
-
LOVE THIS JACKET
Posted by Rick
I absolutely love this jacket! I've convinced a number of friends to get it as well.
For Specials, Sales & News
