So you all know I am a gear junkie and love to support a local small biz so I when was at the Christy Sports Powder Daze Sale this morning and saw the words "Polartec NeoShell and Alpha" together in one jacket, I had to partake...
So now I have another Colorado brand, Strafe Outerwear, that I am psyched about. The Exhibition will serve as my cold day jacket, accompanying my Freeride Systems shell quite well. I am a huge fan of both NeoShell and Alpha. Most know NeoShell, which is breathable and windproof and has a quiet, soft feel. Many don't know about Alpha, which was originally designed for U.S. special forces as a lightweight, breathable but warm insulation. It is truly different in that Alpha is designed for high output wear. It breathes, wicks, and transports extremely well but doesn't retain heat like traditional insulation, so once you stand still or get on a lift, it is very efficient at dumping heat. Couple that with NeoShell, and you've got a pretty serious technical jacket. The build quality on this is really nice, and I like the design; just a bit new school but not blingy. The zippers are well designed and the pockets have great placement and size. I am wearing a large. It is true to size in general and is cut a touch longer in the length and sleeve, which I like. This piece has 60 g of insulation. Tests to follow this winter.
So now I have another Colorado brand, Strafe Outerwear, that I am psyched about. The Exhibition will serve as my cold day jacket, accompanying my Freeride Systems shell quite well. I am a huge fan of both NeoShell and Alpha. Most know NeoShell, which is breathable and windproof and has a quiet, soft feel. Many don't know about Alpha, which was originally designed for U.S. special forces as a lightweight, breathable but warm insulation. It is truly different in that Alpha is designed for high output wear. It breathes, wicks, and transports extremely well but doesn't retain heat like traditional insulation, so once you stand still or get on a lift, it is very efficient at dumping heat. Couple that with NeoShell, and you've got a pretty serious technical jacket. The build quality on this is really nice, and I like the design; just a bit new school but not blingy. The zippers are well designed and the pockets have great placement and size. I am wearing a large. It is true to size in general and is cut a touch longer in the length and sleeve, which I like. This piece has 60 g of insulation. Tests to follow this winter.
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