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I own the Sneffles and have been lusting over the Bross. Is there any conceivable difference? I'm tempted to get one just to have a different color, but would like to know of any advantages. It sounds like it has more of a "standard neck" compared to the sneffles with its oversized and taller neck, but are they otherwise similar? Thanks in advance. Looking forward to getting a jacket and hopefully some bibs too.Quote:
Originally Posted by MiCol
This thread is awesome!
I'm with lindahl on this one. Disappointed in Neoshell. Its pitched as the latest and greatest wonder fabric. Reality is I have no idea when it is anywhere near as good as other options so mine never comes out of the closet. Too cold on lifts, too warm hiking or skinning.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lindahl
That said i still like what Mike is doing and am interested in trying some thing from freeride systems st some point.
As noted upthread, no two Neoshell laminates are the same, but it's also worth saying that FRS is making jackets from a lot of fabrics, I just happen to find the Neoshell to be a favorite. Maybe the overall fabric you two tried was different, but it sounds more like you are talking about predictable conditions where you know going out you'll either need a lot of insulation or that there's no chance of really serious precip. I hope this winter sends me more of those days--ideally the cold variety!
Last spring I was caught in a sudden downpour of "wintery mix" precip on an uptrack that a softshell wouldn't have handled. Really humid, temp close to 40 down low. Pulled the FRS from the pack and continued up with full venting (opening the cuffs is awesome). Higher up when the temp dropped and the wind kicked up to a howl everything was closed and I was comfortable. The hint of air was just enough to match my exertion and dry out the last of the moisture I'd picked up below.
Inbounds I'm layering more most days, but even when I forget or just get it wrong I find I'm more comfortable than if I'd missed with something less breathable. I do credit the FRS venting for a lot of this jacket's versatility, though; wouldn't be the same without that.
sorry missed this earlier. sneffles has longer arms, taller collar, and a different version of R-1. It is tighter grid pattern (smaller grids) with less space between grids in relaxed (non stretched) modeQuote:
Originally Posted by wwwllw
pants , bibs or convertible bib/pants coming one day soon I promise
My bross just came, really nice hoody. This will probably replace my BD coefficient for a lightweight layer over a wicking tee shirt, these grid fleeces are awesome - perfect for cold skinning, a 2nd base layer on cold days, or a sole mid layer on warmer days. I am impressed with the fit! Good shit. Whenever I can next justify buying another shell I will be coming back your way.
Ditto, seems well built. My only critique about the build is that the shoulder seam is about 2" wider on each side than a standard medium. Resulting overall size is accurate though. Long length seems fantastic for keeping drafts off your lower back when bending over.Quote:
Originally Posted by mbillie1
Comparing to the Patagonia R1 hoody & jackets:
*basically better in all ways than the P hoody (full zip front, normal style hood, pockets)
*pockets should be warmer for hands than the P jacket (since they're an extra layer of fleece, rather than slit zipped mesh). Pockets are deep and wide enough to fit my iPhone 6+.
Suggestions for improvements in a future version:
*pull string extension for zipper (zipper gets fully hidden by the chin flap, kind of tricky to dig it out to unzip)
*thumb loop holes in sleeve (one of my favorite features of the P jacket)
*bungee drawstring (like on hood) around waist. It currently hangs loose, which is good for casual, but drawstring would be nice for keeping it from riding up while layering or or allowing snow in.
*mesh drop-in pockets on the inside
Can anyone comment on how the bross fits compared to the FRS fleece hood from a couple years back?
How is the sizing on the Bross? Does it run large? I am 6', 190#, and got the Sneffles in large, and am swimming in it/appear to be wearing Saga.Quote:
Originally Posted by mbillie1
I am 5'10", 150# and got a medium. It's slightly longer along the waist, and maybe a tad wide in the shoulders, but it's still within the bounds of what I would call "true to size"Quote:
Originally Posted by meter-man
I think our office discussed with you today but we did not get more info such as chest, waist, arm length etc. This helps. However, I was with co-worker today in car and I brought it up and he is about your size and wearing large sneffles today. He looked normal in it . Can you double check and make sure you are not in XLQuote:
Originally Posted by meter-man
Are you referring to the old Polartec 200 kind of bulky big hoodie?Quote:
Originally Posted by wicked_sick
noted , but all these things run cost up (not too awful bad but it adds up) except pull on zipper which is probably the easiest to add . I have to say I added one to my own recently....so I will put this in place starting tomorrow for future orders...anybody that needs one, we will send to you for free if you send us an email at help@freeridesystems.comQuote:
Originally Posted by Andeh
Affirmative.Quote:
Originally Posted by MiCol
Fit in terms of size is probably same. However, the bross is going to be a lot less bulky. I wear size large in that heavy polartec 200 piece and I use a size large bross. I actually jammed myself into a medium sneffles when I wanted pretty close tight fit to ski with but ended up giving to customer and now I am back to large there as wellQuote:
Originally Posted by wicked_sick
"I'm waiting for my current jacket to wear out," is lame rationale for not buying a Freeride immediately.
My Antero is my go-to layer 90% of the time. Eager to see the convertible bibpant legcoverings.
My Moonstone jacket is showing its age. Ill need to check these out. Love to help out a local biz.
we like the cool old stuff tooQuote:
Originally Posted by Beer Drinker
http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...psf3xqf53i.jpg
S, if i see you at one of these upcoming events I will show you the work in progressQuote:
Originally Posted by Pinner
Hm, the 2+ looks really nice. Is the interior fuzzy at all?
Would love some picture of the interiors too. Not really getting the difference between the 2+ and 3. The 3 is lighter? I'm a fan of heavy shells. Gortex sofshell, etc.
TIA.
I'd trade in my antero 2 towards a 2+ if it was as bomber, but lighter. Sounds like a great jacket.
Freeride Systems t-shirt is also waterproof breathable -- good for layering up in all conditions
(Modeled at BBI16)
Attachment 176395
^Thanks for all the great positive shout outs!
I have put together a little run down on the differences/similarities of all of our made in Colorado jackets. I have been a die hard hybrid softshell wearer for the last 5 years. I have to test all of our stuff and have to say that the 2+ is a great jacket and its pure hardshell. I think there is time,place, and use for each fabric.
The Antero 2 is a hybrid softshell jacket with waterproof windproof breathable membrane, has slight stretch, noiseless, fully seam taped, pit zips , and our Arc'teryx inspired style hood collar system which allows for easy up and over helmet without unzipping the front zipper. There are also 4 open pockets for storage along with one zippered inside the jacket (except on MedTall but I will make this the same next year hopefully). This jacket is heavier than the next two and requires less layering to be worn underneath it. The interior of the jacket is a gridded low wicking polyester micro fleece. The collar may be cinched to bring it in close to the face with or without helmet. This is primarily a skier/riders jacket. We use Polartec and Gore Windstopper laminates depending on which Antero 2 you select (Gore: Blackcherry and White)
The Antero 2 Plus is the exact same as Antero 2 but made from Polartec Neoshell Hardshell laminate. This jacket does not have insulating properties and is half the weight of the Antero 2. This jacket has a tricot nylon interior to protect the membrane. This jacket is not noiseless. There is very little noticeable stretch. This is a skiers/riders jacket. Turns out from my own use and feedback that although there is no physical fabric insulating material, the fabric/membrane system helps to manage your body heat and it is in fact a warm jacket with correct layers. For instance, I wore one in -minus temps last week in Southern San Juans for lift accessed and hike to and only wore one or two base layer shirts and either our sneffles (sold out) or bross light midlayer and was toasty. I had packed a Polartec 200 weight jacket in the car but it never had to come out. I have used the 200 jacket with sled accessed tours at Vail Pass and that ranged from 50mph+ sled rides/ digs, to low mph no boarding jump and get buried.
The Antero 3 is different than the 2 models above. It has a traditional one piece neck/collar/hood rising enough to block the wearers face when fully zipped. The hood fits over a helmet but you mush unzip the front zipper some to get started. There is one internal zippered pocket. It is not noiseless. It is made with Polartec Neoshell hardshell with tricot interior. It is the lightest of the 3 jackets. There is very little noticeable stretch. Jacket has pit zips This jacket can span use and go casual just as easy as on the mountain. Also have used this extensively with our R-1 midlayer and the polartec 200 jacket or vest depending on activity and temps.
Antero 4 Component Jacket System utilizing Polartec 200 zip in vests and jackets. More on this later. Vests and jackets are already for sale on our website.
Pants/bibs.....we shall see, but... I have been bootpacking, skiing, sledding, testing, and trying to tear up a pair all season and just not sure if we will launch the pants game. I went to a sourcing event and the Chinese will sell a pair of pants to a US Brand for $25 or less. Costs more with branded fabrics and zippers but it is still way way way cheap. I wanted to see how much other brands that use overseas labor are really paying for product that we produce domestically. The answer: not much. That being said, pants can blow out. Brands replacing or warrantying Chinese pants have a huge profit margin to reconcile their losses. Freeride Systems is self funded through sales and has no lines of credit , etc and cannot handle a mass loss, or finance a mass loss and carry it to the next year, or cover from OPM invested capital. So, not sure if pants will happen commercially. Ive got the proven 4 year design down , but pants get a lot of harsh treatment....
Here's what the latest version has
double knees with insert to add kneepads
hybrid softshell fabric
velcro snapping gaiters with breathabilty
roomy rear pockets with velcro
beacon carrying front pockets
double cross vented legs with very long outside zipper
zippered outside bottom cuffs
no P fly (gives plenty of room to pee outside without bringing it back in the pants)
SuperFabric® cuffs
Pants can be worn with or without base layer. Many days I just wear boxers. (not storm days or - minus temp days)
So the 2+ is a hard shell with a hint of strech? That's nice even without the fuzz. Do you have some pics of the inside. Sounds like a really nice piece and so do the pants.
Too bad about materials pricing. That's an even bigger markup than I thought. Kinda depressing.
Will you be doing another run of your Prospectors? How do they run? I'm between a 32 and 34 inch waist (ok, I'm probably not a 32 anymore).
Just to comment on an earlier part of this thread - sending in garments that are washed is standard procedure in this industry, from The North Face to Patagonia to FlyLow they all request it in their return / warranty details.
i just came in from skiing and there is very slight stretch but not much. but not zero. I doubt we will be making any cotton pants soon. just too much to manage and deal with to do a run. I'm spread thin. I am putting most effort in to making the best domestic made jackets that we can make. If you want to order prospect cotton pants just order 34 and we will send you 34 and 36 and you can send back what does not workQuote:
Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn
I don't think you have anything near my size left in those guys. Guess I'll wait for summer. My next ski jacket, whenever that is, will most likely be one of yours. Thanks for all the help.
Another +1 for MiCol. Dude is as solid as they come. Ethical business guy that has crazy PASSION for what he does. I need a new jacket myself, it's certainly gonna be a FRS. Keep on keeping on Mike!
I've been rocking the Antero 3 for a week and a half and I've skiied in it 6 days in conditions ranging from wind and snow, to rain, and warm sunshine. This shell rocks. The only gripes I had with my older softshell have been addressed and everything is dialed. Breathes better than pro shell I can wear a fleece midlayer under this coat without overheating, never could do that before.
Skiied in it in pissing rain this afternoon. I was dry and comfortable. Drier than rubber Raingear.
FKNA. FRS' Neoshell and the PNWet were made for each other. Beads baby!Quote:
Originally Posted by Chugachjed
I have monkey arms and norrona is only long enough to not be a problem. How is XL sneffles? I wear 36/37 dress shirts if I can
I bought a Sneffles in large and it's too big on me, and I normally wear large. (35 sleeve shirts, if that helps)
The item itself is fucking awesome, just not a great fit for me.
I'm 6-5 200 w/ a 42L jacket, 16 neck/36 sleeve.Quote:
Originally Posted by whyturn
The XL is huge on me. I can fit my partner in there with me.
Sleeve length covers my thumbs
Attachment 176674
Lotta volume in the body
Attachment 176675
And the fabric is stretchy so movement is pretty easy in it
Less of a climber's fit, more of a skittles fit
big pockets too
Next time, I'd go down to a L
For monkey arms, I think it'd work out ok
Definitely a much larger fit than my XL Mammut hoodie midlayer
^ on that sizing... all of our frs stuff has been the equivalent of most other brands size larger. For example that xl sneffles could be a 2X or 3x with other brands. For instance we had a 2X trade from Mammut on a jacket and it fit everyone in our office like our Large. Why is it like this? Because that's what we started with in year one. Would we do it again that way...most likely not.
Are we going to try to fix it so its the same as other brands? Perhaps, but because there are so many styles and types of garments it almost seems better to keep most garments fitting the same i.e. if you buy a Large Antero 2 , get the large bross.. etc. We never completely run out of anything to start from ground zero because we are always sewing. So, migration could be done but there are other more pressing time investments right now.
Every single person that orders gets an email from one of our cs reps confirming that the right size has been ordered. That dialogue is also good for helping people find the right jacket from our 4 different versions, so we enjoy providing that service. Most of the time it is happening pre-buy through the standard Q& A process.
If you buy something from us you will get a follow up email from cs. If you ask us a queston pre-buy we are going to discuss sizing.
btw the arms on the sneffles and bross are made to ride above the wrist due to the narrowness and stretyness of the the fabric. Unless you have very tiny hands the sleeves usually will ride above the hand on wrist.
you should probably go large on bross but we did shorten the bross arms by 2" versus sneffles so take that into account. Email our cs at help@freeridesystems.com and they can really assist well with total fitQuote:
Originally Posted by whyturn
Just to ask another stupid question: The neoshell you use in the 2+ is a heavy duty kind that's good for inbounds skiing and doing stupid things with trees? I like the heavier shells. I can open vents if I hike for some reason.
It's burly. I'd put it up there with proshell. Maybe not quite as tough feeing, softer hand feel so not scientific, but tough enough for inbounds for sure.
Thanks
Doing my best to necro post here. This thread is older than iceman.
So I just received my new Antero 2 plus. Great customer service from the guys!
I have struggled for a while to stay dry and before that I just went out and froze my ass off for several years. One way or another in a gore shell I would end up in nothing more than a baselayer- which would get soaked and then I would have no insulation and freeze on the lift.
I have read about adding a layer. Since I’m excited about this jacket and thinking about it every eight seconds, what is the way to go with a midlayer. Let’s say it’s
20 degrees and partly cloudy. Should I go baselayer and thin 100 fleece. Or are we talking something like a baselayer and R1?
Like I said. It’s every eight seconds. Help me with this mental masturbation.
^ thanks
25-35 ish long sleeve base layer + short sleeve base layer
15-25 ish long sleeve base layer + R1 Regulator Thickness 100 (probably same) mid layer should do it as long as you stay moving while outside.
less than 15 long sleeve base + polartec 200 thickness fleece
All of this also needs to be balanced against body fat % and level of activity and wind
Thanks for the response.
Was looking around the gym today and noticed no one else looked like the showered while working out