Review: BeyondClothing Cold Fusion X soft shell jacket

[slave2gravity]

I spent about a month researching various jacket options (soft shell, hard shell, systems, blah blah blah) and kept coming back to BeyondClothing because of the ability to order custom made clothing (more on this later) at a competitive price. The big frustration though is a seeming lack of useful information and reviews floating around the interweb. Hopefully this review will help someone out.

Picking a jacket and ordering online

Cruising Beyond’s website is an easy way to kill hours of your time and put off doing real ‘work’. They have great information on the science of the fabrics they use and will help pick out clothing based on your type of activity, body type (naturally cold, naturally hot, etc) or a combination of the two. Since my new jacket was meant to serve as a ski coat for the Tahoe area my priorities were light weight and freedom of movement over super warm. I was also really keen on getting a soft shell. Beyond recommended their “Cold Fusion X” jacket, which starts at $199. Style-wise I’d call this jacket “subtle”, though I’ve gotten several unsolicited compliments on it. By the way, Beyond makes jackets, pants, mid and base-layer clothing as well. Their catalog of products is very wide-spread.

Ordering is a straight-forward, multi-step process. Step one begins with selecting the main shell color and accent panels (5 choices for the jacket).

Step two moves on to the “a la carte” menu of jacket accessories. The shell comes with two very generous zipper shut hand pockets as standard, which are fantastic for warming up the hands on the chairlift. In addition to those pockets I added an outer chest pocket on the left side. This pocket, which sits just below the clavicle (higher than I expected, which I really like) is approximately 4” x 3” and also zipper-sealed and fleece-lined. I find it’s perfect for holding my iPod and collection of IDs and some credit cards. On the inside of the right chest is another cavernous pocket perfect for food, gloves and / or baklava. I didn’t opt for them, but other options are pit zips and bicep pockets. All pockets add $15 each to the base jacket.

Step three allows you to add other “enhancements”. I ordered the zip-off hood ($35), collar shock cord ($10) and YKK water resistant main zipper ($15). Step four is a quickie, selecting color and placement of Beyond’s logo as well as offering a second logo at no charge.

Step five is where the fun begins, so break out the measuring tape. As I mentioned, Beyond is unique by allowing a custom tailored fit, which they claim to be accurate 98% of the time but are 100% guaranteed. In the event you don’t like the way the garment fits, you can send it back free of charge and they will correct. Beyond provides guidance for how to accurately measure at 9 different points. In my experience, the fit was true to measurement and better for me than buying off the rack.

Step six allows more fit fine-tuning by selecting body type, fit preference and various lengths. I went with the “Standard” for layering, however I think I could have gotten away with the “technical” fit and still have layering options. I also opted for the jacket length to end 2/3 down the fly. I probably would prefer to end at the bottom of the fly, too.

So how long’s the wait and how’s the customer service?

Beyond’s website is pretty accurate in estimating how long building the new garment will take. I think in the lower order periods 2-3 weeks is a standard turnaround. I was silly enough to order just before Christmas and was told in my confirmation email that it would take 4 weeks. The next day, though, the website said wait times are currently around 5 weeks, which is exactly how long it took. Throughout the wait you can track your clothes’ progress through the manufacturing process with stages like “in queue, material being cut, sewing and post production” and a description of what each means. I heard complaints on Epic’s forum (here’s the thread) of poor customer service but I found that to be the opposite. Apparently Beyond’s marketing guy saw the same comment and quickly wrote me offering to update me on the status of my jacket. Dan was always responsive and seemed genuinely interested in helping out.

And…how does she perform?

After a long and anxious wait, my jacket arrived not one hour before I was planning to head to Tahoe last Friday. Packing the car it was raining moderately to hard and you could see the water beading and rolling right off (so cool!). In the snow, both deep powder and heavy wet snowfall I stayed warm and dry. During some of my spills, I didn’t even get snow up into the jacket! I’ve worn the jacket in temps ranging from 15 – 55 degrees with various layers and have been comfortable the whole time. Despite its water-repellent abilities, the jacket definitely breathes. Today I had it out on a road bike ride and could comfortably ride tempo at 32mph in 45 degree weather. Again, stayed warm, it wicked the sweat and I didn’t feel wind-chilled or beaten. This really is a 3 season jacket and suited for many activities.

In the end I paid $298 for all the add-ons, tax and shipping, which is at least a couple hundred less than comparable soft shells I was researching. While I’m sure I’ll pick up other jackets for more use-specific needs, this one will be the “go-to” guy - this jacket kicks ass!

[squatch]

I didn't really read the review ('cause I have one and I know how shit works), but here's an "executive summary" review:

They kick ass.

The fit of the jacket makes it naturally warmer than anything I've ever tried. Once you go custom, you can't go back, especially if you *NEED* it like I do.

Minor complaint: After everyday use as my "only" jacket (I have other stuff, TNF XXL shells and the like, but can't find a reason to wear them) the fleece lining on the cold fusion is packed out. I used to be able to wear the jacket/pant combo in -50F windchill weather...now, not so much. (FWIW, I wore underarmour cold gear under the softshell pants, and underarmour cold gear and a hoodie under the jacket on that day.) Basically it is only good to -20F windchill type temps.

Of course, it is my fault, because I got these for spring-like conditions and put untaped huge zipper vents down the sides of the pant and under the armpits of the jacket.

[cinnepa]

^^^thanks guys, so tempted - always wanted one for my ape arms; need a tall large and no one with anything good makes it.....xl's usually fit great in arm length but baggy in body. thanks for the reviews.

[Cruiser]

I've had a pair of Cold Fusion Mtn Pants for a while now and I am totally satisfied with them. I usally wear a 100 weight fleece base layer under them for a bit of insulation. They have kept me comfortable down to -10 before the windchill. Never had any moisture get through and never had any issues with excessive perspiration building up. They're not cheap, but like Squatch said, once you go custom, you won't look at off-the-rack cloths the same way ever again.

[oftpiste]

+1 for another satisfied customer. I've had one for a couple of years and it's a nice piece. Unfortunately it seems to be (ahem) getting too small for me!

[PNWbrit]

Mr. Beyondclothing is a also a damn nice guy...and occasional lurker.

I've haven't bought anything from him yet but I hear his gear is beyond dexterous.

[Spats]

I've owned their Windbloc fleece jacket and pants for years. +1 to what everyone has said...once you go custom you won't want to go back. If you search my posts you'll probably find some reviews.

[Viva]

Beyond is unique by allowing a custom tailored fit, which they claim to be accurate 98% of the time but are 100% guaranteed. In the event you don’t like the way the garment fits, you can send it back free of charge and they will correct. Beyond provides guidance for how to accurately measure at 9 different points. In my experience, the fit was true to measurement and better for me than buying off the rack.

Well, they got the first item that I ordered right, but the second item, I believe it was the Cold Fusion, was many times too big for me. Somebody there had clearly fucked up. Rather than make a new garment de novo they made major reductions to the jacket instead. I think I waited three weeks for the first set of reductions. Jacket was still too big in places and I had to call and call and e-mail, and call again before I could talk to the customer service rep who lived in the bAy area, as I recall. About four weeks later I received the jacket. I'll admit I was impressed that they were able to get a fairly close fit out of something that started out so big. But it still wasn't good enough and by that time I was throughly disgusted with the company. I never attempted contact again.

So how long’s the wait and how’s the customer service?

Great if you're buying, terrible if there are problems with the purchased product. Critical questions go unanswered and one may be left wondering WTF is happening.

Although I still use the vest I bought from them, my remaining experience with BF was unfortunate. The jacket's still hanging unused in my closet if anyone's interested in buying it from me. Otherwise, I may use it to wipe my dog's ass the next time he has diarrhea.

[rme]

I have the beyond coldfusion x jacket & coldfusion shock pants with additional comments and suggestions:

The schoeller wb-400 fabric on these is an amazing softshell material. Same material used on the old Cloudveil Boundary jacket but with a lighter fleece lining than the Boundary. It stretches great. Breathes great. No more cold and clammy. And warm enough with 1 - 3 layers to wear from 45f down to 15f. It probably could go lower but I haven't been out there to test it below 15f. It also sheds water from melted snow or light rain well. I wouldn't wear it in heavy rain as it would probably wet out though. I don't even use my goretex shell anymore unless it's really raining out.

Coldfusion Jacket - I have the waterproof zips, pit zips and chest pockets options. I also got the standard fit and it was too baggy for me. Probably could have gone with the technical fit and still be able to wear 3 layers. There is no powder skirt, but the bottom hem has a cinch cord that works pretty well for keeping snow out. I have the attached hood and it sits well in back, out of the way when not zipped up. It is helmet compatible and fits well over a helmet. The stitching and make is top notch as well. One complaint is that there is a very thin and narrow piece of fabric for a storm flap inside the front main zipper so you get more wind and cold in through there than most other jackets and your face rubs the zipper when the collar is zipped up, even with the waterproof zip option.

Coldfusion Shock Pant - I ordered the options of snow gaiter & zip, hipzip and side pockets. They let me specify the size thigh pocket for my needs which was great. I also spoke with the owner and had them put zips on the inside thigh for pit zips on the leg kinda. This came out well, but a little shorter than I've had on other pants. I don't know yet if they will wet out from sitting on lifts yet, but the way they breathe is worth it.

Right fit guarantee - The pants came and were way off regarding measurements. I called them back and they were very good about setting me up for replacement. You go to the head of the line for a right fit guarantee replacement and it has taken about 3 weeks now for them to replace it. I think it is shipping this week back to me.

Edit: Received my adjusted pants back after about 4 weeks. They fit perfect now and they were really responsive. Good company to work with.

Highly recommended.

[pmpn]

thanks for your review. i will checkout BeyondClothing site now.

[Viva]

This reminds me that I have to bump my thread in Gear Swap.