This baselayer is super light, yet breathable and warm. I will say and agree with others - size up. I usually wear a medium with some room to spare. I’m skinny 5’10” 140lbs. The medium was way too tight around the shoulder down to the biceps area. I was afraid if I slept and tossed\turned, the shirt would rip as it was stretched out to much in the affected areas. Torso and chest areas were fine. Of course Beyond’s customer support is way above top notch and they uphold excellent service. I exchanged to one size up - Large. This fit PERFECT! Listen to other reviewers - go one size above your usual and you will find it fits just right. Thank you Beyond support team for assisting me with the easy exchange process.
Great fit, keeps me warm and looks great with great SUPERB materials and design.
The new OCP pattern solves a previous issue of transitioning from a field uniform back to garrison. Now I can just throw on an issued top without the mismatch. And I’ve always preferred the fit to crye.
A very wonderful warm jacket. Feels very light to wear, almost can't even tell it is there when moving. Stretches nicely. Breathes very well so it is easy to stay comfortable in changing environments/activity levels.
They made at least two revisions, one that had an adjustable hood (in the upper back of the head) and one without. The one without can get in the way if I turn my head far to the side, but isn't a deal breaker, and often the hood wasn't needed by me but very nice when it is there. The one with the adjustment makes it easy to snug it up so it almost feels like I am wearing a beanie that stays completely out of the way while also keeping my neck warmer. That one also has some flaps over the hand warming pockets which, so far, do not seem very helpful and more often feel like they are poking out rather than laying nice and flat.
Because of how light, flexible, breathable, and stretchy it is, it is easy to wear something more durable over it and use it a warming layer comfortably. It is also possible to put something underneath as well, and it doesn't feel oversized in order to accomplish that. It feels about as warm as any of their level 3 jackets.
A very flexible jacket. Having just this available combined with a more durable level 5, without its own insulating layer, would work in a very wide variety of environments. Wear just the other level 5 if it is warmer, the alpha if it is cooler, both if it is even colder (or perhaps raining hard). The Stretch Alpha is more durable, flexible, and water repellent than a lot of level 3 options filling in more situations.
I really hope that they do not get rid of this jacket. Replace it with a refinement of it, if anything.
Highly recommend it over their attempt at an imported one, the Aptus Hybrid Softshell L5 Jacket. That one is *much* heavier, I am confused where all the weight comes from, I don't trust the outer fabric as much, and the sleeves and cuffs are too tight (especially if you have a watch) even if you get a size larger than you need (which then results in the body being too baggy).
