Thread: Fly Low Gear Reviews?

Originally Posted by bendtheski

Placed my order for the Especial NeoShell pant the other day to replace some trashed DNA Louie's. If the fabric is as good as the reviews say, I think I'll be a happy camper. I have no reservations about construction or durability, and Flylow seems to be very focused on custy satisfaction so no worries there either.

I saw those the other day. Another company in on the fabric war. I am hoping to get a pair of these too. I just wish they were in some other colors.
Sounds like this fabric is the run! Totally smoking Gore active shell. I wonder how it competes with Dry Q elite?

I got a Quantum Jacket, Stash pant, and Swindler Micropuff jacket recently, and have now put a couple ski days on them. Here are my thoughts.
So far the micropuff is one of my favorite pieces ever, I wear it pretty much every day. It is light, dwr, and if it does get wet, dries out in a stiff breeze. It is incredibly comfortable, and nice to have an insulating layer with pit zips.

I don't know why, but lately I have found I get cold pretty easily. Maybe it is the humidity (PNWet), or a new grown vagina. Anywoo. I found the Quantum Jacket with micropuff and capaline layer underneath to be great on a recent 20 degree day, which consisted of a combination of touring, boot packing, and resort skiing. It is nice to be able toreach through the quantum's pit zips and open up the micropuff's zips. I didn't really have any trouble overheating.

Quantum Jacket and Stash Pant.
Living in the PNWet, I was initially a little skeptical about the 10k rating on the stash. No need, it has kept me dry, including on a day I had no business being dry on (31 and snowing heavily). This pant also breaths exceptionally well. I rarely find myself opening the vents, even when touring or boot packing. This is nice, since often before I would have to chose between sweating excessively or having snow fall in through the vents. The one issue I have found with the Stash pant is that it is not incredibly wind proof, not really a big deal for me though.

Quantum Jacket:
Great, just go buy it, plus it is cheaper then a lot of the other comparable options out there.

Durability on everything is obviously top notch. I skied/traversed/fell/ran into plenty of branches, bushes and trees over the last couple days, you wouldn't know it from looking at the jacket or pant though.

Originally Posted by TheDon

I saw those the other day. Another company in on the fabric war. I am hoping to get a pair of these too. I just wish they were in some other colors.
Sounds like this fabric is the run! Totally smoking Gore active shell. I wonder how it competes with Dry Q elite?

Dry Q and NeoShell both coppies of eVent I think.
Pants came yesterday and I can honestly say this is the first time in 10 years I've been stoked about having a black pant!

Fit is exactly how I like it. I got a Large. I tried a medium in the stash last year (ended up getting large) and could get away with it, but I like the more relaxed fit on the large, and if I use the tighter snap on the adjustable boot cuff, my pants don't drag in the snow. The cordoura on the knees sits where it should with knees flexed; not on the cuff of the boot, and not on my quads. Inseam is comfortable and feels like it starts where it should, not up high to crowd things, and not too low to where it doesn't feel like I can separate my knees.

Construction looks first rate. Quality waterproof zippers, functional minimalist zipper flaps, super burly cordoura on cuffs and knees, and light, especially when you add up the weight of 8 zippers and a bunch of cordoura.

So the only question left is, how good is the fabric? It could be a while till I find out. 1 week post ACL replacement, but I think it's going to start snowing around here pretty soon, and I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to get in at least a few mellow snowshoes before bike season starts up. Flylow said they improved the fabric in ALL their pants this year, so that's good for folks who don't want to blow their entire allowance on pants only. I thought it would be worth it though, if NeoShell is really as great as it's supposed to be. We'll see.

They look nice anyway.

Dang dude, sorry to hear about the bum leg. Would like to know your height, weight, waist and inseam? I doubt you've been out but if you have fill us in on what you think?

Is the fabric more of a hard shell or a soft shell? I saw Marmot had one in Neoshell and it was a total softshell but The Jacket I saw from Westcomb looked just like eVent.

ran into the flylow dudes at rogers pass today. caught them just as they were changing over at the top of cheops glades. told them i was psyched on my stash pants and higgins jacket. the owner shot me some stickers at the bottom. seemed like good peeps. should of hit him up for a ba puffy deal. 2 layer on a primaloft protection i think would be ideal tree protection from rips. a lil heavier than my tnf redpoint with ripstop nylon but worth it. probably use it half the time on the resort too.

Awesome guys to deal with, and while I haven't had mine long, I love it so far. Everything is thoughtfully made, and the quality seems very solid so far. Definitely a step forward from the Cloudveil stuff I've been using and loved over the years.

Their customer service is second to none! I'm looking forward to a long relationship with Flylow. They rock!

Now a few months into my quantum jacket, stash pant and micro puff jacket.

Stuff is durable! I have run into and through more trees and branches than I can count, and have scraped pretty hard against rocks. No issues.

I have had no problems with water resistance either for the quantum or stash. Hit it once with nikewix or whatever spray at the start of the season and it is still going strong.

Main things I would like to see changed.
- cuffs on Quantum. I would like to see a thicker Velcro cuff closer. If it was double wide the Velcro closure would stay closed, as of now it opens on its own pretty often.
-longer or flaired cuff, to keep the cuff from popping down below the glove. I use Hestra Seth gloves from a couple years back and allways end up with my wrist exposed.
- soandex hand gaiters.

- Redesigned pockets on stash. The current cargo ones are two small and awkward to be of much use. Re designing the opening would be nice. Also making the back hip pocket an external pocket would be nice.

Overall I am very happy with everything, and will continue to support Flylow.

I am looking at the B.A. Puffy to fill my need for a middle weight jacket need (20-40 deg). Would this jacket be "overkill" for days like this? The rep at backcountry thought it would work nicely. I want to ask the pros before pulling the trigger.

love the BA Puff. nice light fill, super durable, nicely tech, great venting. but, at least for me, its a cold-weather piece (i.e. plus fleece/vest for sub-zero lift riding), and i use a soft-shell (higgens) plus base-layer and occasionally vest for the temps you describe.

but BA plus base layer would be money at those temps, if you already own a lighter shell as well.

Originally Posted by marshalolson

but BA plus base layer would be money, if you already own a lighter shell as well.
-m

This is exactly what I am thinking. Thanks for the input

I second Marshal's combo. The higgens is a great jacket for that range, quantum would work well too if you want something really waterproof. I use the BA puffy with a stoic merino baselayer on cold days.

micropuff jacket continues to be my favorite piece of gear.

Chemical Pants, Stash Pants, Higgens, Puffy, 2 x Quantum, multiple seasons.

Bomber, breathable, waterproof, square cut, senior sceenster steezy (not park rat).

Good shit. I will review each piece when I have more time.

tl,dr: go buy this shit.

The Don,
I'm 5' 7" 165lbs 33-34" waist 31" inseam. As I said I could get away with medium in pants and jacket, but prefer the more relaxed fit of a large in both. Neoshell fabric feels pretty much like hard shell to me.

I picked up an Iceman down over the summer and am really impressed. 700 fill and doesn't look or feel bulky like most down coats. The last down coat I owned had the michelin man look, no pit zips, no powder skirt and a detachable hood that made for a lot of extra bulk around the neck when using the hood, pretty drafty around the waist, and no way to vent out but the main zipper. The Iceman has all of the above with a smooth outer layer and cut a little longer in the body. The collar and permanently attached hood come up high enough and fit snugly enough around the neck that I shouldn't ever need a gator even with the hood down. 10,000 waterproof also a bonus in a down coat.

I notice too that I get colder easier than I did in my youngth, so really looking forward to having a down coat back in my outerwear quiver.

I also have a black ba puffy in medium which is equally nice for a synthetic insulated jacket, but I already think the Iceman is going to be getting more play this winter. I got the Iceman in purple to break up the black of the Especials. Purple is gone for the Iceman this year, but replaced with a sort of dark khaki called "tarmac" which looks equally sweet. Especial still only in black this year as far as I could see.

MJ - x2 on what Marshall said. The ba puffy is a good med-bitter cold (18-32) jacket. The Iceman seems like it will be better suited to cold-ass (25 to minus 10).

^^^ is the Iceman down baffled on the inside? Looking at the outside "smooth outer layer" you mention, I don't see how the down doesn't end up piled at the bottom of the jacket. I'm assuming internal baffels, but just wanted confirmation, and possibly pics if its not too much of a PITA.

Tarmac and red looks dead sexy.

Iscariot, it's baffled on the inside. BC.com had some of last year's colors for just under $200.00. I'll try to post a pic when I get around to it, but basically the inside looks like most other down coats.

Cool. Thanks for the info BTS.

^^^ is the Iceman down baffled on the inside? Looking at the outside "smooth outer layer" you mention, I don't see how the down doesn't end up piled at the bottom of the jacket. I'm assuming internal baffels, but just wanted confirmation, and possibly pics if its not too much of a PITA.

It is baffled but did anyone else think the fit of the iceman was weird? I picked one up in the same size as all my other flylow gear and really wasn't happy with the fit. Ended up returning it and using the BA puffy (my favorite flylow gear piece) with a patagonia down vest on super cold days. The lining was also leaking down a little bit when I got it.

How does the Higgins material compare with eVent? Very similar? Completely different?

I am starting to think Higgins may be the direction I may go given the BA Puff may overlap too much with what I already have.

How does the Higgins material compare with eVent? Very similar? Completely different?

Completely different. Its more of a water repellant hard shell. It stands up to snow and light rain but its not necessarily waterproof like an event jacket. Its is an awesome jacket for wearing around the mountain in the 20-40 range though. As long as its not raining. IMO way more breathable than eVent. Its a great spring and sunny touring jacket.

They've got a clearance on past seasons gear on their site going now, all the jackets and pants.
http://flylowgear.com/deals.html

Just picked up the Baker bibs and thought I'd give a fit-only review in case anyone's considering them...

The pants: orange, size M.

The pant owner: 32" waist but usually have to size up to 34" to accomodate big upper legs and glutes. 30" inseam. Normally need a size L but those tend to run long.

Other pants owned and loved: Sessions Gridlock, 686 Smarty.

The fit: really good, the best-fitting pants I've had in some time.

The color: they aren't traffic-cone orange, more of a pinkish orange. You'll look like a "Deadliest Catch" deckhand, but a stylish one.

HTH

Update on the Especial and Iceman: (repost from Neoshell thread, sorry, I'm too lazy to edit)

I've got the Flylow Especial (Neoshell, boring black).

They're noticeably more breathable than the Stash Cargos from two years ago, and although I haven't thoroughly tested them, they seem at least as waterproof. They also have more burly cordoura edge guards around the cuffs and on the knees (make that super-burly).

I don't know if Flylow using the same cordoura on all the pants now, but I don't think I've ever seen a more burly cordoura used on a pair of ski pants, and after reading the thread on "bomber pant cuffs" I think Flylow may have found the solution without adding cost or extra work for the customer.

Dan at Flylow has said they will be using Neoshell in at least one jacket next year, and will offer colors besides black in the pants as well. Fit is typical Flylow=great for me and freeride-ish. I'm 5'-6", 165lbs, 34" waist x 31" inseam. I could fit in a medium, but go with a large for a more relaxed fit. The adjustable snap closure on the boot guard keeps the cuffs from dragging in the snow so no problem with the extra length.

I think for resort skiing Flylow's 3-layer intuitive fabric provides a little more warmth than Neoshell, but is less breathable. The Stash, Chemical, and Especial all have hudge inside and outside vents, so moisture build-up really isn't an issue. I would say overall that the Especial/Neoshell would be better for touring, but the black fabric can be a heat magnet on really sunny days. That can be a good thing when it's really cold, but not so great on warmer days. The venting options keep it pretty manageable though.

Flylow also introduced an insulated pant this year called the Tundra. The Tundra uses a 2-layer fabric with a hung liner Vs 3-layer/no liner in the Chemical, Especial, and Stash. I'm not sure what the insulation is, but the cut is basically a Chemical/Especial w/insulation. I'm kind of torn between picking up a pair of Tundras for colder days, or some Baker Bibs because bibs are cool and they come in GSA orange (last year's was more of a pinkish orange, this year's is more of a traffic cone or Broncos orange) The site also says they used a 20/20 fabric in the baker this year, which is an upgrade from last year's 10/10, although I have a pair of 2 year old Stash's in the 10/10 and they're fine for waterproofness/breathability. I found some quilted long johns on a work clothing site that have been incredible, if somewhat low-tech that take the edge off even the coldest days http://www.hanksclothing.com/codet_q...underwear.html so I'll probably just go with the Bakers.

I have one XCR jacket from Marmot, and I would say breathability is comparable to Neoshell, but the XCR fabric is stiffer and doesn't seem to "move" as well as the Neoshell.

The Especial is a little spendy when compared to the Stash; $400 VS $260, but construction is bomber and there is a noticeable difference in breathability.

The Iceman has been great for colder days (20 to -5F) with a base and mid-layer under. Below 0F I've worn a base layer and a Swindler Micropuff and have been toasty! I've noticed some minor down shedding from the inside, but no worse than any other down coat I've owned (Marmot).

One of the nicest things about the Iceman aside from the warmth is the weight. Of course that's one of the main benefits of down, but not having owned a down coat for a few years, I had forgotten just how warm down is for minimal weight. Not having a bunch of pocket options might be seen as a disadvantage, but having less pockets and zippers keeps the weight down, and there's enough storage for all the things I really need.

I like the large. It's definitely bigger than I needed, but not ridiculous. The velcro on the sleeves keeps them manageable, and no trouble getting them to fit over the gauntlet on a pair of Hestras.

Flylow Dan says they're going to be using a hydrophobic down (DriDown?) in the Iceman next year which is cool, but the Iceman's already got a waterproof shell so I don't see this as a reason to hold off on purchasing this year's jacket. I certainly wouldn't argue with making a good thing even better though, and it's nice to see that Flylow isn't satisfied with "good enough".

I drank the kool-aid and picked up some Flylow gear for this season. '12 Quantum and '12 Stash pant from Gear Swap, and '13 Higgins from BC.com.

After a few days on snow, I'm very impressed with it. For the past four seasons I'd been wearing TNF gear, and I have to say that Flylow fit and finish is on par with TNF, and they feel much more durable. Its been cold and dry, so I can't comment on the waterproofness of the fabric, but I've got high hopes for it.

The inner and outer venting on the Stash pants work great. Great access to adjust my knee brace. With a little fiddling, I could even put it on and take it off without taking my pants off.

The only gripe I have with Flylow is the fit of the Higgins. For some reason, it fits me a lot shorter in the arms than the Quantum. I bought a L Quantum and had to exchange my L Higgins for an XL. I tried on a BA Puffy last weekend, and it fits the same as the Higgins. If I was to get a BA, I would need to get an XL. FWIW, I have really long arms. It doesn't seem like much, but I was a little cheesed that the two jackets seem to fit so differently.

I was surprised to fit magnetic buttons on the BA Puffy this year. Am I crazy, or was there a thread about magnets and beacons here?

Overall, I'm really stoked on my gear, and I'm trying to justify getting a pair of the Magnum BC pants and BA Puffy as well.