Freeride Systems Jacket - Nice work!

[dark_star]

I just got the jacket in the mail (Red, small seam-taped Antero) and I thought I'd post my thoughts in case others in TGR were looking at Freeride Systems stuff

Synopsis: It's obvious that this is a true SKIER'S jacket designed by an actual SKIER. Mike at Freeride Systems paid attention to subtle details and nailed it. I'm super psyched about this jacket! A few key features:

1) Big zippers, nuff said, easy to grab with gloves. Also love the two internal pockets for skins and goggles.

2) Huge hood is actually ski helmet compatible and doesn't feel like it will fall back off your head when you start to ski fast into wind. I hate that. The built-in brim is sweet and will help it stay on the helmet even more.

3) I LOVE the fact that the hood is independent of the neck, this is my favorite feature of this jacket. Most jackets have the hood and neck as one fused piece, so it's either hard to have the neck zipped up and the hood up at the same time, or when you unzip the neck, the hood loses tension and falls down. Great to be able to open up the neck and have the hood stay put, in addition to all the mobility that your design offers. I don't know why other jackets don't do this.

4) There's a cinch line on the top of the neck collar; this is great for keeping snow off of my back if I'm skiing like a JONG and let powder build up in the hood. This way I don't have to worry about snow falling down my neck if I use the hood mid-day or in the middle of a snowstorm, just cinch the line. Also, the neck is oversized and fleece-lined; combined with the adjustability, this makes it highly versatile and capable of functioning as a gator, etc.

I also happen to think the style is great (glad to see a jacket that's not for sale in yellow, neon blue, and orange, my personal preference to let the skiing do the talking, not the jacket) and it fits me really nicely- I'm 5'6" with a stocky build and broad shoulders. The lining level seems just about right and the craftsmanship appears excellent. Nice work!

That said, it was kind of difficult to see how the jacket would fit before I bought it because of the lack of good photos on the website. The neck is oversized, which is part of what makes the jacket awesome, but that makes it look a little funny in the photos of the jacket all by itself- I had no idea what it was going to look like on a person. I'd like to see a photo of an actual person wearing it right on the web site, it would have given me a better sense for how it would fit. But it DOES fit well, and as I said above, the neck has a cinch collar on the top so the size is adjustable.

I e-mailed this to Mike- I think that he should have a video, or a video link, of a guy wearing it and walking the viewer through the features. It's more graphic and easier to really see why the features make a difference if you have someone demonstrating it to you.

So that's my two cents- haven't skied it yet, but off the snow, the jacket looks like it'll be superb. I can't wait to try it ON the snow! Also, always cool to support someone who's "living the dream" and trying to make better ski gear.

[blytha89]

Thanks for posting this, I ordered a hoodless Fremont a few days ago. Can't wait!

[Lindahl]

+1 on the hood design

This is one of the biggest reasons I'd like to buy the jacket, and why I always look for removable hoods (they tend to work the same way, since you still want a collar when you remove the hood).

[Sinecure]

Is the hood removable? I hate hoods (wear a helmet and never need a hood).

[bean]

Is the hood removable? I hate hoods (wear a helmet and never need a hood).

There's a hood-less version.

[dark_star]

FYI, I have put about 12 days on the snow in this jacket, and I love it- it's my new favorite ski jacket. The insulation level is perfect, particularly if you're in a climate where the temps are between 20-30 F (obviously if it gets colder you can layer more). At this range, one warm base layer and you're golden. The hood STAYS UP all day, and the oversize neck is perfect for windy, cold days. I can grab all the zippers with clumsy gloved hands. It's windproof and has kept me totally dry. Plus, it's stylish and maggots have recognized it and I've been able to introduce myself in person to some cool dudes.

Highly recommended!

[stevesmith7]

I've got about 20 days on mine. I'll second all the kudos. With some layering I've been out around zero with no problems. Love the broad shouldered fit.

If I have one complaint Mike needs to find a better version of the little black plastic thing that is the stop on the lower drawstring. Mine would slide all the way out in no time. A knot handled the problem but we're so close to perfect.