Well reviewed and favorite softshell windshirt among many BPL'rs
I think their stock levels may be pretty low...I just ordered their last small.
But they do have size mediums in stock:
http://climbhigh.com/rab-boreas-pull-on.html

They also have the Rab Alpine Jacket on sale for $81 shipped. Size medium.
I believe this is better than the boreas in that it has more precipitation resistance and is lighter. People have reported that it is more prone to pilling though:
http://climbhigh.com/rab-alpine-jacket.html?gclid=CLjE973g9bUCFQyZ4AodlkEA8Q

They have a reward point system like moosejaw. If you're feeling particularly generous, click on my referral link before you buy. I get 100pts and you get 200pts when you make your purchase.
https://climbhigh.com/rewardpoints/index/goReferral/referrer/2174/

Edited by Konrad1013 on 03/11/2013 16:55:13 MDT.

http://www.everestgear.com/rabmebopuonb.html?productid=rabmebopuonb&channelid=FROOG

Thanks, guy's I've been wanting one of these for a while now.





Dan you are killing my savings account!

My bad Tad... I couldnt help it!

Dan! you missed a better deal! must be gettin old.

http://www.everestgear.com/rab-boreas-pull-on-beluga.html

a softshell windshirt? what sort of advantages does this offer over the other "hard" shell versions like a Houdini?

better breathability/better durability at the expense of less water resistance (at least for this particular product) and heavier weight and slower drying time.

Edited by Konrad1013 on 03/12/2013 13:07:22 MDT.

My eyes aren't the same as they used to be... I thought Beluga was some sort of brass instrument? Eh, Sorry about that!

For more info on the Rab Boreas vs Houdini check this or this ,but you need to be a member to read the second.

Edited by annapurna on 03/12/2013 17:00:32 MDT.

Thanks for the link Anna. That was really helpful.

Would the Boreas replace both a mid-weight top and wind jacket if I have a rain jacket already? Having no experience with a piece of clothing like this, I'm wondering if I'm just wasting my money or if I could cut some clothing weight without losing any practical use.

Edit - I realize a little more info might help. I'm asking about having layering options in temps ranging from 30's to 50's. I have a midweight Patagonia top, a wind jacket, a down jacket, and a rain shell. I'm wondering if the wind jacket and midweight top could be replaced by a Boreas. Not sure if it will offer the same warmth as a midweight shirt.

Edited by FightingTheTide on 03/12/2013 21:33:03 MDT.

I think you might be wise by refraining from following last seasons flavor of the month. The head cheerleader for the Boreas has since sold it and moved on to another Rab piece for this season.

There are lots of similar LW 3-season hoodies from all the main players. They all work as a breathable sun/light wind protection top in alpine environments and temps. All just extend the time until you will need to take the windshirt/raingear out of the pack.

Edited by rmjapan on 03/12/2013 22:08:10 MDT.

to be fair, that head cheerleader sells and moves on from almost every piece of gear he buys. A restless gearhead is he.

At least for me, I'm not concerned with the latest model. I just want a good, functional piece of gear at a good price.

My wind jacket cost me $35 from STP and weighs 5oz.
My down jacket cost me $15 from JCP and weighs 10oz.
My balaclava cost me $7 from eBay and weighs ~2oz.

So if the price is right and it works, I don't really care if its the current flavor of the week or last year's.

Any word on sizing? I don't need to layer this over anything except a base layer. Being 6'3'' and skinny usually puts me between sizes, but I usually go large so the sleeves and torso fit.

Edit - and I don't know who this head cheerleader is and whether I should just move on from this piece of gear despite the price...new guy problems.

Edited by FightingTheTide on 03/13/2013 06:03:05 MDT.

Tyler, what wind jacket did you get from STP? I've poked around on there but haven't found anything too promising.

No worries by the way, there are at least a few of us new guys on this forum - still trying to figure out things!

Marmot Ion Wind Hoodie
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/marmot-ion-wind-hoodie-jacket-for-men~p~3969g/

Right now there is a coupon for 35% off, making it $31.82. My large weighs 145g/5.1oz.

However, (and this is a little too late for me) there are some bad reviews on here for it, saying it doesn't breathe well. My experience so far is that it's not too bad. There is mesh under the arms and behind the neck...I wonder if these were added on after hearing some reviews about it's breathability. Not sure.

As for the Boreas, I figure it would be a lot more breathable and functional than the Marmot Ion. I'm taking a trip to Colorado this summer, and the last time I was there I was shocked at how many times I had to go from teeshirt to synthetic jacket. When the sun would hide behind the clouds, it felt like it dropped 20 degrees. Not having a mid layer that I could use in both sun and shade (like a Boreas) was really frustrating. Here in the southeast, we have this thing called humidity, which tends to normalize temps between sun and shade ;)

Edited by FightingTheTide on 03/13/2013 06:33:56 MDT.

thanks, how's the fit? I'm typically a medium so if I need to scale up this will work for me, I think there are only Larges and X-Larges left

Tyler, sorry if I upset you. This piece is basically a stretchy poly medium weight hoody top, primarily for sun protection. It will work best next to skin in high alpine conditions, i.e. temps below 90F and RH ~50% or less. You could also wear it over a tee if the day is a little chilly. Like all untreated poly, it will probably get stinky after a day or two.

Oh no, not upset...I just couldn't follow the joke. Thanks for the tip. Is that basically saying "this isn't anything special"?

G Sticks - the sizing is somewhat slim. The large isn't too baggy on me, and I'm 6'3'' 165 lbs. I usually wear a large though.

FWIW - this isn't breathable at all. At first I thought it was alright, but I just now went to my closet to try and breathe through the fabric...nothing. I'm returning mine to STP. Not sure why I didn't test it like this before. More new guy problems.

By "nothing special" I meant Marmot, Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, etc, all have similarly functional pieces. I wear a similarly functional Patagonia LW Sun Hoody.

The Boreas got traction last Spring/Summer because BPL opinion leader Dave C. wrote about it on his blog and here. He proclaims it golden and everyone clicks the buy now button. This Spring the Boreas was kicked to the curb and the Rab Alpine is the new golden child. That's all I was trying to say.

Edited by rmjapan on 03/13/2013 08:41:53 MDT.