Sheets of light-density snow blanket the mountains before an epic powder day. Solid ice has finally formed on a classic mixed line that rarely exists. The suffocating deluge that has kept a climbing team holed up in their tent for five days at 20,478 feet has abated, giving way to a welcoming ridge of high pressure for the first ascent summit push.

It’s game on. It’s time to thrive in your element. You need Stoic.

Stoic is a new line of premium technical gear that has captured, cultured and distilled mountain adventure into everlasting bomber apparel.

Every Stoic piece works as part of a whole. Whether you seek an ascetically spare shell system or a fully featured alpine expedition suit, an ethereal second-skin base layer or a bulletproof backcountry bib, Stoic delivers. Every feature, fabric and construction method is tried and thoroughly tested not only by human hands, but by the terrain and conditions that surround us, and the community of alpinists who share and stoke our drive.

“Stoic is made for people whose gear and skills are tested by alpine terrain and conditions,” says Bill Hartlieb, Stoic Brand Manager. “We built this line with the innovation of welded construction and weather-protecting materials, and an ideal synergy of weight, function and durability to provide maximum comfort and performance when you’re charging in the mountains.”

Stoic has a fresh fall ’09 line-up, featuring a number of super technical pinnacle pieces:

Stoic Bombshell Insulated Jacket

Weighing in at less than two pounds, the fully weld-seamed Bombshell Insulated Jacket is your new backcountry friend that quietly keeps you warm and dry thanks to Cirrus microfiber synthetic insulation and a proprietary Bombshell waterproof breathable material that allows a bit of stretch. The burly Bombshell Bib flows unobstructed with your every move, from precise front-pointing to dynamic knee-dropping while farming turns.

Welder Collection: Softshell & Gloves

The softshell jacket Welder Collection – Lo, Hi and Insulated – will out-breathe the best Lamaze gurus and fend off precip like a Cockatiel’s oily feathers. And for your digits, the softshell Welder Glove features fused dynamism with superior dexterity, welded technology and a wool liner that means warmth and comfort for your hands.

Ladies Bombshell Pant

For the ladies, both in- and out-of-bounds, the Bombshell Insulated Ski Pant uses the same comfy flat welded seams and just the right amount of Cirrus insulation on the legs. The adjustable waist pants combine inbounds fashion and side- or backcountry function.

Stoic is the more focused newcomer, born from its predecessor, Backcountry.com brand gear. Over the past three years, what is now Stoic has been formed and refined with the help of feedback from hundreds of members of Backcountry.com’s Gear Guru community. It’s the honed and tested result of the people that push their gear to the limits and tell us about it. Core gear users helping build gear for other core users, that’s Stoic.

More Info: www.stoicgear.com

I still remember my days as a Boy Scout on Mt. Rainier learning about layering.  What I learned then still carries with me to this day. I typically carry a few different layering options in my backcountry ski pack just for the flexibility and safety–you never know when the weather will turn.  Having a superlight shell, like the Backcountry.com Stoic Shell, is a no-brainer since it takes up such little room and can protect you in adverse conditions. That said, how did it fare in the Wasatch backcountry?

About the Backcountry.com Stoic eVent Jacket

A very simple shell, the Stoic is a mere 14 oz. of wind and water-repelling bliss. Built with eVent Fabric, the most breathable and waterproof fabric on the market, the Stoic will maintain comfortable temperatures under heavy exertion.

While the sleeves may not be articulated, this jacket is built with 20 carefully-designed panels to ensure an athletic, no-nonsense fit that’s perfect for 4-season comfort.

Stoic Highlights:

• eVent Fabric for waterproof performance that still breathes
• Backcountry.com lifetime guarantee
• Velcro sleeve cuff with stretchy Schoeller-like material on opposite side
• Three pockets: 2 handwarmer and 1 napoleon
• Helmet-compatible hood with inner-routed drawcords
• Built in Canada
• Weight: 14 oz.
• MSRP: $339.95

Backcountry.com Stoic eVent Shell Review

First off, let me talk a little bit about eVent Fabrics. I was first introduced to eVent at Outdoor Retailer in 2003 and have been completely blown away ever since. From gloves to shoes, eVent fabric simply raises the waterproof/breathable bar well beyond the reach of other laminate fabrics.

The choice to use eVent is always a little bit of a risk because so many people still don’t know the brand as well as the 500-lb. gorilla alternative. With a few reviews like this one, people should start to take notice.

No question, this jacket breathes well–even without pit zips–and it sheds water with the best jackets on the market. It’s the perfect combination for a backcountry skiing shell because you can wear it longer on the uphill than other jackets but with its light weight, it packs away in a jiffy.

The fit is slim and trim, so don’t plan on wearing an ultra-puffy underneath this shell. I wore a Westcomb Fusion HX Jacket under this jacket (midweight Polartec softshell) and pretty much maxed it out. I’m 5’11″ and 175 lbs., so yeah… this jacket is definitely an athletic cut. I happen to like that type of cut, but others might not.

Underneath a ski pack, the Stoic feels comfortable and slipping the pack on/off is super-easy. The only negative is that the handwarmer pockets are impossible to access with a pack on. I would put two large chest pockets on this if it were up to me.

A handful of detractors on this jacket aren’t deal-breakers, but must be noted.  It could be just a tad longer or sport grippy rubber to keep the jacket from riding up in the back.  I also found the sleeve cuffs inadequate for shorter gloves like the Dakine Blockade. I also had to carefully guide the front zipper to the top every time so it didn’t snag–kinda annoying.

Good Stoic

• eVent Fabric breathes much better than anything else on the market
• Super light and packable
• Efficient, minimalist design
• Lightweight, stiff fleece-lined collar stands up in back
• All-season versatility
• Lifetime guarantee

Bad Stoic

• Front zipper sometimes snags
• Rides up in the back… could be a tad longer
• High price of entry for a house-brand

The Bottom Line on the Backcountry.com Stoic Jacket

I named this in my 2008 Gear of the Year picks and am sticking by that pick.  It’s not perfect, but this ultralight shell is so versatile it’s hard to pass up.  With eVent Fabric, you’re as breathable as it gets and a lifetime warranty adds peace of mind.

Buy Now: Buy the Backcountry.com Stoic Shell

Their ODAT sites sell brand name products at 50-80% off retail!  We’re not talking Coleman sleeping bags and White Stag jackets, these guys sell top gear from all the best manufacturers like Oakley, Easton, Sugoi, Helly Hansen, Marmot, Patagonia and more. The trick is to act fast though because the good stuff goes in a jiffy.

So, not satisfied with mixing the lycra and baggy crowds, a new ODAT love-child has been spawned… BonkTown.com. Now, the mountain bikers have their ODAT site (ChainLove.com) and the roadies have one to call their own (BonkTown.com). So, I’ve got just one thing to say, “Won’t you take me to… BonkyTown!”  I know… I just had to say it.

More Info: Visit BonkTown.com