My prior review was unfortunately garbled (accidentally hit "submit" while I was attempting to edit), but to get right to it, Justin communicated with me directly as i was in need of a hoddie on a relatively short timeline. Justin delivered as promised, and the Ripback Alpha 90 is beautiful -xea what I was hoping for. I haven’t tested it out yet as my hike is still 10 days away, but it fits great, feels great and looks great and i can tell will add a lot of warmth when paired with a windbreaker/light shell. Many thanks Justin.
Justin was so responsive and helpful when it came to creating a hoodie that fit me perfectly! I'm between sizes for various measurements, so we collaborated using other hoodies I already own and it came out just like I'd hoped!
The directions on how to determine worked well. I am a 5' 6" male and a robust 173 lbs and ordered the size small. It fits exactly how I hoped it would, room for a base layer but not a lot of extra material. Not too long at the waist and the sleeves are just right. The color is great, the quality is high, and the shirt is cozy. We've had a few chilly mornings and some rain so I am getting to try it out, although I am waiting for fall so I can wear it more! I love the look of the collar, it really sets this shirt apart from the rest of them which is a big reason I went with this one. And I got the pocket which I think was a good call. Get the pocket, One of the other reviews convinced me and I wholeheartedly second that. You can feel the airflow without anything under it but with an under layer it stays warm. I am looking forward to trying it over the winter. Also I really like getting something handmade from a small company for about the same price as a mass market, imported item. The timing they give you is pretty accurate so just be patient. I don't think that 2 day shipping has done any favors for society so it is nice to wait sometimes. Definitely happy with the shirt!
I bought this to lighten my pack. It is replacing my mid layer, my neck gaiter, and my sleep shirt. It did great for a backpacking trip in Dolly Sods, WV. Warm enough for sitting at camp and to sleep in but also just right before you’ve warmed up hiking in the morning. I love having the versatility of the neck cover.
These mitts are perfect for those chilly mornings backpacking. It was great to be able to stick my fingers out for tasks as needed and then tuck them away when done. I’m not sure how warm these would be in winter but great for shoulder season or cold summer mornings/nights. They weigh a little more than my possum down gloves but are so much more functional.
This is my 6th Rip-Back Hoodie from BTT. I’ve got different colors and weights, typically without pockets as I want them as light weight as possible for use as mid layer insulation. Justin is great to work with and his construction is top quality. Highly recommended.
I just received my Rip-Back Hoodie in Polartec Alpha Direct fabric. I am excited to wear it out on the trail. The quality is excellent and the design is unique.
I’ve been wearing my hoodie for two days since it arrived and Marvel how the material and the craftsmanship make this piece one of my go to pieces of daily wear during the shoulder seasons. I’m sure I’ll layer it up with a puffy down hoodie and it will rock against colder temps. I’m pretty amazed at how I can go from being warm to being comfortably cooler with just a breeze. Then back to warmer once the breeze stops thanks for making a great product that has thoughtful design and options like thumb holes and the pockets on the front. Effective draw strains and snaps, enhance the quality of this piece. I’ll spread the word.
To quickly get the standard AD review aspects out of the way, I purchased a 190 rip back in fall and used it 4 times to camp over late fall and winter, just received a 90 yesterday. I'm glad I went with the 190 for winter (instead of 120) and from what I know about the way the 190 insulates I can tell the 90 will be a great compliment for the warmer seasons. It gives that same instant warmth feel but more airy, and I'm confident I'll be able to layer over for warmth retention if need be.
Now for the part of the review that really matters. When I started looking at the 190 I reached out to Justin because I had slightly different measurements than the standard sizes. He was pleasant to correspond with and worked out the adjustments that would make sense for me, and the fit was great. I had small tweaks I wanted for my 90 because of wanting to fit my 3 season layers better, and again that came out excellent. And on features, the scuba hood with snaps is excellent. With my 190 I typically leave it unsnapped to easily toss on and off my head while hiking or around camp, and snap and sinch it up at night for warmth. On cold nights I've slept with the 190 and the whole thing, especially the hood, kept me nice and warm. I opted out of the kanga pocket for my 90 (layering differences) but really glad I have it for my 190. It's awesome to have to keep hands or other items warm in winter, I typically rehydrate my meals in the pouch for example. And the details of the construction feels solid, no issues with my 190 at all. All of this is what makes Justin's product and buying experience excellent.
