Canada Goose Freestyle Vest Review

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Products that are truly versatile are a bit difficult to find. Most products tend to do one activity very well, sometimes to the detriment of all else. If you lead an active lifestyle, your closet can become full of nothing but gear that gets used once and only once a year. This is why I enjoyed testing out Canada Goose Freestyle Vest – it’s as versatile as it is warm, and comfortable enough to take you from the slopes to Après-ski. Canada Goose is a company based out of Canada that stays in Canada – no outsourcing from these folks. They believe in a quality product, handmade from the frozen tundra where they got their start. Their goal is a be a leader in gear designed to last through extreme cold – think actual arctic cold – and when they say handmade, they mean it. Real people sew their products, not computer run machines. Luckily, I only needed to test a vest, and not any of their products rated for extreme artic chill – I have no desire to hang out outside when the temps are cold enough to cause instant frostbite. If you need a product to survive this, however, look no further than Canada Goose.

Initial thoughts on the Canada Goose Freestyle Vest

The construction quality of the Canada Goose Freestyle Vest is evident even right out of the box.

Immediately out of the box, it was easy to tell the quality of construction in the Canada Goose Freestyle vest. The fabric is supple yet sturdy to the touch, and the seams are well sewed, even double reinforced in high stress area. The down blend (check the video on their down blends here, it’s legit) is sewed into individual compartments across the vest in order to maintain warmth in the crucial areas around the chest and lower torso. Down tends to migrate earthward when worn, so while sewing compartments has become industry standard, it’s clear that Canada Goose takes it to another level on the Canada Goose Freestyle Vest. The zipper is high quality and easy to use (I hate cheap zippers, they almost always completely ruin a garment), and there are a veritable plethora of pockets inside and outside the vest.

Heavy duty, high quality zippers are a must have – no surprises here on the Canada Goose Freestyle Vest

Testing the Canada Goose Freestyle Vest

I received the Canada Goose Freestyle Vest just in time for a round of cold fronts that swept through Colorado. True, it is winter here in Colorado, but these storms were brutal, even by normal winter standards. I worked several days outdoors during which the temperature stayed in single digits, and while it was never consistent for weeks on end (often lasting only 1-2 days), the weather was cold enough to really put this vest through it’s paces. The nice folks at Canada Goose rate the Canada Goose Freestyle Vest as a -5 to 5 degrees Celsius garment (which google tells me is 23 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit) but I actually found the vest much to0 warm for these paltry temperatures. I was comfortable for long periods of time (up to a couple of hours) at temps of down to single digits in the vest as long as I was moving around, layering only a regular hoodie underneath the vest, and donning a  stocking cap.  It’s no small wonder they offer the Canada Goose Freestyle Vest as part of their patented “Artic Program.”

Why yessir, I am part of the patented “Arctic Program” – it means that I’ll survive the next ice age in my Canada Goose Freestyle Vest…

While there are a plethora of pockets on the Canada Goose Freestyle Vest, there aren’t an overwhelming number. They are placed well for easy access, and sized well to fit a full sized hand into each. Nothing annoys me more than pockets you can’t actually put anything in or reach into; you won’t find any such nonsense here. Also, the zipper is complemented by a storm flap secured by a series of heavy duty snaps. This served to keep the winter chill out nicely, and prevented a draft from flowing through the wide zipper teeth.

Three pockets on each side make for ample space in the Canada Goose Freestyle Vest

Final thoughts on the Canada Goose Freestyle Vest

In conclusion, the Canada Goose Freestyle Vest is a great selection of those looking for a versatile layering garment that’s comfortable enough for all day wear, and rugged enough to take you through a multitude of activities. The vest is warm enough to keep you feeling good through single digits, yet light enough to wear at temps above freezing. Canada Goose also supports conservation efforts (read about polar bears international here) worldwide, so feel confident that your purchase is supporting sustainable initiatives. The price tag is a bit steep (starting at $275), but in exchange for the money you get a garment which is durable, versatile, and handcrafted by people actually know what an arctic chill is. Head on over to Canada Goose’s www.canadagoose.com to check out the Canada Goose Freestyle Vest – at 18 different color choices, you can be sure to find one you like. The fit runs a bit on the roomy side (to allow for comfortable layering), so be sure to head to a brick and mortar for a fit session prior to supporting Polar Bears International yourself.