I guess it's all relative. I think $225 for that Pati fleece you posted is rather pricey (just for a fleece?). To me $250-$300 isn't that bad for jacket that does it's job, and will outlast you. ;)

Problem is I don't have 250-300 in the budget.

I know nostatic posted how LL Bean stuff is no good. But I have a fleece from them (that cost about $50 or $60) that I bought for New England winters (cold and windy) that has served me pretty well. I specifically wanted fleece with some wind protection. It's not as soft as fleece from other brands, but it does its job very very well. I don't know how it stacks up against the $200+ Patagonia one you posted; most likely it won't be as nice/warm. But it's certainly a lot cheaper, and worked for me when it went three weeks in a row below freezing a couple February's ago. I didn't expect it to be a do-all outer jacket. Rather, I was looking for something I could use to layer with a proper shell on top, and would also work OK if worn alone in a mild (non-Noreaster force) breeze.

I'll second the mention of Marmot, they make excellent gear. But if you're just "kicking around town" I would get something cheaper.

Well I'm trying to find something warm and high quality and im not seeming to have much luck. grr guess i will watch evilbay and try to find a nice jacket cheaper.

Patagonia is way overpriced

You want layers, long underwear, a wool sweater and windbreaker will keep you pretty warm

ARCTERYX is the way to go. Spendy? Yes. But it gets the job done and keeps ya dry.

Try:
sierratradingpost.com

or

campmor.com

ps. you can thank me later. :-p

You guys have expensive taste in fleece. I had a Mountain Hardware fleece. It was nice, but I don't think it was better than my REI one that cost half as much.

Oh I have spent many a dollar at campmor trust me. I am leaning towards the marmot down route now as it will stop much more wind. May wait till the local backpacking store gets some in so i can try one on for size.
P.S. If there is a backwoods anywhere near you go check them out. Prices are right in line with everyone else and these guys know their stuff and can outfit you for just about any outing.
http://www.backwoods.com/

Have you looked at Carhartt lately? I have a few Patagonia shells and fleeces, which I wear when I ski or am outdoor in extreme weather. Patagonia quality is great and the stuff lasts forever.. one of my shells is over 20 years old and looks new.. it is expensive though.

For bum around town stuff you can get a Carhartt fleece lined nylon shell for about $100

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1221800634.jpg

This is my casual slacker jacket

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1221800800.jpg

Or you can always go with Columbia.

Mother Gert Boyle would approve!:p

Coming from Ventura, I've always been partial to Patagonia since the early '80's. There's a store "Cheap Sports" on Santa Clara Ave. that sells "seconds" and discontinued Patagonia items. Aside from not being able to shop there, I'd do like RPKESQ suggested and try sierra trading post, a lot of good deals.

I've had a few different wind-stop jackets, and none of them were very effective, I felt. 15F and 20mph is freaking cold, and would blow right through any fleece I've ever owned. Put a shell over a fleece, though, and you'd be good to go.

I like REI... they tend to carry good stuff, and if you buy on sale you can get some good deals. Here's one example:
http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/769488

REI is great. And I also like OR. OR is what North Face used to be before Nordstrom started selling them as fashion jackets.

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/site/browse/Men's%20Apparel/Jackets.html

OR has some nice down. I really think I'm gunna end up going that route because they have fabric that stops wind and you cant beat the killer warmth and weight of down.

I didn't say that LL Bean sucks, but rather that their stuff just never hangs on me quite right. I also had a Patagonia second that didn't quite fit me right either.

Used to love the Patagonia outlet in Ventura. That was back in the days before "outlets."

As for over-priced, considering that I bought my parka and main wind/fleece jacket *once* over the past 20 years and they are still going strong...that is value imho. Most cheaper stuff either doesn't fit as well or last as long. At least that is my experience.

Check out Arc'teryx. Very expensive but good quality.