Men's Midweight Vest - Coastal Fjord

Fit depends on which cut you pick: the Classic line is slim, tapered, and reads small on average builds, the Relaxed line is much roomier, and the all-cotton fleece shrinks a size's worth in a hot dryer.

Owners and testers split along the brand's two fit lines rather than one direction. The Classic fleece is cut athletic — broad shoulders tapering to the waist — and one hands-on tester found several pieces "ran small" against the brand's own size charts, with pants also running short in the leg. Meanwhile hoodie reviewers report the opposite out of the box — one called it "larger than its true size" and baggy in the arms — but the 100% cotton shrinks roughly 3-5% in the dryer, and another reviewer's slightly-large medium settled to a proper fit after one wash-and-dry. Reviewers note the Relaxed fit runs about 5 inches bigger in the chest than Classic at the same marked size, so the label alone doesn't tell you the fit.

Sizing advice: Keep your usual size in the Classic fleece and dry on low to let the 3-5% shrinkage dial in the fit; choose the Relaxed cut (not a size up) if you want room, and expect pant inseams to run short.

Per owner & reviewer reports: American Giant Review: Are the made-in-America clothes wo… · American Giant Review — The Adult Man · American Giant Hoodie Review — How Comfy · American Giant Hoodie Review — Stridewise

Reviewers describe American Giant's jackets and heavier zip-up outerwear as thick, dense, and sturdily constructed, noting the fabric feels substantial and holds its shape. The Mechanic's Jacket is made in the U.S. from canvas with a water-repellent treatment, and reviewers say it feels sturdy without being stiff and is expected to break in and improve with wear. The cut runs long in the body and tapers, which reviewers frame as a more fitted look rather than a boxy one. The main trade-off owners flag is the premium price, though the lifetime warranty is cited as justification for the cost.

Strengths

Reviewers consistently praise the heavy, dense build quality, U.S. construction, and the lifetime warranty backing the pieces.

Watch out for

The recurring complaint is the high price relative to comparable outerwear.

Sizing

Reviewers note the fit runs long in the body and tapers toward the waist, reading as fitted rather than boxy, so those wanting a relaxed drape should check the fit options.

About American Giant's jackets & outerwear line as a whole. Sources: Layer Up this Fall with American Giant and Your New Favorite Fall Jacket - The Manual · American Giant Review (2024): Are Premium Basics Worth It? · American Giant Hoodie Review: Really the World's Greatest? | Stridewise