I have a 15 yr old Craft fleece/soft shell. It’s form fitting, has wind blocking fabric on the front, and a high and tight neck that blocks out wind. My wife bought it as a present for me back in my mountaineering days.
I layer it with a very thin and wind blocking Arcteryx layer for winter riding.
I have looked at many of the new fleeces and soft shells, and nothing comes close.
I do think that occasionally, outdoor gear companies luck into a piece of clothing that is perfect for some applications / users, but they don’t realize it, and they end up changing it for the worse.
Example: the Craft jacket I recently tried on at the local ski shop was baggy, no windstopping on the front, and had a neck opening as big as my thigh. Major fail (and not cheap). Seems like it was designed for casual / non-athletic use.
Unfortunately, I think good outdoor clothing is like a unicorn. Very hard to find, and when you do, it disappears.