Soft Shells

[marylou]

 

I think softshells are really cool, but given the weight and water repellency of them, I tend to wear mine in town

 

i'm certain the same argument is used by soccer moms to explain why their H2 never goes on a dirt road.

 

Well, I bought them for actual outdoor use, but have not been too impressed with the performance of them, so I guess I'm not seeing the H2/soccer mom parallel. Sorry, Drew, what shall I do with my two underperforming softshells instead, burn them in effigy?

 

I forgot about SS pants for skiing, I agree that they are great in the snow as long as you are not sliding on the actual surface of the pants.

[selkirk]

Soft shell pants simply kick ass for everything!! Well except Smith in the Summer.

 

Also, have you seen some of the newer hybrid softshells? Waterproof/breathable for the hood and shoulders and outer arms, soft shell material through the chest and back. (Acteryx Javelin, REI Taku ) Do a pretty good job balancing things. and i've had mine out in the rain a bunch. Not quite enough for a downpour, but if it's a downpour I'm hiking out anyway... Don't really take my hardshell anymore unless it's an extended trip somewhere.

[troubleski]

I sweat a lot and have struggled with this for a long time. I recently got a Patigonia ReadyMix and have been pleasently supprised.

 

The one overwhelming advantage of a hood is that you don't have to keep taking your helmet off to vent your head. I try to do with as light a hat under the helmet as I can so that I can take the hood off and let off some steam.

[dbconlin]

My question is what you need a hood for since soft shells really don't keep you dry? They just dry fast and breathe better. In my experience they only work well in snow, and then for a "hood" I use a hat.

 

Keep off the howling wind when you're belaying alpine ice. I would not buy a softshell without a hood if planning on using in winter. For summer alpine rock or resort skiing or summer skiing maybe hoodless is fine.