Acto MX Jacket

[TheColonel]

Hey everybody. I'm new to mountaineering and i'm trying to get a nice layering system going.

Would the Arc'teryx MX Hoody be a good midlayer?

 

- http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens/Acto-MX-Hoody#

 

I don't think it's windproof at all, but the breathability seems great.

Would it be classified as a softshell?

Would a base layer, this, and a wind shell over it all be good? Or would you wear a wind jacket underneath it?

Is it redundant to have a wind shell and a rain shell?

 

Thanks!

[G-spotter]

Mr Kruk describes it as a one-jacket-does-anything piece... and he's been putting one through the paces for a while now. Of course, since he's a sponsored athlete, he's not exactly gonna tell you the Brand X shell is better.

 

It seems to be highly windproof, but apparently gets wet in the rain eventually like any softshell...

 

Anyways, I wouldn't wear a windshirt over this, or under it. If I had to it would fail its job.

 

http://blog.jasonkruk.net/

Scroll down to Sep 7 post.

[TheColonel]

Thanks for that! Good info on there.

So it's your typical softshell just with a different material that may be better or worse pretty much.

 

So when layering for cooler weather (around 30f), would a light base layer(capilene 2), this jacket, a rain shell, and an insulated jacket for stops suffice?

If it was colder, would it make sense to wear a R1 hoody underneath this?

 

I'm not too familiar with how to use a soft shell(never owned one). Is it pretty much just your top layer unless the weather turns ugly?

Thanks!

[G-spotter]

i'd die of sweating if I wore all that shit at once at 30f and probably even at -30f!

[Dave7]

IMO I usually rock just a base layer and softshell for that temperature range. I try to avoid climbing or doing anything in my hardshell if at all possible.

[TheColonel]

My bad, I meant carrying along a hard shell for if the weather turned bad and the insulated jacket for being lazy. Not wearing it all at once.