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Fenst
Nov 25, 2010, 11:37 PM
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I am looking for a hooded softshell for climbing in the midwest and eastcoast. I have been looking at a few hooded soft shells and I dont think I need a heavyduty top of the line softshell, so I am trying to keep it under $250. Anyone have any input on these softshells? Or any others that I have not listed ?
marmot rom jacket
patagonia guide hoody
arcteryx gamma mx (problaby too expensive)
tnf apex android jacket
mountain hardwear mercurial jacket
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northfacejmb
Nov 26, 2010, 12:26 AM
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I'd also add the OR Alibi to the list.
And if I were you, I'd replace the ROM with the Kingpin from Marmot. The ROM has windstopper and is going to be far less breathable than the kingpin and some of the other softshells you've mentioned.
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airforceclmr
Nov 26, 2010, 1:23 AM
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I have a Mountain Hardwear Dragon Jacket and highly recommend it.
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redlude97
Nov 26, 2010, 1:31 AM
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airforceclmr wrote: I have a Mountain Hardwear Dragon Jacket and highly recommend it.
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ensonik
Nov 26, 2010, 2:04 AM
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Registered: Jul 15, 2009
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Trad forum?
This would be better answered and better served under the gear forum.
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tmplcrg
Nov 26, 2010, 2:09 AM
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The RAB Exodus jacket is pretty nice. It has no membrane, so it is very breathable but best for cold temps (snow, not rain). However, it's really well made and seems to be designed for climbing or hiking (e.g. the pockets are clear of pack straps or a harness). It was also one of the least expensive when I was looking: <$160.
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bearbreeder
Nov 26, 2010, 9:37 AM
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a non membrane softshell ... ie schoeller dryskin, double weave, stretch weave
patagucci ascentionist are 150$ down from 250$ right now ...
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/patagonia-mens-ascensionist-jacket?p=83130-1-155
stay away from membrane softshells, they breath fairly poorly ... ex. gamma mx, gamma sv, powershield, windstopper, etc ...
i own all types...and i dont wear my dead birds anymore
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c4c
Nov 26, 2010, 12:58 PM
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EMS Fader -uses the polartec powershield O2 fabric -$229 (i'm sure that you could get it at 20% off)
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nh_ranger
Nov 27, 2010, 2:44 PM
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I have the Patagonia Ascensionist and my GF has some Marmot softshell with a thin fleece membrane. I just washed them both and hung them to dry. My jacket was bone dry in 30 minutes, took hers 3 hours to dry completely. YMMV, but I'm sold.
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bearbreeder
Nov 27, 2010, 9:29 PM
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fleece on softshells is rather pointless ... it slows down drying as you noticed, reduced breathability, adds weight, and will overheat you when active
much better to layer a non-membrane softshell or windshirt with a light fleece if cold ... more flexible
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PosiDave
Nov 27, 2010, 10:38 PM
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This jacket is actually really good. is you are on the thin side EMS stuff runs pretty loose. But this is cut nice for us small people.
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trr2ke
Dec 9, 2010, 4:48 AM
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i've never owned a First Ascent product, but i'v decided that i will only buy from them from now on (i spent way too much on a north face triclimate to get cold at 20F). they are ran by peter whittaker, and surprisingly they are very reasonably priced. they use exclusively 800 fill down and everything is light weight, usually includes a stuff sack or packs into itself, and is tested to the max. although color options are usually limited, i would suggest the downlight hoodie pullover, the hangfire hoodie, or the mountain guide jacket. $189 for the downlight or $99 for the hangfire and 229 for the mountain guide.
(This post was edited by trr2ke on Dec 9, 2010, 5:14 AM)
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rockforlife
Dec 9, 2010, 6:08 AM
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trr2ke wrote: i've never owned a First Ascent product, but i'v decided that i will only buy from them from now on (i spent way too much on a north face triclimate to get cold at 20F). they are ran by peter whittaker, and surprisingly they are very reasonably priced. they use exclusively 800 fill down and everything is light weight, usually includes a stuff sack or packs into itself, and is tested to the max. although color options are usually limited, i would suggest the downlight hoodie pullover, the hangfire hoodie, or the mountain guide jacket. $189 for the downlight or $99 for the hangfire and 229 for the mountain guide.
??
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trr2ke
Dec 9, 2010, 6:15 AM
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well i do read reviews
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billcoe_
Dec 13, 2010, 9:15 PM
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trr2ke wrote: i've never owned a First Ascent product,
I got turned onto 1st Ascent (a div. of Eddie Bauer) from Cascade snow and ice climber Dane Burns's reviews not that long ago. Dane is a crusty and knowledgeable old guy who will give it to ya straight up and truthful. He got tired of freezing his ass off outside and went out and bought a bunch of jackets to check out and he published the reviews on his blog. He started with belay jackets.
In these reviews the 1st ascent down and later the First Ascent FrontPoint (rain) Jacket had real real high reviews from him. Good enough for me.
Danes site:
http://www.coldthistle.blogspot.com/
Yesterday I spent the entire later part of the day in the rain while starting in on a new route. My Marmot rain coat didn't make it very long before it was as wet underneath as on top. Christ.
So I bought my self a Frontpoint jacket for Christmas. Hope it's going to be as good as he says.
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Colinhoglund
Dec 13, 2010, 9:31 PM
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I'm from Canada so I'm an MEC fan, Schoeller fabrics are the best I've tried. I've had a few arcteryx softshells and wasn't impressed.
I have friends that have the Guide Hoody or the OR Alibi and they are both well loved Jackets. I've had a few things from Patagonia and they were all excellent. Try and find a reasonably breathable softshell, the really wind/waterproof ones arn't much better then a gore jacket.
my 2¢
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dynosore
Dec 13, 2010, 9:52 PM
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Registered: Jul 29, 2004
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Helly Hansen. I've owned just about every popular brand, and they consistently make the best waterproof/breathable light and midweight jackets.
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shockabuku
Dec 14, 2010, 6:03 PM
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I recently picket up a Mammut Ultimate Hoody. Nice jacket. It has no appreciable liner but does have a Gore Windstopper membrane. Personally I wouldn't buy a softshell that I didn't think would stop the wind completely. I don't hike in it, I climb in it. If I need to stay warm, fleece goes under it. So far I like it but I can't comment on durability yet.
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summerprophet
Dec 14, 2010, 6:26 PM
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My vote is for OR.
After shitty warrantee issues with Arc'teryx, North Face and Mammut, I am sold with OR.
Unconditional lifetime guarantee, bring it back and they will replace it.
Or I could spend twice the price on Arcteryx, and have to replace it in a few years.
Of course everyone has differeing opinions on fit and style, but I am hard on shit, and just want it practical and tough.
OR really isn't cutting edge, but I am sold on the warrantee. They make a good product, not fancy, but good.
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devkrev
Dec 21, 2010, 12:40 PM
Post #20 of 24
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Registered: Sep 28, 2004
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Beyond Fleece
You won't find a better fit or a jacket with just the features you want.
Dev
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freerangequark
Jan 10, 2011, 6:52 PM
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Registered: Jul 23, 2006
Posts: 107
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+1
bearbreeder wrote: patagucci ascentionist |
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Rudmin
Jan 10, 2011, 6:59 PM
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Another vote for OR. The zipper just broke on my Goretex shell and I got it replaced without any hassle at all.
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siggy
Jan 14, 2011, 1:17 AM
Post #23 of 24
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Registered: Jan 14, 2011
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+1 for the First Ascent Mountain Guide jacket.
I work in the outdoor retail industry, seeling MHW/Mammut/Macpac/MD and a range of other brand's softshells.
I went out on a limb to get the MG jacket....and its by far the best ive seen. I actually like it better than the MHW Dragon i had.
Even the inside of the jacket is constructed so nicely it looks almost like you could wear the jacket inside out!
Though not as waterproof/resistant as gore-winstopper. I found the jacket far more breathable, not needing pitzips.
Its midsummer here in Australia, with heavy flooding and rainfall.......high humidity and very very warm temperatures.....and i still wear this to work.
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daneburns
Jan 18, 2011, 6:20 PM
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Registered: Jul 14, 2004
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Geezus Bill!
Just to clarify. Soft shells in general suck. They do nothing well. I own several and have used them a lot. Gamma MX Hoody being the best I have used. Mammut and Eddie's stuff gets the nod as well. Under $250? Seriously buy Costco's version. My wife loves her's, I think it was $29.95.
I'd read this first:
http://coldthistle.blogspot.com/2010/11/winter-layers.html
It might save you some money.
More clification. I am not crusty :) My wife tells me i am cute. I almost never climb in the Cascades. Rains too much here. I prefer to spend time when i am climbing in the Canadiian Rockies or better yet the Alps. Carry on!
(This post was edited by daneburns on Jan 18, 2011, 6:24 PM)
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