Softshells and Rainjackets

Sufler

Sufler

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Oct 15, 2005
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I own both a Columbia Hail Tech rain jacket and Ascender II softshell. I have to say, the Hail Tech has become an indispensable piece of kit. I think it offers better performance vs. a softshell at considerable weight savings and increased comfort level. The Ascender is a bit of a finicky fit and I had to go with an XL (I usually go L) for it to fit in the shoulders but hangs in the mid area. My understanding is that softshells are usually supposed to be a snug fit for them to "work" properly. I have been in some hefty rains and winds on tops of hills and on bridges - the Hail Tech shined. I don't think the softshell would have cut it then. Usually a t-shirt, cotton thermal, a Columbia fleece (Steens Mountain), and the Hail Tech as an outer layer and I feel comfortable even in the coldest of temps we have in my area.

I might be preaching to the choir already, but have any of you noticed the same?

Thanks.

http://www.columbia.com/Men's-Hail-Tech™-Jacket/RM2138,default,pd.html

http://www.columbia.com/Men’s-Ascender™-II-Softshell/WM6645,default,pd.html

http://www.columbia.com/Men’s-Steens-Mountain™-Full-Zip-2.0/WM3220,default,pd.html
 
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Fit seems to vary wildly by brand, or even by model.
My OR Ferrosi and Marmot Gravity softshell jackets fit pretty well, though I'm at the lower end of XL in chest size, and a M everywhere else.
I can't wear a lot of brands, as their athletic wear is cut for "large" people that are tall and slender.
Regardless of brand, at 5'7", I always have plenty of sleeve length in anything I can cram the rest of me into!

I wouldn't expect most softshells to handle more than light rain, and fairly brief, at that. To me they're more of a durable windshirt replacement than anything. My Ferrosi hoody breathes so well, and dries so quickly, that it's hard to believe. It's been the most used clothing item I own since the day I bought it, but it's no rain jacket.
 
OwenM said:
To me they're more of a durable windshirt replacement than anything.
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I may have to change my application of the softshell. More often than not, softshells are my winter outerwear where I have two layers (thermal & fleece) underneath. And, the softshells I buy are usually with that in mind so as thick and heavy as I can get 'em.

:thumbup:
 
problem with rain gear, is that it is hard to find something that works well, that is not camo, or only in stupid bright colors. Why can't someone make a decent jacket in an earth tone? I would not be caught dead in a bright yellow or day glo green jacket in the woods. :grumpy:
 
Mannlicher said:
problem with rain gear, is that it is hard to find something that works well, that is not camo, or only in stupid bright colors. Why can't someone make a decent jacket in an earth tone? I would not be caught dead in a bright yellow or day glo green jacket in the woods. :grumpy:
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My Hail Tech is black. My Ascender II is OD.

Guess the upside to a brightly colored rain jacket is visibility in the woods... and while on a trip to Europe.

:D
 
I have a Patagonia hardshell and a Mtn Hardwear soft which is the newer slick fleece. Works great and the Patty is black, Mtn HRDWR is green.
 
Sufler said:
... My understanding is that softshells are usually supposed to be a snug fit for them to "work" properly...
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Every softshell I own is loose...not baggy, but not snug either. My hardshells, by themselves, are baggy, but still loose when worn over a soft shell.

Only thing I ever wear snug is my ultralights and thermies.
 
I used the issued soft shell in Afghanistan and loved it (it was the generation 3 version in multicam). It fit loose enough to layer and worked well in rain and snow; I was never out in a down pour long enough to test how waterproof it was, but it worked for short durations where it couldn't get drenched. I still use it and like it, but outside of extended activites in rain, I much prefer it.

ROCK6
 
Similar sitch here, Rock, except with the PCU System. Some items worked good, others great, and a few that never left their packaging.

Using the "ninja suit" (ltwt polartec), longsleeve tshirt, lvl 4 windshirt, fleece and lvl 5 Patagonia hardshell....you were toasty warm whether it was raining, snowing or just friggin' cold. Best setup I ever used on Active Duty.
 
Sufler said:
I may have to change my application of the softshell. More often than not, softshells are my winter outerwear where I have two layers (thermal & fleece) underneath. And, the softshells I buy are usually with that in mind so as thick and heavy as I can get 'em.

:thumbup:
Click to expand...
I don't think there's a wrong answer, just a matter of how well it does or doesn't work with the conditions. The Marmot Gravity, that served as an introduction to softshells for me, is a very nice jacket, but was also a poor choice, as it's use is very limited where I live.
That Ferrosi has served well in a wide variety of conditions and temperatures, and I'm very pleased with it. It was a learning experience for me, and the Ferrosi was bought 2 years later than the Gravity, after I had a much clearer view of what I personally wanted from a softshell. Whatever works!
 
Sufler,

Thanks

It is not waterproof, just very water resistant?
So you still need rain gear in a storm of driving rain?
 
I bought the TAD gear Stealth softshell. I've had it out in the rain and it seems waterproof to me with its Schoeller C_Change fabric but not sure in long run.
 
neeman said:
It is not waterproof, just very water resistant? So you still need rain gear in a storm of driving rain?
Click to expand...

It depends on what specific softshell you're using. Each co. will have its own weave and fiber coating process that results in slightly different performance. The Ascender II by Columbia has something called Omni-Shield which will resist "light rain and stains". My Ski-Patrol friend out in Co. uses a Mountain Hardwear softshell as a layer on top of multiple wool baselayers and uses a hardshell rain jacket as the last outerlayer. I tried his on and it was considerably lighter in weight and more flexible than the Ascender II. In general, yes, a proper rain stopper would be needed.

It might have been this G50:
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Men's-G50™-Jacket/OM4789,default,pd.html

I didn't know softshells had a mountain climbing origin. This explains why there are so many out there now each offering a different performance aspect.

I've always thought of mine as a fleece that blocks wind better. :-)
 
So I will keep my Aramark Workwear windproof fleece for $35 on sale that I have had for quite a few years

But interesting to know
 
Columbia is notorious for making clothes that are too wide in the stomach/waist.
If you want a good athletic fit check out Eddie bauer's First Ascent line, arc'teryx, Mountain Hardwear, etc.

I've never really found soft shells useful. They don't have enough insulation or waterproofness to replace anything else I own except maybe sweatshirts. They're relatively heavy too.
 
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