Thread: technical soft shells all they are cracked up to be?

I did a search and can't really find any of the questions I have or the answers I need.

I picked up the Helly Hansen Vinter jacket with a large credit I had with them. Not sure if I'm going to keep it.

The website says it is waterproof to 15,000 mm and breathable to 15,000g. It has an ever-so-thin insulating-type material on the inside, I don't think it has any actual insulating properties.

Any experience with this or similar "technical soft shells" out there? The jacket is very comfortable and the stretchiness is great for carrying a pack but I'm just still skeptical that either a) it isn't that waterproof or b) Im going to roast like a pig on a hot summer day if it doesn't breathe.

For the record, I ski predominantly in South Western BC (so lots of wet and relatively warm) and am hoping to split up my days between touring and lift-access, hopefully with one jacket.

Thanks.

I picked up the HH Virtue jacket on a spring sale a few months ago, and have been using it primarily as a rain coat all through the summer, just because it has great breathability(I think it and the Vinter has the same tech, XP?).

I don´t enjoy temperatures much above 15 degrees celsius unless there´s water in close proximity, and I found this jacket very cooling, especially with the pit zips open (duh...). It sort of has the lifa layer merged with the shell, making it less bulky, too. Stretch fabric and the works.

My two cents: Keep it, and be surprised. It´s actually good!

Edit: I just looked through the HH line, and it seems the Virtue no longer is made, and the Vinter has all the features my Virtue has, so more or less the same jacket.

Also, I forgot to mention it hasn´t gotten me wet yet, even riding like a JONG at Stryn, hiking with my Irish setter back home in pissing rain for hours (he likes rain), and getting beer poored on. My bad that last one. I may have lacked the skills of reaching the bottle with my lips, or the other way around.

Thanks arild!

Ya I think the Virtue is the same things because I was looking at it last year.

Glad to hear you have a positive review on it, I guess Im just scared of new technology! I don't plan on using it for strenuous hiking above 5'C so it sounds like I shouldn't roast.

No worries at all.

HH have been doing the HT XP for a while, but I think the whole laser-welding scheme is pretty new for them, so I feel your scepticism(spelling, please?) on the subject. I love the jacket, can´t stress that enough.

So far, no issues of durability. I use this jacket almost every day when walking to school, work, hiking up the mountain, you get the idea. Pleasantly surprised, really. Hadn´t worn HH since I was 14 (I´m close to 22 now), and I forgot how good the stuff was.

I own one of these jackets and was stoked for a while with it. Until I almost froze to death in it. I will admit it was not the jacket for the day, but with all of the zippers broke it was not fun. And they all were stuck open. The jacket kicks ass except for the cheap ass zippers, mine is on it's way to be sent back into HH. I hope they fix it, because everything else is sweet. So be easy on the zippers. Cheers

Originally Posted by skiyak

I own one of these jackets and was stoked for a while with it. Until I almost froze to death in it. I will admit it was not the jacket for the day, but with all of the zippers broke it was not fun. And they all were stuck open. The jacket kicks ass except for the cheap ass zippers, mine is on it's way to be sent back into HH. I hope they fix it, because everything else is sweet. So be easy on the zippers. Cheers

Damn, that ain't good. I had some serious problems with material coming apart on my last Helly Verglas, hence the store credit. They are pretty damn good with their warranty, but I would rather never have to exercise that option.

Other than the zippers how did you find the breathability and waterproofness?

Originally Posted by Poz

I did a search and can't really find any of the questions I have or the answers I need.

I picked up the Helly Hansen Vinter jacket with a large credit I had with them. Not sure if I'm going to keep it.

The website says it is waterproof to 15,000 mm and breathable to 15,000g. It has an ever-so-thin insulating-type material on the inside, I don't think it has any actual insulating properties.

Any experience with this or similar "technical soft shells" out there? The jacket is very comfortable and the stretchiness is great for carrying a pack but I'm just still skeptical that either a) it isn't that waterproof or b) Im going to roast like a pig on a hot summer day if it doesn't breathe.

For the record, I ski predominantly in South Western BC (so lots of wet and relatively warm) and am hoping to split up my days between touring and lift-access, hopefully with one jacket.

Thanks.

I own the helly hansen vinter, got mine on warranty too. I use it as my city jacket, for all the rain we get here in the PNW, I use another helly hansen jacket for skiing. The water proofing is insane, and it breathes really well, really great for popping in and out of stores/houses without having to remove you outer layer to avoid over heating. Downsides, mine didnt come with a powder skirt, was it just me or did everyones come this way? Doesn't really matter because I dont use it for skiing anyways.

No I don't think any come with a powder skirt. I don't really mind though because I wear bibs.

I have a couple softshells and owned several more. I like them in the right conditions but a hardshell is warmer with less layering in cold and wind. The "warm" softshells, to me fell like your wearing scuba gear and defeat the purpose. They feel thick and heavy.

Softshells look cool.

The rest of the jackets features are awesome. the fabric did not fail in anyway. I also own a Mammut soft shell that i was alot hiking, and even ice climbing on the warmer days. they make some badass stuff. In my opinion HH stuff is a little over priced for the stuff you get. But thats my .02 cents on that

Originally Posted by skiyak

The rest of the jackets features are awesome. the fabric did not fail in anyway. I also own a Mammut soft shell that i was alot hiking, and even ice climbing on the warmer days. they make some badass stuff. In my opinion HH stuff is a little over priced for the stuff you get. But thats my .02 cents on that

I've got to agree with you on the pricing.

The only reason I'm still using their stuff is because of a pretty large credit I had.

Originally Posted by 4matic

I have a couple softshells and owned several more. I like them in the right conditions but a hardshell is warmer with less layering in cold and wind. The "warm" softshells, to me fell like your wearing scuba gear and defeat the purpose. They feel thick and heavy.

Softshells look cool.

they certainly do. i think they are teh perfect around-town garment. our mayor looks very stylish bike commuting in his jhmr softshell.

for bc skiing, i layer capilene and a windshirt plus a lightweight hardshell and a down sweater in my pack. that is also what i use liftserve, but i'll be the first to admit it don't look very cool

I but a soft shell at Costco for $25.00. We'll see how long it lasts