The Unicorn! double weave softshell with pitzips

[JacksonDestroyer]

Who makes a light double weave softshell with pit zips and no membrane?
I am looking for the unicorn of softshells, I know. And I am well aware that the reason for a double weave softshell is for superior breathability so they shouldnt require pit zips, but for someone who over heats on the skin track and would like some sort of protection from the snowfall this would be ideal.
Is there anything out there?

[whatsupdoc]

Rab Exodus seems to fit the bill:

http://rab.equipment/us/mens/softshell/exodus-jacket

If you just want something to keep light snow off you on the skin track, I'd vote for a lighter soft shell like the BD alpine start. It will breathe way better than a double weave, making pit zips pretty unnecessary. Plus lighter, packs much smaller.

[JacksonDestroyer]

Exactly, at 700 grams the rab exodus is not super light.
The Alpine start also fits the bill, at 250g its feather light, i just wish it had pit zips.
I am looking for something around the 400g range than has pit zips. Why is this niche not filled?

[Island Bay]

If you can't find one, just get the softshell you like and install pitzips yourself; dead easy.

[PNB]

The Alpine start also fits the bill, at 250g its feather light, i just wish it had pit zips.

I'm using the RAB Alpine since a few years and I never missed pit zips.
But that's me.

[cat in january]

Wore a Dynafit Mercury jacket most of last winter. No idea on weight, but did not seem too bad. I was happy with it. Never put my hardshell on although there was a day at Stevens Pass i should have

[JacksonDestroyer]

The dynafit mercury is a good option but again no pit zips. I was looking at the dynafit chugach, it has vents along the triceps but doesnt go down the torso, also its made of windstopper so it has the membrane.
I like alot of the tech in the Rab shells, but none have pit zips.
There has to be a softshell out there that fits this need.

[Viva]

Perhaps Beyond Fleece can custom build the jacket you desire. http://www.beyondclothing.com

Ph.D Gear (in England) also make outdoorsy clothing to customer specifications.

[::: :::]

i have an old cloudveil softshell
it's more of an insect screen than a jacket, very breathable material -- almost too breathable, imo
the slash pockets were the "pit zips" -- long zipper & the pocket lining was mesh
deep enough that stuff doesn't fall out when skinning, but maybe a little sketch if you bend over (or fall over)

[whatsupdoc]

I think this kind of jacket is a unicorn for a reason. I've been on the lookout for a similar piece - light wind and precip protection for the uphills that's very breathable. What I'm saying here is probably obvious but...

A jacket that's in the 400 g range with pit zips probably weighs something like 325-350 g or so without them. That's pretty light, in the OR Ferrosi category. Any soft shell this light gets there by using lighter woven fabrics without membranes that are inherently more breathable, so they don't need pit zips. It just complicates an otherwise light and packable jacket that's already pretty breathable. Lighter jackets like the Alpine Start have lighter fabrics (which are even more breathable) and fewer zippers (no hand warmer pockets on the Alpine Start).

Once you start using heavier weaves or membranes, they get heavier and less breathable, so more likely to have pit zips, which makes the jacket even heavier and bulkier. But now you're in an entirely different weight class.

Another piece to consider (Patagonia Wind Shield Hybrid Jacket):

http://www.patagonia.com/product/men...&start=1&sz=24

I own one of these and it's sweet. The arm pits and back are breathable fleece. Keeps your back from getting too soggy with a pack on. The rest of the jacket is wind resistant light soft shell material and will shed light snow (but not heavy precip). It's more designed for running and nordic skiing which is why it's ideal for uphills.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Take off your jacket, get a vest or slow down.

I skin in the snow wearing only a merino base layer frequently. I generate enough heat to evaporate melting snow pretty much immediately. The problem spot is snow that falls between my pack and my upper back. A vest cures this and is cooler than a jacket with pit zips. I'll even leave the vest unzipped and tuck it into my hip belt so my whole front is exposed.

You can also wear a softshell/windshirt (Marmot Ether Driclime, for example, is comfy without a shirt underneath- a Houdini isn't too bad either) as a base layer if you want more weather resistance and less warmth, or, if you're an extreme case, see Big Steve's vapor barrier technique for managing sweat.

Edit to add: Outdoor research Trailbreaker jacket has pit zips. Membrane on the shoulders and hood. Stretch woven elsewhere. No longer made this year, but all sizes available.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

i run warm and the best thing I've found for the skin up when it's snowing is a Marmot Tempo softshell. It sheds snow and water pretty well, is very breathable and lightweight.

[cat in january]

Mercury jacket has back of shoulder zips. Work. Although I rarely use them.

[JacksonDestroyer]

I think this kind of jacket is a unicorn for a reason. I've been on the lookout for a similar piece - light wind and precip protection for the uphills that's very breathable. What I'm saying here is probably obvious but...

A jacket that's in the 400 g range with pit zips probably weighs something like 325-350 g or so without them. That's pretty light, in the OR Ferrosi category. Any soft shell this light gets there by using lighter woven fabrics without membranes that are inherently more breathable, so they don't need pit zips. It just complicates an otherwise light and packable jacket that's already pretty breathable. Lighter jackets like the Alpine Start have lighter fabrics (which are even more breathable) and fewer zippers (no hand warmer pockets on the Alpine Start).

Once you start using heavier weaves or membranes, they get heavier and less breathable, so more likely to have pit zips, which makes the jacket even heavier and bulkier. But now you're in an entirely different weight class.

Another piece to consider (Patagonia Wind Shield Hybrid Jacket):

http://www.patagonia.com/product/men...&start=1&sz=24

I own one of these and it's sweet. The arm pits and back are breathable fleece. Keeps your back from getting too soggy with a pack on. The rest of the jacket is wind resistant light soft shell material and will shed light snow (but not heavy precip). It's more designed for running and nordic skiing which is why it's ideal for uphills.

Ive seen this and wish it had a hood.

[JacksonDestroyer]

Take off your jacket, get a vest or slow down.

I skin in the snow wearing only a merino base layer frequently. I generate enough heat to evaporate melting snow pretty much immediately. The problem spot is snow that falls between my pack and my upper back. A vest cures this and is cooler than a jacket with pit zips. I'll even leave the vest unzipped and tuck it into my hip belt so my whole front is exposed.

You can also wear a softshell/windshirt (Marmot Ether Driclime, for example, is comfy without a shirt underneath- a Houdini isn't too bad either) as a base layer if you want more weather resistance and less warmth, or, if you're an extreme case, see Big Steve's vapor barrier technique for managing sweat.

Edit to add: Outdoor research Trailbreaker jacket has pit zips. Membrane on the shoulders and hood. Stretch woven elsewhere. No longer made this year, but all sizes available.

Thats exactly what i ordered on tuesday!
After a few weeks of research I finally ordered a softshell im hopeful will fit my needs.
Its a discontinued model, but last year's OR Trailbreaker is a hybrid Pertex sheild on the hood and shoulders and a double weave without membrane everywhere else. Its not super light at 555 gram, but it does have pitzips. I will give my review once i get a chance to test it out. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

[m-ruta]

I'm a furnace and I wear a light xc skiing/running jacket while skinning. Some old patagonia thing. I think it's an older version of this: http://www.patagonia.com/product/men...&start=1&sz=24 Worn it at least somewhat comfortably from -20c to + 10. DWR is long gone but that's fine because snow gets melted and evaporated by my body heat. Never once have I wished it had pit zips, which are, IMO a waste of weight.

[lordf]

Rab Exodus seems to fit the bill:

http://rab.equipment/us/mens/softshell/exodus-jacket

If you just want something to keep light snow off you on the skin track, I'd vote for a lighter soft shell like the BD alpine start. It will breathe way better than a double weave, making pit zips pretty unnecessary. Plus lighter, packs much smaller.

It's an awesome bit of kit, I've had mine for three years and wouldn't be without it.

[homebrewd]

I just picked up an First Ascent Propellant softshell, no pitzips but it's polartec alpha and neoshell. Crazy breathable, I need to throw it on a scale to see what it weighs, but it has to be close.
Edit: will be close to 600 in Medium.

[ghosthop]

Cool! I went through this process as well this Fall, I settled on the Pata Levitation(a solid buy @$90). I really wanted a hood, and in today's balmy weather on the way up the bootpack, with the wind whipping, I was wishing for pit zips.

This is a piece I will use year round, from riding lifts with layered insulation to commuting in the rain in the summer. I think pit zips would make it more appropriate for summer use. Being worried about 50 grams isn't quite my style, and a hardshell is overkill most times here in MT, imo. Seems like we're interested in something similar.