Favorite softshell

[dfinn]

marmot genesis. warm, light and waterproof.

[hemas]

Eider Shield for winter/spring climbing & touring...

Some older Patagucci for late spring touring and climbing (basicly a nice windbreaker that has some strech built in).

[JAM]

If you like the Serendipity, go with a new Cloudveil. I have the Black Ice and love it. Also, Cloudveil pretty much made the softshell what it is today and all of the others are basically copies. Most also generally try to compromise too much with the waterproofness.

[avacadotoast]

Sounds like everyone likes the softshell that they have

Patagonia Scythe is really warm, breathable, seems bomber, no vents so it's best for cold bluebird days....problem is the damn neck is so freaking uncomfortable, it feels like you're getting stabbed in the adams apple with an icepick.

I just got the gamma mx...not nearly as warm as the scythe but it's 1,000,000x more comfortable...seems great though I'll need some more mountain time to give an adequate review.

[oftpiste]

Eider Whistler jacket. It's a bit heavier/warmer with a hood so it's good on it's own. You might still be able to get pro form:

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=64639

Not qualified for pro-form but would love to know where one can get their stuff in the US. Seems nearly impossible to find. Anyone?

[NorCascader]

BUT....

By far, the most supior is the LOKI softshell. what other coat has built in retractable mittens. it's just packed full of gadgets...ski it everyday. I think i picked mine up for 159. fuggin bargain

[rometheworld]

Patagonia Vapor Bowl kills it. I have the dimension too but the vapor bowl is warmer. All i wear underneath is a long underwear top.

[flatNshallow]

Golight Kinetic
I got it because it was cheap, I wear it because it defies physics (so light but so warm).

^^^^What he said.

I think perhaps the highest praise I have is that my GF normally gives me shit when I buy gear (one of us has to be responsible)... but when I bought the Kinetic she made me get her one too. It also makes a decent Golf Rain jacket. ...and don't forget that the arms zip off if'n ya wants 'em to. (never had mine off)

One complaint: the elastic around the back of your waist will want to twist which results in a rumpled unsteezy look... fix this by tacking it down with a vertical sew line in the middle of the elastic.

[fluffballs]

I don't have any experience to add, but I just layed down for a TNF sedition II, it will be my everyday jacket in that it is 100% waterproof but hopefully still breathable. Made with Gore-tex softshell material, comes with all the fancy features too.....actually, it better for the price.

[goldenboy]

Not qualified for pro-form but would love to know where one can get their stuff in the US. Seems nearly impossible to find. Anyone?

I hope that it isn't impossible to find. The list of retailers is here: http://www.eider-world.com/us/retail/retailer.asp

[oftpiste]

I hope that it isn't impossible to find. The list of retailers is here: http://www.eider-world.com/us/retail/retailer.asp

Thanks, but been there, done that. Try to actually buy the stuff (online or in my 'hood - the PNW - and it just doesn't seem to be available, at least in most of my efforts.

[ANON-505]

Not qualified for pro-form but would love to know where one can get their stuff in the US. Seems nearly impossible to find. Anyone?

Check the website (sucks) for dealers in the US..it's hard to find, but it's in there. I was surprised, they actually have retailers all over the place selling their shit.

FWIW, I just got a Eider Shield from the gordy's dealleeeeoooo, and it is SSSSIIIICKKKK! Super nice softshell.

[hemas]

I don't have any experience to add, but I just layed down for a TNF sedition II, it will be my everyday jacket in that it is 100% waterproof but hopefully still breathable. Made with Gore-tex softshell material, comes with all the fancy features too.....actually, it better for the price.

You do know that GoreTex Softshell and real softshells have nothing more in commom, except the name...

The Gore Softshell is just your regular strech Gore laminate (or XCR), but the instead of using the fabric usually found on hardshells, now to outer fabric is soft... Hence the idiots renamed it GoreTex Softshell. Most likely wont breath any better than your hardshell (or even more likely worse, as the fabrics are thinner on hasdshells), though it will feel nice and not make that much sound...

[fluffballs]

You do know that GoreTex Softshell and real softshells have nothing more in commom, except the name...

The Gore Softshell is just your regular strech Gore laminate (or XCR), but the instead of using the fabric usually found on hardshells, now to outer fabric is soft... Hence the idiots renamed it GoreTex Softshell. Most likely wont breath any better than your hardshell (or even more likely worse, as the fabrics are thinner on hasdshells), though it will feel nice and not make that much sound...

I was aware that it's not really a softshell, as far as breathability, I would be bummed if it doesn't breath as well as my 2 Layer hyvent hardshell, and I would expect that it's more breathable than other XCR jackets. Hoping I didn't get hosed.

[Pierre LeCouloir]

TNF sedition II, it will be my everyday jacket in that it is 100% waterproof but hopefully still breathable.

I have the original Sedition and it's an excellent jacket . . . definitely breathable.

[4-TEEF]

I was aware that it's not really a softshell, as far as breathability, I would be bummed if it doesn't breath as well as my 2 Layer hyvent hardshell, and I would expect that it's more breathable than other XCR jackets. Hoping I didn't get hosed.

I wore the Sedition 2 for a few runs the other day. I wasn't hiking and it was cold so I can't comment on the breathability but I'm sure it will be an improvement on the HyVent.

Compared to other XCR jackets I think it won't be as breathable because it has a thin fleece laminated to the inside and most XCR hardshells I've seen go with a much thinner "scrim" laminate. It will probably be a LOT warmer though and it does have big ass pit zips to vent.

One word for the snowboarders out there - this is NOT the jacket for you. The torso is too short and therefore the pow skirt rides up/pushes your pants down when your getting your board on.

[oftpiste]

Check the website (sucks) for dealers in the US..it's hard to find, but it's in there. I was surprised, they actually have retailers all over the place selling their shit.

FWIW, I just got a Eider Shield from the gordy's dealleeeeoooo, and it is SSSSIIIICKKKK! Super nice softshell.

Oh fine. Gloat whydontcha! That's the one I want. Many of those retailers listed on their site don't actually have any stock or say the aren't really dealers. While I haven't called ALL of them, I have tried some by phone or or online to no avail. I actually placed an order with one of them once and 2 weeks later got an "OOOPS we don't have it" email. This kind of thing seems endemic with a number of the European companies.

Hey Gordy, help a JONG out? Any pro-formers get a large Shield they don't want?

[ColMan]

Cloudveil Rayzar.

$115 right now at STP w/ a 20% off coupon and google checkout.

[Huckwheat]

I have the original version of the cloudveil serendipity and i like it.

Cloudveil is my favorite. I too am still rocking the orignal serendipity, but I drool over all their products at Sierra Trading Post weekly.....they are my favorite techy brand (and sessions is my favorite more new school brand).