UKC

On the lookout for a light non-membrane softshell jacket with a hood to use in the colder months for walking, mountaineering, and climbing.

Have seen the Arcteryx SL Hybrid online which looks good, and have the Montane Alpine Stretch and Rab Scimitar look like they fit the bill as well.

Any others I'm missing?

In reply to JayPee630:
I've always been a fan of the Cioch Glamaig...

In reply to JayPee630: Montane Alpine Stretch works very well in a layering system as it has adjustable cuffs, two way zip, is climbing movement friendly, breathes well and isn't very heavy/too warm. And it's very good value next to the Arcteryx.

In reply to JayPee630: I tend to look at the fabric and fit. I personally like jackets made out of polartec powershield as it seems water resistant enough and breaths well. The Mrs has an alpine stretch which also seems nice the fabric is own brand but also breaths well and is relatively water resistant.

In reply to JayPee630:

I'm a big fan of the RAB Baltoro

http://rab.uk.com/products/mens-clothing/soft-shell/baltoro-alpine-jacket.h...

In reply to richardw87:

Bloody heavy though!

In reply to JayPee630: Rab Exodus is a top bit of kit. Good price too.

In reply to aldo56:

It is. My choice went down to Exodus vs Alpine Stretch. I chose the latter on account of its lighter weight, better stretch over an insulated mid layer, superior hood, lower price and a new colour (sorry). Blimey that's a lot of reasons. If I'd wanted a warmer piece the Exodus would have scored higher. Happy shopping.

In reply to JayPee630: Montane Sabretooth works for me. Didn't think I'd get much use out of a softshell but I have honestly warn it almost every day since I bought it.

In reply to JayPee630: I have the arcteryx GAmma LT and MX both heavier than the SL if your looking for warmth check them out. really like the MX design lots of pockets good hood

In reply to alasdair19: the SL is ace. I sweat like a pig so MX is a no go for me. MX also got crazy tight cuffs which is weird cause I guess climbers ( with larger forearms than gen. population) is one of the target groups.

Instead of LT I bought Norröna Falketind Flex which norwegian MRT uses. It has perfect fit for me and reinforcements on the shoulders and the hood. More athletic fit than Arc, im M in Arc L in scandinavian brands.

In reply to JayPee630:


I googled that - it appears to be a standard goretex hardshell, not a softshell at all. Anyway I was just going to suggest a lot of the softshells people are suggesting ARE membrane fabrics, Powershield is, Windstopper (the Norrona one Daniel suggested) is etc. That might not make them bad softshells by any means - but if you know you want a non-membrane one its something to be aware of.

I think in dry, cold weather stretch woven softshells (like the Rab and Montane you mention) can be great. I had a Marmot one for years and years that was my main ok weather ice climbing jacket for half a decade. No sweat, stretchy, super hard wearing. I now use a Haglöf one - Viper I think - which is also good and has done lots of service for at least five years. But I know they're not windproof in lousy conditions. For big mountain rock routes I still tend to take a pertex windproof because they're so light and are windproof. I use the stretch-woven softshell for general cool weather cragging, a summer jacket, and sometimes for 'sweaty' winter things like XC skiing or when I go to the little local icefalls and solo a bunch of the moderate and easy lines.

My mate has the RAB Exodus and it looks great and he seems to really like it. Seems to be a bit heavier (hence warmer?) than the Scimitar.

In reply to TobyA: I think there is some misunderstanding going on here.

This is the Arcteryx jacket, def. softshell, lightest and most breathable of the 6 different softshells Ive used.
http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?language=EN&gender=mens&model=...

The Norröna Falketind Flex Ive bought is approx. 80% norrönas own Flex material, 20% Gore windstopper (Hood, shoulders). That is not à bad thing even in my sweaty opinion. I think the falketind will be excellent for semicold winterdays, the Arc will be perfect down to maybe 7-8 minus degrees.

Rab exodus seems popular and at a competitive price but according to my friends the jacket is really warm if you sweat easily.

In reply to DanielJ:


Yet I believe it has a membrain in it. Just like Gamma AR and MX have.

In reply to DanielJ:

Yeah, that's it. No membrane.

In reply to TobyA:

Yeah, I have a pertex windshell as well that I use for most of the year, but in really cold windy dry conditions I'd probably layer it under the yet-to-be-bought non membrane softshell. That or use a thin synthetic layer as a midlayer.

In reply to HeMa: there is no membrain in it.
It is however superthin so for scottish mixed or Chamonix granite it wont last forever. Its not even close to be a do-it-all jacket. Quite specialised bit of kit. But for its niche, super!

In reply to DanielJ: I just goggled it straight from JayPee's original text and this is what comes up http://arcteryx.com/product.aspx?language=EN&gender=Mens&category=J... Seems there are confusingly various Arcteryx SOMETHING SL hybrid jackets!

In reply to TobyA:

Yeah fair play, I probably got the name a bit wrong or incomplete. Why Arcteryx use such a weird naming system I'll never know, it seems designed to baffle everyone!

In reply to DanielJ:

And yeah, it does seem very thin, more like a burly windshirt. I might look at the Gamma LT (!?) softshell instead. I do like light though!

In reply to JayPee630:

SL ~= Super Light
AR = Allround
SV = Severe
LT = Light

And those variations can all exists per product line (Alpha, Beta, Theta, Gamma).

In reply to HeMa:

I know, I've seen that. I must have some kind of mental block with it when you throw in the other bits like Gamma/Beta/etc etc.!

In reply to JayPee630: I agree. There is a system like HeMa points out, but it's hard to remember and makes everything sound rather similar.

In reply to JayPee630: I ended up choosing this over the LT
https://www.norrona.com/en-GB/Products/3326-11/1225/falketind-flex1-jacket-...

The LT felt too thick and heavy, and the cut didnt really do it for me. À friend of mine is however pretty happy with his but he is built like an North american, rather stocky.

In reply to DanielJ:

Oh, thanks, I like the look of that (apart from the price). Will have to try and find one to try on.

In reply to JayPee630: joe brown has good range in llanberis some reduced too