UKC Forums - What are soft shell jackets for?

Obviously different people may do different activities, run at different temperatures, go out in different conditions and may be used to using, or only have experience of, particular kit. I tend to ignore what the marketing blurb says and think about the features I need in a jacket for the activities I choose to do and the conditions I choose to do them in and use that as a guide to what to buy.

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  In an ideal world I want an outer layer that I can keep wearing in as broad a range of likely conditions as possible - something versatile. As others have said softshell can cover a broad range of clothing, is often not a useful term and I would suggest is more a concept than a particular thing. I think the ideal softshell for me is something that is lightweight, hard wearing ( think rock abrasion ), low bulk, wind resistant to an extent, shrugs off a shower or drizzle, dries fast, is far more breathable than a hardshell and can cover a wider range of temperatures more comfortably than an insulated jacket or heavier fleece. So for me it has to have sleeves that can roll up and stay put, full length zip, helmet compatible hood, above harness pockets for snacks / phone / route info as appropriate and be able to be cinched in close for colder temperatures. For example I can rock climb in it with sleeves rolled up, zip open but then cinch it down and have the hood up while relatively static and belaying

   I use a lightweight softshell jacket for walking, scrambling rock climbing throughout the UK almost every time I go out. Really versatile. I use the same jacket for most summer alpine routes - no need to take it on and off. In UK winter and for skiing or colder / higher alpine routes I use a heavier weight, provides more insulation and more windproofing, softshell jacket.

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    Obviously the jackets can't cope with all scenarios so if absolutely necessary I may have a hardshell, more insulation or a windproof top depending on conditions / activity. However, it is amazing how versatile they can be - especially for alpine climbing.

I'm on the hunt for the best softshell for, well, hunting. To me, a softshell should provide moderate to above average warmth, about like a heavier sweatshirt, but with a strong edge in wind protection and durability (abrasion resistance). Weight should be secondary as the weather protection aspect should be the number one goal in my mind, wind be the number one adversary. I won't ever plan on taking a softshell backpacking. When someone refers to a packable softshell, they are not referring to the same softshell category I am. . . or they probably aren't weight conscious. What is a softshell to you? What do you want it to do?

I have the Kuiu Guide jacket and I don't think it fits the bill. It doesn't cut wind well. It is breathable and moderately warm but it doesn't provide the wind protection I want. You'd say it cuts wind at 10 mph and 50 degrees but when you get a good stiff wind when it's 35 degrees outside you'll change your mind. My Columbia softshell is more durable and wind resistant by far. It is, however, not nearly as comfortable and feature rich as the Kuiu.

I ordered the Jetstream in Moss (I want my softshelll to be a solid color so I can wear casually) because it sounded like it'd fit the bill 100% but. . . it's too loud and the Moss is less of a green and more of a brown. (Different subject but I don't wear black or brown here in Oregon while hunting). I've currently ordered the Arc'teryx Gamma MX (probably too spendy) and the Kuiu Axis [seems to fit the wind and weather protection need but not the durability (this according to Kuiu CS themselves)] and the Kuiu Kutana softshell (would seem to fit the durability bill).

Any other thoughts guys? I'm looking for general insight as well as specific softshells you'd recommend.

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