The most significant difference between the Cirque and the aforementioned Dawn Patrol is its softshell type, with the Cirque featuring a lighter and slightly less weather-resistant double weave design. But with a durable water repellent coating (DWR) to bead up and shed water and a tough outer fabric, most softshells can handle light rain showers or wind gusts just fine. In terms of warmth, the SL falls short of most jackets here, and its less protective overall in wind and snow than the burlier Gamma options. And a final note: at the time of writing, the Cirque is no longer available in a womens version.See the Men's Black Diamond Cirque. 916065628, 20% VAT removed at checkout for non-UK orders, Cairngorm Treks Review - Rab Torque Jacket, Matrix stretch, double weave, softshell fabric, Ripstop Matrix stretch overlays on hood and elbows, Helmet compatible hood with concealed front cordlocks and stiffened peak, YKK Vislon front zip with internal storm flap, Matrix,DWR 80/20,3-5cfm,182g/m2,90d/90d+150d,88% nylon 6.6, 12% Elastane.

Where softshells excel is breathability, range of motion, and comfort. Climbers will often bring a a windbreaker jacket in lieu of an insulating baselayer, as it easily attaches to their harness with a carabiner. Perfect for summer Alpine climbs, hiking, and scrambling. On the topic of price, we often see the Ascender on a significant discount (sometimes half off or more), which makes it an even better value.See the Men's Columbia Ascender See the Women's Columbia Kruser Ridge II. We also specialise in outdoor footwear: hiking shoes mens and womens, leather and gore-tex hiking boots. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. All told, the ROM Hoody is a good-looking piece that can transition between urban and mountain environments better than most.See the Men's Marmot ROM HoodySee the Women's Marmot ROM Hoody. These nitpicks aside, the Ferrosi undeniably is a superb value, extremely versatile for a range of activities, and a great crossover pick for both casual and performance use.See the Men's Outdoor Research FerrosiSee the Women's Outdoor Research Ferrosi. As a hiking and everyday piece, theres not a lot to complain about with the Gamma SLexcept the price. Expect the Gravity to be nearly windproof and highly water resistant when subjected to light to intermittent rain, but keep in mind that its not very breathable. Outdoor Research softshell jackets are also designed for high performance with incredible breathability. And dont expect it to keep up if youre working hard, but you probably already knew that by checking the price. There just isnt enough there to justify an extra $100 in our eyes. The end result is the softness and mobility of a softshell along with the protection of a hardshell, which is a winning combination for working hard in winter conditions. We want to know what you think - We can't wait to hear your opinion! $225 is steep for such a thin jacket, especially when you can get much of the same performance with a windbreaker like the Black Diamond Alpine Start ($165) above. There are important considerations when making a purchase: What is your skill level? And we appreciate the thoughtful feature set, which includes a face mask that hides inside the collar, stretchy fleece side panels for added mobility, and design that stuffs into its own rear pocket. The Rab Borealis Jacket is a lightweight, wind resistant and packable jacket with excellent breathability. Registration only takes effect after receipt of my confirmation; it is possible to unsubscribe at any time. We use affiliate links andmay receive a small commission on purchases. Sign up to receive the latest news and offers, straight to your inbox. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For high-output activities, its hard to beat a softshell jacket. Made with thin stretch-woven nylon coated with BDs proprietary NanoSphere water repellant, the Alpine Start is designed to keep out wind and rain without compromising ventilation. For everything from wet-weather commuting to short hikes, its one of our favorite casual softshells of 2022.See the Men's The North Face Apex BionicSee the Women's The North Face Apex Bionic. 2022 Bogong Equipment Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia. Something went wrong. And theyre small but mightymade with breathable and water/wind-resistant nylon, they provide valuable warmth and weather protection. Theyre are also popular with weight-conscious bikers, runners, backcountry skiers, and thru-hikers. It performs and is priced like a serious backcountry softshell: you get bomber outer fabric, tons of storage (five total exterior pockets), and that glorious Arcteryx tailored fit that guides and the hardcore crowd love. Patagonia has one of the most extensive fleece collections on the market, and their performance-focused Regulator (R) series is designed with active use in mind. Even when we're out and about, you can still have your questions answered online anytime! Plus, the Ferrosi is decently tough and abrasion-resistant, will block out a good amount of the elements, and has excellent stretch and breathability. The upside of this construction is that you get improved breathability and less warmth for moderate weather days. But Rabs Borealis is an interesting alternative for $50 less, or you can opt for the pullover version for just $95.See the Men's Rab BorealisSee the Women's Rab Borealis. Even if youre working hard, youll need a good system of base and midlayers to stay comfortable. We certainly wouldnt classify all windbreaker jackets as softshells. Outdoor gear is becoming more and more streamlined by the year, and windbreaker jackets sit at the helm of this movement. On the other hand, too much airflow compromises weather resistance and warmth. The Arcteryx Gamma MX has been on the market for years with plenty of summits and deep backcountry days to its name. A lot of other softshells are backcountry skiing-ready, including Black Diamonds Dawn Patrol above.

Category: PerformanceWeight: 13.9 oz.What we like: Thin, light, breathable, and a great price.What we dont: Lightweight build means compromised durability and weather resistance. The Rab Torque Jacket offers unrestricted movement, good levels of breathability and comfort which are all of great importance when you are heading into the hills and mountains for serious adventures. Weve been blown away by the performance chops of lightweight softshells like the Black Diamond Alpine Start above, and Rab offers up another quality option with the Borealis. Given that the Apex Bionic is offered in a wide range of colorways, it almost certainly pairs well with your favorite jeans or flannel.

Based on 4941 seller reviews at Trusted Shops, alpinetrek.co.uk has received an average 4.64 of 5 stars. These may be customized through analysis of email usage and my purchasing behaviour. For 7 ounces less than the Gamma LT above, the Rab will keep you drier when the skies unleash. To help, we've provided a detailed breakdown in our comparison table above. 2022 Ultralight Outdoor Gear. This lightweight and durable softshell jacket made with Matrix stretch fabric offers great mobility and superb breathability, with moderate weather protection. Category: Casual/performanceWeight: 13.8 oz.What we like: Great-looking jacket and a stretchy combination of warmth and protection.What we dont: Youll get more versatility by layering a thin fleece with a lightweight softshell. The Rab Borealis Jacket is a lightweight, wind resistant and packable jacket with excellent breathability.

For a deeper dive into the topic, see our article on Hardshell vs. Softshell Jackets.Back to Our Top Softshell Jacket Picks Back to Our Softshell Jacket Comparison Table. Rab rounds out the streamlined (11.8 oz.)

At other times you'll find us in the mountains! And with clean looks that are completely passable around town, its a great all-rounder. A good number of softshells are sold in both hooded and non-hooded styles, including our top-rated Arc'teryx Gamma LT. The Black Diamond Alpine Start is one of the lightest softshells on our list and arguably the most versatile. Throughout a season of A common debate amongst backcountry-goers is whether to wear a hardshell or softshell jacket as an outer layer. vs. the Gamma LTs 30 in.). Mid-weight Matrix softshell jacket, combining wind resistance, high breathability and a fleece backer. And rounding out BDs collection is the 3-season Cirque, their do-all softshell that gets the job done both in the mountains and in town. Their breathable and stretchy fabrics offer fantastic performance and a really comfortable fit that moves with you, and as long as you dont take them out in a rain storm, their durable shells can withstand light wind and precipitation. If you are already an Alpinetrek customer, you can log in here, 2117 of Sweden (1), Black Diamond (2), Directalpine (2), Fjllrven (3), Jack Wolfskin (4), La Sportiva (1), Mountain Equipment (5), Protective (1), The North Face (3), Hillwalking (2), bluesign APPROVED (1). Then you can get out and enjoy the fresh air. It still features two large external chest pockets which are set above where a rucksack hipbelt or climbing harness would sit, to make sure the pockets are easily accessible. But for mixed hiking and everyday use, we think this jacket is a solid optionRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Arc'teryx Gamma SL See the Women's Arc'teryx Gamma SL. When choosing a bushwalking pack, a good quality harness is essential. Softshells can vary dramatically in thickness and warmth, from thin shells offering no insulation to thick, fleece-lined jackets. And unlike the Alpine Start, the SL doesnt pack into its own pocket, which is a bummer for climbers in particular. With a 3-layer waterproof construction, seam taping, and water-tight front zip, the Kinetic fits the definition for a hardshell, but a stretchy face fabric adds the mobility and breathability of a softshell. If you are looking for a versatile jacket for all round winter outdoor use, Bogong has you covered with top quality softshell from Outdoor Research, Mount and Rab Rab clothing is renowned for its use of lightweight and breathable materials without compromising on features or breathability. Softshell jackets are not designed to be impervious to the elements; instead, theyre meant to balance water and wind resistance with performance characteristics like breathability and mobility. For a warmer softshell with the same general characteristics, check out the Gamma MX below.See the Men's Arc'teryx Gamma LT See the Women's Arc'teryx Gamma LT. Category: Performance/casualWeight: 1 lb. But for runners, backcountry skiers, and climbers wanting a weather resistant, breathable softshell that packs down small (into its chest pocket) and weighs nothing, the Alpine Start is our favorite ultralight offeringRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Black Diamond Alpine Start See the Women's Black Diamond Alpine Start. Softshells are a relatively young product, and early versions were simply fleece jackets with a tougher, more weather resistant face fabric. At $129 and only 13.9 ounces, its an affordably priced, thin, and lightweight shell that wont weigh you down and excels at nearly every high-output outdoor activity: hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, you name it. The Sitemap offers a quick overview of all content on this website. The Black Diamond Alpine Start and Rab Borealis go head-to-head in most departments, but we rank the Rab lower for a few reasons. From our experience, the more familiar weve become with our gear and the conditions well be heading out into, the more willing we are to reach for our softshell. Along with stretchiness, the breathability of a softshell is one of the main reasons to purchase one. But unlike many performance pieces, the MXs clean styling means you can more easily get away with wearing it off the mountain. In terms of softshell technology, it doesnt get much better than Gores Infinium, which is fully windproof, very breathable, and also does a decent job resisting rain and snow. Enter the ROM Hoody from Marmot, which has weather-resistant paneling that is great for keeping the elements at bay but is equally friendly around town. For $50 less, the Dawn Patrol is a viable alternative to our top-rated Gamma LT Hoody. Its no secret that Black Diamond makes some of our favorite softshell jackets, with pieces like the Dawn Patrol and Alpine Start topping this list. Pockets are a great place to start if youre wondering about a jackets true intentions. For everything from walking the dog in chilly or wet weather to light adventuring in the cold, its a good-looking softshell option. Weve found them to be the ideal choice in cool weather and when youre working hard.