Patagonia Ready Mix Versus Cloudveil Hooded Prospector Jacket and Arcteryx Alpha Comp Hoody

I don’t own the krushell but I have checked it out in the past. Short answer… if you have a stretch krushell and like it, stick with it. I doubt the prospector or the alpha comp will be a huge improvement… certainly not a $200+ improvement.

General observations (which include prospector and alpha comp) found in

http://www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/clothing.html#SoftShell

Thanks Mark, I enjoyed reading your clothing summary, very informative. I think the Krushell is a very good jacket, but I use this type of jacket so often for moderate aerobic activities 3 seasons that I wondered if I could improve upon it by using something that was a bit more breathable, but with better water resistance or waterproofness on the shoulders and tops of arms. I think the Ready Mix, because of the welded sealed seems, is probably a little more water resistant with the same breathability because it uses the same body material as the Krushell. I am also a huge fan of windshirt use, it’s my #1 most used piece of gear (Montane Lite-speed, though I’m switching to Patagonia Houdini for better water resistance).

I love the hooded prospector jacket- but it will wet out. Also a bit heavy for being primarily a windproof/water resistant fabric. I can’t explain why I like it, just do. I would think the Arcteryx would be way more water resistant than the prospector, but very expensive. I’ve never used the Patagonia Ready Mix- but I love their Mixmaster, which is soft shell with small amount of fleece-like insulation built in. Great over one thin layer for a wide range of temps- IF those temps are below freezing. Especially good in the winter in very wet climates, but pretty heavy.

I have been doing some research on these shells and am going to do a little field testing over the course of the next couple weeks. My first order of comparison is price and since I have purchased (at sale prices) the Patagonia Ready Mix ($139), the Cloudveil Prospector Hooded ($110), and the REI Pyrn ($40) combined for roughly the same price as the Arc Teryx Alpha Comp Hoody ($280), the Alpha has priced itself right out of the competition. The Ready Mix, Prospector, and Pyrn I plan to wear while running, biking, and snowshoeing in the coming week or two and will let you know how they fare.

Cris,
Couldn’t agree more with you about the high price of the Arcteryx Alpha Comp Hoody and I wouldn’t encourage you to go out and buy another shell. However, remember that someone could pick up the Arcteryx at a sale price as well – the question is just how it performs. From what I’ve heard, the Patagonia Ready Mix is more windproof than the dynamic material on the Arcteryx Alpha Comp Hoody or the material used in the Cloudveil Prospector.

I’m very much looking forward to your review. Happy testing.

So after biking in moderate weather, snowshoeing in slightly cold weather, and walking around in the rain, here’s what I’ve found. First off, the REI Pyrn is significantly lighter at 10.5 oz than the hooded Prospector – 14 oz – or the Ready Mix – 15 oz. all weighed on my scale at home and all size large. The Ready Mix is quite a bit more windproof than the other two, and also less breathable. The Prospector is certainly the breathability champ of the three, though the Pyrn is pretty close. I also found that I stayed the most comfy during snowshoe rest breaks in the Prospector which has a slightly more insulated feel than the other two. I didn’t give them much of a rain test – only about 10 minutes each, and the Ready Mix and Pyrn kept me dry, but the Prospector started leaking at the shoulder seams after just 6-8 minutes in heavy rain. I definately preferred the Ready Mix for biking – and it has the best hood: big enough to cover your bike helmet – and fantastic windproofness. I didn’t care for the Prospector on the bike – just too airy for a shell, and the Pyrn was okay but it starts to get a little ‘flappy’ at around 25 mph or so. In all honesty all three are far more similar than they are different. I guess I’d sum them up with this: the Cloudveil Hooded Prospector is a SOFT shell, the Patagonia Ready Mix is a soft SHELL, and the REI Pyrn is a soft Shell.