Best Powershield Lightweight Jacket for the Money

I tried it on and thought is was really nice. I have never tried on the cloudveil inertia stuff but the REI jacket was the nices lightest soft shell I have seen. It’s gettng near Marmot windshirt functionality I think with way more weather protection. Up to nw i can’t justify carrying a 20 oz softshell over a smartwool and windshirt. It may be getting near the time when I can. This is a very encouraging new fabric.

I own the MEC Pamir jacket, which is also made from powershield lightweight. I like it a lot and it’s cheaper than the REI jacket at 140 Canadian dollars (116 US). It’s a very well designed jacket and fits very snugly. In general, I’ve been very happy with MEC designed products and I find it worth paying the shipping to the US to get their products (plus you don’t have to pay tax on them).

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=675623&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=613509&bmUID=1110609886634

I’ve looked at the Pamir before and it is, indeed, very similar to the REI jacket. The main difference looks to be the placement of the pockets- the MEC Pamir having pockets that are better placed for wearing with a backpack. Overall, though, I can get the REI Mistral II for about $112 with no shipping and tax at their PA store (thanks to a 20% off membership coupon)whereas the MEC one will run $128 if you add in a $12 dollar shipping charge for mailing to the U.S. If I’m honest with myself, I think that I also prefer the looks of the REI one over the MEC one (I know, great reason for getting one over the other). Thanks for the input though.