I took advantage of Patagonia’s summer sale and bought a figure 4 softsheel jacket to check it out. I just recieved it today and lke it, but once again I’m trying to figure out it’s place in my clothing system. I bought a MH Synchro jacket last year which I like for skiing and bumming around town but found that it doesn’t breathe well enough and is to heavy for general mountaineering and backpacking.
I was wondering if anyone else uses softshells and how they do so. I love to softshell pants for their versatility and I don’t think I’ll ever go back.
My clothing inventory is such:
LW Capaline base layer
North Face Aurora – for colder weathr
Patagonia Houdini windshirt – primary piece.
Marmot DriClime Windshirt – colder Alpine climbing and insulation.
Patagonia MicroPuff Pullover – general backpacking
OR Zero jacket – Alpine climbing
Patagonia Grade VI Jacket – LW shell.
At any rate, I mix and match according to the trip, but the majority of the time the base layer and the houdini windshirt is enough with the shell and the MicroPuff in my pack for breaks and wet weather.
So, what do other people think of softshells and their place?
