any reason to use a softshell?

Sometimes I wonder myself but it all depends on where you are. I think a Windshirt and umbrella would be good while other times, just a windshirt but then the link below provides a good explanation.

I've just come back from a five day walk where I only used a windshirt, but it was along the coast in reasonably good weather with huts along the way.

With my hardshell and softshell, I can close the hood up so when walking into horizontal sleet, my face is protected and the sleeves can be tightened around my wrists to keep them in place while the mitts slide over the top.

http://arcteryx.com/HardshellvsSoftshell.aspx?language=EN

To clarify, I'm talking about conditions where the precipitation is dry snow, not rain.

I bought a Squamish for that very reason as I was getting tired of overheating/sweating in the winter. I'll let you know how it worked out next spring.

I love my softshell for day hikes, but long term they hold too much water to be much use. It takes too much effort to dry my Gamma MX vs a cap4 and windshirt (and the latter may be warmer actually). In the snow I'm likely to bring the cap4 regardless, then it comes down to a ~6oz windshirt and an 8oz synth vest, which provides as much if not more warmth and options than a single heavy softshell. Granted there is more fuss factor, which is why I like softshells for DIAD adventures where I have a warm shelter to sleep.

I'm not a fan of thick, heavy softshells. They're basically a windshirt (water repellant + wind blocking) plus some insulating value. The insulation provided by a softshell is very weight inefficient, so a windshirt + an insulating layer (fleece, synth, down) is going to provide the same function for less weight, and it's more versatile.

The main use I see for a softshell is resort skiing on bluebird days where weight doesn't matter and the extra breathability over a hardshell is nice.

They have their uses. Generally when I want a low bulk layer for a very specific set on conditions I use a softshell. Rarely for hiking or snow camping, mostly for climbing where the durability and low bulk come in handy.

One of the main advantages of a softshell is durability. I use it when I'm climbing and constantly scraping against the wall or near other sharp objects like crampons or ice axes.

For multi day use it is probably more beneficial for mountaineering use cases than winter hiking.

pros

+ very durable … things like granite crack climbing tears up windshirts quickly if you climb in em

+ very breathable … an non membrane light soft shell is probably the most breathable outer layer you can get … some windshirts approach the breathability of softshells though

cons

– weight … though some like the BD alpine start approach the weight of windshirts

– water absorption … if you get them soaked form conditions or from sweat it takes longer to dry as they retain more moisture … with a windshirt in winter you can just flip take if off, flip it inside out and shake out all the condensation

the best softshells are the light non membrane ones that are meant for active use

avoid membrane softshells like the plague if you are going to be very active in em or unless its very cold … they are more meant for semi active uses like technical climbing (where you spend half the time belaying or moving slowly) … they simply arent breathable enough when going hard

the problem with softshells is that many of them are now built for walking the dog around town

;)

I don't "carry" a (unlined)softshell, I WEAR it at all times in cool to cold temps. Stretchy and comfortable, breathes better than a windshirt, much more durable, and seems to dry almost instantly. The OR Ferrosi hoody is among my favorite pieces of gear ever, and I live in it from fall to spring when the temps are cool enough.
Trail hiking and intermediate temps where you might wear it, and then temporarily-not worth carrying more weight, I'd go with a windshirt.

I get offtrail pretty frequently, do a lot of scrambling, scraping on rocks, forcing my way through brush, and climbing around waterfalls. My Ferrosi is well beaten yet 100% functional after several years of use, while I'd doubtless kill a windshirt in a "good" day.
I find a lined softshell too much for hiking in temps above the teens, as I will wet it out, and it provides no meaningful insulation when stopped, so those are dead weight to me.

btw, I live in the South, and our year-round average morning humidity is 86%. At 40F with a windshirt over a light baselayer, the inside surface of my Marmot Ion windshirt will be beaded with moisture in less than 40 minutes(or sooner, just checked after 40min when testing). I can wear my Ferrosi at that temp, and stay dry all day.

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basically, what others have said. A softshell is good for stretch, durability and breathability. For hiking and skiing I wouldn't use one just because they are so slow to dry and I also find them sort of cold to wear in practice. They make the most sense for rough alpine climbing, IMO. I'm a huge fan of grid fleece with pertex equilibrium for winter or a thin merino base with a driclime or vapour rise.

Way too heavy, Justin. Not a gear-wonk, I read all these good comments to see if I'd missed the long-ago introduction of super-light softshell (my heavy softshell, REI)…like an AirCore version of something. Appears not. A couple of points on your mountains, which are my mountains. Much of the time packing along in still weather–even Jan.–I'm down to my longjohn top. Then with any wind, I put on my Marmot Driclime windshirt, and that's about it until camp is set up. Last, most of our Sierra storms start out warm, which means wet; if not starting as drizzle, then very wet snow. I'm rather retrograde and a hardshell guy; don't use my windshirt for any rain protection. I put the hardshell over the longjohns & enjoy any un-vented condensation as a warm/dryish reprieve from rain/meltwater sluicing through. Not recommending, just saying: there will be rain.

Because they look cool?

Because I jumped on the bandwagon and bought way too many of them before I realized their limited utility?

I love the Rab Aurora/Boreas, which performs somewhat like a softshell for ~8 oz. Even so, I can rarely justify taking it backpacking.

I normally wear a base layer or mid layer w/ a windshirt over it, but I bought a OR Centrifuge two winters ago- it's a bit of a hybrid, windshirt combined w/ breathable mid-layer- layered over a light base layer I found it useful for high aerobic stuff (skiing/snowshoeing/trail running) in cold weather. The hood is exceptionally nice as well, thumb holes, good dwr

Since I often crash bikes, rock climb, mountain bike, scramble, stumble, etc. I always use a super-thin softshell instead of a windshirt. It's several ounces heavier, but it survives my life.

If you like to hug granite ski, a soft shell will cut the wind and handle sporadic light precipitation and survive. They don't provide much insulation and I find them rather cold for the weight. A windshield or rain shell with a fleece are warmer, lighter and far more versatile for hiking.

Hey Justin.

Like the others, I have not found much use for a softshell. I had one once upon a time; it mostly went with me on drizzly walks around town or short day hikes by the coast.

For winter/snow though I'm not sure I'd depend on a windshirt if your goal is staying dry… I know you're thinking dry snow but all of it has water content, and in the Sierra we get the famous "Sierra Cement" way more often than that amazing light and dry stuff they enjoy at Snowbird. Anything that doesn't blow off you is going to start melting from body heat. I've noticed it tends to accumulate around my backpack and shoulders.

If you're really confident that your windshirt won't wet out it'll be ok I guess, but having a light hardshell is the way to go IMO.

You'll probably (hopefully) have some dry layers to change into once you set up camp regardless, but getting soaked is no fun, especially when it's sub-freezing outside… It's amazing how quickly the chills can come on once you stop moving to set up shelter.

The key is not to get a heavy 18 ounce softshell and carry it, the key is to wear a light one over your long underwear, or straight on your skin if its not a cold day. You get durability, water resistance at or above the level of a windshirt, better breathability, and wind protection. the key is that wind protection with the breathability. just try it out, you will probably like it…

I hightly recommend the rab boreas or even better the rab zephyr jacket. I've been using my zephyr year round for the last year and a half and I love it. it can take snow, a light rain shower, wet leaves, etc. the arms and upper are heavier fabric for when you're walking along a tight trail with wet trees on the sides, etc…