Softshell recommendations?

Search function doesn't lead to precisely what I'm looking for... so...

Anyone have a softshell with all these features: powder skirt, pit zips, and some sort of waterproofing membrane? (don't really care if Goretex, Membrain, Event, etc.)

Alternatively, what about a hybrid (part hardshell part softshell) with these features?

I'm too hot:fm: most days in a Goretex hardshell. I have a cheap Columbia softshell with their house brand waterproofing membrane, and I like the breathability, but on warm days it could vent better, and on pow days I'd like a powder skirt.

Suggestions?

Look at beyondfleece.com they have venting but no pow skirt.

If a jacket has a waterproofing membrane it's not a soft shell. Waterproofing membranes are what block most of the breathing in a jacket. When it's really coming down I have a light weight TNF jacket that I through on over my soft shell.

I try not to pump up the home team too much but this soft shell honestly kicks ass. Only 10,000mm if it matters to you though (5K next season so this is your best bet):

http://www.backcountry.com/store/SPD...softshell+mens

Check out Halti.

I'm happy with mine: Norrøna Lofoten Softshell Jacket
Detachable powder skirt, pit zips, very breathable Schoeller fabric. I particularly like the hood.

Helly Hansen Front Jacket is close: http://www.evogear.com/Ski%20Shop/He...em_2773_3.aspx

I got one a few weeks ago and have been quite happy with it. it's got pit zips, but no powder skirt. Waterproofing seems good so far too. If you order one online beware, it runs big. Medium is quite roomy on me (about the same fit as my L mtn hardwear shell).

if you find 500 extra bucks
http://www.backcountry.com/store/ARC...ml?id=Nydc8Z8C

the thing is sicky

buy my ak rocket jacket.

stretch XCR = $$$

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blissard

I'm happy with mine: Norrøna Lofoten Softshell Jacket
Detachable powder skirt, pit zips, very breathable Schoeller fabric. I particularly like the hood.

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Been drooling over that one... very nice!!!! :)

I have a Mtn Hardware that I like a lot, it has their conduit stuff that is kind of a hard/soft hybrid.

Much lighter, more windproof, water"proof" than schoeller stuff and much much much much more breathable than a regular hardshell. I run really hot and it's been treating me right. Great for CO/UT/WY storm skiing unknown if it'd stay dry in CA/WA/OR

Tried on one of those lofoten softshells the other day. Definitely a sweet coat if you have their pants the pow skirt actually buttons to them (whoa?). I would likely be way way way too hot in such a thing.

I will second the Spyder Jackson softshell. It is great for fair-weather skiing.

I just got a Marmot Genesis off of REI that I love. No powder skirt, but it's got a hood and the much-needed pit zips. The things seems fan-tabulous. Loving it.
They had some lime green ones (think granny smith apple) for $199 which was a steal.
Backcountry.com link:
http://www.backcountry.com/store/MAR...ml?id=hf3WqLCH

I'll second the Moutnain Hardware Windstopper jackets. I wear mine as an only jacket until it starts dumping. Technically it is not waterpoof, only windproof. great pit zips, no powder skirt. I have worn this in 86 MPH (Carson Pass)winds and the thing was bomber.

Love my Gamma SV. IF powder skirt is a must. stay away from the whie smoke patagonia jacket. the cuffs suck, I returned mine to mail order.

The alpha comp is nice too but light - mix of softshell and goretex, but no storm skirt or pitzips, it's light enough to cool fast enough

buy my patagonia white smoke...M green

I'm shopping....

REI Outlet has some nice prices on some of these too.

This one from Mtn Hardware looks pretty good, but no powder skirt:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...=OUTLET_SEARCH

hop, I need a size large, sorry.

I got this one for Christmas.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/...qx/product.htm


It has served me well thus far in storms and sunny days. The only thing it is missing is a hood. Im not real crazy about the wrist closure (vertical zipper) but for $119 I can compromise a bit.

Mountain HardWear Maneuver... just what the doctor ordered ('cause he's got some cashflow)

http://www.backcountry.com/store/MHW...cket-Mens.html

I've got this Helly Hansen. It has a powder skirt and nice cuffs, but the pink color & the whole women's thing might be a tough sell.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blissard

I'm happy with mine: Norrøna Lofoten Softshell Jacket
Detachable powder skirt, pit zips, very breathable Schoeller fabric. I particularly like the hood.

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I just found my new ski clothing supplier ... thanks man

i've been salivating over norrona clothing since that link was posted!

nice commercials on that web site too.

After seeing DaPig's post, I rolled down to STP today and picked this one up:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/...qx/product.htm

So, El Chup, you can't get the red one now, else we might look like a team. Of course, we could have "Maggots" embroidered on the back like the Mt Rose Falcons.

Was too busy skiing all weekend to post on this subject, but I thought I would give a little feedback on the Norrona Softshell. I have the Lofoten softshell and it is REALLY nice. I had been looking for a plain black softshell with a fixed hood, pitzips and a powskirt for a long time. Found it :biggrin: The only problems I have had with it are the fit is a bit snug. Since it stretches, it doesnt cause any problems, just doesnt have the baggy fit I am used to in ski clothes. The chest pockets are made with super light material inside so they can be used as vents as well. However, this means your nipples get cold if you stuff beer in there :cussing: The only other issue is a lack of hand pockets. Took a while for me to stop looking for them when standing around. But other than those small issues the hood is really nice and fits over a helmet, the wrist cuffs are extra long which is really nice for those of us that wear short gloves, and the pow skirt does in fact snap to Norrona pants. However since the pow skirt works so well, I have yet to actually use that feature. Best part about softshells though is it really helps avoid overheating when lapping the tram. When riding chairs I do have to wear one more layer and then it works just fine. Bottom line, two thumbs up! I would give their pants a glowing rating too, but no one asked about those :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bio-smear

After seeing DaPig's post, I rolled down to STP today and picked this one up:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/...qx/product.htm

So, El Chup, you can't get the red one now, else we might look like a team. Of course, we could have "Maggots" embroidered on the back like the Mt Rose Falcons.

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Quest is over... I think.

Mrs. C. picked up this same jacket for me today, in the blue/gray color (last one at Reno STP in size large). As I'm in Phoenix, I won't get to try it on until tomorrow night. This has all the features I wanted (powder skirt, pit zips, waterproofishness), and at $119 it's looking pretty good.

Wow, there are some really nice softshells in this thread and I don't have one...dammit, getting that familiar feeling again...must...not...buy...more...gear...

I ran it[HH Jaguar] on sunday, and it felt really good. The skirt stayed down and didn't make me look fat like most jackets do when I wear my backpack waist belt. I love the feel of a softshell. My only gripe is the cuff zippers. They kinda back off easily, which I don't notice with my gloves on(cuffs tucked in), but once the glove shells are off, they don't wanna stick as well as I'd expect.

i'm leaning towards the beyondfleece.com site.......custom sizing would seem to work the best for me, plus, you also get to pick your zipper/hood/pocket options.

cinnepa
I have the cold fusion shell and I am very happy with how it came out. Chooseing all the options and the fit i wanted was a little overwhelming but everything has turned out better than expected. Definitly will be a return customer.

I'm going to probably order a Beyond Fleece softshell pretty soon....

only complaint is they don't offer a real hood. I asked what there hood fit like and was told it was a technical hood, more designed to fit under a helmet.

If they offered one with a real hood that could fit over a helmet I would have already ordered.

This is the picture of the hood from the website.....

attached
http://www.beyondfleece.com/images/products/1/4275.jpg

Zip Off
http://www.beyondfleece.com/images/products/1/4213.jpg

Seriously.....wtf is that?!

http://www.cubit.net/films/hiyah/images/home/btm2.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by swerve

cinnepa
I have the cold fusion shell and I am very happy with how it came out. Chooseing all the options and the fit i wanted was a little overwhelming but everything has turned out better than expected. Definitly will be a return customer.

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what fit did you go with? i'm bouncing between the standard and layered fit....definately not going with the trimfit.

I went with the standard fit. There is enough room underneath to fit a closeish fitting fleece. I did all custom measurements and a word of advice if you go the same route, measure all your measurements several times and especially the torso mesurement. Put on a bunch of other jackets/fleeces to see what kind of lenght you like in the torso.
Hope that helps