Patagonia Jetstream?

[chaka]

Anyone have any experience to share with the new Patagonia Jetstream shells? I am looking for a new lightweight storm shell, research on this site and others indicates the two fabrics I should be considering for true protection from wet snow, etc. are XCR and patagonia's prop stuff. This shell appears to be an excellent mix of proven hard shell perf with the hand and compressibility of softshell, while maintaining a svelte weight (comparable to Arcteryx ultralight storm shells).
thanks

[Sierra Cement]

I don't know about the Jetstream Shell, but I am very happy with the Patagucci Vapor Bowl Soft Shell. It was designed for backcountry skiing. It is a little heavy, but very breathable, has 4 way stretch and is wind and waterproof (all of which have been well tested in the Tahoe tropical winter this year). The heaviness definitely has it's value as I can lose my 2nd layer with this jacket and just where capilene and this shell on most skinning days when I go from sweating to freezing in minutes. The arm cuffs are a little tight, but don't let the snow up the sleeve trick happen on the pow days. Good luck!

[chaka]

thanks, SC.
good feedback! Curious, have you tested the softshell in actual driving rain/sleet. I want this lightweight shell to serve as my emergency hard shell to pull out in times of dire weather while skiing and mountaineering. However, if you tell me the softshell can actually keep you dry in those conditions, maybe the hardshell is completely redundant?

[Sierra Cement]

I skied the soft shell in one of those 7,500' snow level heavy storms. It was very wet snowfall all day; as soon as a flake landed on you it was a water drop. I was blown away by how dry I was. I was literally ringing water out of my gloves at the end of the day, but was dry around the shoulders and torso. Because it was a resort day I wasn't working very hard and not sweating much that day, so I ended up very dry. Especially in comparison to a friend who had a more traditional (and cheaper) hardshell.

It is now my permanent storm jacket. I still have a longer full blown patagonia hard shell that lets ZERO water in, but I feel more damp at the end of the day because it doesn't let any sweat out. And most wet storm days are not cold days in the sierras. So when you need the most protection you will likely also be sweating = soft shell is perfect. I would be very leary about relying on a cheaper soft shell than a Patagonia for a storm jacket.

[chaka]

Thanks, SC. Exactly the type of feedback I was searching for...