What exactly is a soft-shell? Soft Shell (SS) technology, the new marketing darling of the outdoor industry, is the latest outdoor gear buzzword. As the name suggests, SS technology is based upon a shell, an outer layer that is durable, fairly water repellent, and tightly woven (i.e. wind resistant). But what makes this different than other waterproof outdoor garments is the fact that it is ... soft. Your gore-tex (GT) jacket, while a great piece of clothing, is undoubtedly as stiff as a fourth grade boy in gym class - not the best characteristic in a garment for high-level activity. And while manufacturers are making jackets that are more pliable with stretch fabric like Gore-Tex XCR, they are still fairly stiff and expensive. But GT is water-repellent and that's what makes it work, and that's why people spent around $400 on it, right? A GT garment is a very technical piece of equipment, rated for extreme wet weather when exercising outdoors - climbing, running, hiking, snowboarding, etc - in addition to providing full protection against the elements while letting perspiration dissipate. But honestly, now, how many people actually go out when it is raining, much less sprinkling? In reality, GT is over-rated and completely unnecessary for 95% of what consumers use it. However, GT has taken on a certain cache, a must-have garment for the preppy types and BMW X5 drivers. A gore-tex jacket is much like the Prada red stripe, the locking C's, the Red Carpet Club card, it is a statement. It says, “I am outdoorsy, I am extreme, I am fashionable, I paid way too much for this jacket, my car is leased, my house is full of Pottery Barn items, I have a dead end desk job with a F500 company.” Well, maybe not all of those.

Is this to say that the average prepster doesn’t deserve this technology? Not at all, it just means that the garment is designed way past their needs, so they can rest assured that they are more than covered and ready to go to the Coffee Bean for their chai.

Here enters the soft shell. With many of the attributes of a GT jacket - wind impermeable, lightweight protection, water resistant - the soft shell provides a garment that is probably more reasonable for most users - a garment that people can wear over insulation, with enough water resistance for most situations and a level of softness and flex appropriate for high activity sports. The best thing? No $400+ price tag. SS are reasonably priced, though still fairly expensive.

Now the verdict. Soft shells suck. At least in the situations for which I needed it. For the situations when you need full wetness protection, the SS cannot come close to GT. It’s that simple. Going snowboarding for a weekend in the Sierras during the spring - fine. An overnight backpacking trip in Joshua Tree - great. A trek in Nepal through the Khumbu Valley - not bad. Climbing El Capitan in a rainstorm? Sucks. Commuting home on a bicycle during a rainstorm? Really sucks. Running from the car to the valet stand in front of the W Hotel during a downpour? Marginal. It is evident that soft shells have a certain place and function when the weather is fairly decent, but when has anyone ever been able to forecast that? For an anytime, any condition jacket, the SS still can't do it ... but ... for the Jamba Juice, IKEA types, the soft shell is the shell. Especially if it matches their Pilates mat.

If you absolutely must have a soft shell, I recommend these:

Patagonia Integral Jacket, $125
Built for cold-weather forays, this soft shell flows freely on backcountry runs, rides and skis. Made from a light, composite shell fabric: The outside shuns wind, snow and sleet, yet allows perspiration to escape; inside, you get soft, brushed comfort. With a clean, trim-fitting design, armpit-to-waist pocket zippers for ventilation, and reflective panels on the front and back.
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Arc'teryx Gamma LT, $149
Engineered for three-season excellence, the Arc'teryx Gamma LT Jacket protects you with an innovative stretch woven Schoeller® Dynamic fabric that moves without compromising water resistance. This mobility-enhancing softshell has a bit more stretch than similar competitor shells, so you feel less constrained on the wall or up the ridgeline. Durable, laminated pockets result in less weight than the traditionally stitched designs.
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The North Face Vector 2 Jacket, $199
The North Face Vector 2 Jacket is a midweight garment ideal as a stand alone soft shell or as a high performance layer. The North Face Vector 2 Jacket is made from weatherproof Schoeller WB-400 that protects against rain, snow, and wind; is highly breathable; and covered in a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. The Vector 2 Jacket has four way stretch, extended core vents, and ergonomic design to keep your temperature regulated and your movements free from constriction.
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