Way back in this thread, someone mentioned that the new ME Astron Hoody isn't their idea of a summer soft shell. I think that's actually pretty harsh - the fabric, Powershield Lite, just has a very fine brushed backer which gives very little extra insulation and the panels at the side of the trunk and round onto the back are Powerstretch which is basically wind permeable. It's certainly not a soft shell I would wear in winter, based on similar designs, I'd expect it to get very chilly.
Plus Powershield is a perforated PU membrane and significantly better than, say, Windstopper or eVent when it comes to breathability. I wouldn't write it off as an option for summer use.
out of idle curiosity, is one of these jackets better than just putting a thin fleece on or say, wearing a t shirt under your shirt? a proofed thin fleece provides some weather resistance and is considerably cheaper.
Parky, on the one hand, yes, they are better, on the other hand it doesn't mean you can't get away without it.
Looking at my kit accumulation, the work of a terminally sad gear junkie, there's very little to nothing I can do with what I've got today that I couldn't have done 15-20 years ago with what I had then. It's just differences in comfort levels and in-use utility. I, and I suspect most others that have been at this game for any length of time, could have saved thousands on kit which we didn't need, but which we've no regrest about having bought.
To elaborate on my starting "yes", with a thin fleece or extra t shirt I have no hood, no pockets, less windproofing, less waterproofing. It'll work, but it won't work as well.
Ordered the Ready Mix today, also from Countryside for £99, and in last season's blues rather than this season's lurid greens (or black).
Jon, it was me that said the Astron didn't sound like a good summer soft shell. Maybe it was harsh, you gave the Astron a good review after all, but the question is, is it as good a summer soft shell as some others e.g. what would it beat the Ready Mix on? ? (Don't want to put you in an awkward position!)
From reading this and other forums I have concluded that avoiding all membranes is the way to go. Maybe I have over generalised, but the point of softshells is to prioritise breathability over waterproofing isn't it?
Ben, like all these things there's compromises to be made. If you really want to put breatahbility as far ahead of waterproofing as possible then wear either nothing or a light base-layer... it's not going to be any more breatahbel putting a jacket over it, but of course that's taking things a bit too far! But there isn't a single right place to set your compromise, as you'll realise when your Ready Mix starts letting in the rain after a while, some time before it gets through to the man next door in an Astron.
So while I think for the job you've specified I'd want to avoid membranes myself, I'm not fundamentally against them for all things. Especially ski touring, where you'll find me wearing MEC Powershield salopettes.
But you're always left with the fundamental law of the compromise: you choose, you lose.
Fair enough, but given you don't expect these jackets to be waterproof then prioritising breathability seems to be sensible. Presumably when the rain comes down both me and the man next door will be reaching for our lightweight hardshells from the pack but up until then I might have been more comfortable.
