Gear

I think its about time to get a new softshell as my old columbia one has started delaminating a bit

Any recommendations?

I use it most of the year just as a general jacket, and for walking when it gets slightly colder

I've also taken it snowboarding too

Any bargains about?

cheers

"delaminating" suggests a membrane based one.  For another one like that there's no shortage, you'll probably find a selsction in TK Maxx and firms like Regatta and Mountain Warehouse make pretty resonable specimens.

Don't really like those myself, as I find the membrane makes things much less breathable than I want, and though the weatherproofing is very good for a while once rain does get through they're freezing cold and take forever and a day to dry.  They're also relatively heavy.

What I prefer is either a high spec slightly stretchy close weave (like so) or a microfleece with a windproof shell (like so).  They're lighter and more breathable and IMHO more flexible in use.  But they tend to be more expensive.  The latter approach is warmer, but you can just layer an uninsulated one.

Pete.

I have a Rab Exodus, which mostly gets used for skiing these days, which is a heavyish 'stretch weave' type softshell, and a Montane Dyno which is non-stretchy and more like a heavy windshell. I picked those because they had reasonable hoods; you might not care about that at all.

I much prefer stretch weave to membrane (for for the same reasons as listed above!) or insulated softshells like the Rab Vapourrise or various kinds of Polartec Powershield because they can be used almost all year round in the UK. Insulated and membrane softshells really want colder, drier climates to get the most out of them, but if you've been happy with your current jacket maybe you won't care about that either

Well, how 'bout a windproof jacket and fleece that when combined are "allegedly" a waterproof system.  That way you can "mix and match" for changing conditions and have the best of both worlds.

Fuera Ascent and Summit Hoodie

I have a Fuera Ascent but not the Summit Hoodie---usually wear a Patagonia R1 Hoody and/or Patagonia Nano-Puff pull-over beneath the Fuera or with just some kind of base layer depending on temperature.  I Nikwax(ed) the R1 and have worn it beneath the Ascent in steady but light rain for a couple of hours with good results.  The temp hung around 7c and I was quite comfortable when casually walking.  Water did ingress around the shoulders and hood of the Fuera Ascent but surprisingly never reached my skin through the R1 Hoody.  Soooo---I would imagine the Summit Hoody would do even a better job at keeping the rain at bay.  

Dan S.  

What I like about my columbia one is how durable its been

I must have had it for 4 years now, and whenever its cold enough to wear a jacket it's been that one.

I have a rab vapourise smock type jacket for when I'm doing anything aerobic, but i wouldn't like to wear it everyday as its a snug fit, and qute tight on the sleeves

Well for everyday wear, not quite 'whatever' but certainly little need to get anything over fancy or expensive

Mind, if you don't need/want the water resistance of a membrane one (and for low energy day to day stuff you might just), then the heavier weight stretch wovens (various people) must be the toughest things in existence. Just a single layer of thick nylon so what can go wrong?

Paramo rather tough too of course, and that is water resistant and comes in some knee length options which could help with normal trousers. 

Montane mantra seems like a nice jacket

and the Rab exodus too

going to have to scour for some bargains

The Mantra uses Powershield which is great stuff, a lot more breathable than most membrane soft shells and only a very thin whisker less windproof.

The Exodus is in a stretch-weave so ought to be a bit more breathable but not quite so weatherproof. The pit zips ill enhance the breathabilityif the going gets warmer.

Pete.

thanks for all the help everyone

would the mantra be harder wearing?

Both would be "very tough", I'd think. I don't have enough to go on to say more.

Roos has had an ME Powershiled jacket for 3 or 4 years and there are no obvious dents in the outer (the mesh pocket she keeps keys in is starting to suffer a little, but that's mesh and keys for you).

Pete.

Actually if anything the Exodus should be tougher - it seems to be a heavier fabric although no details from RAB to be totally sure - and its all one layer not the sort of 1.5 that power shield does.

But whether thats at all relevant in practice I'd be much less sure. Might well be looking at zips etc failing well before the fabric does on either.

My Exodus seems pretty robust so far. It generally only comes out when I'm working quite hard in low enough temperatures that rain isn't an issue so I don't worry about its weatherproofness. Some testing in moderate rain shows it isn't too bad at keeping the wet out. It has survived a fair amount of me wiping out onto hard, icy pistes, and a small amount of scrambling on granite and grit.

It feels more robust than the Powershield fabrics used in the Rab Baltoro range (but that's entirely subjective on my part). I considered both, but went for the Exodus as I'd be able to use it in warmer temperatures and I could always sling a fleece underneath it when things got colder.

I'd prefer the Exodus to the Mantra because it has a really nice hood... it can fit over a helmet, but tightens up nicely so it fits fine without a helmet and has a decent peak. Its the hood that made me choose it over alternatives from other manufacturers, eg the Haglofs Boiga.

Julian Beech wrote (see)

any opinions on the Mountain Equipment Orion?

No hood. You presumably don't care

The product blurb says the pockets are clear of harnesses or waist belts, which I highly approve of.

Seems fairly generic aside from that.