Gear

So lots of stuff here and on TGO about the new Glacion jacket - but is this really soft shell? If so is my Windbloc ACT fleece a soft shell as well? It seems that the soft shell tag has widened to include everything from Windproof fleeces to Buffalo jackets to Pertex windproofs to Paramo waterproofs, almost anything in fact that isn't either a base layer or a taped-seam waterproof - the soft shell tag now seems to include such a wide spectrum as to be meaningless as a way of describing something.

Soft shell covers more than that, Chris. You can now get taped waterproof "soft shell". The term has become meaningless.

Originally soft shell was used to describe Patagonia's versions of Buffalo Pertex/pile. The key features were good breathability, wind resistance and insulation. Once you ignore good breathability and introduce waterproofness then the term becomes too broad to be any use.

Interesting. My criteria for soft shell always included a degree of breathability, insulation, wind-breaking and a limited water-resistance. Buffalo PP wouldn't have made it for me on account of it not being water-resistant at all (although the technology should not be dismissed for that reason).

This site seems to have a precise definition of what is a soft shell and what is not:
http://www.softshells.co.uk/not-soft-shells/

My own definition:

A soft shell is an item of clothing that is not quite water-resistant enough while at the same time being not quite breathable enough (and probably not warm enough for its weight).

:)

I understand that the Windbloc ACT 'membrane' is the same as that used in PowerShield. This membrane is actually a layer of PU glue, which, due to the way in which is is applied, forms a naturally 'perforated membrane' which cuts out most, but not all of the wind.

The only difference between Windbloc ACT and PowerShield seems to be the choice of face fabric; fleece in Windbloc, knitted or woven face in PowerShield.

For my views on soft shell, and some links to other OM threads, have a look at this thread. Sadly, the link the the Rennies document at MEC seems to have died.

<my ice climbing chums have since pointed out to me that ice climbing sometimes does involve lots of water cascading over you; after all, that's how many ice climbs are formed: by freezing of waterfalls. I consider this to be down to poor choice of route...>