Gore has a whole website dedicated to the joys of Windstopper Soft Shell but it doesn't actually tell you anything. So, to cut the crap, how good is it? Is it a totally different beast from "bog standard" Windstopper or is it simply a clever way of marketing Windstopper with a face fabric that is abrasion resistent and has a DWR? Also, can anyone comment on what it's like compared to other "soft shell" offerings (such as PowerShield), particularly when it comes to breathability.
you will find powershield more breathable than gore, and schoeller in between, depending on which schoeller, dryskin extreme less breathable than 3xdry, but not alot in it,
its a different membrane in ss windstopper as it has more stretch capability and is more breathable than normal windstopper allegedly
which is helpful, but the world has probably moved on a lot in the past year or so.
Why am I asking all these questions? Well, I'm looking into soft shell and, like most other people, I'm finding it a bit confusing. I walk virtually all year round in most "3 season" conditions. I tend to run fairly warm, so I often make do with a baselayer and, if it's cool, a microfleece, which means that I have to resort to some kind of waterproof shell for anything heavier than very light drizzle. So, I'm wondering if a soft shell, instead of the microfleece, might mean that I resort to my waterproof a little less often?
Any help/recommendations would be much appreciated.
A GT windstopper soft shell should be waterproof for all but downpours - my Haglofs one is :) However, it is rather stiff, which means that: (a) it's abrasion resistance is good - I've hauled round outboard motors while wearing it with no detriment to the outer surface (b) it feels rather stiff on.
There isn't much in the way of insulation to it so it feels cold in winter (and the close fit precludes the wearing of a thicker layer under it) but it doesn't release perspiration very well so if you run hot (like I do) then it gets over-hot even with the pit zips open.
Overall, it's pretty useful in Spring/Autumn for fairly stationary pursuits like sailing but its disadvantages make it less use for activities where you are going to be either very cold or very fast and hot.
Schoeller, on the other hand, is less water-resistant but far more breatheable and flexible. The water resistance can be kept up by washing in TechWash with the occasional re-proofing. My Schoeller trousers have now, after a lot of wear, begun to pill.
I treated myself to a half-price Arcteryx windshirt with WR this summer and I love it; it stands up to showers and winds without making me too hot. If you wear it with a technical baselayer and the rain is warm, you'd only get out the hard shell in a downpour.
Also worth considering a windproof with good DWR over your microfleece - Patagonia Dragonfly, for instance. Expensive (and cheaper options are available), but DWR is excellent (until you wash it in detergent...). This approach has been my preferred solution for some time, and is a very versatile system; choose the weight of fleece to match temperature, wear one of three options, replace each layer individually as they wear out.
Also consider one of the many microfibre/microfleece offerings, such as ME Microtherm, Montane Krypton, Marmot DriClime, Rab Vapour Rise, etc, etc. Since you run warm, you might find this provides just the right level of warmth, given that it is wind resistant. This is increasingly my garment of choice, in one of many flavours; ME, Montane, Patagonia. If you're getting one, get one with a hood; so nice to be able to add a bit of protection to neck and head.
I find the microfibre windproofs (Pertex, Airfoil, etc) to be more windproof and more water resistant than other fabrics, simply due to the very close weave.
Schoeller is more robust than the microfibres, but I don't find it as wind or water resistant, and it's about three times the price, and 2.5 times the weight, and much bulkier. Best suited to trousers, IMHO.
I don't find PowerShield very windproof or water resistant; face fabric weave is too open. Sadly, that's also true of Montane's Soft Tech IBQ Thermaskin fabric; beautifully cut jacket, but the rain comes in far too easily to be called a 'shell'.
I bought a Sprayway Powershield Litespeed Jacket from TKMaxx last Friday and when I left the shop it was absolutely pissing down, so I nipped the tags off and wore it and was amazed how the rain just ran off it, yet very breathable .I had a cottton long sleeve t shirt and not a drop of moisture on it when I got back to the car. Walking the dog the other day, very windy with a Berghaus Tech T under it, I was so warm I think the Sprayway would have been enough on its own. Outdoor Shop has them in its sale at £59 [large only] Very impressed with it.
