Naaa, it's a taped softshell. It ought to be slightly more breathable than a waterproof, say, XCR membrane because the hydrophilic PU layer isn't used with Windstopper. That means you'll have to clean it more, but, hey, what is softshell anyway???
Pretty good thanks Jez. busier that an busy thing and barely been out this summer, but trying to so some soon, plus off on a walking holiday in the US in September.
from what i heard, arcteryx started it as a word to call their insulation/midlayer, i.e instead of base/mid and outer, it became base, soft and hard shell, most people atribute the first soft shell product to hamish and buffalo clothing, but what about that tweed jkt used on everest????
p.s personally i reckon these taped softshells will breathe less effectively than xcr, plus you wont be able to control your temperature so easily, but reckon it will make a cool looking ski jkt!
I reckon they'll breathe better than XCR as there's no PU layer on the membrane as far as I can tell, but that the advantage will be offset by the extra insulation :-)
They feel nice anyway, sort of soft but substantial with it. The ones I'm aware of at the moment are from Berghaus and ME, but I'm sure there are a few others too. Of course MHW got in there first with the taped Conduit softshell they've had for ages now.
I suspect they'll work best in cold alpine conditions where the breathability is maximised and the added insulation isn't an issue, erm, unless you run hot of course.
My face winter softshell anyway, is the original Patagonia Stretch Speed Ascent Jacket, which is kind of a more refined pile/Pertex style thing using Regulator 2 fleece and Patagonia's silicone impregnrated Encapsil stuff.
