 Poster: A snowHead
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As i'm currently in the process of looking for a new jacket, i've realised that i've given little thought to getting a soft shell over a hard shell.
I'm looking at this from a purely skiing point of view - i have little interest in how it's going to cope with torrential rain. I do need it to be able to handle what conditions Scottish winter mountain weather can throw at it. I'd also say that i'm pretty unlikely to head out into the mountains if the forecast is horrific.
Do you ever feel that you would be better off in a hardshell jacket when you're skiing?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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When it was windy the softshell wasn't enough on its own. You could opt for a softshell and a very thin, compact, foldaway, less expensive hardshell though.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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My Salomon Softshell is 10,000mm waterproof and windproof, and breaths better than the gore-tex it replaced. Take a look at their 3 in 1 jackets and salopettes
It also doesnt rustle when your skiing and is stretchy so much more comfortable
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You really need to decide what kind of skiing you will be doing as to how much breathability you need, don't forget those chairlifts can be pretty cold.
I went with a softshell hardshell combo this year but only really pulled the shell out when in bad visibility and guiding others as i find red a bit brighter than black! I think softshells have really improved in recent years and are definitely a viable alternative now.
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I would say if you're going away fromt he pistes/ easy availability of shelter a hard shell is still ultimately higher performing, although the gap has probably lessened recently. Saying that, I often use my soft shell instead of hard shell (it's a nicer colour lol) unless it's a blizzard or I'm planning an offpsite mission.
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my arcyterx Goretex soft shell (which isn't as soft as others) has been fine down to about -15 (with 1 long sleeve merino top and 2 thin fleeces underneath) and in wind etc etc
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Softshell = resort and/or very fair weather skiing in my book. T shirt + good ventilated hardshell fine even when warm out.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I don't understand the difference between soft shell and hard shell  Can someone point me in the right direction? I currently use a standard type of ski jacket - you know, snow skirt, pit zips pockets for various things and with insulation /padding.
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kitenski,
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my arcyterx Goretex soft shell (which isn't as soft as others) has been fine down to about -15 (with 1 long sleeve merino top and 2 thin fleeces underneath) and in wind etc etc
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I'll second that, only time I've ever felt I needed a hardshell was getting rained on in resort. Even then was more waterproof than I expected. I wouldn't go walking in it in a British winter though!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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My softshell is more waterproof and breathable and probably more durable than my old goretex shell. Its also much more confortable and stretches. The gap between hard and shoftshells has not only been closed but well and truly shattered recently
I'll take my Saloman 3 in 1 softshell out in any blizzard in preference to my old gore outers any day
But like all things there are good and bad of each, the best examples of softshells are superb. But there are plenty of bad ones of each
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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How do you tell good from bad? What criteria do you look for? Price doesn't automatically reflect quality - in most things there are really good budget options where you're not paying a supplement for a posh label.
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I have switched to a softshell if thats what theyare called ( i also have the normal ski jackets as well)
picked mine up in la ros last year in one of the shops on the main road
it by a company i have never heard of but it looked the dogs danglies came in about 4-5 colours i remember
i cannot get it at the momement - its called Norwegian technical or something odd like that
had two layers and all the zips, snow skirts etc - and best of all was only £70
wore it this year - minus 6 t shirt under neath , and it was still very warm
totally recomend it
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You know it makes sense.
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| Gadge wrote: |
kitenski,
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my arcyterx Goretex soft shell (which isn't as soft as others) has been fine down to about -15 (with 1 long sleeve merino top and 2 thin fleeces underneath) and in wind etc etc
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I'll second that, only time I've ever felt I needed a hardshell was getting rained on in resort. Even then was more waterproof than I expected. I wouldn't go walking in it in a British winter though! |
I emailed arcteryx before buying mine, their softshell is exactly the same waterproofness as their hard shell, hence I have worn it in a British downpour!
Exact Answer and Question below:
There is no difference in waterproofness of any of our Gore jackets but there will be a difference in the overall breathability with the Sidewinder being better at moving the moisture from your body away from your skin and outward which in turn helps keep you dry.
Customer Service
ARC'TERYX Equipment Inc.
www.arcteryx.com
--------------------------------------------------------
Summary: Service Forms: ASKSPCL Customer No 60101
Question:
I'm trying to decide between a Sidewinder and Stingray jacket for skiing and using around town in the rain! Is there any difference in the waterproofness and breathability of the two products? Thanks,
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| fatbob wrote: |
| Softshell = resort and/or very fair weather skiing in my book. T shirt + good ventilated hardshell fine even when warm out. |
see above, no difference in waterproofness of some softshell vs hardshells.....
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Poster: A snowHead
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Butterfly, Spent a week skiing in Transylvania last week, ski trousers were Aldi softshells which have stood up no problem to the repeated spills an improving skier pushing it a bit to hard every now and then subjected them to.
On the colder mornings (-8 or so at the coldest, little wind) it was my Rossignol tribe jacket (£37.50 if I remember right, certainly under £40 from TK Maxx) over an Aldi merino t shirt and thin decathlon fleece, by afternoon most days temp was similar but I'd warmed up so it was an Aldi softshell jacket over the merino t shirt. Total cost of my softshell outfit was about £25 (about £15 for the trousers and £10 the jacket, bought after they'd been hanging round the shop a few weeks so got reduced) and it did a job I can't fault!
Proof you don't have to spend a fortune for decent kit!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Total cost of my softshell outfit was about £25
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Good effort 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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kitenski, this is contrary to what I have been told (in Ellis Brigham) and read on various review sites.
The soft shell Gore-tex Soft Shell (Stringray) breathes better than the Gore-tex Pro Shell (Stinger). The Pro Shell is more durable though (good for climbers).
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Bikeandsnow, so would you believe Ellis Brigham or the manufacturer? I know who my money is on....
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I spent a week in Les Arcs in February using a (quite pricey) Norrona softshell. It did me fine down to the mid minus twenties on the coldest couple of days along with a wool base layer, and a medium thick fleece. I did feel a little cool on the lifts, but I don't mind that as I know that if I'm warm there I'll boil when on the hill!
I had a hard shell in my pack and never took it out all week.
I used to use a big insulated Spyder jacket but this was far too hot and bulky for me.
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halfhand, I'm not entirely sure what the difference between a hard and soft shell is either. I have a normal ski jacket like yourself, I don't believe it comes into the category of 'shell'. I think the idea behind the shell thing is to have lots of layers with the shell being the outermost layer. What one does with all these layers when they get a bit hot and have to shed a few, I have no idea. With my jacket I just open the zips and vents. However, I might add that I'm a holiday skier and not into all this technical gubbins.
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kitenski, have got exactly the same dilemma going on so was interested to see the reply you received. All but decided on a ladies Acteryx Stingray hard shell myself, but have not been able to try on one in a shop as apparently only female stick insects can ski. [but that's another story].
Will be having a look around the resorts when I get out to Mottaret.
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