Posted: 11/10/2011 7:35:43 PM EDT
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It's finally cold here in Utah and I need a new softshell jacket. Help me oh mighty ARFCOM.
Preference is black or FDE. I am 5'8", 230 pounds. |
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Go to REI and try a bunch of soft shells on and you will get a feel for which one you really like as opposed to buying one online and getting disappointed.
I can say with almost near certainty that either Marmot, Arcteryx, Mountain Hardware, Outdoor Research, North Face, or Patagonia jackets are going to make you very happy. Great gear. |
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What kind of activity? Arctyrex and TAD are both great choices, especially for the tactically minded. Northface is a great choice for more sporting pursuits.
I have multiple TAD Gear (http://www.tripleaughtdesign.com) softshells and they are some of the best made pieces of clothing I own, and that includes the bespoke suits that cost me as much as a small car. Read some recent reviews of the Arcteryx LEAF gear from a TAD Gear fan and he was impressed, but it'll cost ya. |
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I just got a north face apex from REI with a 20% coupon very happy with it. I think it was $100ish with coupon? I've had one of those for a couple years now. It's good for kicking around town, but anything more than that, and I feel like it's only a decent base layer. Not much wind-breaking ability, especially in the arms. That being said, I wear mine all the damn time. |
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Go to REI or Backcountry and try some on. They are all cut differently and what works for one of us may not work for you. Edit: Just saw your height and weight. Go to Dick's Sporting Goods or something similar and try a TNF (The North Face) jacket. They seem to be cut for the "average" American. |
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This man speaks truth. I bought 2 on sale for cheap several years ago (one black and one dark green), and am still using the first one as my daily wear jacket for days when it's cool out. Haven't even touched the second one yet. Very wind and water resistant, and I have found it to be very warm as well. Extremely well built; like I said I've worn mine almost daily in the spring and fall (and even in the winter sometimes) for 3 years now and there isn't a whole lot of visible wear or a noticeable decline in warmth or wind/water resistance, even after several washings. The black color is a very good choice for most occasions. Also, Marmot tends to cut their jackets long, which I prefer for wind resistance/keeping my ass warm. Some people don't like that feature though. Also, it doesn't have a hood. I prefer hats to hoods so that doesn't bother me either.m, |
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Do you have an REI or anything similar nearby? Go there and give us an example of what you are looking for. Either that, or do what I did and pick up a REI Carbon River Soft Shell on clearance. Have bought some good shit on Steep and Cheap as well. SAC is the bomb for finding deals on gear. They've got all the big brands for half off or better usually, if you are willing to wait for the deals. I've picked up a couple other softshells that way. |
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especially for the tactically minded .. 
Anyways... Check out Wild Things Made in in NH,not China like the majority of TAD gear 
Or check out Otte Gear Custom stuff Beyond |
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Do you have an REI or anything similar nearby? Go there and give us an example of what you are looking for. Either that, or do what I did and pick up a REI Carbon River Soft Shell on clearance. Have bought some good shit on Steep and Cheap as well. SAC is the bomb for finding deals on gear. They've got all the big brands for half off or better usually, if you are willing to wait for the deals. I've picked up a couple other softshells that way. This! I picked up two Arcteryx Gamma SV softshell jackets from Steep and Cheap last year for $60 apiece! One in black and one in a green. Wonderful jackets that retailed for $300 plus! |
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Why a "softshell" specifically? You got something against "hardshells?" 
Haha nothing against hard shells. I work at construction sites as an owner's rep and I spend a lot of time sitting in job trailers that are heated but just to the point that I need to wear a jacket all day. Some of my project sites are federal and state government installations that have a zero tolerance policy on guns,, including logos, so that's the reasons for looking for a decent soft shell jacket. The temps I'm working with are from 50 deg up to 70 deg. |
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Do you have an REI or anything similar nearby? Go there and give us an example of what you are looking for. Either that, or do what I did and pick up a REI Carbon River Soft Shell on clearance. Have bought some good shit on Steep and Cheap as well. http://www.gadsdenandculpeper.com/tan-tactical-softshell.html?productid=tan-tactical-softshell&channelid=FROOG I like the look of those Condor jackets and I like that they have the vents and such. |