Avalanche Wear Aegis Hooded Soft Shell

Summary

After a year it's a sponge.

I UPDATED THIS REVIEW AFTER A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. UPDATES ARE IN BOLD

I got this on clearance at Big 5 for $35 Retail. Retail price is $100. 

Now why was it so cheap?

It could be that the rubber tab used to cinch the cuff was about to fall off, but I fixed that with a few drops of superglue. (Update: A year later, both rubber tabs broke completely off.)

It might be that the zippers are kind of weak looking, even though I have had no problems with them yet. Yet meaning about two months of ownership (Update: Zippers are fine).

Maybe it's that the hood, which is well cut but has no way to cinch it down tight should I wear it in a wind storm. (Update: I made a cinch cord with parachute cord; works fine but really? Who doesn't make a jacket with a hood cinch?)

It doesn't seem any less water resistant (waterproof is not a word I use to describe softshell jackets, or most WPB ones either) than my other softshell. I wore it in one of our few and light Eastern WA rainstorms and it was okay. (Update: Wore it skiing in wet snow and it was a SPONGE!! Had to toss a Gore-tex shell over it.)

Well there aren't any pit zips either but the Napoleon pocket and hand warmer pockets both have mesh inside and let out some heat once you get moving.   

The brand is not one we know well and doesn't have the zing other brands. So I'm not paying for a logo on the back of my shoulder. (Not paying for waterproofness either.)

I like the fit, mine is an XL and its true to size. Colors are okay, I got the green one. Quality and workmanship look fine so far. My Avalanche Wear thermal top is as good as any out there. (Fit is great.)

So really it looks like a smaller company that is trying to break into the market and needs a few of us to give them input about what we expect. It's an okay jacket and definitely worth my $35 but lacks what we all have come to be accustomed to in a functional jacket. (Very breathable compared to membrane-based WPB fabrics.)

I am interested in watching this company. Fantastic thermals and base layers, but their jackets...they have a learning curve ahead of them. (Maybe it's that softshells need to quit saying they are water-resistant.)