REI Aegis Jacket

The REI Aegis Jacket is a lightweight, packable soft shell, excellent as a shell in light rain and snow situations. The Aegis's waterproof hood, shoulders, upper chest, and sleeves provide excellent protection in moderate snow and light rain, while allowing high breath-ability through the rest of the the lower chest material.

Perfect for high energy activities such as digging a snow cave because it is only waterproof where it needs to be and breathes like it isn't even there. Perfect as a shell over a down sweater or light puffy.

I received this jacket about a year ago from my dad as a gift. Evidently he had bought it at a garage sale. At first I was a little apprehensions about the odd jacket that couldn’t decide what it was, a soft shell or a hard shell. My view quickly changed when I tried it out snowboarding layering it over a down sweater, I found that the soft shell material was highly breathable but also very snow resistant perfect for high energy applications.

Fit

The fit of this jacket is superb for its price range allowing great mobility through its stretch material and roomy cut. Though I usually wear a large the one I use is an XL since it is mainly to be used over other large jackets.

Packability

This jacket packs very small and light allowing you to bring a hard shell in addition if heavy rain is a possibility. It also weighs in at just under a pound.

Construction

The Aegis’s construction is superb with all welded seams and bonded zippers, but not so many bells and whistles that it would be weighed down.

Features

The Aegis features two hand pockets, an adjustable hood and underarm gussets.

Conditions

I have used this jacket on over 12 different occasions now and have seen no degradation or regular wear yet. I plan to use it for years to come and would recommend it to anyone in need of a good, light snow soft shell.

Digging my Snow Cave at Lake Valhalla near Stevens Pass, Washington.