Mishmi Takin Qaras Waterproof Soft Shell Jacket

An outer shell for the active kinds.

Mishmi Takin were the outdoor gear partners for the 2016 LA ULTRA - THE HIGH ultra-marathon, and I was lucky to have a race branded yellow color Qaras.

Temperatures in Ladakh can hit an extreme 40° degree C hot in day and drop to minus 10° C at night above 15,000 feet. For such extreme conditions, Qaras did pretty well. It is though OK for temps about minus 4-5° C. Up-till here as well, you need to layer up to protect yourself as breathable nature of the jacket is a slight compromise on warmth front, but only if you are not active.

While marching, fast hiking up in such cold conditions, this jacket is magic that blocks out piercing winds and high loft fleece inside retains your body heat.

The only down side is that it's a bit heavy, so takes some space in your bag.

I occasionally get to try out products in exchange for a review, and recently brought my Qaras Waterproof Soft Shell Jacket made by Mishmi Takin to Yosemite National Park with me. The jacket holds up well in wind and rain and offers ventilation so you can maintain comfort in a range of temperatures.

During my trip, I encountered both wind and rain and the jacket held up impressively well. Of note, the jacket does run small. I usually wear a size S in regular tops and a size M in the Qaras jacket fit me well with room for layers underneath (I was warned that sizes tend to run small). 

The jacket’s design features different zippers that you can open for your desired amount of ventilation. However, keep in mind that the inside of the pockets are not fully lined and you’ll lose a lot of heat if you keep them wide open, which could be a desired effect depending on the weather conditions you’re dealing with.

I am excited to trial this jacket out in the snow and see how it performs.