Soft Shell Jackets

Recent Soft Shell Jacket Reviews

Mountain Equipment Men's Echo Hooded Jacket

The Mountain Equipment Echo is an unlined soft shell jacket designed for active pursuits with specific designs for the climber, including articulated arms, a drop hem, helmet-compatible hood, and dual toggle hem. I have found this jacket highly useful for ranges far out of its intended uses—as a protective layer against the sun, a mid-layer in cold winter temps and, of course, as an outer layer in cool temps, especially against wind and abrasion. I have been testing the Mountain Equipment Echo… Full review

Arc'teryx Men's Gamma SV Jacket

Super comfortable. It's still my go-to fleece for park walks and even to the (relaxed dress) office. The fabric has begun pilling around the cuffs and collar. The hem and front has slight abrasion marks. If heading into the elements this is still my most reliable piece. Zips and fastenings all immaculate. Tough? I bought mine for around in 1999 :-) It's likely my most worn item of clothing. Full review

The North Face Men's Apex Elevation Jacket

Good fall winter jacket. Excellent wind proofing. This jacket has good technical features.  It performs very well in fall and early winter conditions.  The hood is large enough to accommodate a helmet, but needs a volume adjustment.  The arm length was 2" longer than I needed but the velcro cuff work well.  The rain I experienced did not stay out after 20 minutes. The jacket shed snow very well. Full review

Mishmi Takin Cayambe Soft Shell Jacket

A well made technical waterproof jacket with a fleece lining suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities. All seams are taped and Aquaguard zippers are used throughout. The Mishmi Takin Cayambe Soft Shell packs a lot of features into a compact jacket. Featuring a three-layer waterproof fabric with a rating of 10,000mm (moderate to heavy rain) this jacket can handle some heavy wet weather. Fully taped seams in a contrasting color add to the waterproof exterior while adding some style. Aquaguard… Full review

Arc'teryx Men's Epsilon LT Hoody

My favorite jacket. Ever. So I can see why people have a difficult time figuring out what this jacket excels at. I have two, an XL that I have worn pretty much every day (except in the summer) for the past five years. I use it primarily as a one-tool option softshell/ hardfleece. This year I got a size Large to use for layering and couldn't be happier. So it's not as soft or insulated as the Gamma MX and not as stretchy as the Gamma LT. It's also a little more than half the price of the Gamma MX. Full review

Mountain Hardwear G50 Jacket

Very nice jacket. Well made and fits right. I'm 6' and 235 lbs and XL fits me well. I really like this jacket. Incredibly sharp looking and well constructed. I listed the higher hand pockets as both a pro and a con. They are designed perfectly when wearing a backpack as they stay above the hip-belt and remain accessible. On the other hand, they look a little odd and not placed well for the hands in average everyday use. So, take that how you will. They are designed with a function in mind and work… Full review

Dragon Heatwear Wyvern 3 Zone Heated Jacket

Love the feel of the jacket. The battery lasts a good amount of time and definitely keeps me warm. I definitely recommend it. If you get cold, this heated jacket is a good one to get. Fit is good. Definitely check the sizing guide before buying. I got it right from their store. And they shipped pretty quickly. Got it in four days.  It can be a bit tight around the waist at times. Has adjustable velcro cuffs which is nice.  It is wind and water resistant. Holds up well in the rain.  It definitely… Full review

Rab Men's Vapour-Rise Guide Jacket

If you need a winter soft-shell and weight isn't an issue, this is the one. Purchased my first one last Autumn (2016) in size XL and in the striking Red colour. Rab states this jacket is a "Regular fit." I ordered my usual XL size, which for me (who's of rugby player build) is a tad long over my arms and a bit snug around my bulky torso. However. The jacket's length does give some additional protection below the waist and means that it won't ride up as easily when i'm reaching up or stretching. Full review

Outdoor Research Men's Whirlwind Hoody

If a softshell and wind jacket mated this would be their offspring—a well-constructed piece that excels in certain conditions. I'd been looking for an in-between piece that would cut the chill from the wind but still have some breathability on the trail when a fleece would be overkill. As an Outdoor Research fan I jumped at the Whirlwind Hoody when it was offered on their site for 50% off despite not seeing a lot of info on it. Big score. It's usually the first thing I pull from my pack and I… Full review