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Topic Date User

What is the best softshell going round? 15-Apr-2011 At 12:08:43 AM Mike Bee

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For climbing in Australia, I find softshells too warm most of the time.
That said, I own both a Mont Meteor and an Arc'Teryx Gamma SV, both equally warm, the Arcy has better shaped pockets for use with a harness, but the Mont has pit zips, which go some way to aleviate the fact I find them both too warm for climbing in.

My next softshell (they are too warm for Australia, but I lived in them in Canada) will be either the Rab Baltoro Alpine (first choice) or Rab Baltoro Guide. I want these purely because they are a bit longer than most other softshells, and my biggest complaint that I have about both the Mont and the Arc'Teryx, and every MHW, TNF and Berghaus softshell that I've tried on is that they aren't long enough to stay tucked into the harness while your arms are above your head. That cold gap that forms becomes quite uncomfortable when the ambient temp is -10deg!

For climbing in Oz, I find either one or two thermals and a windshirt is the best combination in cooler weather. If that's too cold, then I will go for a thermal and a windshirt, and take up a superlight insulated jacket as a back up.