Do I really need a softshell?

[chuckeglenn]

Do I really need a softshell in my layering system? I've already got a FL Uncompahgre Puffy and a Sitka Cloudburst jacket. They are both a little noisy, but I'll be using them for rifle season in Montana, so that's not a huge concern. Thoughts????

 

[weaver]

Never use one anymore. It really doesn't do anything all that well.

 

[Back Country Hunter 2]

For rifle hunting it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[WRO]

I love mine, it's great for hiking in the cold and it's comfortable

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[jspradley]

I have one I wear casually but I can't see any good hunting use for it...

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[sr80]

i am also anti soft shell...at least for big 10 day pack in trips.

 

[luke moffat]

Yup they don't block rain like a true hardshell rain jacket and not nearly as warm as a puffy. Couple that with the fact that you can have a quality rain jacket AND quality puffy and sitll be lighter than most softshells why would you bother unless weight was of zero concern.

 

[gelton]

Dropped my softshell after my 1st season of backpack hunting and havent missed it at all and I bowhunt. Baselayer + midlayer + puffy + raingear will handle most anything mother nature has to throw at you. May bring along a vest just for creature comforts though.

 

[fngTony]

Dropped my softshell after my 1st season of backpack hunting and havent missed it at all and I bowhunt. Baselayer + midlayer + puffy + raingear will handle most anything mother nature has to throw at you. May bring along a vest just for creature comforts though.

Like the vest idea, light enough for a backpack trip and some pockets for odds and ends. Been thinking about a jet stream lite or guide vest.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[gelton]

Like the vest idea, light enough for a backpack trip and some pockets for odds and ends. Been thinking about a jet stream lite or guide vest.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

Yeah I picked up a guide vest this year. Think it will keep the puffy in the bag almost the entire time and will only need it if the weather turns.

 

[tttoadman]

I have traded out the mid weight fleece for a jet stream light jacket. There is really no difference in weight, but the jet stream light is a wind blocker. I was anti soft shell, but I think these super light wind shells are a pretty good deal.

For insulation I have a kelvin light vest for early season and a thorium full puffy jacket for late season.

 

[pyroducksx3]

I don't use a soft shell for backpacking but love them when hunting from a wall tent or cabin

 

[warrior80]

Yeah I picked up a guide vest this year. Think it will keep the puffy in the bag almost the entire time and will only need it if the weather turns.

I have also become a big fan of the vest the last couple years. I never used one before, but they are so versatile. I love the Guide vest. The Jetstream vests are also nice.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[ianpadron]

Merino+Puffy+High Performance Shell=Unstoppable ultralight layering system. Comfy at 70° and toasty at 0°

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

 

[Aventus]

This is how I am looking at it right now:

Soft shell + rain poncho = ~$200
Puffy + Rain jacket = ~$600

I sure can use the extra $400 in my pocket right now.

No doubt, the puffy + rain jacket will perform better, but triple the price just isn't practical right now. Plus, from the people I've been talking to and who I am going on my trip with, they told me to not waste money on a rain jacket, and cheap poncho will do the job. So, for me, I think a soft shell will be the better choice. It definitely serves a purpose.

 

[kodiakfly]

I think like said above, it depends on where and how you're hunting. They have their place and they have their place where they're not appropriate. I have a Jetstream and it's one of my favorite items, but it's not for every hunt.

 

[tttoadman]

This is how I am looking at it right now:

Soft shell + rain poncho = ~$200
Puffy + Rain jacket = ~$600

I sure can use the extra $400 in my pocket right now.

No doubt, the puffy + rain jacket will perform better, but triple the price just isn't practical right now. Plus, from the people I've been talking to and who I am going on my trip with, they told me to not waste money on a rain jacket, and cheap poncho will do the job. So, for me, I think a soft shell will be the better choice. It definitely serves a purpose.

Just get the softshell jacket in a nice earthy tone instead of a camo pattern When you pick up a nice insulation layer later, it will be a nice day to day jacket.

 

[Marshmstr]

I have also become a big fan of the vest the last couple years. I never used one before, but they are so versatile. I love the Guide vest. The Jetstream vests are also nice.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

I wear my vest all the time, it's the one piece I tend to never leave home without.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fngTony]

Just get the softshell jacket in a nice earthy tone instead of a camo pattern When you pick up a nice insulation layer later, it will be a nice day to day jacket.

Thats my only regret buying the guide jacket in verde. My kids call it Minecraft camo.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[fngTony]

Lots of valid points for and against. Most people here are speaking from a backpack hunt which there is no need. Don't buy a softshell solely for hunting. Buy one for general use and some hunting scenarios its justified.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk