Soft shell vs. puffy jackets

[MaxHenderson]

Anyone have preferences between soft shell jackets (Kuiu Guide jacket or Sitka Jetstream) vs. puffy (sitka kelvin or Kuiu super down for example).

 

[jolemons]

Apples and oranges

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Piscatory_4]

Whatever is the best price.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

They really don’t do the same at all. A puffy to me (KUIU Kenai) is for protection against cold temperatures. Think high pressure systems, cold, but still and dry. A soft shell (KUIU Rubicon) is for protection from bad conditions that don’t require rain gear. It would be worn when it’s not as cold but it’s misty, windy, pushing through brush, riding a horse bumping into wet limbs, etc.

Obviously you can combine a rain shell, mid layer, or wear both of them together for more versatility, I’m just speaking about them over a base layer.

A soft shell is generally much heavier/bulkier, so I don’t take one on backpacking trips unless I expect to be wearing it most of the time.

 

[bracer40]

Puffy can also be a great addition to the sleep system! Not so much for a soft shell.