Which one do you have that is windproof?
Schoeller is a brand, not a fabric. Dryskin extreme or dryskin are 2 different Schoeller woven softshell fabrics with no membrane. Wb400, wbformula, and newer laminates are membrane fabrics that are more waterproof, and some are waterproof. Schoeller literally invented modern softshell fabrics. Dryskin is their current version, they no longer make the more durable “extreme” version—its not cheap stuff and even the highest-end companies are no longer using the best fabrics, so you dont see this around much now. Thats the point Inwas trying to make. https://www.schoeller-textiles.com/en/textiles/outdoorSchoeller is a hardshell. The fabric is like Goretex. I have a lot of it.
Interesting.Schoeller is a brand, not a fabric. Dryskin extreme or dryskin are 2 different Schoeller woven softshell fabrics with no membrane. Wb400, wbformula, and newer laminates are membrane fabrics that are more waterproof, and some are waterproof. Schoeller literally invented modern softshell fabrics. Dryskin is their current version, they no longer make the more durable “extreme” version—its not cheap stuff and even the highest-end companies are no longer using the best fabrics, so you dont see this around much now. Thats the point Inwas trying to make. https://www.schoeller-textiles.com/en/textiles/outdoor
This also illustrates the problem with bashing “softshells” because the term is now truly meaningless—it means everything from woven nylon fabrics, all the way up through waterproof fabrics that hardly breathe, and thin fabrics all the way up through warrm almost insulated ones. Saying you hate softshells is about as specific as saying you hate food. It’s not all that useful until you specify an actual fabric, or at the very least a much, much more specific type of fabrics.
This is exactly how I view it. SG DeHavilland due to the giant underarm vents, and never take it off until it's time to sleep. I use it most for 4th and late season hunts where it might not get above freezing, or late season pronghorn doe hunts with howling wind.Soft shell for me makes sense if it’s cold enough to be wearing it the majority of the day.
I think it's all a matter of perception. For a long time I didn't like them because I thought they were too stiff and too heavy. However, over time KUIU changed my mind on that. I personally think they're very versatile because they're durable, they're quiet, they cut wind, repel water and are a fairly decent insulator. I think we've grown accustom to believing we need umpteen layers to complete a clothing system but sometimes it's just nice to grab one piece of gear and it cover a multitude of varying weather scenarios. Maybe that's just me but I think that's what's keeping the softshell a thriving piece of gear.Something I’ve been wondering. Why do we buy soft shell jackets? And I say “we” because there’s obviously a market for them. It seems like every time I’ve purchased one, I’ve regretted it because they’re too heavy and not very versatile.