rab women's softshell jacket

This is less of a problem for the casual softshells, as those are meant to be worn around town, but this is a big deal if you're looking for a technical softshell for ice climbing or backcountry skiing. It is also pretty pricey. While it is a little heavier than our favorite trail running jackets, the Gamma LT provides excellent breathability and warmth for cool weather trail runs. Overall, softshells are ideal for mild weather when you need some coverage from wind, snow, or light rain, but you're unlikely to need full-on storm protection. The patented Wee Burley fabric is abrasion-resistant and durable while still providing excellent mobility. Sandstone splitters, steep ice and mixed crags, windy coastlines, alpine wonderlands, granite domes, and technical trails made up just a portion of our testing playground. Then, it will be much easier to decide whether you need an active, technical, casual, or hybrid jacket.

Both are great options for moving quick and fairly light. It ticks nearly every box that a durable wind layer for climbing or hiking should. The Kinetic 2.0 has soft, supple, and supremely water resistant fabric, making it hard to beat on long days in the backcountry. Pick the Ultimate V and you're sure to be psyched, even ice climbing on cold days in the alpine. Like the two before it, this metric tends to favor active softshells and active/hybrids, with the Proton FL and the Ferrosi being the next lightest softshells weighing 11 ounces and 12.5 ounces, respectively. Softshell jackets are designed for backcountry adventures like climbing, skiing, and trail running all activities that demand unhindered movement. They work well for casual, around-town use where you're not working up a sweat but aren't ideal for wrangling into your pack when you're headed into the backcountry for more technical pursuits. Not only is it incredibly lightweight, but the fabric and design of the jacket lend to durability. No matter what your needs are, our review has some fantastic options.

Another unstoppable contender in this category is the Proton FL. We perused over 80 of the best Seeking a deliciously warm fleece jacket? Related: How to Layer Clothing to Keep Warm. We also considered style.

This jacket was designed with alpine climbing and cool-weather mountain activities in mind, but it would be well-equipped as a light jacket for travel, hiking, or any activity where you move from warm to cool temps. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie is both a great value and a top-performing jacket, a match made in outdoor gear heaven.

This jacket is so lightweight that you'll almost forget you have it with you, and it can be stuffed into its chest pocket for clipping it on your harness or stowing it in the bottom of your pack when not in use.

A softshell is a great layer for colder temps where you're likely to encounter wind, dry snow, or intermittent rain but not an all-out deluge. By and large, softshells are only water and wind resistant. It moves well enough and keeps you so toasty that you likely won't notice the heft unless you have to squeeze it into your pack. Americas Best Backpacking and Outdoor Adventures, Lightweight Soft Shell That being said, the downsides may be irrelevant, depending on the jacket niche you seek to fill. This jacket offers exceptional wind and water resistance. However, it does come close to accomplishing both. How can we improve GearLab? Sizes: mens S-XXL, womens XS-XL A good active softshell should be thin enough to wear on breezy but warm days to take the edge off the wind. This fleece-insulated but breathable hybrid features a moisture-wicking liner to manage sweat and keep you sufficiently warm in cooler weather. It is everything a hybrid should strive to be. GearLab is reader-supported. We love the versatility and style of this jacket for cruising around town or on the trail, and we never felt weighed down by it. As a breathable but weather resistant and highly mobile softshell, the Gamma LT strikes a balance between an active and technical softshell.

These drawbacks aside, this hoody is a great lightweight wind layer that moves and breathes well for all manner of alpine activities. Minds blown. We looked for softshells that layered and fit well, were comfortable, and those that had stretchy fabric or other features to enable movement. A few models constructed with very thin material scored well in this category. Finally, it does not come with its own stuff sack, as previous generations did. The Ferrosi is so stretchy, it will have you jumping for joy! Unfortunately, technical and casual softshells don't earn the highest marks in this category. The reason the Proton FL doesn't earn higher marks is that while it is warm and highly wind-resistant, it is among the least water-resistant of the jackets in our review. If you can afford a specialized item like a softshell, you probably still want to make the most of your money who doesn't? The impressively constructed Arc'teryx Gamma MX earns top marks in this category. To be honest, there is very little this jacket can't do: it is lightweight, has great mobility, and with an ultra-soft fleece lining, it is super cozy, even next to bare skin. With almost as many jackets to choose from as there are stars in the sky, it can seem overwhelming to find the right one for you. If you're looking for a lightweight jacket that is ideal for long granite routes, then an active softshell like the Gamma LT, Borealis, First Ascent, or Ferrosi are the ones for you! It has a thicker lining than most active softshells but is nowhere near as warm as most technical softshells. We still haven't found that perfect unicorn jacket free from drawbacks, and the Alpine Start is no exception. They proved durable and, could withstand the abrasion of granite walls and sandstone cracks and wouldn't disintegrate at the mention of crampons and ice tools. A true outdoor enthusiast, when she isn't rock climbing, this gal can be found swinging ice tools, climbing mountains, backpacking, riding bicycles, or sitting on a rock gazing at the clouds.

Thanks for hanging on with us. Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie - Women's, Fjallraven Bertagen Stretch Half-Zip - Women's, Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Shell - Women's, impressively constructed Arc'teryx Gamma MX, exceptionally water-resistant Apex Bionic, stretchy Black Diamond Dawn Patrol is great, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Excellent mobility, great weather resistance, breathable, durable, harness-compatible hand pockets, Lightweight, durable, breathable, affordable, premium features, quick drying, Very flexible, flattering fit, long torso, comfortable cuff, Inexpensive, stellar mobility and breathability, stow-away pocket, harness-friendly pockets, excellent fit, Insulated, highly breathable, moisture-wicking, comfortable, warm, wind resistant, Below average water resistance, baggy fit, hand pockets inaccessible with harness, Gets wet very easily, thicker fabric is heavier, Not very warm, below average water resistance, Spendy, no pocket that doubles as a stuff sack, some sleeve slippage between fleece and shell, A feature-rich, aesthetically pleasing technical softshell with great mobility, breathability, and excellent weather resistance, This lightweight and breathable jacket has an arsenal of premium features for an affordable price, This comfortable jacket will keep you protected and stylish, from climbing with friends to hanging at the coffee shop, This wicked light softshell has great mobility, is highly breathable and well-tailored - a perfect layer for fair-weather climbing or hiking, A fantastic fleece-lined hybrid that is great as an outer softshell or insulating layer, Wee Burly Double Weave (56% nylon, 34% polyester, 10% elastane), DWR finish, Body/hood: 86% nylon 14% spandex 90D stretch woven ripstop, Schoeller w/Eco-Repel Bio (93% nylon, 7% elastane), Lightweight Matrix single weave with 2-way stretch and DWR, Fortius Air 20 (84% nylon, 16% elastane) Octa Loft knit insulation (100% polyester), Whether alpine climbing, mountaineering, or hiking, this layer is breathable, moves well, and effectively protects from the elements in style, This versatile jacket is a well-priced layer for many mild weather applications, This versatile jacket can take you on grand outdoor adventures or just around the town, This jacket is lightweight, breathable, easy to move in, and affordable - a great combination for the active outdoorswoman, A nimble, lightweight, breathable softshell that is fleece-lined and features great mobility, A breathable but water resistant hybrid with adjustable cuffs, soft fabric, and harness compatible pockets, A fairly lightweight and water resistant active softshell anorak that features quick-drying four-way stretch fabric but is abrasive against bare skin, Whether ice climbing, mountaineering, or heading to dinner with friends, this layer effectively protects from the elements in style, With incredible four-way stretch material and a generous fit, this jacket is one of the most comfortable pieces in our softshell review, An urban-styled, casual hybrid softshell that pairs synthetic insulation with plush fleece panels, though is not the most breathable or mobile, A weather-resistant casual softshell for urban adventures or staying warm around the campfire. I found the sleeves a little long but easily rolled up. The primary objective of a softshell jacket is to increase comfort through breathability and supple flexibility while offering some degree of weather protection. Most of the jackets were tested in size small. When she can get away, she chases sun the rest of the year in Colorado and the deserts of Utah, Arizona, and California. Not only do active jackets have the stretchiest materials, but most technical and casual softshells are thicker and have a fleece lining that typically makes them a little stiffer. When it is fully zipped, the collar is too snug and stiff to be comfortable, and it poked us in the neck. When you're miles deep in the backcountry, you don't want a heavy softshell weighing down your pack. This includes activities such as climbing (rock, ice, mixed, or alpine), skiing (backcountry or cross-country, although for alpine/downhill, you'll want something warmer), snowshoeing, mountaineering, trail-running, peak-bagging, or hiking. The Proton FL has the best weight to warmth ratio of any jacket in our review, making it an easy choice for cool hikes and long climbing routes. A garment that aims to strike the perfect balance between breathability and weather protection so you can move unencumbered on your outdoor adventures.

If ice climbing is in your future, then you will want to seek out a technical softshell, as these provide the best warmth to mobility and breathability ratio. We love the Rab Borealis for striking a similar balance between excellent features and affordability. The new hood is fully fleece lined and more spacious than previous iterations. With the many different types of shells and layers on the market, it can be hard to know which pieces will work best for your individual needs. Hikes and trail runs on crappy fall and spring days, fast-changing mountain weather in summer, highly aerobic activities in winterfor all of these things, nothing beats a highly breathable, lightweight pullover or jacket. Active softshells offer great mobility because they are typically made with 4-way stretchy fabric and are designed to allow freedom of movement. Read review: Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody. They're also perfect for days when your heavy ski jacket or hardshell are overkill. We were especially impressed with how well the ever-affordable Outdoor Research Ferrosi performed in this category. High up on an ice route is not when you want to be worried about the mobility of your softshell, which is why we love the mobility offered by the Gamma MX. Which is great for taking the edge off the wind on an otherwise lovely day while hiking. The Ferrosi performed well across nearly all our metrics, and does so at a completely reasonable price. The Borealis is Rab's lightest weight softshell and it certainly provides in terms of premium breathability and mobility, all while being incredibly affordable. Depending on how you intend to use the Gamma LT, this jacket's downsides may be inconsequential. Versatile enough to be used as an insulating layer while climbing long granite routes or as a mid-layer while ice climbing.

Each of these stretch easily and move more like a shirt than a jacket. Each of these jackets provided more warmth than all but the best technical softshells without sacrificing too much in terms of breathability or mobility. This fleece-lined jacket is an ideal option for mixed conditions and cold days while ice climbing or mountaineering. Our review team noted very few drawbacks to this otherwise feature-rich jacket. These softshells are not designed to keep you ultra warm or to provide premium weather protection, but they are great layers to keep you comfortable in wind or shade in otherwise warm weather. The ideal softshell should triangulate between weather protection, breathability, and mobility all without weighing down your pack. The Gamma MX is an awesome layer for cold and blustery winter days. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie is a fantastic value. Rab claims this jacket is waterproof, but it wetted out in monsoon storms and isn't waterproof enough to trust it in an all-out rainstorm. Read review: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoody. Let us know! The deep partial front zipper offers good venting. That said, the stretchy Black Diamond Dawn Patrol is great for some applications like downhill skiing (when paired with extra insulation) and casual snowshoeing on a packed trail. In our review, we do have one jacket that nearly proves the exception to this rule: the Rab Kinetic 2.0. The Kinetic 2.0 earns top marks in this category for being a silky-smooth, highly water-resistant jacket ideal for summer mountain adventures or traveling. The Arc'teryx Proton FL Hoody is a jack-of-all-trades hybrid for those who want something extra from their softshell. The exceptionally water-resistant Apex Bionic is one of the warmer softshells in our review, and it did well in our water-resistance test making it a great option for a winter jacket in an urban environment. Part of why this jacket is so light is that it is a half-zip pullover, a feature we love for when you don't want to deal with a zipper underneath your harness. While the Apex Bionic is too heavy to be ideal for technical outings, it is durable and warm, making it a great jacket for car-camping. Hybrid softshells are relatively new on the scene, and they attempt to bridge the gap between different jacket types be it by providing extra insulation or water resistance. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. The zippered chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack when you want to stash your jacket on the back of your harness or in your backpack.

Featherweight and it packs down to the size of your fist, you'll hardly notice the Alpine Start in your pack or on your harness. All that aside, if you need a cozy mid-layer with breathable insulation, the Proton is an excellent choice. The four-way stretch fabric allows an athletic fit without inhibiting range of motion. We love it for shady mornings in the desert and windy summits in the summer. The Alpine Start Hoody proved to be the lightest-weight softshell in our review, weighing a scant 6.5 ounces.

You wouldn't even know the Borealis was on your harness except for how pink this one is! Got feedback? It has great features for the price including a pocket that doubles as a stuff sack, so you can clip your jacket to your harness when not in use. Spoiler alert: the top-performing jackets in this category were all active or hybrid/active softshells.

but also shockingly breathable. It has comfortable cuffs, a two-way adjustable, helmet-compatible hood, and a flattering alpine-style fit that is equally at home in the alpine or at a brewery. They can leave you feeling swampy, suffocated, and stuffy. By contrast, casual softshells are more ideal for winter and shoulder-season layering in urban environments. Each of these jackets also has a pocket that doubles as a stuff sack, a feature we really like. On the flip side, if a jacket says that it's fully windproof (as opposed to just wind resistant), it's a safe bet that it won't be super breathable. Namely, it is neither fully waterproof nor the most breathable jacket in our review. Hopefully our review will help guide you to the best softshell for your next adventure. The cuffs are non-adjustable which could be a feature or a deficit, depending on whether you prefer gauntlet-style gloves or cuffs that cinch over your gloves. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. We paid attention to how well each jacket performed relative to its retail price and considered their value in terms of jacket features, weather protection, and the niche they fill in your backcountry kit. That said, these drawbacks are minor, and for someone seeking a durable, weather-resistant softshell for alpine climbing, peak-bagging, cool-weather hikes, or ski touring, the Gamma LT might just be the one for you. This jacket is a perfect companion on windy days, multi-pitch rock climbs, or high on alpine walls in the summer. Our review team maintains that while versatility is important, it is the least important metric we consider. We even wore these jackets in the shower to test how they performed under pressure (water pressure, that is). With stretchy Schoeller fabric, comfortable cuffs, an "alpine" gusseted fit, and a helmet-compatible hood, it provided incredible mobility so that we barely noticed we were wearing it. Unlike potentially life-saving layers such as waterproof hardshells and insulative baselayers, a softshell is great to have but won't keep you as warm as an insulation layer (like a puffy jacket) or as dry as a hardshell if you get caught in a serious storm. For long rock climbing routes, it can be helpful to have a stow-away pocket with a loop to clip to your harness. That said, given their mobility, breathability, and weather protection, softshell jackets are an ideal layer for many backcountry activities and mountain athletes. The thinner Gamma LT also scores well in this category despite not being nearly as warm because it fends off light moisture and wind admirably. The jacket that earned the highest marks in this category was the Gamma LT. This means it can move between warmer days of ice climbing and cooler days of alpine rock climbing. And the Ferrosi has 4-way stretchy fabric, and the lack of bulk means that it's a fantastic option for layering over a thin fleece or under a big puffy.

The only jacket that bucks convention in this category is the Gamma LT. Even some of the burlier active softshells, like the Gamma LT, have a fairly average weight relative to the other jackets in our review. Need an insulated jacket? If you're checking out a softshell at your local gear shop and you're not sure how breathable it will be, look for mesh-lined pockets. It is a feature-rich active softshell that offers great wind protection, making it a perfect option for rock climbing, peak bagging, or backpacking. It is easy to grasp why active softshells tend to move better than technical or casual softshells. Mobility is one of the most important elements of a softshell jacket. We were especially impressed by the plush and warm Arc'teryx Proton FL and the PrimaLoft insulated Athleta Rock Ridge. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, We played in all manner of terrain and weather in women's softshell jackets from Arc'teryx, Rab, Black Diamond, The North Face, and more. Related: How We Tested Softshell Jacket for Women. We love hanging out in the Proton FL because it manages to be wonderfully warm (and soft!) We love the barely-there feel of the Alpine Start. These layers are less stiff, noisy, and suffocating than hardshells, making them more pleasant to wear, despite not offering the same level of weather protection. We tested the softshells in our review in the sun and shade, rain, snow, wind, deserts, and mountains, doing various activities designed to get the blood moving and the sweat flowing. The fit is a little on the boxy side, so if you're between sizes, you might consider sizing down. Some sleeve slippage between fleece and shell, No stow-away pocket for clipping to your harness.

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