Soft Shell for Red Rock in Nov.

Can anyone offer some advice on buying a soft shell for use at Red Rock in November.

I've never owned a soft shell before, so I'm not quite sure what to expect in terms of the performance.

I'm looking for a lightweight hooded soft shell that I can throw on over my base layer should the weather go south.

Looking through the archives I found the ArcTeryx Gamma MX Hoody. It looks like a nice jacket, but I was wondering if something like this is actually too warm to have at RR.

Any suggestions or recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks,
Glenn

Soft shell's are awesome all around cool, not cold, weather jackets or for aerobic activities.

Keep in mind that as a general rule, the warmer it is, the less "soft" it is. My absolute favorite softshell is a light weight hooded Arc'teryx, but I can't remember the model(I want to say sv). I was wearing it in March with a light fleece vest in Zion in the sun. Ay night or in the shade, the puffy came out.

IMHO, if you need to go warmer, a couple of base layers under a light softshell is best. If you need to go really warm, a good lightweight hardshell and a couple layers is more comfortable and versatile than a heavy weight softshell.

Also, make sure that it fits with extra length so it stays under your harness when reaching becuase they tend to be cut a little shorter than hardshells.

Evan

Based off the climbing I'll be doing it look like a lightweight softshell will fit the bill.

Thanks for the feedback.

-Glenn

Best soft shell?

What ever's on clearance! I just picked me up a nifty NF shell for 60% off. Fits like a glove.

Like the Arc'teryx soft shells for fit and ergonomics.
Longer routes, I like a pile vest and hooded windshell for those howler wind days.

There are a bunch of Marmot jackets on sale. My wife and I both own the sharp point I believe. I have never been able or wanted to afford Arcteryx. Hooded soft shell not so important unless you are tackling a wet local or ice. RR is neither.

Glenn, I will say soft shells are awesome... but my favorite piece is still my 20 year old Marmot driclime jacket. I think it was/is the original soft shell and is useful in almost all situations. They are a lot less then almost all soft shells out there. Go for the original version.
Dallen

The Driclime is a great jacket, but will rip open way too easily in my opinion. Cloudveil makes some tough, well cut, affordable soft shells. The NF Apex is fantastic and you can always find one on sale, but it's a little warm. I'm also a big fan of Mountain Hardware transition shirts, I've put mine through hell for the last eight years and it's still as great as ever, super super tough and abrasion resistant, totally windproof, vents well to cool, and somewhat water resistant.

Rob Dillon wrote:Blah blah consume blah blahbity brainwash blah gear blah blah blah ... I'm not trying to violate Guideline #1. I'm trying to do you a favor. Go climbing in some clothes, have fun, and don't sweat the small stuff. Cheers!

Dude, this isn't just any soft shell thread, he needs one that will hold up to the harsh winter conditions of Las Vegas. I mean, it freakin snowed here one time last year!

I have a MEC Ferrata 2 Hoodie that I like.

Has some type of DWR finish on it that really beads up water. Probably not great for a sustained downpour.

Stretchy and comfy. Easy to wrap around your waist and tie onto your person "just in case".

mec.ca/

I have a North Face soft shell I really like too, but, its a pull over and doesn't have a hood. Been nice, though.

Cheers.

Mike McLaughlin wrote:I have the Cloudveil Serendipity Jacket and love it. Not too heavy, fairly wind-resistant, breathes well, and very durable. Mine is about 6-7 years old and still going strong.

+1! the original soft shell!

hell yeah! mine has been kickin for about 10 years now. few patched holes, replaced the zipper a few times. but other than that is bomber. a great piece, and i seem to wear it ?everywhere!?

I kind of go the sale price method as well, last winter I picked up a Mammut Base Camp soft shell on sale for $50 and it is a really nice jacket, the quality is great. It is light, wind and water resistant and not overly warm so I can use it on rock in the spring or on ice with layering. No hood though which would be nice.

Just realized that it is the jacket in my avatar pic.

The Mountain Hardwear Alchemy jacket is my favorite jacket I've ever had!! Maybe a bit heavier than what your looking for though.

Okay, I get it. A soft shell isn't necessary for RR.

November of last year I was on the ridgeline decent off Black Velvet Peak when it started raining. I put on a light rainjacket which kept me dry from the rain but it didn't breathe at all and the inside became very clammy. In retrospect, I thought a softshell would have been good to have to keep me dry while still being able breath. Having never owned one, I asked.

Thank you for the informative replies.

Thanks,
Glenn

I'm of the opinion that a softshell is necesary for walking down the street. They're really one of the most versatile pieces. If you get one, it won't be money wasted.

But, yes, you do not need the most hardcore, warmest one out there. In fact, that one will probably be less comfortable.

Evan

dont have too many preconceived hopes that a soft shell will keep you as a dry as a hard shell. you will still get soaked in a toad-choker of a storm. but if its rainin that hard, youre most likely not moving very fast to need the breathability...

I came across this thread while doing a search for clothing for red rocks. I'd just like to point out that you might need a soft shell and then some for Red Rocks in November. I just got back last week and I had packed a Mountain Hardware Zonal as a belay jacket. Let me tell you I froze my ass off! It wasn't so much the temperature but the windchill. Something windproof with a liner I think is perfect. I ended up hitting REI while I was out there and picked up a Marmot Sharp point and it worked wonderfully with just a midweight polartec fleece longsleeve top underneath (45f w/15mph winds).

I'm actually going to return the Zonal now and possibly pick up a patagonia R1 or something light to wear for my february trip. I'll have the sharp point bagged either on my harness or in a pack. The sharp point also packs down to almost the exact same size as the zonal in an REI ditty bag although it is just a little bit heavier.

I usually use a base technical shirt, and carry a lightweight fleece and wind shell with me. For many situations, this is fine in RR for me; if it's any colder then that I'm usually at home lol.

However, a light soft shell is always a good investment if you can afford it, as many have stated. A heavier one is not needed for RR and will restrict mobility.

I have seen some really nice Marmots on sale at REI lately and they seem to be a good value for the money and light enough to move in.

JacobD wrote:The Mountain Hardwear Alchemy jacket is my favorite jacket I've ever had!! Maybe a bit heavier than what your looking for though.

Check out the Mountain Hardwear Dragon Jacket...it's awesome. And lighter than the Alchemy.

A specific system for a specific place? Not really necessary here, bring what you would for any multi-pitch route given the temperature conditions for while you're there. Generally, November in Red Rock, much like September in the High Sierra or October in the Tahoe region, a good base layer, softshell, and light belay jacket are recommended.

Modify for as heavy duty or light duty as deemed necessary for the conditions as learned through previous experience, and rinse, wash, and repeat as well as modify for all climbing areas worldwide. Following the common logic that if you need a hard shell, you should not be on the rock, especially sandstone, a soft shell should do. You shouldn't need to weather a storm, especially with the frequency of rap stations at RR, and the relatively predictable nature of the weather in that zone.

Hope that helps.

I ended up returning both my other jackets. I was going to get the MH Dragon as previously suggested and stumbled across the marmot ROM. A lot cheaper than the dragon and it's exactly what I was looking for (lightweight/thin/hood/windstopper with an athletic cut. I also got rid of my MH zonal belay jacket in favor of a light weight down vest to wear under the windstopper. The windstopper combined with a long sleeve base layer should be warm enough for conditions down to 45ish with strong wind for me at least based on previous experience.