I'm on the hunt for the best softshell for, well, hunting. To me, a softshell should provide moderate to above average warmth, about like a heavier sweatshirt, but with a strong edge in wind protection and durability (abrasion resistance). Weight should be secondary as the weather protection aspect should be the number one goal in my mind, wind be the number one adversary. I won't ever plan on taking a softshell backpacking. When someone refers to a packable softshell, they are not referring to the same softshell category I am. . . or they probably aren't weight conscious. What is a softshell to you? What do you want it to do?
I have the Kuiu Guide jacket and I don't think it fits the bill. It doesn't cut wind well. It is breathable and moderately warm but it doesn't provide the wind protection I want. You'd say it cuts wind at 10 mph and 50 degrees but when you get a good stiff wind when it's 35 degrees outside you'll change your mind. My Columbia softshell is more durable and wind resistant by far. It is, however, not nearly as comfortable and feature rich as the Kuiu.
I ordered the Jetstream in Moss (I want my softshelll to be a solid color so I can wear casually) because it sounded like it'd fit the bill 100% but. . . it's too loud and the Moss is less of a green and more of a brown. (Different subject but I don't wear black or brown here in Oregon while hunting). I've currently ordered the Arc'teryx Gamma MX (probably too spendy) and the Kuiu Axis [seems to fit the wind and weather protection need but not the durability (this according to Kuiu CS themselves)] and the Kuiu Kutana softshell (would seem to fit the durability bill).
Any other thoughts guys? I'm looking for general insight as well as specific softshells you'd recommend.
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