Well, Matthew, you can dump some gear by getting a soft shell. But not all. Not for a multi-day trip. The best soft shells replace two pieces (a fleece jacket, and a shell) under 80 percent of the conditions you聮re apt to run into. Meaning they might cover you 100 percent of the time. Or, only 20, depending on conditions. That聮s because 聯warm” soft shells aren聮t typically quite as warm as a mid-weight fleece jacket layered under a shell, while the 聯weatherproof” soft shells aren聮t typically as weatherproof as a full-on Gore-Tex jacket (or something similar).
Arc’teryx Easyrider Jacket
Arc’teryx Easyrider Jacket
Still, the versatility of a good soft shell gives you some options. Let聮s say you normally pack a set of lightweight long underwear (bottoms and long-sleeve top), a mid-weight fleece jacket, and a Gore-Tex jacket. You could instead pack along an Arc聮teryx Easyrider Jacket ($289; www.arcteryx.com), made with Polartec Power Shield. Power Shield is used in the 聯warm” style of soft shell; it insulates nicely, blocks out wind, and sheds snow and light rain. It also breathes so it stays comfortable in warmer conditions. Worn over a piece of light long underwear, you can wear the Easy Rider over a wider range of conditions than the mid-weight fleece. And because you don聮t have as much need for a full-bore rainjacket, you can get by with a lighter rain piece such as a Marmot PreCip ($99; www.marmot.com). You save some weight and some space in your pack, and are more comfortable overall.
I聮d be reluctant to leave even a light rainjacket home聴if it got really wet, or if you were forced to bivouac, you聮d want it. But if the weather forecast warrants, it might be worth a try doing without. You聮ll still need a hat聴none of the Power Shield soft shells that I聮m aware of (including the REI One, $179; www.rei.com) have a hood. If you decide that a hood is the most important factor, you might try Mountain Hardware聮s Hooded Synchro Jacket ($260, www.mountainhardwear.com). Its Conduit membrane and weather-protective exterior taping should hold up against the elements.
Pick up a copy of the 2006 国产吃瓜黑料 Buyer聮s Guide, on newsstands now, for a look at the best jackets and 396 other torture-tested products.