Soft Shells
We barely noticed this five-ounce piece in our packs. But when conditions changed, we appreciated every feature, from its chest pocket to its stashable hood. The cut is just generous enough to fit over a fleece, while the DWR-coated ripstop nylon is water-resistant enough to fend off a slight drizzle (for an hour or so). The GoLite (below) is lighter, and the Sierra Designs (below that) is warmer, but neither is as versatile as the Rapidfire. And thanks to two smartly placed back vents, it doesn’t feel immediately clammy when the body heat starts building. One of the pockets even doubles as a stuffsack. 5 oz;