Quote:
Originally Posted by ThunderCactus
I played claybank in 60mm of rain, numerous other rainstorms, outside in 0 degrees, overnight at 5 degrees, 120km/h winds, etc in my softshell. Without a thermal layer, it's been good from 12-20 degrees. With a thermal layer I've playing in -5 to 11 and been really comfortable.
I've done cold and hot and rainy with my goretex jacket and honestly I'd never think of ever using it again. It just traps your heat in too well. My every experience has been that it kept the rain out perfectly, but I'd just get soaked with sweat anyway, so it really didn't help at all.
The softshell does a significantly better job of regulating heat. The rain cools you down, but the jacket cuts off the chilling effect of any windage.
With the softshell, you can throw it on as the temp starts to drop at night, and take it off when it's convenient in the morning. No risk of quickly overheating if shit hits the fan and all of a sudden you're running 5km in 26 degree heat.
Plus you don't get that annoying crinkly sound every time you move lol
Quite simply, if goretex was the answer, we'd see a lot more goretex gear and a lot less softshell gear!
The 4-way stretch fabric is the best, but very expensive. Supposedly condor makes a decent softshell, you'll have to check reviews.
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Softshells and goretex are different garments with different purposes. A soft shell replaces the need for a fleece and shell for warmth and protection from wind and drizzle/light rain.
If you are stuck in a downpour for hours you need goretex.
Depending on the situation you might not need goretex. If it is warm or your level of activity is high you do not need goretex. If you are wearing a softshell which is soaked through theres not much point in wearing it at all.
If it is cold and heavy rain you need to stay dry with goretex. If totally static you can use a rain layer that breathes less. If you are moving alot, even in cold the goretex won't breathe fast enough so you may still get wet inside, therefore like any other time you have to regulate layers depending on activity.
Its not as simple as goretex = good or goretex = bad.
Garments are just tools and like any tool they have specific jobs.