OK, I’m stretching it a little. The headline suggests the “Soft Shell Revolution” has already happened – and it has in highly aerobic sports like skiing and mountaineering – but it’s less clear we’ll see the same in fly fishing.
Why? What’s a soft shell jacket? And why would you consider wearing one? You ask, the Underground answers…
What Are Soft Shells?
In simplest terms, soft shell jackets occupy a useful middle ground in the outdoor world. Typically, they’re a highly water resistant knit shell bonded to a light interior layer of fine fleece. They’re not insulated or “puffy” like a down jacket, yet they’re warmer than hard shells (most high-end wading jackets are essentially waterproof, windproof hard shells).
Yet it’s not their construction that makes soft shells so attractive – it’s their in-the-wild performance.
They’re not wholly waterproof or wholly windproof like a hard shell – nor is a soft shell as warm as a down jacket – but they can handle everything short of a really pouring rain, insulate nicely across a wide range of temperatures, and absolutely shine when the wearer is generating heat (and potentially sweat).
That’s critical to skier or mountaineers; working up a good sweat in a cold alpine environment is a one-way ticket to hypothermia – the wilderness athlete’s biggest enemy. That’s why – questions in hand – I found my way to one of the best backcountry skiers on Mount Shasta (and owner of the leading local mountain guide service).
His take? He wears soft shells pretty much all the time, saying his hard shells simply gather dust in the closet.
An unabashed Patagonia partisan, he wears soft shells climbing and skiing the mountain – often in rainy and snowy conditions – though he carries along a lightweight-but-warm Patagonia “Micro-Puff” jacket (a kind of synthetic down jacket that still insulates when wet and packs down to almost nothing) to keep him warm during those periods when he stands around in sub-freezing temperatures (pretty much always the case up there).
It’s the kind of practical insight from a working pro that makes a strong impression on me, and I admit to wondering about the application of soft shells to fly fishing.
It’s hard to overlook the utility of a jacket featuring the best working qualities of a four-wheel drive pickup truck, but fly fishermen aren’t as active on a river as skiers or climbers. Are soft shells really needed?
The Test (Or the Beginnings of One)
Because I’m willing to make even the big sacrifices for the Undergrounders, I forced myself to go fly fishing on the Upper Sacramento wearing Patagonia’s fly fishing soft shell (the Insulator).
Soft shell exteriors often feature a tight-knit, almost rubbery look, while the interior is a very fine fleece.
I’m only three trips into the test, but results have been good. The most “extreme” trip was my photograph-heavy snowy day on the river with Wayne Eng, where in upper-20s temperatures, I fished through the snow and wind wearing only a lightweight wicking t-shirt, a thin long-sleeve base layer, and the Patagonia soft shell (plus fleece hat, fingerless gloves, and fleece pants under the waders).
While I was always covered with snow, I remained dry inside the jacket. I was never too warm (the walk to the water was short), and I was also never too cold. In short, I was pretty damned happy with the results, though this hardly represents an all-encompassing trial.
The Good, The Bad, and the Waffling
Pluses? The lack of bulk was freeing; casting, retrieving gear, tying knots – all the basics – were easier to accomplish than if I was wearing the usual winter gear, which includes a bulletproof wading jacket over fleece. Patagonia’s Insulator soft shell is nicely streamlined, and includes covered anchor points for zingers, something I doubt I’ll use, though it’s a nice detail to see.
The experience was one of working closer to my skin than with bulkier clothing, a sensation I heartily endorse.
Minuses? None yet, though I don’t how I would have fared if the snow had turned to a pouring rain. Some go so far as to use soft shells as rain jackets, and my own experience (years ago) wearing a soft shell while skate skiing on a drizzly day suggests they’re far more water resistant than I’m giving them credit for. (The second I tell my readers to “heck, wear ‘em in the rain” I’ll be sued by an Undergrounder for emotional (rain-soaked) distress.)
In addition, soft shells typically don’t include a hood, and the Patagonia soft shell’s cuffs didn’t include a provision for cinching them tightly against water infiltration, so in a truly wet, hostile environment, a hooded hard shell might still offer the best protection.
Clearly, more rainy day testing is called for, so I’ll be back on the river soon (at the Underground, the giving simply never stops).
Last year, I skied/snowshoed to the river on several occasions, and expect the soft shell to shine in those high-output environments. I also want to put it through the winter wringer on a couple hikes to remote sections – the hikes that always left me annoyingly sweaty and fogged in my hard shell past.
The Limits of My Testing
The mountains of Northern California aren’t what you’d call a truly arctic environment; temperatures here don’t often fall into the single digits, and those in sub-zero environments might find a soft shell in inadequate to the task – or at best, only one part of the solution. Then again, the realities of icy guides and a frozen fly line means hardly anyone actually fly fishes in single-digit temperatures.
Those who consistently fish in very cold conditions (those zany steelheaders) might want to look at a warmer jacket – something like the above-mentioned Patagonia Micro-Puff, which though it sells in the bazillions to backpackers, climbers and skiers, was invented on a steelhead river by folks who liked fleece’s warmth and wet-insulating capabilities, but couldn’t abide by its bulk.
Caveats
If you’re interested in trying a soft shell jacket, don’t order the first one you see. Soft shells are manufactured in a fairly wide array of sizes and weights, and the thinnish soft shell jacket designed for a monster cross-country skier might not be ideal for fly fisherman who stand in the water.
In addition – and I’ll attempt to put this delicately – the soft shells designed for extreme mountain types often reflect their whippet-esque physiques – not exactly the perfect fit for the slightly more (ahem) pear-shaped fly fishing constituency. For example, Patagonia’s mountain-oriented “Guide” jacket didn’t fit me very well, and while the fishermen-oriented “Insulator” was too big in the middle, it made more sense.
Thus, if you’re not a member of the 5% body fat club, consider buying a soft shell from a fly fishing company. This is hardly an exhaustive survey of jackets, but I know that fishing-oriented soft shells are currently available from Patagonia, Orvis, Simms and Cloudveil, and I’m not about to start recommending one over the other absent testing all of them.
As you can see, there’s more to come on this subject. And yes, I’m starting the conversation here instead of later simply preaching at you guys about what to buy (it’s Power to the People Friday here at TU).
Any thoughts from the Undergrounders about soft shells? Recommendations? Failures? Whines?
See you on the (cold, cold) river, Tom Chandler
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solid.
I used my Patagonia Deep Wading jacket twice this year, and both instances were late season events in mid-November where I needed a hood to combat the wind. The majority of the rest of the time I had on a soft shell or performance fleece. That says a lot for spending 50+ days a year on the water. I even found myself opting for the softshell over the hardshell at work this season. I only pulled on the raingear once in an extreme downpour.
I believe there will be a big movement in some locales to shift towards a softshell, but it will likely be regional, highly dependent on the climate. Hardshells will definitely have their place, but in drier climates, the softshell will likely reign supreme.
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I wore the insulator non-stop for a week while fishing Labrador’s very fickle and often cold wet and windy remote nrook trout streams and rapids this summer. It way out-performed my expectations. It kept me safely and comfortably warm, and relatively dry in very tough conditions. My wading staff faiedn and I wnet for a swim in big rapids. After the soaking, I was able to quickly get comfortable enough to get back to throwing size 12 white Wulff’s for 5-8lb brookies to rise to. In Labrador you’re often told to never go anywhere without your rainjacket, good advise I was able to ignore. Fishing sans rainjacket in a very remote and primitive fly-out location for two days in mist, fog, light rain, heavy downpours, and frequent high winds, the Insulator kept me very comfortable, even though I was ‘damp’. See the second photo-essay in this thread: http://clarksclassicflyrodforum.yuku.com/reply/95297#reply-95297
Can you tell I love this jacket? Tight Lines, Alistair
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Nice jacket review. I used to fish on Eagle Lake in sub-freezing temps wearing bulky Cabela’s Gortex Thinsulate jacket, pants and mittens, along with bulky Sorrel Pac Boots, and a wool watch cap. I was warm but I could hardly move; looked kind of like the Michelin Man.
For lesser conditions, I often wear a straight fleece (not very waterproof) and carry a very thin Patagonia waterproof-breathable hooded shell with wrist and waist elastic. I like the idea of the new soft shell: I had not heard of these coats but I will be checking my local REI for them.
You are now my official source of useful consumer information. Hot dogs, cameras, outdoor clothing; when will you be doing a review of Scotch whiskeys?
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Nice review Tom. I (and my better half) have been using soft shells for several years (Patagonia, Marmot, Cloudveil) and find them quite well suited to a wide range of conditions. I have used a Patagonia Guide jacket for a few years now and it is my “go-to” jacket for all things outside (fishing, skiing, hunting, biking, peak bagging). I have an older version that does not have wrist closures (velcro) which has been changed – it is a bit of a problem getting tight cuffs off as this jacket is constructed. And the waist/belly is too big – and I am well over 5% belly fat! But the material, construction and durability, as well as it’s moderate waterproofness, makes it a winner. But, if it is going to be a long, rainy day, I find it necessary to have a Deep Wading Jacket (with hood and neoprene cuffs) to keep me dry. I wear the Guide jacket under, but for stout rain, I like a stout hard shell (especially the hood). My Marmot soft shell is one with a light pile lining and seems a little too stiff for me, but it is only a few months into wearing, so might soften up. As for other articles, the Puffball Vest and Pants are absolutely indispensable for me. Am on my second Puffball vest (the first is still around and used quite a bit, but is about 1/2 the thickness of new – lot’s of hard use). And the Puffball pants are really much nicer than pile pants in waterproof/breathable waders. I was pretty skeptical of this, thinking the waders/water pressure would compress the pants and not provide much warmth, but this is not the case. Very warm, lightweight and not restrictive. Get a pair! (Although when it’s really cold and cold water, I still go to my 5mm neoprenes with the 1200 gram thinsulate booties – the air bob soles on them are far better in snowy conditions.) Thanks for the reviews, when are you going to have a garage sale for the multitude of test clothes your going to accumulate?
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Great topic and review–it’s good to get some soft shell info out there. I was fortunate enough to help test an early prototype of the Insulator Jacket, and the fact is, for months on end I hardly took it off. I mean, you know, to shower and such…but outside, it was pretty much a second skin. For moderate temps (as we have here in the Pacific Northwest) it works almost all year round to keep you comfortable and at the right level of warmth. I wore it on the Sound and rivers on chilly summer days, into the fall, through the winter and spring as well.
For moderate temperatures and precip, I think it’s an incredible piece of gear. As mentioned above, it moves easily, stretches and fits closely to t he body. I think of it as kind of a combination of light fleece and light shell, in one thin, comfortable package. Best part is probably the wide temperature range it works across.
Of course, in very cold weather, or serious rain, there are better options–like the puff gear or fleece under a hard shell, but in these parts, those are relatively rare conditions. For most moderate to chilly weather, I’d happily fish in this.
Another bonus is the cut and fit are such that it looks great for just wearing to town or out to eat without making you look like Mr. Fish Geek. For that reason alone, I’d say this is a true multi-use jacket. I wear mine for steelhead fishing, salmon on the Sound, chopping wood, grocery shopping, working on boats, traveling, etc. Still looks exactly as it did when I first got it, too, so it’s tough as nails.
Anyway, that’s my .02 from a long field test. In fact, I still haven’t given the original prototype back and am still wearing it almost all the time.
Peace,
Dylan
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The Soft Shell Revolution?
A Patagonia product review?
Gee, I was hoping for at least a good crab recipe or an epicurean experience that didn’t include the dreaded slaw dog.
Good review, although there was nothing softshell(crabby) about it.
I guess I should look into these softshell things as I’m either freezing my behind off or layered up so much I can barely move.
Thanks Tom.
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Wannabee: Yeah, I’ve done the Michelin man thing too, and it really gets uncomfortable when you’ve got to walk or wade any distance at all, and suddenly you’re a sweatball.
Taku: My big pile o test clothes? As one of fly fishing’s leading bloggers, I’ve accumulated exactly three non-book freebies – the Sharkskin fly line, a Buff neck gaiter, and… well, two I guess. I paid for the jacket and my gear reviews are pretty much just stuff I own. Ahh, the glamor…
Don: Send us a crate of crabs and a recipe (scribbled on a $100 bill), and I’ll do something especially for you. See – the Underground’s wholly responsive to its readers. And give the soft shells a look – my original (years ago) gave me good service.
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I think the three best inventions of our times are:
1) Apple Macintosh
2) iPods
3) softshells
I love softshells. At last count I’m up to five of them and I bought and sold two of them prior to these five. There’s different mainstream materials and the only one I haven’t tried is the Gore Windstopper. Most of my jackets have the Schoeller or Madden Mills Power Shield fabric and I can’t say enough good things about them. I even have softshell pants, hats and gloves.
I own a Marmot Gravity softshell and it’s too warm for average California use, but perfect for low activity or cold weather locales. The Cloudveil jackets are pretty nice, and like Patagonia, they understand fly fisherpeople’s, ahem…, shapes better than Marmot or Sporthill.
But see, the reason Tom bought the Patagonia in the first place is because his OTHER softshell is cut for some Olympic athlete — which might — just — fit — me. What size was that other jacket again Tom…?
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I bought a Mtn Hardwear Offwidth because it is one of the few softshells out there without the fleece lining. Why, you say? This makes it much easier to pull on and off for daily casual use without dragging on your sleeves and such. When fihsing I’ll generally wear it over a light or midweight base layer with R1 or some similar piece in the middle. I like the flexibility it offers for sport and everyday use.
It is one of the snugger running jackets though. If you’re on or above the average fit of a given size, I’d go up a size. Mine’s a XXL, larger than my TNF Mtn Lite, though the same size as my Patagonia Deep Wading. The arms are likely long enough to fit somebody 6′6″ and 260 just fine.
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Good review TC. I’m personally happy that you are finding the Insulator Jacket to be a good match for your needs. Keep me posted on your assessment of this soft shell as you log more hours in it. If interested, check out this earlier post and comments on this jacket at Way Upstream – http://www.wayupstream.com/2008/06/insulator-jacket.html.
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The product placement is wonderful…I suppose we will see you in quotes in the next Patagonia flyfishing catalog. Yvon will be pleased.
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Thom: Is it “Product Placement” when I buy the jacket? When nobody at Patagonia asked me to review anything or sent me anything? Simple questions.
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Tom
I see your point. maybe “shameless plug” or “nice endorsement” would have worked better.
Yvon will be happy with either.
Happy New Year
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If you’re interested in a quality soft shell jacket, check out ebay or some of the discounters fairly often. I just scored a Patagonia Insulator (like Tom’s) for $100 off the list price. I would bet that given the continuing economic woes that opportunities for discounted prices are going to get even better.
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Officially speaking, the Trout Underground abhors bargains of any kind, reasoning that anyone who can’t afford to pay full ticket simply shouldn’t fly fishing. Keep the riff-raff out, we say, though we’re not above keeping our eyes peeled for odd distress sale, reasoning that’s good for the economy (we’re patriots too).
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Anyone remember Martin Mull’s The History of White People in America. IIRC the true believers were Protestant, preferred salad dressing and marjorine and always, always paid full retail.
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Yes, I was raised Methodist.
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