Windstopper Fleece vs Windstopper Softshell

In article <[email hidden]>, Charlie
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

I can't decide whether to buy a Windstopper Fleece or a Windstopper
Softshell.

What I am after is a general purpose fleece - if there's a heavy
downpour or a extreme cold I am prepared to put on a waterproof /
heavier duty jacket.

Could anybody explain to me the different merits of each type of top?

Thanks in advance.

Charlie

Personally I don't like the laminated windstopper fleeces. They are a
good deal heavier and much less flexible than a normal fleece. On the
other hand a pertex or similar nylon shell with a microfleece lining is
light, windproof, flexible and packs away small.

The only area the windstopper fleece might win is in abrasion resistance
but unless you are rubbing up against rocks or trees a lot I don't think
this is an issue.

I have a mountain equipment Microtherm Zip Off jacket which is brill.

http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/fleeces/microtherm.html

Also look at Montane's offerings like the Duality

http://www.montane.co.uk/products_fastlite_duality.htm

Cotswold have some deals on some of Montane's last season range at good
prices like this Krypton:

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/Cat/106555

As an alternative you can use a pertex shell over base layer / fleece to
keep out the wind / light rain when the conditions don't require full
waterproofs. I regularly use a Montane Lightspeed jacket or Featherlight
smock - they are very light and pack small.

http://www.montane.co.uk/products_fastlite_range.htm

--

Dominic Sexton

"Charlie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I can't decide whether to buy a Windstopper Fleece or a Windstopper
Softshell.

What I am after is a general purpose fleece - if there's a heavy
downpour or a extreme cold I am prepared to put on a waterproof /
heavier duty jacket.

Could anybody explain to me the different merits of each type of top?

Thanks in advance.

Charlie

Charlie

I looked into this myself and it's a bit of a minefield. But to give an
"opinion" goretex windstopper is bulky/heavy and doesn't let any wind
through so without pitzips you will get very hot, if you're not moving too
much then it may be ideal. Soft shell is a bit of marketing thing/gimmick in
that there is no definitive material. I myself went for a Berghaus Baltoro
jacket DWR schoeller fabric. I can tell you it really sheds water, is
lightweight and breathes to a much higher extent. If you're not moving
though and it's cold then I found I need another layer(in winter). I did try
a cloudveil, again in schoeller fabric but softer and more friendly with a
knitted inside surface £120 but I think it would be slightly warmer. Anyway
the nitty gritty for my money leave the windstopper out of it unless you're
not too active and going somewhere really cold.

Hope that helps Alan

Dominic Sexton said:

Personally I don't like the laminated windstopper fleeces. They are a

Quoted message said:

good deal heavier and much less flexible than a normal fleece. On the

Quoted message said:

other hand a pertex or similar nylon shell with a microfleece lining

is

Quoted message said:

light, windproof, flexible and packs away small.

Presumably a soft shell will provide less warmth?

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] writes

Quoted message said:

Dominic Sexton said:

Personally I don't like the laminated windstopper fleeces. They are a

Quoted message said:

good deal heavier and much less flexible than a normal fleece. On the

Quoted message said:

other hand a pertex or similar nylon shell with a microfleece lining

is

Quoted message said:

light, windproof, flexible and packs away small.

Presumably a soft shell will provide less warmth?

Well you can get them with different weight linings from a very thin
microfleece up to deep fibrepile so it depends.

The windstopper fleeces do not have much of a pile on the inside anyway
so I doubt that they have much more insulation value than the lightest
soft shells.

--

Dominic Sexton

Alan,

Thanks for the info - really useful.

Maybe I should put my question in context.

What I'm looking for is an all-purpose fleece-typed thing to take on a
round the world trip.
I will be doing some hiking in Katmandu - but intend on hiring a jacket
for that part.

What I'm after is something that can be used on a day-to-day basis when
it is too cold for a t-shirt,
and also something I can wear with a helly hansen thermal and a t-shirt
when it's a bit colder. So yes I
will spend periods of time when I'm not moving.

I figured a windstopper fleece would provide me with enough protection,
but wondered if a soft shell (
whilst also providing a bit off water resistance) would keep me warm
enough.

I'll also be taking a thin waterproof in case it pours down.

Charlie

On 6 Apr 2005 05:42:07 -0700, [email hidden] wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Maybe I should put my question in context.

[...]

Quoted message said:

What I'm after is something that can be used on a day-to-day basis when
it is too cold for a t-shirt,
and also something I can wear with a helly hansen thermal and a t-shirt
when it's a bit colder. So yes I
will spend periods of time when I'm not moving.

Both the Montane Krypton and the ME Microlight have been mentioned.
I've got both of those and second the recommendations: they're great.
They're quite different in style, though: the Krypton is floppy with a
little hood, whereas the ME jacket is smarter, and something I often
wear around town at the weekend if I'm lookng for something to shove
on on top. It has a flimsy fold away hood. I'd also suggest taking a
look at the Montane Solo, which I've also got.

I don't think any of those things are likely to be warm enough without
something further if it's *really* cold, but they're all likely to be
warm enough most of the time in 'average' climates, and they're also
quite water repellent.

If you get to the newsagent you might just be in time to get the April
edition (which is actually last month's) of TGO magazine. I think it
was that one where Chris Townsend wrote a v. useful article about
mixing various layers together. If you go to get it, just check first
that it has the article I've mentioned: I may be thinking of March.

I've bought sevearl Montane things at half price from
www.winwood.co.uk in the last 6 months or so, and have been very
pleased with both the kit and the service.

Have a great time on your trip!

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

I have a Mammut softshell, and it's amazing. It's wind-proof (or at least up
to gale force), shower-proof, light, breathes very well, and is extremely
comfortable.

When conditions are very cold and windy, I have a fairly close fitting
technical t-shirt next to the skin, with a power-stretch shirt on top of
that, and the softshell on top of that. That has so far managed to keep out
everything this winter has thrown at me apart from rain. With the soft
shell, I tend to just carry round a light-weight waterproof rather than a
mountain jacket. I no longer bother with fleeces out of doors. I find them
too bulky and heavy.

John

On 6/4/05 12:01 pm, in article
[email hidden], "Charlie"

Quoted message said:

I can't decide whether to buy a Windstopper Fleece or a Windstopper
Softshell.

Windstopper certainly stops the wind. But I find it far too clamy and
prefer to use a softshell (Paramo).

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

To mail simply put back the dots ...
http://www.ecotrend.org.uk/walking/

Andy Howell <andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk> wrote in message news:<BE7A1339.40F03%andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk>...

Quoted message said:

On 6/4/05 12:01 pm, in article
[email hidden], "Charlie"

Quoted message said:

I can't decide whether to buy a Windstopper Fleece or a Windstopper
Softshell.

I took a windstopper fleece and waterproof shell walking in New
Zealand, and found they were all I needed.

Cant offer an opinion on the softshell. Never worn one.