Softshell
Finisterre Storm Track Jacket (£250)
Finisterre describe the Storm Track as a softshell jacket, though it doesn’t look much like the stretch woven softshells that dominate the market
LOWE ALPINE Paradigm (£85)
Lowe Alpine’s Paradigm Pants are good simple soft shell trousers. The fabric is very stretchy, brushed on the inside, breathable, reasonably wind resistant and quick drying. In strong winds and steady rain, overtrousers are needed while in sub-zero weather overtrousers or long johns are needed for warmth.
MAMMUT Champ Pants (£140)
These are made from top of the range Schoeller fabrics that are comfortable, breathable and tough. While not waterproof they absorb barely any water – it just beads up and runs off – and so dry very fast.
MONTANE Terra XT 2.0 (£100)
Montane’s Terra trousers have been my favourite May to October legwear for several years. The new XT 2.0 version is designed for cold weather and lined with a soft wicking fabric that is perforated round the waist, on the front of the thighs and down the back of the legs for breathability, and non-perforated on the seat and front of the legs for warmth.
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT G2 Ultimate Mountain Pant (£160)
The latest incarnation of the G2 Pants are thinner and sleeker than the originals, which I recommended five years ago. They are made from a new, lighter Windstopper fabric and have welded pocket and vent seams and reversed zips.
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Ridgetop (£60)
The Ridgetops are basic soft shell trousers made from a very stretchy thin fabric. They’re not very wind resistant or warm and more suitable for summer than winter. However the cut is loose enough that long base layer pants can be worn under them in cold weather.
OUTDOOR RESEARCH Credo (£125)
At a glance the Credos look much like other stretch nylon soft shell trousers. Examine them closely and differences that make them more functional appear. The outer fabric is smoother and the seams sealed, which makes them much more water and wind resistant.
PÁRAMO Velez Adventure (£140)
Páramo trousers have been my favourite cool weather legwear for many years so it’s not surprising I like the latest model. The Velez Adventure trousers have Páramo’s new lightweight outer fabric and long zipped thigh vents instead of full-length side zips.
PATAGONIA Simple Guide (£90)
The Simple Guide Pants are just that: basic soft shell trousers with minimal features. The recycled fabric is thin with a smooth outer and a more open weave inner for quick transport of moisture. It’s wind resistant but not windproof and only resists rain for a short while so overtrousers are needed in storms.
RAB Baltoro Alpine (£100)
For these, Rab uses a lightweight version of Power Shield with an open-weave wicking Powerdry lining that is said to be suitable for year-round use. Power Shield has a perforated membrane for windproofing with breathability.
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