Hi all,
I currently use a BTwin (Decathlon) soft shell that I bought about 6 years ago and is slightly too small. Works ok, apart from the fact it doesn’t appear to be at all breathable so leaves me all moist.

I usually run a merino baselayer, standard breathable jersey, if chilly this BTwin softshell on top and if very cold / wet a goretex paclite over the top.

I’ve been having a quick look and see the Shimano Winter Windstopper on CRC seems relatively cheap at the moment.

Are there any other good budget – mid range soft shells I should be looking at?

Cheers!

http://www.montane.co.uk/range/men/soft-shell-and-fleece/alpine-stretch-jacket

I got one of them ^^ from GoOutdooors a while ago, and I find it good. Cost me about £60.

Hood works well under or over the helmet too.

Best for what?
Softshell covers a vast range of performance – some are windproof, some warm, some breathable, some near waterproof…
Personally, I like a thin, breathable, barely windproof one (Montane Dyno). To this I add thin layers below.

@redddragon – Cheers, will check out GoOutdoors, they have been good to me in the past.

@matt – Like I say, best allrounder… Windproof and moderate warmth but breathability is key, not bothered about being waterproof. Or is that asking too much?

Windproof & breathable – I would just go a light pertex shell with a big zip. Montane Singletrack or similar.
I would then just add base layers or fleece as needed.

Polaris AM Vapour at GoOutdoors £54…… Old fashioned breathable but warm……I personally think this style of jacket build is much more flexible than modern softshells. I currently use a Rab Generator Smock that’s bady battle scarred ( ripped, stitched, stick on patch repairs etc) but it still kept me lively and warm in the past weeks sub zero icy rides and is really breathable and warm even if wetted out……..but as I shredded it again using the end of the handlebars across my chest I thought I would treat myself to what I’ve recommended…..I had a similar tyoe jacket back in the day and used it daily in winter on my icy long commutes and MTB rides.

My Howies Dyfi suits me fine, windproof, as breathable as I’d expect (better than my gore tex waterproof), waterproof enough to shrug off a heavy shower, and less than £40.

Edit: I know it’s not actually a soft shell

Ive seen the Gore Element windstopper in a couple of sales in the £70 range.

Gore phantom.
End of thread

Phantom +1.
Halfords had a ladies version for £50 a few days ago so worth looking out for one.

Windproof & breathable – I would just go a light pertex shell with a big zip. Montane Singletrack or similar.
I would then just add base layers or fleece as needed.

I disagree, but I’m not one for layers. Gore Phantom or Oxygen (more pockets, more fitted cut) are both very good. Ice got an old ‘next to skin’ Phantom Plus which is great, super warm and don’t wear anything underneath it.

Gore Bikewear windstopper with zip off arms. Loads of great features, sensible pockets, etc. Expensive but worth it.

phantom not much cop for off-roading. too thick, doesn’t breath that well.
hagloffs boa FTW. just as resistant to water, lighter, more comfortable all around, and you can stick layers under if you want.

I have an Endura Windchill, pretty good for the price around £70, I wear it with a windstopper gillet when it’s particularly cold/windy. I haven’t tried the Gore Phantom suggested above but from what I see online for an extra £20 that would look very tempting

Altura Varium is rather good IMHO. I use mine on the road and off-road and find it brilliant (I sweat loads). However, I paid something like £50 for mine from Leckies, I would never have paid the full price £100+ as I’m tight.

Gore Bikewear windstopper with zip off arms. Loads of great features, sensible pockets, etc. Expensive but worth it.

They do a whole range of softshells, but the Phantom has the zip off sleeves.

phantom not much cop for off-roading. too thick, doesn’t breath that well.

Really? Depends how cold it is, and I do find the Gore Softshells warm, but wouldn’t go that far. If it’s not as cold I wear a couple of Assos 851s, which are excellent, but are more expensive than Gore.

Never understood the appeal of soft shells. Classic hybrid BT master of Nowt, I would rather have base layers and wind proof/waterproof outer. But then again I am a sweaty bugger who gets hot quickly, ran this morning in -4 in shorts and a t shirt and was piping,

Whilst I never wear my waterproof, literally once or twice a year. Softshells breathe far better and keep you warm in all but the most horrendous conditions. Just sweat like a pig in a waterproof. Running is different though.

I am the other way round njee. Sweat buckets in soft shell. I have a NF windstopper top. This plus a HH base layer normally suits me in winter.

Windstopper isn’t very breathable, I find I also sweat in a pertex shell*, my favorite is a montane hyena jacket which is made out of powersheild which is much more breathable. Unfortunately they don’t make it anymore, but I would definitely recommend powersheild for biking.

*the problem with pertex is that it doesn’t wick, so largely works as a vapour barrier.