[Closed] Softshell, lightweight with a hood

Mountain Equipment Frontier? Currently £126 at Go Outdoors but there's a 15% discount offer on.

I've used mine quite a bit over the past couple of years. Perfect when it's a bit blowy but not too wet. Might be a bit heavier gauge than you are after though.

The Rab Vapour-rise Alpine is good, they call it a softshell though it's a 2-layer system. Light, good wind resistance, wicking and breathability though I wouldn't rate it for much more than a light shower TBH. Unfortunately it'd be a bit of a struggle to find one for £100, more often round the £120 mark.

My Montane Dyno (MK1) was my 'go to' top the majority of the time on a bike and outdoor instructing in the warmer months. It's not totally windproof, but it's more breathable due to that than a proper windshell that I have now. Brilliant thing and I mourn losing it at work.
My other winter softshell was Montane Krypton which is basically a Rab VapourRise but much longer cut and better pockets. I had to leave behind as it was staff uniform. Properly wind proof, so used on the high hills more.
Between those two I rarely wore a waterproof.

Mountain Equipment Astron. An old model now so some great deals to be had. One of the best outdoor garments I've ever had.
https://www.blacks.co.uk/mens/273654-mountain-equipment-men-s-astron-hooded-jacket-dark-red.html

If you're looking at the Dyno, pretty much any double weave soft shell - ie: non-membrane, very closely woven nylon - will do a similar sort of job. Sport Pursuit sometimes has Arc'teryx at around that price. The Mountain Equipment Echo looks about right and they usually make decently cut, well thought out kit.

The North Face, if you can get beyond the brand snobbery, generally has something similar and decent in its range, though they keep changing the name/details. If you want lighter, the Rab Borealis is pretty cool, but not as robust as heavier stuff.

I use a Rab VR Alpine a lot. It works really well and it tougher than you'd think, but as above, has limited water resistance, but if you want much more than that, you're looking at a membrane-based fabric anyway, but they tend not to work particularly well as a mid-layer.

I love my Montane Prism. It's very versatile and I find myself using it all the time.

I'm not sure I understand why Montane don't class it as a softshell (they don't) so I don't know whether it's exactly what you're looking for but I've used it in all sorts of softshell situations.

A prism is an insulated jacket. And a sweaty one at that.

Arcteryx Atom LT (just over £100 on Sports Pursuit) is a good all rounder, they do a lighter version (SL) and a hardier version (AR) as well, but the middle one (LT) is the most versatile.

Have a look at Fjern stuff on Sportpursuit. I've got the stretch fleece hoodie which might be suitable and I'm really liking so far although I've only had it a couple of weeks. They also do a softshell hoodie which might be more like what you're after. I've also got the down gilet which I've had since Christmas. Seems good quality kit for the price.

The Dyno is ok, wired hood which senms a bit incongruous on such a lightweight jacket. I would have bought a third hagloffs boa if they weren't such shit colours. If they would only put a chest pocket on it or raise the hand pockets up 2 inches the boa would be the perfect softshell imo.

+1 Rab VR Alpine. I've got the hooded jacket and the half zip/smock versions and they are my most worn outdoor layers by a mile. Both had at least 4 years regular use and still going strong.

Rab do the Borealis Jacket I have the previous model which was called the Zepher, its lightweight softshell without a membrane and a good price .
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/rab-borealis-jacket-p437607

Montane sabretooth (polartec power shield) is ace.. I work outdoors and virtually live in one unless its warm enough for a t-shirt.
Or Rab Vapour rise lite or alpine if you want something a bit cooler

Wore my Rab vR alpine lite today. Fantastic jacket. Wicks so well

Also have the montane dyno and a mountain hardwear super chockstone. Former is better for walking, latter is better for biking.

Rab is good for both, and works nicely as a midlayer too

Have you looked at anything by Columbia? I got a zipped lightweight hoodie last summer which was on offer and for a 3-season jobby it’s been brilliant.

Edit: Their Clearance section on the Columbia website has some good deals having just had a browse and keeping my debit card well away 😁

Does it have to be bike specific?

https://www.thenorthface.co.uk/shop/en-gb/tnf-gb/nimble-hoodie-2xlb

I have an old Marmot hooded softshell that's been pretty much ideal for what you describe. I'm sure they'll do something similar now.

+1 for Montane sabretooth, little bit short at the back but other than that I can't fault mine. I've had it a few years and the newer version seems to be thicker material so possibly not as breathable, although it looks more durable than the older version I have, not a waterproof but I've been caught in some pretty bad weather and it does keep me dry up to a point

Sabretooth is 750g or so, which isn't exactly 'light'. Nice protective jacket, but not really what the OP was asking for maybe.

I've got an alpkit thingy that would probably fit the bill. worth a browse over their site

Does it have to be bike specific?

No it doesn't. Some good stuff to look at. 🙂

Tried on a couple of different jackets by Rab, Sprayway and Columbia, but they felt a little short, my upper body seesm to be a bit longer.....

I went for the Montane Dyno, perfect fit and performed really well yesterday whilst out in the hills, very pleased with it.

Sport Pursuit have a variety of Alpkit softshells on sale just now ...

Sport Pursuit have a variety of Alpkit softshells on sale just now …

Erm, don't they just have one each for men and women in a variety of colours? Search for 'Resolute' brings it up. The rest of the stuff seems to be mostly insulation and waterproofs unless I missed something.

I have one of these, which I seem to get a lot of wear out of

https://www.freewheel.co.uk/madison-dte-mens-hybrid-jacket-varcl002

In budget too.

I got a jack wolfskin one in blue, looks great/sporty, has a hood and is pretty warm/waterproof. Called northern point I think

Erm, don’t they just have one each for men and women in a variety of colours? Search for ‘Resolute’ brings it up. The rest of the stuff seems to be mostly insulation and waterproofs unless I missed something.

Yeah, you're right, but I thought some of the other items might be suitable 🙂

Rab Vapour-Rise Alpine, or Arcteryx Psiphon FL are among the best choices if you want light and breathable. RRP is high, but you should be able to find them discounted for your budget.

I love my Montane Prism. It’s very versatile and I find myself using it all the time.

I’m not sure I understand why Montane don’t class it as a softshell (they don’t) so I don’t know whether it’s exactly what you’re looking for but I’ve used it in all sorts of softshell situations.

Because it's an insulated jacket, not a softshell.

Patagucchi nano air hooded is great, love mine, they come up on eBay from time to time new or slight used at £100ish
EDIT I'm sure they used to describe it as an insulated softshell, but would appear they now describe it as a jacket

I'm after something lightweight too and have been looking at the Alpkit Morphosis?

Mountain Hardwear super chockstone. Can get with or without a hood. The best softshell I own. Really thin, light, stretchy & comfortable. I don't do any running or riding in mine to be fair, but I wear it so much, was £49 on Sports Pursuit.
Also have other Mountain Hardwear jackets and find they are great.

It's a fantastic softshell, I prefer it to the montane dyno for biking due to the cut, the cuffs and the pockets. Conversely the montane is better for walking as it's has space for layering (particularly around the neck), has a better cut around the arms and waist, better pocket configuration to stow bits on the move, and a helmet compatible hood

The rab VR layers well under the montane, but not under the MH top