Quote:
Originally Posted by jyl
What is “hardshell” vs “softshell”? I don’t know the lingo anymore.
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Anything that advertises breathability is probably a softshell. Think of the black fleece jackets with a smooth, tightly woven exterior that are pretty common these days. They can be treated to be water resistant, but will eventually soak through. These are ok for XC or alpine touring where you'll be sweating like crazy, but not so good for cold/wet days on the lift.
It also occurred to me that while bibs are super comfy and great for keeping snow from going down your pants, they might not needed if you're only planning on carving up groomers. Same goes for jackets with powder skirts.
One thing I noticed when shopping was that there was a lot of variability in fitment. I found 2-3 brands that are comfortable for me, and now I buy most of my stuff from them. So it would be good to go out and try on as many different jackets as you can before you commit to one.