I'm thunkin on gettin a soft shell! But I'm concerned about the Schoeller Dryskin extreme. I have a pair of the cloudveil switch back pants that have started fraying horribly from being snagged by cats claw and other schrubs of the southwest (Gila Wilderness). I love the fabric, but it's starting to fall apart after 6 months use. I like the north face Apex fabrics, thier a little heavy but I've had a pair of pants and a top for two years with no fraying from snags, or anything. But the Apex top I have is to warm for most Spring/fall ventures down here. So this sent me to the Cloudveil Interia Fabric, maybe a patagonia Soft shell Fabric, or stick witha lighter TNF Apex fabric. I dunno! what do ya'all think?
James

I have some Cloudveil inertia fabric pants and they pill (make little fabric balls at wear areas). I bought mine in 2004 and don't know if it's inertia "plus", or if the plus is anything more than Cloudveil marketing. I also have Patagonia super guide pants which seem very similar to Schoeller - they also pill pretty bad. The Powershield top that I have seems much more durable than the Inertia or Patagonia version. I love softshell for it's comfort but I'm not too impressed with fabric durability, except for the Powershield.

For a light softshell material,the only other alternatives to Inertia plus mentioned (which does pill) is Pertex Equilibrium (found in Golite's Synergy pant) and Schoeller Dynamic (the least water resistant of the lot).These are both pretty tough fabrics. I like my Synergy pants alot as a general multi-purpose backpacking pant. I go offtrail alot.

I only use softshell pants in the Summer,softshell tops are usually too warm except occasionally,like during a summertime snowstorm high on a Cascade stratovolcano.

If you really want tough as well as superior all-around performance (better than Polarshield) check out Schoeller WB-400. Although this is strictly for late-fall thru early spring conditions--think backcountry skiing or alpine climbing. In fact,check out the Beyondfleece.com website for great custom softshell and comparisons on many of the softshell materials out there.

Edited by kdesign on 07/19/2005 12:45:52 MDT.

Another alternative could be Tweave Durastretch or Durastretch Lightweight. Works pretty good.

arteryx's material ? I forgot that. Lotsa $$ and unusual construction methods--zippers,pockets are glued not sewn. how tough is it ?

Edited by kdesign on 07/19/2005 12:51:50 MDT.

Feels and looks much tougher than the schoeller material. Tweave also makes the nylon outer portion of powershield (or at least part of them) and I think the properties of durastretch are pretty similar to the powershield nylon