REI’s Pyrn Soft-shell Jacket, I’m Impressed
A soft-shell for only $79? A soft-shell that is “highly-recommended”, fits well, and is still only $79?
Those two questions went through my mind in the first 10 seconds of seeing the Pyrn jacket on the rack, and the “Hot Item” sign above it. Generally I’m too skeptical to believe hype about a product like that, but I had a few minutes to burn and would have loved to find a soft shell jacket this cheap. I’m glad I did suspend my disbelief long enough to try it on. This is a great jacket, and one I may buy if I can pry the annual REI dividend away from D. To find these jackets online, click through to REI.com and search for Item #’s 718171 (men’s) or 718253 (women’s) (yes, it’s a pain, but REI doesn’t allow direct links to products).
Soft shells are made from very tight knit fabrics that provide plenty of stretch and breathability, but are still wind and water-resistant. Any time that snow is one the ground or it’s not actually raining they’re much more comfortable than Gore-Tex and similar waterproof membranes because of how they breath and stretch - that means no sweaty, clammy air inside these shells.
Unfortuantely soft shells are even harder to do right than waterproof-breathable membrane jackets, I’ve been shopping for one at a decent price since I stopped managing a gear shop. Just 3-4 years ago, the only good fabrics of this type were made by the inventors of the concept, the Schoeller company from Switzerland. With only those expensive fabrics available all soft shell jackets were priced almost as high as those with Gore-Tex membranes.
It looks like the Pyrn, at $79, dropped the price range on soft shells far lower than expected. Even at a price like that the jacket would have to be just right for me to like it so much. The Pyrn’s fit is trim, so it won’t flap and billow when skiing or running and there are three pockets all in the right places. A light, but still water resistant, fabric makes it better for warmer seasons than most of the wool-based Schoeller jackets and keeps the weight to about 10 ounces (from REI’s website, I couldn’t tell that in the store). Plus, the jacket has no seams across the shoulders, which helps to reduce rubbing while weraing a pack and makes it more water resistant and a hood and adjustable cuffs round out the package.
Again, to find these jackets online, click through to REI.com and search for Item #’s 718171 (men’s) or 718253 (women’s).