I bought again an Haglöfs softshell jacket (no I’m not sponsored) : the Reptile Hood.

Overview

Multi-purpose softshell jacket which adapts to a wide range of mountain activities all year around as long as you are not doing anything extreme or intensive.

Fabrics:

• Polartec® Power Shield® soft shell fabric. A midweight durable and supple soft shell fabric with great comfort and stretch. Bonded (no film) construction incorporates the system of shell and insulation in one fabric with excellent breathability and weather protection through a DWR treated surface.
• Face material: 83% Polyester, 10% PU, 7% Spandex® ; Backing: 100% Polyester

Manufacturer’s data:

• Exceptional breathability and stretch thanks to the Polartec® Power Shield® soft shell fabric
• Micro fleece lining in a grid structure with good thermal capacity makes the garment also usable as a mid layer
• 3-way adjustable hood
• Slanted napoleon pocket
• Offset shoulder, side and inner sleeve seams
• Full-length front zip with inner wind flap
• Two handwarmer pockets
• Single-hand adjustable hem with drawcord
• Articulated elbows and velcro adjustable cuffs
• Extended back
• DWR treated (Durable Water Repellent)
• Weight: 730 g (Size L)

Advantages/Drawbacks

Multi-purpose jacket usable all year around
Good insulation, windproof properties and very good breathability
Design and cut
Accessories
No ventilation

Opinion

Thanks to a very good breathability and good thermal and windproof properties, it is a do-it-all jacket designed for people looking for a multi-purpose softshell jacket. It will protect you during summer hiking as well as winter snowhoeing or ski outings

However, if you are looking for a technical jacket, look for something else. Despite very breathable fabrics (better than a windstopper softshell), the lack of pit zip ventilation makes it inappropriate for intense activities were you sweat a lot. It is also not designed to be worn with a harness to helmet. Even if it breathes better than a windproof softshell it is slightly less windproof than a windstopper softshell. The water repellence of the fabric is good and the jacket can handle a not too strong 30 minutes shower. However, like all softshells seams are weak points through which water seeps and this jacket has quite a lot of seams. Non-waterproof zips decrease the waterproof quality of the product. Anyway a softshell is not a rain jacket and the provided protection is fair enough as long as you do not use it for extreme or technical mountain activities. Finally it’s weight will repel minimalist followers.

Although this jacket does not excel in anything it does perform well in all domains. I recommend it to everyone looking for a multi-purpose jacket.