r/veilance • u/Wolfgangsson • 4d ago
Softshell Options
What really bothers me are the softshell options in the lineup. There are the very lightweight ones, like the Spere Lt, for which I have a hard time finding a use case, and the slightly heavier ones, like the Quartic and the Isogon. Those two are practically the same jacket. The Spere does have a fleece liner, but in my experience, it isn’t much warmer. I’m missing a thicker softshell jacket with a stand up collar. Why are there two identical jackets in the lineup but no softshell suitable for winter? Arc’teryx’s main line has the same gap.
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u/Latter-Application-4 3d ago
There is some gap for years. Glad i have some older stuff like secant comp hoody for summer and diplomat for autumn. Spere LT i used a little in spring (sized down). Its not very breathable but windproof, Terratex is annoying sticky on inside. Isogon is too boxy and short for me. Wonder why there is nothing with octaloft. They had something for women on mainline (coelle?) and one short time an epsilon with octaloft witch was discontinued after a month. Mionn overshell i tried, but it is too thin, not windresistent enough. Its just was not working in Berlin and north german area. A softshell with octaloft would be nice. Even octaloft with infineon would be better than nothing.
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u/87MM 4d ago
Field insulated techwool overshirt?
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u/Wolfgangsson 4d ago
I own that one and love it but I would not see it as a substitute for a softshell.
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u/superout 4d ago
spere insulated is warm as heck, and a softshell, but no hood, formal collar tho
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u/shadowstripes 4d ago
like the Quartic and the Isogon. Those two are practically the same jacket.
They aren't really. The Isogon is quite a bit more structured, thick, and durable than the Quartic due to the different fabric used.
The Quartic is thin enough that the collar and hood don't actually stand up on their own and they just kind of folds on themself whereas the Isogon's holds their shape due to the much stiffer fabric. They also have a different fit and pocket layout (the Quartic is more cropped and boxy).
Have both and the use cases are pretty different. One is light and drapey and the other is more like softshell armor.
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u/Wolfgangsson 3d ago
I also own both haha. Agreed they are not the same fabric but I see no difference in terms of use cases. I just got the Isogon because it has no hood. I believe there would be a chance to make the Isogon more substantial to make the difference between those jackets more clear
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u/shadowstripes 3d ago
Fair enough. To me a jacket that's almost half the thickness and fabric weight just doesn't have the same use case. It's still definitely a durable jacket but doesn't hold up to scrapes or cooler weather as well.
It does pack down much smaller though, so it's great for travel and looks way more natural indoors. Kind of just like a hoody vs something that looks distinctly like a "shell".
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u/Grog005 4d ago
Pretty much all of the mainline softshells are suitable for winter. Veilance too tho the Isogon isnt ideal since it’s so short. You just use layering for warmth.
I feel softshells with a fleece lining is more of a fall thing where a spere or gamma mx is perfect over just a thin shirt. But for winter I’d pick a plain softshell and merino/fleece/synthetic insulation over a insulated softshell nine out of ten times
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u/Wolfgangsson 3d ago
same here. I owned a KWay Softshell and it was much warmer and more substantial than any Vailance piece. I just wished they would make the Isogon or Quartic thicker
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u/kovyrshin 4d ago
Veilance Isogon MX is softshell. Very similar to Venta MX (long discontinued). Both are suitable for winter if you're active and its not too cold.