Marmot Softshell opinions...

So I'm looking for a new multi-sport softshell and due to price and sizing am going to go with Marmot. But I've gone back and forth between the Rom, Up track and Super Gravity. I'll be using mostly for ice and snow climbs. Typically I wear the R1 hoody underneath. I'm thinking that the super gravity might be a bit heavier than I'm looking for since I'll be rocking a base layer anyways.

Anything thoughts and opinions? I also can't seem to find much info on the uptrack and it seems to possibly be a mix between the other two.

If you're shaped like a pear and don't wear a helmet you're gonna love Marmot.

Disagree with Ray.. I have the Kingpin and dig it.

I use the classic capiline 1 / R1 Hoody / Soft-Shell system for most of my winter alpine adventures here in dry Colorado (occasionally substituting the soft shell for a light hard shell, and employing a light R2 vest over the R1 Hoody on really cold days). I've found the ROM Jacket to be an excellent soft shell on the lighter side of things with plenty of stretch - and very breathable (I love the Gore Windstopper side panels). I've also used the Marmot Zion jacket (waterproof neoshell) and it is a remarkable jacket on the other, heavier end of the spectrum. Also, consider the Pro Tour Jacket - the Pro Tour jacket and pants are a great combo - a little heavier (no side panels) than the ROM with great stretch and streamlined fit.

Ray Pinpillage wrote:If you're shaped like a pear and don't wear a helmet you're gonna love Marmot.

haha I probably am shaped like a pear. I'm about 185-190 variable and very broad from years in the gym, but with a decent ape index so it really restricts some of the stuff I can wear. Trying to find something that is still an athletic but with a large enough cut difficult. Marmot and TNF seem to be winning out for whatever reason.

I don't get what marmot is doing with their micro/under the helmet hoods though, however I'm a fan of their stretch materials.

patagonias knifeblade seems like it would fit your bill if you can find it on sale. Arms have extra legnth so they dont ride up when ice climbing. also works well on someone who is kinda pear shaped.

patagonia doesnt fit everyone great though.

I'm 6'4", with a positive index, and weight about 165 soaking wet. Definitely not a pear. Marmot jackets in medium fit me perfectly.

Be careful with the ROM, the side panels are far more on the soft side of soft shells, very much an active shell.

Scott McMahon wrote: haha I probably am shaped like a pear. I'm about 185-190 variable and very broad from years in the gym, but with a decent ape index so it really restricts some of the stuff I can wear. Trying to find something that is still an athletic but with a large enough cut difficult. Marmot and TNF seem to be winning out for whatever reason. I don't get what marmot is doing with their micro/under the helmet hoods though, however I'm a fan of their stretch materials.

I really wanted to love the ROM (and everything else Marmot makes) but but the ROM is wide in the waist and has a tiny hood. I've had a bunch of their other jackets, some have nice hoods and some don't...all have wide waists. The quality is fine so no issues there.

The Marmot Kingpin has a nice athletic fit. It fits under a harness quite well and is long enough that it doesn't ride up. Also the arms have nice motion and don't ride up when reaching overhead. The hood has plenty of room for helmets. I did compare the Kingpin to other Marmot jackets and it is more athletic.

superkick wrote:patagonias knifeblade seems like it would fit your bill if you can find it on sale. Arms have extra legnth so they dont ride up when ice climbing. also works well on someone who is kinda pear shaped. patagonia doesnt fit everyone great though.

Yeah that price is out of my range. I'm trying to balance the need vs. want and that puts me at the low end of the scale.

their 50% off sale should be soon though.

I climb in the Marmot Tempo Hoody and love it. It's cheap ($135 retail easy to find on sale for <$90). It has a helmet compatible hood, harness friendly pockets and super long sleeves that never result in exposed wrists. I was trying to decide between this one and the Uptrack and I just couldn't tell the difference except the price.

The ROM breathes about as well as a plastic bag and does not accommodate helmets.

It's not bombproof, in fact it's a rather thin jacket, but I've worn it (with R1 Hoody) on pretty cold and windy days (high in the low teens) without ever getting cold or feeling the wind. It also breathes incredibly well and I find my self wearing it for the majority of the approach.

Get this jacket, you'll love it.

$90 at 6pm

$90 at Altrec

Dave Bn wrote:I climb in the Marmot Tempo Hoody and love it. It's cheap ($135 retail easy to find on sale for <$90). It has a helmet compatible hood, harness friendly pockets and super long sleeves that never result in exposed wrists. I was trying to decide between this one and the Uptrack and I just couldn't tell the difference except the price. The ROM breathes about as well as a plastic bag and does not accommodate helmets. It's not bombproof, in fact it's a rather thin jacket, but I've worn it (with R1 Hoody) on pretty cold and windy days (high in the low teens) without ever getting cold or feeling the wind. It also breathes incredibly well and I find my self wearing it for the majority of the approach. Get this jacket, you'll love it. $90 at 6pm $90 at Altrec

So do the uptrack and tempo have the largest hoods? They all look the same to me in the pics. I've tried on the ROM and it seems really small.

Scott McMahon wrote: So do the uptrack and tempo have the largest hoods? They all look the same to me in the pics. I've tried on the ROM and it seems really small.

Definitely the largest for Marmot and definitely way bigger than the ROM. The M3 material on the Uptrack/Tempo is incredibly stretchy so the hood does fit snuggly but I actually prefer that to the voluminous hoods found on Arc/Rab jackets.

Here's mine with the hood up and zipped most of the way.

Methinks that with an R1 hood under your helmet, having a shell hood over the helmet is generally not super important with a snug collar. But I'm super warm natured and find over-the helmet hoods too stifling to offset the protection they offer.

I have the Tempo Hoody and would second the recommendation. Light and breathable for sure, and I agree with the other pluses mentioned.

I have the Elementalist as well and also like it for much colder days, but it is easy to get a sweat going in that one.