Breathable, warm, repels snow, blocks wind. A miracle piece of clothing that is high in quality and usually $20 or less. The original soft shell – wool pants!

Outdoor trends come and go.

Bright colors give way to subdued tones and then back again.

Simple and light gear is the norm that gives way to over complicated gear. People lighten up, perhaps too much, and the cycle repeats.

And natural fibers are considered old-fashioned and are replaced by allegedly breathable Goretex shells.

But something funny happened along the way.

Realization came that a  hard shell may not be the best layer for all applications.

Instead, water resistant soft shells that are more breathable are becoming popular. These softshells  are more ideally suited for more aerobic activities where breathability and not "bomber" weather protection is needed.

Outdoor clothing manufacturers have discovered a a material that repels water, is warm when damp, resists snow and wind.

Continue reading In praise of the original soft shell – Wool Pants at PMags.com.