Gear Reviews: Mammut Brisk Soft Shell Jacket

Mammut Brisk Soft Shell Jacket 8/10
This is the lightest Windstopper GTX Soft Shell on the market, brought out by Mammut (weighing in ast 360g) and for those reasons alone it's worthy of a look-in.  It's 100% windproof but very breathable too, with underarm ventilation for active use.  It's an ideal climber's soft shell since it packs down a lot smaller than most on the market, but cyclists / trail runners/ joggers will also be in the 'running'.  This jacket packs down small enough to be considered for long-distance trips / backpacking and as a useful midlayer for alpine use.  It has excellent stretch and 2 front zip pockets (which could do with sitting higher up the jacket for better pack / harness compatibility), and a wee chest pocket for a ski-pass. The waist and cuffs are elasticated to strip down the weight, but it does therefore ride up when used for climbing a little.  Overall though an excellent jacket of the 'just-in-case' variety, or 'ultralight crew'.  At £160 it's definitely not cheap, but that's reasonable for an ultralight Windstopper.  However if I were going to pick a jacket I'd take the Haglofs Cobra Jacket, it isn't a Winstopper but does a darn good job, it's Polartec Powershield, it's superlight with stretch under arms and side areas, has a drawcord hem, it has a fuller inner flap for better weather-protection.  It weighs in at 500g which isn't exactly heavy, but at £125 is certainly more reasonable a price.

 SPEC:

• Fabric GORE® WINDSTOPPER® Soft Shell
• Weight in 360g
• 2 front zip pockets
• Underarm ventilation
• Stretch material for freedom of movement
• GORE® WINDSTOPPER®, windproof and breathable
• Small packing volume, low weight
• chest pocket with zip
• Optimally suitable for Multipitch Rockclimbing, Backpacking, Classical Alpinism
• Suitable for Via Ferrata, Mountain Hiking, Trail Running