Soft shells are a great addition to an outdoor closet, especially for day hikes on which rain isn’t forecast, but maybe just a little drizzle and a chill wind. (On multi-dayers you might prefer to keep your bases covered with separate hard shell and insulation layers.)
The Perisher certainly feels the business, soft on the inside and supple on the outside, with an unspecified waterproof/windproof membrane sandwiched in between. You’d want to layer up if taking it out in the snow as its intrinsic warmth is limited, but pocket fans are well looked-after, with two internal chest pockets and a sleeve compartment for your ski lift pass.
I was happy with the Perisher from the hem right up to the collar, but that’s where the windproof laminate’s inherent limitations became apparent. When left open at the neck, no worries, but zipped up fully, the collar became very stiff.
As its diameter proved too narrow to tuck in my chin, I had to rest my throat atop it, like some sort of vase-dwelling homunculus. Moving upwards, the hood wasn't ideal, but then it’s notoriously tricky to craft a decent soft shell hood. I’d advise taking advantage of the zip-off feature and leaving it at home altogether. Apart from those niggles, the Perisher scores well.
RRP: $129.99 Club Price
Website: mountaindesigns.com
Review_Dan Slater