SMART AND SIMPLE
The Mojave earned the highest praise a soft shell can get when one tester said, “Awesome. The perfect combination of warmth, weather resistance, and breathability.” Credit goes to the fabric itself—the Mojave is made entirely of Polartec Power Shield, a standout for its standard-setting versatility—and the elegantly minimalist design, which, in the best possible manner, simply gets out of the way. It took several hours for the shoulders to wet out during a rainy paddle on the Wisconsin River. Tip: It’s also available without the hood for $260. 19 oz (L); westcomb.com
Bonus: Thanks to its athletic cut and smooth face, the Mojave layers equally well under a shell or over a bulky midlayer.
Bummer: It’s not as fast-drying as other soft shells here.