Id buy one any time. Nothing earth-shaking is coming out in the spring around soft shells. Maybe different colors in a case or two, but so what?
The Guide JacketA really good one is the Guide Jacket ($175). Its a tough, stretchy, comfortable piece that works as a shell, layered over warm long underwear, or as a layer under a shell. Plus its very urban-looking, with a clean design that boasts some low-key color options such as brown or olive. It would look great over a T-shirt or sweater around town.
There are others, of course. makes an excellent soft shell called the One Jacket ($199), the name implying its the one jacket youll need.” And it is. A little heavier than the Guideits Schoeller fabric is quite warm, in factbut the idea is the same: A windproof (to 57 miles per hour, REI claims), breathable, water-repellent, all-purpose jacket that you wear when its cool, chilly, and breezy. Like the Guide, the simple design that is understated, and even cool seeing as the main color they sell is black. Very European. But, uh…can you get REI stuff in Europe?
The Alto Jacket ($179) might be more readily available. Its like the Guide, a lightweight piece that is meant to do anything. I find it a bit mountain-looking compared with the Patagonia or REI models, but its a solid piece.