It arrived in the mail, unannounced. Any box that reads “Westcomb” goes to the top of the heap and any box with Westcomb and “Schoeller,” well, then I drop everything and tear that thing down!
Inside I found a garment that does the unthinkable: it both pleases dirtbag climbers and discerning girlfriends alike. A jacket so uncannily outfitted, one could snag two pitches of water ice in it and then wear it to dinner with the in-laws. Behold, ladies and gentlemen, the “Soho.”
I unpackaged the jacket and didn’t know what to make of it, at first. Sculpted of Schoeller “c-change” fabric, it’s waterproof-breathable—but it breathes better as the environment warms up and locks down when it gets colder. Leave it to the Swiss to engineer something as techy as this, but it seems to work well. I wore the Soho ($500; 533g, 1 lb. 2 oz., home verified) for everything from a bike commute in Amsterdam to a muddy tromp through a farmer’s field to a winter hike in the snow to indeed, a bit of ice climbing. It should be said, the Soho isn’t made for ice pitches. It’s a smart-looking jacket, but a “ringer” in the sense it’s as bomber as your best hard shell, without looking like it would be.
The jacket’s design says “city piece”–no hood, longer cut, and hidden/understated hems, draft flaps, chin guard, and waterproof zippers (YKK’s AquaGuards). I’ve worn it to dinners (yes, with the in-laws) out and people generally say, “Cool jacket, what is it?”
The cool thing is, the Soho doesn’t give up a thing in performance. Riding a few hours throughout drizzly Amsterdam, I stayed perfectly dry, without overheating–and that’s a feat for me, as I’m usually a sweating wreck in hard-shells. Despite the Schoeller c-change being nearly 60-percent wool, the jacket doesn’t get waterlogged or take an usually long time to dry out once you’re back inside. Up close, the textile looks like a tightly woven wool, but the polyurethane and polyester somehow make it rain-worthy.
Inside, the thing’s built like one of Westcomb’s impeccably crafted alpine jackets. Tight, even seams, completely sealed (with “Micro Seam Dream Tape”), and few exposed stitches, the Soho seems constructed very well.
I’m impressed. At first I thought it’d be one of these “urban” jackets fit for a breezy soccer match, but no more. Having put the Soho through rain, wind, snow, and repeated packing, the jacket looks as good as the day it arrived and it performs better than any Gore piece I’ve used. Now, is it worth the $500? Well, if you’ve got the cash and want something for travel, work, or just getting around…this is a pretty damn cool piece. It’s definitely my preferred jacket when I’m on the road and don’t want to look like a misplaced ski bum.
Give the Soho a try. And if you get one, tell your girlfriend I said, “You’re welcome.”
