Perfect breathable soft shell for warm weather?

[Dead_Smile]

Hello everyone

I need a soft shell with high breathability and also could use for Casual wear most of the time. I'm going to use it on spring , summer night. i.e after hiking or rock climbing, on breaks I could wear it on t-shirt besides I'm planning a trip to Europe for a month at June So It must be high breathable and windstopper don't need to keep me too warm. If it is cold, I wear a thin fleece under it

I was thinking Mountain Hardwear alchemy or Mountain Hardwear offwidth any review on these Any other suggestion other than these?

Should I wait till spring or buy now one?
Are there going to be new soft shells for summer season or just there are for winter?

Sorry for too many questions. I'm new on this

 

[bigbog]

My just a guess....coming from one not so great experience, would be Not to wait. Anykind of blem in clothing....ie problem in coating = non-breatheability(personal experience) or some sort of stitching error..etc, will be returned and may be put on the bottom....to be sold last...and that's usually in late winter/early spring....
$.01

 

[KevinF]

I have a Patagonia Ascenionist jacket. If you look on the Backcountry / REI "outlet" sites (or eBay) for long enough, you should be able to find one for less then full price.

It's not insulated at all, but it's light. I always stuff it into my backpack when I go hiking in the Whites during the fall. I've had it on in wind that's been strong enough to make it hard to stand up, and the wind wasn't penetrating it.

It has a hood (non-removable) which is nice when the wind starts blasting.

Styling is such that it's entirely wearable as a "everyday" jacket.

 

[deadheadskier]

Got my Columbia Titanium soft shell about a year ago. Love it

 

[BeanoNYC]

Tons of softshells on SteepandCheap this last week. It's just a matter of timing.