I need a budget set of tactical soft shells. Is the ORC Industries stuff any good? I saw a review of them on MMs site; he states ORC stopped production of them, but they still show them in stock, both what I assume is real PCU, and their own “improved” design.
I just ordered the the Patagonia Slingshot jacket in Alpha Green for $90, and now I need to find pants.
Also, what about the Blackhawk Level 5 soft shell? I’ve found them in Alpha Green for $100. They are now out of production too.
I have an ORC PCU. Be advised, the jacket and pants are very lightweight material. What are you going to be using them for? For use in torrential rain, they won’t maintain their water resistance long.
My Patagonia Slingshot (PCU) came in today; it is very lightweight too. Don’t the thicker soft shells just have fleece lining, which make them thicker? I guess I’ll need another Goretex jacket for heavy rain; the one I have is older and leaks at the seams.
I have the old ORC contract PCU and the new Patagonia contract PCU. Really, they seem about the same in quality to me.
The soft shell is DWR. If you need a hard shell then get one. Personally, I think the material is rugged enough as long as you understand it is not 10oz canvas.
Whether it’s ORC, Patagonia, ReadyOne, Arcteryx, Mountain Hardware, Wild Things, MARS, eieio, whatever – remember the soft shell jacket and trousers are a component of a layer system.
The soft shell (Level 5) layer goes on over under-layers (silk-skin, polypro thermals, wind shirt, fatigues or in lieu of ACUs) and under fleece, Gore-Tex, and loft layer/Happy Suit.
The wearer is supposed to tailor whether conditions are dry-cold or wet-cold.
If you need camouflage over all that you can wear everything under old-school M-65 or night camo parka and over-trousers.
ORC PCUs are going to command a slightly higher price than other straight commercial options because they carry the “SOCOM” cachet. You have other (but not necessarily cheaper) options.