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The idea of improving the water resistance of softshell is totally ridiculous.
PCU's are specifically designed to be water RESISTANT, and not water PROOF
If you want waterproof, you buy hardshells/goretex
If you're buying a SOFTshell, you are specifically buying something that is NOT meant to be water proof.
Softshells are lightweight water resistant and wind resistant outer layers, designed to let enough water in to keep you cool, but keep enough of the wind and rain out so you don't freeze. They are meant as an alternative to goretex that you can wear them across a broad range of weather conditions instead of just bad weather, so you don't have to put it on and take it off 5 times a day
I used to play with goretex top and bottom and it's just way too hot. You don't get wet from the rain but you get soaked in your own sweat instead. Goretex is best for sleeping, preventing poison ivy, and for cold games where you don't move around a lot.
With my blackhawk PCU top I was able to stay fast and adequately warm throughout claybank 2 in the 60mm rainstorm, and I'm a small guy, my body does NOT hold heat very well at all. And at the hotel it completely dried out within about 15 minutes.
After getting soaked at coldfront 2 at night, in the sun it took all of 3 minutes for the sleeves to dry off.
softshell;
Lightweight
Versatile in that there are many different styles and liners
windproof and water resistant
excellent for airsofters that are very active on the field
dries off quickly
doesn't make that crinkling noise like goretex
not waterproof
some softshell materials are prone to abrasive wear
if you put it away wet, it comes out wet
goretex
totally waterproof
just as light (lighter with gen6) than softshells, but typically available as jackets or parkas
very resistant to abrasive wear
goretex patches readily available if you rip it
put it away wet, comes out dry
kind of like wearing a rubber suit, but not quite as bad
you still sweat hard with all the zippers and vents open
makes a crinkling noise everywhere you go
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