Gear Review: Stoic Microlith Softshell Pullover
A softshell and baselayer in one.
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Save money and weight. The Microlith is a shell and baselayer in one. Worn next to the skin, the stretchy, super-wicking shirt kept a tester’s body temperature perfectly regulated while she was skinning uphill in a wide range of winter conditions, from 15°F snow flurries to sunny, 50°F spring tours near Colorado’s Froehlicher Hut. “It’s like a baselayer with a little extra wind protection and water repellency,” she says. “The fabric’s nubby interior wicks sweat fast—it’s much more breathable than a standard softshell—and feels soft against my skin.” Yet the dense weave and nylon fabric (with 9 percent spandex for stretch) repels light precipitation. The high, microfleece-lined collar kept her warm on early-morning starts, and as temperatures rose, she cooled off by opening the 10-inch zipper. A cinchable hem seals out wind. But max breathability and no DWR means the Microlith is not as weather-resistant as a conventional softshell. $139; 10 oz. (w’s S); m’s S-XXL, w’s XS-XL; backcountry.com