Softshell jackets ideal for a Seattle spring

Come spring, we never know what weather conditions we might face in Western Washington, so our outerwear must be versatile.

We can see dramatic changes not just day-to-day, but hour-to-hour. During one March outing along the 5-mile loop trail at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, as we wrapped up testing of some new softshells, we encountered rain, snow, blustery winds, sunshine, hail and, finally, ground fog.

Our female testers found the Carve Full Zip from Boise-based Core Concepts to be one of their all-time favorite spring jackets. The Carve utilizes a hard-faced Polartec Wind Pro fabric for weather protection and warmth. The Wind Pro blocks four times more wind than standard polar fleece while still being extremely breathable. The hardface on the Wind Pro sheds rain and snow better than most fabrics that aren't completely waterproof.

That's enough reason to love the Carve, but Core didn't stop with providing performance. They blended performance with great styling. The tapered cut is loose enough to allow modest layering underneath while still being shapely and fitted. To enhance the look, Core incorporated printed accents on the body of the Carve, creating a great looking jacket that's more than a match for the complex weather of a Washington spring.

The women's Carve Full Zip sells for $170. More information: www.corelayers.com.

Men, meanwhile, leaned toward Westcomb's Skeena Hoody as their favorite spring jacket. Though not as warm as the Carve, the Skeena offers more protection in wet conditions. The Skeena Hoody (soon to be available in a non-hooded jacket as well) uses several different fabrics to create a unique "body mapped" application.

You'll find eVent panels, backed with a thin Merino wool inner face through much of the body of the jacket to provide waterproofness and warmth. A stretchy, breathable softshell fabric — Schoeller's Dryskin — is used under the arms and other areas where you need more flexibility and give. We tested the Skeena extensively, in driving rain while hiking out Dungeness Spit, and in wind and snow while snowshoeing on Mount Rainier.

The Skeena Hoody sells for $379. More information: www.westcomb.com.