Recommendations+sourcing a durable, soft-shell material? Cordura Ambush?

[TuffPossumGear]

With colder weather coming on, and considering moving north to Ohio in December of all times, it is time that I start considering clothing suitable for a rougher climate than Central Texas.

Needing a soft shell fabric . Been looking at and reading reviews about the First Spear Wind Cheater and the Hill People Gear variants. They use what they call "Cordura Ambush" fabric. One of the Hill brothers mentioned "300 denier" in his product video. I am wanting to make my own kind of soft shell anorak of sorts.

Does anyone have any recommendations (and single-yard-increment sources)?


I would also like to find something like a micro-fleece backed material with something like a lighter weight Cordura Classic type finish on the outside. Water resistance would be high priority in this than breath-ability.

Any suggestions there would be much appreciated as well?



Thanks in advance,

Jayberry

[Keno80]

That wind cheater looks like some variation of a DWR nylon supplex.  More than likely a 1-way stretch Spandura or some version of it.     

Softshell seems to be a relative term now a days.  Basically any fabric that describes some wind resistance and water resistance is now considered softshell material.  Which makes it hard to pinpoint exactly what to look for in terms of materials.  Spandura technically isn't softshell either but it's characteristics are close enough to throw it into the summer weight softshell category.  I suppose 'softshell' is a better marketing word than DWR 'spandex' of 'fancy fleece'.

The industry leaders in the softshell market are Polartec, Gore-tex and Schoeller.  That said if you're looking for small sources of softshell fabric, it's going to be very costly almost anywhere you get it.  Here are a few places that carry them:
 
http://www.rockywoods.com/
http://www.owfinc.com/
https://www.discoverytrekking.com/fabric
https://www.therainshed.com/
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/Fleece-Fabrics_c_22.html

rocky and owf are pretty good to work with.  I've heard good things about rainshed.  I've been to Seattle fabrics and their customer service is hit or miss but they are in driving distance.

[TuffPossumGear]

That wind cheater looks like some variation of a DWR nylon supplex.  More than likely a 1-way stretch Spandura or some version of it.     

Softshell seems to be a relative term now a days.  Basically any fabric that describes some wind resistance and water resistance is now considered softshell material.  Which makes it hard to pinpoint exactly what to look for in terms of materials.  Spandura technically isn't softshell either but it's characteristics are close enough to throw it into the summer weight softshell category.  I suppose 'softshell' is a better marketing word than DWR 'spandex' of 'fancy fleece'.

The industry leaders in the softshell market are Polartec, Gore-tex and Schoeller.  That said if you're looking for small sources of softshell fabric, it's going to be very costly almost anywhere you get it.  Here are a few places that carry them:
 
http://www.rockywoods.com/
http://www.owfinc.com/
https://www.discoverytrekking.com/fabric
https://www.therainshed.com/
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/Fleece-Fabrics_c_22.html

rocky and owf are pretty good to work with.  I've heard good things about rainshed.  I've been to Seattle fabrics and their customer service is hit or miss but they are in driving distance.

Ok, thanks for the info. I will see what I can rustle up.