Like the Mountain Equipment Arrow ZipT, this lightweight top from Marmot comes in pullover style, which I almost prefer to a full length zip. The difference between the Arrow Zip T and the Temp 1/2 zip is the latter is slightly heavier and more suitable to the colder days of spring and autumn.
This top has a single chest pocket, with a headphone port for anyone who walks with headphones on! The cuffs are elasticated and have thumb loops which I personally don’t like but they’re not too in-your-face like the Berghaus ones. There is an elasticated drawcord hem, which helps keeping the warmth in on colder days and the jacket boasts Marmot’s Angel-Wing Movement, which is to say you can swing your arms around with the jacket riding up, or more practically, you can reach high for holds when climbing.
The material feels heavy, yet the garment isn’t a lot heavier than the others. M3 Softshell is a double weave 90% Polyester with 10% Elastane Stretch and it really is a beautiful fabric with a lovely feel to it. I’ve found it to be stretchy, comfortable, highly breathable and pretty showerproof. I’ve been in some heavy showers and the DWR has seen the raindrops simply run off. How long that will last I don’t know. I’ve given this softshell a slightly higher score than the ME one simply because it’s more effective as a three season garment.
