When the weather turns cold we all start looking for the perfect jacket. Each of us has our own idea of what the perfect jacket is. Function vs form will always be at play as each of us evaluates our preferences. 

When it comes to purpose built outerwear there are a lot of options available. When I am looking for a mid-weight jacket I can wear while training, competing, hiking, or other outdoor activity I have certain criteria I look for. I want a jacket that will stop the wind, is water resistant, not restrict my movement, be comfortable, and hopefully after all of that it will still look decent.

The BA Softshell Jacket from Propper fits the bill. The BA Softshell has all of the features I desire in a mid-weight working jacket. It has a sleek, athletic design that makes it comfortable and very capable.

The BA Softshell is a 100% polyester, water resistant, lightweight jacket that features an impressive 10 pockets, making it capable of carrying a variety of gear. It also features a two-way double zipper that can allow for easy access to gear worn on the belt. It has zip vent pockets in the under arms for regulating temperature during vigorous activities.

The jacket features adjustable elastic cuffs at the wrist and has elastic draw strings in the bottom of the jacket providing the ability to adjust the fit to the end user.

The jacket features a Velcro shoulder patch where ID badges or patches can be worn. There is also a pull-out tab on the left chest pocket where a badge or ID tag can be worn. The Propper logo on the back of the jacket is small and color matched so as to not stand out.

The BA Softshell features a wrist and a bicep pocket on each arm. It has a left chest pocket that features a horizontal zipper and contains the aforementioned pull-out ID panel. The right chest pocket is a vertical pocket. It has a silent magnet closure allowing for silent access to important documents.

It is important to note that the magnets used on the silent chest pocket may interfere with medical and electronic devices. Propper states this on the website but says that because the magnets are so small it is unlikely. 

The BA Softshell also has a dual-access zipper pocket on the low back of the jacket. Additionally, there are three more pockets on the inside of the jacket: a zippered pocket on left side of the chest and two stash pockets, one on each side of the jacket.

These combined features give the jacket a streamlined and subtle appearance in a feature packed jacket.

The BA Softshell I received is a size large. It fits very well. It has enough room for unrestricted movement and adding layers underneath the jacket. For reference I am 5’10” and weigh 215 pounds. The size large fit me well and still allows room for layering and concealing firearms or gear.

I have been wearing the BA Softshell now for several weeks. I have worn a multitude of softshell jackets over the years. A lot of them fall short of what I had hoped they would be. While the BA softshell is by no means perfect it does posses a lot of the qualities I desire in a softshell jacket.

The BA Softshell jacket achieves a great balance between capability and comfort. It repels moisture well and does a great job of blocking the wind. The zippered vents in the arm pits allow me to regulate my temperature as I work. This is a nice feature because it allows you to self regulate as you warm up without having to sacrifice the total protection of the jacket.

I wore this jacket in temperatures from the 60s down to 12 degrees. I wore it in snow and shine. Due to the lack of hood I never stood out in the rain with it on. However, it performed as I would hope the few times I was caught in the rain. It repelled the rain and made it possible to wipe the water off of the jacket.

In my opinion the BA Softshell really shines in the 40s-50s temperature range. This is the temperature range where the BA Softshell excels as a single layer outer garment. It keeps you warm without adding any real weight or bulk and with the vents you can stay cool even as you work.

The jacket is capable of being a final layer. I wore the jacket on a walk through the woods near the house on a 14-degree day. I wore two layers under the BA jacket and was very comfortable. This is due in large part to the jacket’s ability to block out the wind.

The BA Softshell fits well but still has enough room for me to access my firearms when carried in an appendix inside-the-waistband holster. This is an important capability because it allows me to wear the jacket zipped and still be able to access my pistol.

One of my favorite features of this jacket is the dual zipper feature. This feature allows me to unzip the jacket from the bottom while sitting. I like this feature especially when driving. It allows me easily access to my firearm while sitting without completely unzipping the jacket.

When I exit the vehicle I simply have to take off my seat belt and slide the bottom zipper back into place to conceal my firearm before exiting my vehicle.

The features of the BA Softshell jacket speak for themselves. This little jacket packs a big punch. The BA Softshell jacket is available in four colors: black, navy blue, olive and woodland. It is available in sizes from small to 4XL and at only $89.99 it is very affordable. Bottom line: the BA Softshell is a solid choice for anyone looking an affordable medium weight jacket.

Functionality: 4.5/5
Durability: 4/5
Cost: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Weight: 4/5
Overall Total: 21/25

Material Disclosure

I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer via Spotter Up so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.

*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.