I just ordered the Stoic Luft Down insulated sweater. I was planning to wear it with a shell, and I'm wondering two things. One - is this a good plan in general? Two - would this be a good shell for that? It's for a snowshoeing trip. Any gear advice is appreciated!

It's an excellent idea if you anticipate running into any kind of wet or windy weather. A shell will keep the down dry and the wind off. This could be a good shell, depending on the conditions you expect to face. Because it's a softshell it's not really waterproof, and will eventually become wet in the rain. It has a water repellent treatment on the outside that sheds some precipitation, but much more than light rain and you'll get a bit wet. On the other hand it does breathe well, which is a concern when you're snowshoeing, and it blocks wind nicely. If you want more substantial weather coverage check out the technical shell section of the jackets. Everything there is waterproof breathable, which is not as breathable as this guy, but will keep you dry in pretty much anything. You could keep the Stoic theme going with the eVent Stash or Bombshell jackets. I also like the Mountain Hardware shells. Lastly, this piece has a slightly fleecy lining to it, which may make it more difficult to layer. You may find sleeves bunching a little more readily with this, although the taffeta outside on the Luft makes that less of a problem.