I'm going to have to agree with what others have said.
The so-called "breathable" shells, even the best ones, really aren't all that breatheable. If you have to have an outer layer capable of taking you through hard rain for 40+ minutes, then you have no choice, but when you're working hard, hiking, climbing, and so on, you're going to sweat, and the sweat is going to stay mostly trapped under the hard shell. I always have to reply on the arm pit zips and other manual ventilation techniques to do moisture management in these situations.
But, for most people, a SOFT SHELL is a better choice. I have a Cloud Veil Serendipity jacket with Scholler 3X dry, and it is freaking amazing. If I get all sweaty from cross country skiing or running or hiking outdoors in the winter, I will actually dry off when wearing that jacket and good base and insulation layers (NOT cotton). With my hard shell? Forget it. No chance of that. I'd have to remove the hard shell.
That said, a hard shell is realyl nice to have, and cuts wind a lot better than a soft shell. If I'm just going to work, or for a nice easy stroll, the hard shell is my choice if its raining or windy, with my Patagonia R3 jacket underneath. And if I then add my R2 vest beneath that, with a baselayer, I am ready for the worst most nasty weather winter can dish out. And check out Ibex wool baselayers. Avoid the stinkiness that developes with synthetics. Although, I still love my Marmot and Patagonia baselayers, especially my silk-weight stuff.
Anyway, there are many, many choices, and many approaches on how to handle all of this various stuff. For me, layering has worked best, but in many cases, a single do-it-all jacket is their preference. My favorite peice of gear is my R3 jacket--not sold anymore, unfortunately. I love the regulator fleece. It's what converted me away from wool. Before that, I still preferred wool to fleece, but with the regulator fleece, I changed my mind.
Anyway, good luck!