Softshell jackets why

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Softshell Jacket, Ladies fit, breathable, windproof and water-repellent, two-toned. Softshell Jacket, Modern fit, breathable, windproof and water-repellent, two-toned. Softshell Jacket, Modern fit, breathable, windproof and water-repellent, reflective. Softshell Jacket, Ladies fit, water-repellent. Softshell Jacket, water-repellent, fleece on inner side.

Softshell Jacket, fleece on inner side. Softshell Jacket, fleece on inner side, water-repellent. Softshell Jacket for children, breathable, windproof, water-repellent, reflective. Show all. During the months of rapidly changing weather, it is important to have outdoor clothing that can protect you from the elements.

All products Jackets. See comparison Go to favourites. Write your email address so we can contact you. Write your question. Your phone number. Postal code and city. The name of your company. The jackets allow enough air in and out to regulate your body heat, giving them a significant leg up on the other two shell options: hardshell jackets and rain jackets. But they offer more protection from the elements than a standard insulating midlayers like fleeces, synthetic jackets, or down jackets.

Falling in that middle ground makes them a highly versatile piece that is usable in all four seasons. Most softshell jackets offer decent water resistance that can keep you dry in light to moderate precipitation.

Softshells usually are not waterproof, however, and sustained rainfall will absorb and eventually soak through the woven fabric. With these jackets, you get the best of both worlds: protection from rain and snow, but also great breathability, mobility, and a comfortable next-to-skin feel.

The Dynafit Beast Hybrid Jacket is a popular hybrid, combining a 3-layer hardshell fabric on the hood, chest, shoulders, and arms, with a stretchy softshell on the torso and back. For a more integrated design, the Patagonia Galvanized uses 3-layer construction throughout, but with a softshell-like rather than rigid hardshell face fabric.

While a jacket like the Galvanized offers more protection from the elements, the full-coverage waterproof layer does inhibit some breathability. The smooth face fabric on a softshell typically is wind resistant but still porous enough to allow some airflow. There are, however, softshell jackets and pants that are either fully or partially windproof.

A wind-blocking layer is sandwiched in-between the outer layer and inner liner. Just like with a Gore-Tex softshell, breathability is compromised but jackets with strategically placed panels of Windstopper or comparable fabrics, including the Marmot ROM jacket , do a good job balancing windproofing while keeping you comfortable. Along with breathability, our favorite softshell characteristic is the stretchy feel.

By definition, the outer fabric of a performance softshell has 4-way stretch stretching horizontally and vertically for fantastic range of motion. It also means that you can select a softshell with a slightly snugger fit, which is great for moving fast. All told, for active pursuits we much prefer the quiet and mobile nature of a softshell over a rigid and bulky hardshell. The amount of warmth will vary based on the thickness and construction of the jacket, but softshells offer more insulation than a rain jacket or hardshell.

While rain jackets and hardshells are just that—thin shells designed to keep moisture out—a softshell is thicker and often includes a light interior lining. The warmest softshell jackets bond fleece to the inside of the jacket, offering almost as much warmth as a thin fleece jacket or synthetic jacket. The boost in warmth over a hardshell is nice if you want to only wear a baselayer beneath in cool temperatures. However, because some softshells are very air permeable, they may not retain as much heat as a completely waterproof jacket.

But for pure insulation, a softshell still is the warmest outerlayer. With a thick construction, standard softshell jackets are the heaviest of the three outerlayer options. Rain jackets can weigh as little as 5 ounces, and just about every major outdoor gear manufacturer makes a waterproof shell that weighs less than 10 ounces.

And while hardshells usually are a little heavier, the majority of designs clock in at well under a pound. For hikes in freezing cold temperatures it makes an ideal mid-layer under your hard shell jacket.

What is Softshell Fabric? Is Softshell Fabric Waterproof? Are Softshell Jackets Warm? How to Clean Softshell Jackets and Trousers Your soft shell jacket can be washed in the washing machine at a medium temperature of degrees celsius. Softshell vs. Hard Shell Designed with breathability in mind, a softshell jacket offers more comfort than a traditional hard shell jacket, with the softer material making it much more moveable.

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