What Jacket for You? Hardshell & Softshell Explained
Jackets. There are hundreds of them. It can be a mine-field to navigate. Which one is best for your needs? Ostensibly, jackets will fall into two core categories…..Hardshell & Softshell and once you establish what it is you “need” you can then make a more informed decision and look at other features each jacket may have compared to the primary use requirement you have.
Here we attempt to de-mystify this area for you and apply some human logic to the choices available and decisions you need to make.
Let’s start with explaining what a Softshell is. Softshell jackets fill a void between lightweight insulating mid-layer pieces and a full-on waterproof Hardshell. They stretch for movement and breathe well, yet still offer better protection from the elements than a standard fleece or synthetic single layer rain jacket. Generally a Softshell is constructed using a lightly elasticated synthetic woven fabric that suits many outdoor activities. You have probably come across these jackets in many guises including what looks and feels like stretchy neoprene, a little bit like a wet suit, but with breathable properties to allow air to pass through.
They are intended for high-output activities. They are usually made with a woven nylon or polyester that is stretchy, highly breathable, and decently weather resistance. Largely, if it’s cool outside, not too wet and you’re working hard, a softshell is a terrific outer-layering piece.
They are generally a single outer-layer construction with some kind of lining to keep the outer layer off the skin, and usually lend themselves to active sports such as golf, cycling and hiking, but can also readily be worn in more leisure-based activities. Being lightweight, they are readily stowed too. Whilst not specifically aimed at keeping you “warm” in general, there are many that have a thermal lining which “do” lend themselves to helping you stay warm plus you can readily layer up below with a base layer and/or mid-layer as the weather conditions dictate.
You can also use them as a mid-layer in their own right and overlay with a waterproof Hardshell jacket (more on that in a second). This then creates a double weather barrier.
But also falling into this Softshell category, are your classic “puffer” style jackets. Constructed with a synthetic thin outer barrier face and inner lining usually made of Nylon or Polyester, they have an insulation sandwich between the faces and usually with visible baffles that provide additional warmth. Think sleeping bag with sleeves. We try and differentiate this style of Softshell by referring to these as Flexi-Shells as the fabric face is very different to the fabric neoprene semi stretch finish of a single layer Softshell.
Most Softshells will have some sort of fabric treatment applied that makes the fabric face more resistant to water penetration.
As the name implies here, the fabric face of this type of jacket is “hard” or more “rigid” in structure. Not to the point that is doesn’t flex, but a Hardshell serves a very specific purpose: to keep the wind, rain and snow out……
But a Hardshell still needs to “breathe” to ensure you don’t get wet on the inside from condensation. A Hardshell jacket will have varying degrees of breathability. You can easily keep the rain off by wearing a bin liner but your body still produces heat and you “will” get wet, just from the inside out due to condensation so breathability is key.
A Hardshell can come in numerous designs: a single layer for running and basic rain protection (usually referred to as a Rainshell), a dual layer fabric ideal for golf for example, a 3 layer fabric including an integrated membrane (needs to breathe though so think Gore-Tex or similar) and a System jacket that offers both the above plus an integrated thermal layer that can usually be removed and worn separately. A Hardshell will also have some sort or fabric conditioning applied to the exterior face usually by some form of silicone surface protector or as is the case more often these days, a non-silicone or “organic” equivalent such as Storm Care to reduce the use of chemicals. These help prevent rain penetration but do need refreshing periodically. We’ll cover jacket care a little further in this article.
So, to summarise the Hardshell Jacket make up, most often they have multiple layers made up of:
- Outer Shell – Treated for Maximum Wind and Rain Protection
- Inner Membrane – A breathable Moisture Resistant Membrane {think Gore-Tex}
- Inner Layer – Thermal Lining either Removable or Fixed
- Use – Outdoor Use, Ski, Hike, Weather Protection
You will almost certainly have a requirement for “both” a Softshell and Hardshell during a typical British year and for all those various adventures you embark on. No single jacket will meet all your needs, it’s just the way it is.
Choosing a Hardshell or Softshell
This is far from an exact science. But your choice should not necessarily be based around the look of the garment although, that is important obviously. It largely depends on what you are intending to use it for. If there is a very specific need, then great, your decision will be easier in the main. But you can’t really play golf in a huge, long puffy coat. But you can stand on the sidelines and watch the match in winter wearing a Sub Coat.
But there are hundreds of brands out there all producing their version of the same jacket and all professing to have the answer to your needs. So try and select a brand with a pedigree in your sector. Ski brands such as SQI have grown up doing one thing……..winter sports. You’re likely to guarantee they kind of know what they are doing. The same can be said for Stormtech. Not a brand widely known in the UK and Europe but they have grown up in the Canadian mountains and know a thing or two about the outdoors.
Where you are able to, check reviews (if available and authenticated). These usually give an indication at least, of a product’s credentials and personal suitability.
Finally the additional features. Pockets for example. If you need pockets…..go for one that has them. Yes, you will pay more. It costs to insert pockets into a garment and it always will…..manufacturing time costs money. The more pockets, the higher the cost. But you “will” need pockets.
For a Hardshell, a System Jacket can be a really good choice but it’s an investment piece. You can wear the outer layer on its own, the inner layer as a mid-layer or also on its own as a Softshell or combine the two for superb winter protection. But they do cost. Expect to pay £250+ for a system jacket but do understand you are getting the Swiss Army Knife of jackets when you do.
Jacket Care
Your jacket is like your car…..it will need servicing periodically. That said, your jacket won’t be as costly as your car to do so. It simply needs the right attention once every year or two, depending on the frequency of wear.
We always advise to NOT use traditional detergents when washing your jacket. Detergents strip out the properties of your jacket so always try and wash using a wash-in specialist detergent such as the Storm Care Organic Detergents where you can or at least a low detergent conventional washing liquid. You can and should, also re-proof your jacket after washing using the Storm Care Organic Proofing system either by post-wash spray on or as a wash-in additive. It really is worth the investment!
There will always be variations to every jacket brand both good and bad. A Hardshell Jacket is, by it’s very nature, restrictive and therefore lend themselves better to activities that are more lower-body focussed such as hiking, snowboarding and skiing.
A Softshell Jackets allows for a good degree of protection but is very flexible and so, whilst there will be some crossover, will lend itself to activities that are upper-body focussed.