Softshell jackets are lightweight, breathable and durable compared to a standard fleece or synthetic jacket. While hard shell jackets allow better water resistance, softshell provides better insulating results. Soft shells are misunderstood as only being warm and insulating pieces, some can be waterproof too. Just because waterproofing ability is scarce in these sorts of jackets that doesn’t mean it’s not useful. Today, we will be talking about more softshell jackets and its properties.
Soft Shells Are Water-Resistant
Most softshell jackets offer water resistance that can keep you all warm and dry in light to medium rainfall. The durable water repellent or DWR coating outside beads up and sheds the rain, keeping any moisture at bay. The major drawback of softshell jackets is that it doesn’t shield you from heavy rain and that’s why it’s not much popular amongst people. But some softshells can actually include waterproofing abilities to it. The hybrids will give you both warmth and extensive protection from the rain. It’s made up of breathable material, so you would find it very comfortable.
Soft Shells Are Warmer
Even though soft shells lack in giving water resistance, it provides extreme warmth than any rain jacket or hard shell. The amount of warmth depends on the thickness and construction of the jacket. The warmest softshell jackets bond fleece to the inside and offer great warmth to the body. soft shells provide better air permeability, this means that while a hard shell can make you feel warmer, it doesn’t provide much breathability. As a result, you might feel comfortable when it’s not too cold outside. On the other hand, softshell is very air-permeable and thus provides you with much better comfort letting air pass through.
Soft Shells Are Wind-Resistant
Although soft shells are resistant to the wind they provide some airflow. This is designed that way to give your skin breather. This partial wind resistance is there to make you stay cool even when you are working hard. A wind-blocking called gore Wind stopper is stitched in between the outer layer and inner liner. The Wind stopper can fully make your jacket i.e. women s fleece jacket airproofs and that’s why strategically placing these stoppers keeps a balance between stopping the wind and providing airflow.
Soft Shells Are Heavier and Stretchy
Soft shell jackets are usually the heaviest with the thick exterior. The most standard models range from 1 to 1.5 pounds. They are bulky and thus can create problems while backpacking and activities running, skiing or climbing but casual users wouldn’t feel a thing.
Also, the jackets stretchiness makes them extremely viable for outdoor activities like skiing, mountaineering, hiking, etc. These jackets allow your bending, moving, reaching, running by allowing its flexibility. The outer fabrics consist of a 4-way stretch meaning that it can stretch in any direction.
Softshell jackets are worn outside while doing strenuous activities. They are made of nylon or polyester and made stretchy, wind-resistant and breathable. These qualities make them ideal for climbing, biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, etc. In short, you can wear jackets like this outdoors when the weather is pleasantly cold and not too wet. As you know now, the jackets allow enough airflow to regulate your body heat. This is an advantage you get over choosing hard shell or rain jackets.
