Men's Softshell Jacket

Men's softshell jackets are little-known by the general public, yet in recent years they have been replacing membranes in many cases.

What is a men's softshell jacket?

Softshell (soft protection) is opposed by nature to hardshell (hard protection). Softshell is softer to the touch and, above all, more flexible and extensible than waterproof jackets (hardshell).
The difference between a softshell and a waterproof jacket is that a softshell is extensible. It doesn't have a waterproof membrane. Obviously, to make things more complicated, brands offer jackets with semi-waterproof membranes such as windstopper, but a jacket made with this type of membrane cannot be described as waterproof because the seams are not sealed.

Men's softshell jackets are made of tightly woven fabric that has been chemically treated to make it water-repellent. Softshell resists light rain, but above all wind and snow, while being much more breathable than a membrane fabric. In fact, in the mountains, in 95% of cases, a softshell is more suitable than a membrane. Unlike a Windstopper jacket, on a softshell it's the weave of the fabric that provides the windproofing effect.

Ideal for ski touring, Karpos softshell jackets for men offer breathability and comfort on the way up, as well as perfect protection on the way down.

In short, a men's softshell jacket is breathable and windproof, while a hardshell jacket is waterproof.

The softshell is therefore an essential for intense mountain activities where rain protection is not a priority.

Understanding rain protection in a men's softshell jacket

With their windproof, water-repellent outer fabric and lined interior (sometimes fleece), men's softshell jackets guarantee a comfortable temperature in cool or cold weather. They also have a mountain style, like Lafuma's street-style softshells.

It's important to note that a softshell is far from being a waterproof jacket. While its water-repellent properties enable it to withstand light showers, you won't be protected if your exposure is particularly long or if the downpour is too heavy. On the other hand, while the Softshell jacket is not designed to protect you from the vagaries of the weather like a Hardshell, it is extremely breathable.

Softshelljackets are made from a tightly woven fabric that has been chemically treated to make it water-repellent. This technology is called DWR (durable water repellent). Thanks to this chemical treatment, a softshell jacket can withstand non-violent rain for more than 30 minutes. Water doesn't penetrate, but slides down the mesh. However, in the event of a heavy downpour, Softshell won't protect you. What's more, once soaked, the fabric will take a long time to dry due to its tightly-woven fibers. Indeed, while this fabric is designed not to let water in, once soaked, it's also difficult to extract the water. Logical...

Details not to be overlooked on a softshell jacket:

• Tightening around the waist: essential for optimum insulation. No more cool breezes down your back.
• Cuff tightening: essential, especially in winter. Loosen, put on your gloves and tighten. Insulation guaranteed.
• Be careful not to buy a jacket with a zipper that's hard to grip. The zipper is often extended by a piece of cord for a better grip (especially when wearing gloves).
• Chin protection: to avoid chafing your chin on the zipper, it should be protected by a soft material.
• Back protector grips: stabilize your backpack and prevent heavy wear on the shoulders. Some manufacturers offer them.
• The hood: essential when there's a cool breeze or a shower > protection for the head, but also for the neck, which is very sensitive to temperature variations.

Find all these details on Rab's ultra-technical softshells, for example!

The pluses and minuses of a men's softshell jacket

Advantages of softshell jackets:

• Lightweight, comfortable,
• Easy to move around in (stretch fabric)
• Space-saving in the bag compared to a "fleece + hardshell jacket" duo
• Waterproof in light, intermittent rain.
• Low price (between €100 and €200 vs. €300 to €700 for hardshell mountain jackets).

Disadvantages of softshell jackets :

• Not resistant to heavy rain. Waterproof qualities are often limited in time (30 minutes).
• Much less warm than the "fleece + hardshell jacket" duo.
• Much less windproof than a hardshell jacket.

Our tips for men's softshell jackets

The softshell jacket is ideal for high-altitude treks in dry weather or occasional light rain.

• Day hikes in spring/summer/fall.
• High-altitude trekking with dry weather or occasional light rain.
• Spring ski touring with good weather conditions

So remember to equip yourself with technical underwear to stay dry whatever your activity!