Soft shell jackets

imported
#1

I’ve never understood softshell jackets. They seem heavy, bulky, and no replacement for Gore-tex against rain and wind (I hike, but do not rock climb). Recently, however, I spent a few days cross-country skiing in Minnesota. The temps were in the single digits or low teens, and most days it was windy. When I removed my hard shell after a few hours of skiing, it was so wet and dripping that it appeared to have been hosed down – no surprise there. It later occurred to me that soft shells might be good for exercising in cold weather. I tend to doubt that anyone in this blog community endorses soft shell jackets, but since I’m daydreaming about being outside while at work, I thought I would ask. Thanks for your thoughts. Just Walking.

Just Walking

#2

I would have to agree that as a jacket for a hike on the AT a soft shell is probably not a choice that most would make, with weight being one of the biggest considerations. Its best use, from my perspective, is as a town coat where one knows the conditions that one will encounter for the day. I have a windproof soft shell jacket that is what I wear for about every day I need a jacket in Kansas. It’s amazing really! For really high intensity activities- running, skiing, that sort of thing- it might have a place, but often a layering system is lighter and more flexible. I can see it being a good choice for one day mountaineering outings.

John Mattes

#3

personally im a fan. they are bulky and they arent waterproof, but in cold weather they perform admirably. they are both windproof and breathable.
im not sure about taking it on the trail when i start again in march though. might substitute it for a second fleece. havent decided yet

Scree Freak

#4

I agree wholeheartedly with John Mattes.
i wear my softshell nearly every day at home. when i wont be exposed to prolongued heavy rain it is perfect.

Scree Freak

#5

With weight being a big concern a combination of clothing layers are necessary. With a wicking base layer, soft shell mid layer, and windproof outer layer. I like fleece mid layers and use my rain jacket as my windproof outer layer.

Many thru hikers skip the raingear because it doesn’t keep you dry while hiking. If you don’t end up wet from the rain you’ll probably end up wet from sweat. A dry set of clothes are necessary once you stop hiking for the day in cold weather and the rain jacket is then graet for stopping the wind.

Old Goat

#6

Old goat nailed it! In just a few lines he gave to an experienced hiker’s ears a complete and concise overview of how to layer to stay warm. The point that a raincoat is less about keeping one dry than about keeping one warm is a good one and one that should be repeated. Raincoats are nice in town to keep oneself dry. Weight is always a consideration, but sometimes taking lowering weight too far will leave one cold, which really is a bummer when you’re out there. I think this is an interesting topic!

John Mattes

#7

Some clarification for a novice. What do you mean by soft shell jacket and a hard shell jacket? Are fleece or down jackets softshell or are you referring to something else?

John

#8

I found this at the REI website: http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/rainwear.html#Soft_Shells_vs._WP/BR_Fabrics

I agree, Old Goat nailed it well.

I didn’t even know it but it looks like I use a softshell. The Marmot Driclime isn’t marketed as one, but it sure looks like one–a thin layer of insulation and a light uncoated nylon shell, no hood. I love it–it has replaced my fleece for three-season trips. It’s lighter and less bulky and after extensive personal testing I’ve found that it works as well or better in most conditions that I need it for. I also carry a home-made silnylon “hard shell”, non-breathable, that only weighs a few ounces, for heavy rain, or wind when I’m not moving.

The web link above stresses that soft shells are mainly for experienced, fast-moving travelers and I’d agree with that.

Garlic

#9

Bought a soft shell pullover jacket in Manchester Center at EMI rather than having my fleece jacket sent to me for my northward trek to Maine. I’m certainly not a fast moving traveler but I use it frequently for those “in-between” situations where the hard jacket is too warm and the base layer is not enough. Also have been using it this winter as my mid-layer. Love it!

Croft

#10

A soft shell differs from a hard shell by being made from stretch material (usually something like nylon with polyester) without a ripstop nylon, gortex, or other breathable or non-breathable outer layer. The stretch fit is one thing people like in soft shells. Most hard shells are very wind resistant while soft shells are variable in wind resistance. I found this out the “hard way” when I bought my first soft shell and it was not! very wind resistant, even less than a fleece. My second purchase was very wind resistant and rated at 0 CFM, which is some wind permeability rating. Getting back to the weight question- a soft shell may weigh 1# or a little more in a medium men’s jacket, conversely a light fleece coupled with a light weight wind/rain jacket can weigh as little as 10-11 oz. and will be more flexible in its layering ability. I tend think for the most part soft shells are not as light weight or flexible as some other choices. I hope this is helpful in some way.

John Mattes