Softshell Jackets Guide

Clothes fulfill a variety of tasks and each of them has to do justice. While it is often important to look good, there are also clothes that must be designed more for functionality. Especially outside it is often on sufficiently warm, and the respective weather conditions adapted clothing. This is, especially in winter, from a very thick, well insulating, and absolutely weatherproof jacket, while in the summer months on excessive clothes can be well dispensed. In autumn and spring the weather conditions are very changeable and it is more difficult to choose the right clothes. Especially for this mixed weather, whether for everyday life, or longer trips into nature, there is a sort of jackets, which offer an ideal mediocrity between weather protection and light clothing: the Softshell jackets , They are ideal when the weather or the situation is unfavorable for a thick jacket, but can not be dispensed with a jacket.

The peculiarities of a softshell jacket

The softshell jacket is said to provide a mediocre level of weather protection, making it ideal for changeable, cool-damp but not overly cold weather. Although it is also very useful in everyday life, but especially for hikers very popular, as it is to serve here for a long time as appropriate clothing, and there is no way to take off an inappropriate jacket in a timely manner. The softshell jacket is characterized by the eponymous, soft texture (soft shell = soft shell). Thus, she does not restrict the freedom of movement when hiking, and during other stays in nature, not particularly strong. Also, she is not very heavily fed, so that the weight can be kept very low, and also ensures a better comfort. Modern and high quality models consist of a multi-layer combination of different materials. In particular, breathable membranes known under the trade name Gore-Tex make up a large part of their properties as the centerpiece of these jackets. In the active movement outside, in a little worse weather, it is important that the jacket protects from the weather, ie wind and rain, but excess body heat and evaporating moisture are ideally dissipated and do not accumulate inside the jacket. While the outermost layer is made of sturdy, abrasion-resistant, water-repellent yet breathable polyester fabrics, the close-fitting inner layer is made of fleece or other materials that insulate and absorb and transfer moisture quickly. The microporous membrane lies between these two layers and keeps out wind and liquid water on the outside, while an excess of heat, as well as vaporous moisture on the inside are transmitted.

quality features

If you are looking for a really high-quality softshell jacket, you should first make sure that a Gore-Tex membrane is actually available. Cheaper models do not reveal these, and are therefore only very limited suitable as effective weather protection. As with all garments, it comes here, maybe even very strong, on a good fit and sufficient freedom of movement, so that the benefits of the „soft shell“ are not relativized by a too small sized clothes size again. Since the jacket is especially designed for the cold season, reflective areas, or even a surface reflective material, possibly even in the usual neon warning colors, at least be considered useful and should be considered accordingly. Furthermore, it depends on the processing. Clean seams, a subjectively robust material and stable, and especially smooth-running zippers are signs of good quality. Also additional closures, such as pushbuttonsshould be smooth so they do not cause premature wear. Since new models are published with each collection, it is only recommended to look for well-known outdoor brands at this point.