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The Outside Men' Soft Shell range and the Women's Soft Shell range
Which Soft Shell for me?
This question is more complicated than it first appears. In this article we'll help you decide what Soft Shell option is best for your purposes and avoid getting bogged down in unnecessary complication.
What is a Soft Shell?
There are now many different types of clothing that are generally classified as Soft Shell. The term was invented initially simply as a way of defining what it wasn’t, i.e. Hard Shell. Some Soft Shell functions as a substitute for traditional layering systems, eliminating the need for a base layer, mid layer and shell. Other Soft Shell can do that partly but when the weather gets to a certain point in terms of precipitation or cold, can then be considered part of a layering system. Hopefully after reading this you will be able to see past names and decide what you need and what will fit your requirements.
All manufactures have their own fabric combinations but loosely speaking there are three.
Stretch Woven - this is made from polyester that can be a single layer or more depending on how tough and wind resistant the garment is. Schoeller Fabrics is the most famous manufacturer of this type of material and they typically have no inner lining. This would be the thinnest of the soft shells. Excellent as a weather proof outer but not offering much insulated warmth.
Laminated Stretch Woven- This is in effect a Stretch Woven outer that has fleece laminated to the inside of the jacket. This makes the garments that little bit warmer and more comfortable. Patagonia's range of Guide jackets and pants is a good example of this technology.
Shelled Micro Pile - This is the original soft shell fabric combination, pioneered by manufacturers like Buffalo, Paramo, and Montane. Generally thicker than stretch woven and laminated stretch woven fabric, the shelled micro pile garment offers the most options for replacing not only the outer shell jacket, but also the base and mid layer as well. With this fabric a Pertex or similar outer acts a weather barrier for the insulating pile underneath.
How should Soft Shell work?
The original Soft Shell theory comes from the Shelled Micro Pile fabric (see right). The other types of Soft Shell fabrics work in a similar way to this to a greater or lesser extent.
The interior fleece or pile fabric is light weight, high density, very warm and retains very little moisture meaning that it dries quickly and feels warm against your skin even when wet.
The outer shell helps maintain the stable microclimate within by resisting wind and taking any moisture from within and speeding its evaporation through the shell surface.
If you are active and generating heat you will be kept more comfortable than you would be in a Hard Shell jacket, for a fraction of the cost and the weight.
What's so good about it?
Comfort - Comfort does not mean staying dry. Comfort means drying fast and if wet, staying warm and comfortable.
Weight – Alone a soft shell jacket often weighs far less than a Hard Shell but it also saves weight by eliminating other layers.
Manovrability – Hard Shells are not as easy to climb in as soft shells which will stretch, are closer fitting and therefore do not snag on things.
Windproofing – Wind is a major factor in cooling. Like a Hard Shell, soft shells can eliminate this cooling by being windproof. Also, because they are much more breathable than a hard shell, allowing moisture to escape far more efficiently, further reducing the problem of cooling when you stop.
What type of cut should I look for?
Buffalo, the first soft shell, are cut very tight and are made to be worn next to the skin.
Patagonia and Montane make soft shell jackets that can be worn with a base layer and are therefore not cut as tightly as the buffalo.
There are also much thinner soft shell shirts for milder conditions that can be worn under another soft shell or a hard shell. The classic example of this is the RAB Vapour Rise range.
Which of these you choose depends on what you are going to be doing. Are you going to be trail running or moving very fast through all conditions in all seasons in Britian? If so a thinner more lightweight skin tight top from the likes of Montane is more suitable. If you are going to be climbing in the Alps then a Patagonia Soft Shell which is slightly harder wearing, that you can fit an extra layer under, is more suitable.
Your soft shell should be cut for performance. This means no lifting when you put your arms above your head. It also means good functional options for venting and sealing in heat. A harness should be easily accommodated.
When are soft shells at their most useful?
Soft Shells work best the colder and drier it is.
Are windproof fleeces soft shell?
Not really. They have a membrane that is within the fleece that does not help breathability. The real reason for this is to maintain the fleece outer that looks good, as opposed to a shiny pertex or stretch woven outer which is more effective but does not look as good in the pub.
Should my soft shell jacket have a hood?
Absolutely. Without a hood rain and snow will just go straight down your neck and you'll be looking around for a hard shell immediately. Though there are soft shell jackets out there without a hood you should be aware of thier limitaions.
What about thinner Soft Shells?
These are appearing more and more now and offer a great outer layer for mild conditions or as a multi purpose mid/base layer. They are in essence a fleece with the vulnerability of the fleece to the wind removed by a thin Pertex outer. The classic example of this type of garment is the RAB Vapour Rise range.
Image © 2008 Patagonia
