What is Softshell?
The original ‘definition’ of softshell was a fabric (or combination of fabrics) that gives good wind and water resistance but maintains high levels of breath-ability.
The trade-off means that a ‘proper’ softshell would benefit someone who finds they easily overheat. This often overloads the breath-ability of the fabric, getting the inside of any hardshell waterproofs damp.
Softshells are never 100% windproof. This means extra air-flow through the fabric keeps the user cooler, this can be a disadvantage when you stop moving. However the extra breath-ability should mean that there is less moisture build up, so you won’t get cold when the wind picks up.
The stretch woven softshells mean they stretch without the need for elasticated fibres, making them more advantageous for increased activity. Perhaps the most important characteristic of any softshell is ‘comfort’, due to the softness of the fabric or the extra breath-ability.
What do manufacturers think softshell is?
Manufacturers of membrane fabrics, especially Gore-Tex and eVent, have concentrated on the ‘soft’ element of softshell and made hardshells more flexible. Buffalo and Rab use two-layer combinations of fabrics, with Pertex outers and ‘fleecy’ inners. Various brands produce some form of stretch woven clothing.
All of these are referred to as softshell, making the market difficult to decipher. There is a huge spectrum of softshell clothing, with varying degrees of water resistance, stretch, breath-ability and toughness available.
Which fabrics work best?
Windstopper (totally windproof membrane)
Windproof fleeces are ideal for everyday use in most conditions except heavy rain or heat. If the fleeces get really wet, they will dry slowly due to the membrane. They are also quite heavy and not the most breathable.
In contrast the newer, more technical styles tend to be thinner, lighter and offer good breath-ability, wind-proofing and durability. Making them of more interest to avid climbers and mountaineers. They provide little or no static warmth and therefore need extra clothing to be taken for lengthy endeavors.
Powershield (stretch-woven fabric and a windproof membrane)
These feature a ‘discontinuous’ membrane which is laminated to the face of the fabric. This gives high levels of wind-resistance without being totally windproof. The amount of insulation can vary significantly according to the depth of the lamination therefore breath-ability. Water resistance tend to be high and the face fabrics are tougher. Due to the lightness, lack of static warmth and price, Powershield is likely to appeal to the serious user.
'VapourRise' type fabrics (Pertex outer with fleece inner)
The ‘Classic’ weight, this uses a thin fleece inner and a Pertex Equilibrium outer. Equilibrium has a differential weave therefore it wicks moisture from the inside to outside of the fabric better, compared to the classic Pertex fabrics. The main strength is the ability to wick moisture away from your body. However the softness and feeling of instant warmth next to the skin make these garments a popular choice.
The newer light weight ‘Lite’ fabric has a lighter weight of Equilibrium on the outer and a tricot lining. This allows the VapourRise concept to spread across all seasons (and to people who overheat easily).
Stretch-woven fabrics (synthetic fabrics with mechanical stretch)
It is relatively easy to vary a stretch-woven fabrics characteristics by using different denier nylon and altering the thickness and density of the woven fabric itself. The thicker and denser the weave, the more weather resistance you will have, but the fabric will be heavier and bulkier (also slower to dry if it gets really wet). As breath-ability, stretch and toughness are the main characteristics of these fabrics, climbers are their natural purchasers.
A lower requirement for insulation on the legs than on the upper body means stretch-woven fabrics have become the default material for softshell trousers due to their toughness.