Several factors come into play when choosing your hiking outfit: climate, environment, protection, duration and type of hiking... To withstand specific conditions, garments are enhanced with new technologies. They are more durable and provide reliable comfort against the elements. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about softshell technology for hiking.
How does softshell technology work for hiking?
Softshell technology is not a fabric or a material, but a garment concept. Its name translates literally to "soft shell". The purpose of these garments is to deliver warmth, breathability and insulation.
The softshell is constructed with three layered tiers:
- An outer layer: a technical fabric that is durable, stretchy and water-repellent
- A central membrane: both windproof and waterproof
- An inner layer: a fleece fabric that ensures thermal insulation
The design of softshell garments allows hikers to use them as both a mid-layer and an outer layer. Every garment is different and features distinct properties. You will find more water-repellent softshells, more insulating models, long or short-sleeve designs, with or without hoods...
It is important to choose the right softshell and pay attention to specific details based on your type of hiking and your needs.
What are the advantages?
Softshell garments are very popular today thanks to their versatility and many benefits. They offer excellent temperature regulation and thermal insulation, which is essential for hiking. Wind protection is also guaranteed, especially for garments featuring Gore-Tex Windstopper® technology. These three features allow you to tackle high-intensity activities without suffering from cold or heat, thanks to a balanced combination of insulation and breathability.
The stretch and flexibility of garments featuring softshell technology are also highly valued. They generally offer four-way stretch, allowing them to stretch both vertically and horizontally. This feature gives you greater freedom of movement compared to hardshell garments.
Finally, softshells are water-repellent. They resist water during light showers. This allows you to take them on many hikes when the weather is fairly mild. You can therefore wear them almost all year round: in winter, spring and autumn.
What are the drawbacks?
While softshells offer numerous advantages, they also have a few drawbacks. The main one is that they are not completely waterproof and do not always feature a hood. Unlike a hardshell jacket, the seams are not taped, meaning waterproofness is limited during prolonged exposure to rain. If you are heading out to hike in the mountains where weather is often unpredictable, it is best not to rely solely on a softshell, or make sure to pack additional rain gear.
It is also not recommended to take them into extremely windy environments if they lack a windproof membrane. While they offer wind-resistant properties, they are not as tough as waterproof, windproof hardshells that easily withstand strong gusts.
Finally, they are heavy and bulky, as they serve as both a second and third layer. Standard windproof jackets generally weigh between 150 and 300 grams, whereas softshells weigh around 600 to 700 grams. While not bothersome when worn, they quickly become cumbersome in a backpack. We advise against taking them on multi-day trekking trips.
In what conditions should you use softshell technology?
If you want to invest in softshell garments, make sure they match your style of hiking. They are ideal for hikes in the following conditions:
- In cold, windy weather: they are perfectly suited for these conditions. Their insulation and breathability keep you performing comfortably.
- In light weather: no need to stop to put on or take off your waterproof jacket. Your softshell handles light rain with ease.
- For day trips: both versatile and comfortable, your softshell is perfectly suited for a day hiking trip.
- High-intensity activity: thanks to its stretch and flexibility, demanding efforts are more comfortable with a softshell.
Softshell garments are very comfortable to wear and extremely versatile. As you will have understood, these garments reach their limits in adverse weather or on multi-day hiking trips. However, they are the ideal choice for day hikes in pleasant to moderate conditions.
