Several factors come into play when choosing your hiking outfit: climate, environment, protection, duration and type of hiking… To cope with certain conditions, clothing is enhanced with new technologies. Garments are more resistant and help guarantee a certain level of 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 comes from English and can be translated as "soft shell". The aim of these garments is to provide warmth, breathability and insulation.
The softshell is made up of three layered components:
- An outer layer: a technical fabric that is both resistant, elastic and water-repellent
- A central membrane: both windproof and waterproof
- An inner layer: a fleece fabric that guarantees thermal insulation
The design of softshell garments means they can be used as both a second and third layer by hikers. Each garment is different and can have varying properties. You'll find softshells that are more water-repellent, others that are more insulating, models with long or short sleeves, with or without a hood…
It's important to choose your softshell carefully and not overlook certain details depending on the type of hiking and your needs.
What are the advantages?
Softshell garments are extremely popular today thanks to their versatility and many advantages. They offer excellent thermal regulation and insulation, which is no small thing when hiking. A windproof effect is also guaranteed, particularly for garments equipped with Gore-Tex Windstopper® technology. These three features allow you to engage in intense physical activity without suffering from cold or heat, as insulation and breathability are well balanced.
The stretch and flexibility of garments featuring softshell technology are also highly valued. They generally offer four-way stretch, allowing them to extend both vertically and horizontally. This gives you greater freedom of movement compared to hardshell garments.
Finally, softshells are water-repellent. They resist water in light precipitation. This means you can take them on many hikes when the weather is fairly mild. You can therefore use them almost all year round: in winter, spring and autumn.
What are the drawbacks?
While softshells have many advantages, they also have a few drawbacks. The main one is that they are not perfectly waterproof and don't always come with a hood. Unlike a hardshell jacket, the seams are not taped, so waterproofing is limited during prolonged exposure to rain. If you're heading out hiking in the mountains where weather can be unpredictable, it's best not to rely solely on a softshell garment, or to pack rain gear as well.
It is also inadvisable to take them to places where the wind is very strong if they are not fitted with a windproof membrane. While they do have windproof properties, they are not as resistant as waterproof and windproof hardshells, which handle strong gusts well.
On the downside, they are heavy and bulky, as they serve as both a second and third layer. Classic windproof jackets typically weigh between 150 and 300 grams, whereas softshells tend to sit around the 600 to 700 gram mark. While they're not restrictive when worn, they quickly become cumbersome in a rucksack. We would advise against taking them on a multi-day trekking trip.
In what conditions should you use softshell technology?
If you're looking to buy softshell garments, make sure they match the type of hiking you do. They are perfect for hikes in the following situations:
- In cold and windy conditions: they are perfectly suited to this situation. Their insulation and breathability allow you to perform in excellent conditions.
- In light rain: you don't have to stop to put on or take off your rain jacket. Your softshell handles light rain without any trouble.
- For day trips: versatile and comfortable, your softshell is perfectly suited to a day hike.
- Intense activity: with its stretch and flexibility, intense effort is more comfortable thanks to a softshell.
Softshell garments are very pleasant to wear and extremely versatile. As you'll have gathered, these garments reach their limits when conditions are unfavourable or when your hike lasts several days. They are, however, the perfect companions for day hikes in pleasant to moderate conditions.
