Why choose a softshell jacket?
If you're like me — a passionate mountain hiking enthusiast — you've almost certainly already faced the problem of choosing the right clothing for an outing. When you're trying to optimise the weight you carry, comfort, and safety in the face of changing weather conditions, it can be a real headache, sometimes requiring long moments of reflection.
Of course, we're all familiar with the famous three-layer rule. It remains a solid starting point for building your kit. A first layer consisting of a base layer that keeps you warm and wicks away perspiration; a second layer designed to retain heat and insulate from the cold… and finally a third layer that should keep you reasonably warm while primarily protecting you from the elements — waterproof and windproof. But as technology evolves, products have emerged that offer solutions in specific conditions, pushing somewhat beyond the classic three-layer doctrine.
And in particular, I'd like to talk to you here about softshell jackets. In my view, they should be in every hiker's wardrobe, as they offer unparalleled comfort and outstanding versatility.
Indeed, the softshell jacket is a garment that combines the second and third layers: a warm, breathable fleece (worn over a technical base layer of your choice) covered by a water-repellent, windproof fabric or membrane. And above all, softshell jackets are made from highly comfortable materials — quite stretchy and very lightweight — so they take up very little space in your pack. On the practical side, these garments allow a full range of movement while remaining close to the body, making for a dynamic, athletic feel.
In what conditions should you use your softshell jacket?
To answer this question, it's easier to explain when NOT to use your softshell jacket! Clearly, it is absolutely not designed for extreme conditions. If you're heading out in severe cold, with a high risk of heavy snow or heavy rain, leave it at home.
On the other hand, for an outing where the weather might turn a little cold, with some wind or even light rain, the softshell jacket will be your ideal companion. It will protect you from the cold while offering excellent comfort, and its water-repellent properties will shield you from moisture. However, it's essential to understand that the softshell jacket is rarely waterproof (even if more and more waterproof versions are appearing in so-called "technical" ranges). Its water-repellent material will protect you from light, low-intensity showers, but not from heavy snowfall or prolonged, driving rain. In those conditions, a fully waterproof garment is non-negotiable — without one, you're in for a genuinely miserable day.
The softshell jacket is therefore ideally suited to situations where you have a reasonable grasp of the weather forecast (as any experienced hiker should) and the outlook offers the prospect of a decent day.
For example, I recall a hiking day last year in the Vanoise massif where the weather forecast suggested cold at altitude with a 30% chance of light showers. I went with a softshell jacket, and it proved particularly effective: not too warm in the milder zones, protecting me from the cold once I reached the higher sections, and keeping the moisture at bay through the two light showers we encountered (one lasting 20 minutes and another less intense but lasting 40 minutes). On the practical side, it proved extremely comfortable, allowing a great freedom of movement and without weighing too heavily.
As you'll have gathered, this type of garment is well suited to what you might call "moderate" conditions. But in reality, over the course of a year, there are quite a few of those "moderate" days: not too warm, not too cold, not excessively wet. The investment in such a jacket pays for itself very quickly — all the more so because today you can find a large number of softshell jackets at entirely reasonable, justified prices given the quality of materials used.
The softshell jacket is therefore the ideal companion for a day outing where you have full control over the weather forecast. For a multi-day expedition, however, it becomes difficult to rely on it as your sole garment. You'll often have no choice but to bring along an extra layer for extreme cold and a fully waterproof jacket for heavy rain. But don't leave it out of your pack altogether: there will always be a day or two where you can use it without any issue.
But there are other compelling arguments for buying a softshell jacket. First, the materials used often make it a visually appealing garment with rather attractive cuts from an aesthetic standpoint. On top of that, the versatility of this type of garment also makes it an everyday essential for urban use. Indeed, the softshell jacket is perfectly suited to a leisure mountain bike outing, urban cycling, or any kind of outdoor activity requiring effective protection from the cold. For example, I have a softshell jacket that I regularly wear for early-morning winter jogs. It gives me a garment that's reasonably breathable, fairly warm, and already prepared to handle an occasional light shower.
The softshell jacket is ultimately a safe bet when it comes to investment. It offers unmatched comfort and handles a wide range of weather conditions without too much concern. So don't hesitate — head over to the Cimalp website, where you'll find a wide range of softshell jackets to protect you effectively and guarantee excellent comfort during your favourite activity.
