A hiking jacket is one of the most important pieces of clothing for the trails, in summer and winter alike. It provides essential protection. There are many models, each suited to a specific activity. Cimalp explains how to choose a hiking jacket. For men, explore our men’s hiking jackets.
Key takeaways:
- A hiking jacket protects against wind, rain, and snow.
- Choosing a hiking jacket depends on the climate and the type of outing.
- A hardshell is ideal for severe weather and extreme environments.
- The softshell is ideal for high-energy activities in moderate weather.
The role of a hiking jacket
A hiking jacket is part of the three-layer system. Once you’ve considered which t-shirt to wear for hiking and which fleece to choose, it’s time to focus on your protective outer layer.
Worn as a mid or outer layer, a hiking jacket must protect you from the elements and match your specific needs. It provides essential protection against wind, rain, and snow, as well as abrasion from rocks and brush. For fast-paced hiking, it needs to wick sweat effectively. For winter outings, it must also provide adequate warmth.
As you can see, this garment needs to do several jobs. A hiking jacket must be waterproof, windproof, breathable and insulating. To find the right one for your needs, you can choose between two main types of jacket: hardshell and softshell.
The waterproof hardshell jacket
The hardshell jacket, or “hard shell”, is the go-to waterproof garment. It keeps water out while allowing sweat to escape. It’s suited to long mountain hikes and areas where the weather is unpredictable. It’s ideal in rain or snow.
Waterproof jackets offer several advantages. Their main feature is waterproof protection, provided by a membrane such as Gore-Tex that shields you from rain or snow. They’re also windproof jackets, relatively lightweight and designed to withstand harsh conditions.
On the downside, hardshell jackets are not the most breathable due to their membrane, which becomes noticeable during intense efforts. They offer no built-in thermal insulation, so they do not provide warmth on their own. Finally, their stiffer fabric makes them somewhat less flexible and stretchy.
In heavy showers, you can use other garments such as rain capes. They offer more coverage, pack down small and are extremely waterproof. However, they’re much less breathable.
The softshell jacket
A softshell jacket is the ideal choice for dynamic, high-energy activities. It features water-repellent properties, causing rain to bead up and roll off the surface. Wear this jacket in moderate, stable conditions or on shorter outings.
Like hardshell jackets, softshell jackets have plenty of advantages. They are breathable garments that wick away sweat effectively, making them useful for high-intensity activities. They’re comfortable jackets that offer excellent freedom of movement. They’re also windproof and water-repellent. Finally, their fleece or insulating lining provides good thermal insulation.
Despite these advantages, choosing a softshell hiking jacket comes with a few trade-offs. Their main limitation is limited waterproofing, as they cannot withstand heavy downpours. They also offer less protection than hardshell against strong winds, making them less versatile in rapidly changing weather.
Hiking down jackets
Alongside hardshell and softshell jackets, insulated hiking jackets are a popular choice on the trails. Usually worn as a second layer, these jackets are ideal in cold, dry conditions and at altitude.
Down jackets are prized for their versatility. They are lightweight, compact, and insulating, adapting seamlessly to a wide range of outdoor pursuits. Above all, they deliver exceptional thermal insulation with natural or synthetic down, pairing perfectly with your hardshell.
On the downside, down jackets are relatively delicate, offering limited resistance to tears and abrasion. Natural down loses its insulating power in high humidity, whereas synthetic down jackets tend to be heavier and less packable.
It is essential to select your hiking jacket based on the specific conditions of your outings. Hardshell jackets excel in severe weather and on long treks, whereas softshell jackets are best suited for fast-paced outings in moderate conditions. Carrying both allows you to hike comfortably while staying protected if a sudden downpour hits.
