The hiking jacket is one of the most important pieces of kit for hitting the trails, summer and winter alike. It provides essential protection. While there are many models available, each is suited to a specific activity. Cimalp walks you through how to choose the right hiking jacket.
Key takeaways:
- The hiking jacket protects against wind, rain and snow.
- The choice of hiking jacket depends on the climate and the type of outing.
- The hardshell is ideal for bad weather and extreme environments.
- The softshell is perfect for dynamic activities in mild weather.
The role of the hiking jacket
The hiking jacket is part of the three-layer system. Having thought about which t-shirt to hike in or which fleece to choose, it's time to focus on the protective layer.
Worn as a second or third layer, the hiking jacket must protect you from the elements and meet your needs. It is useful against wind, rain and snow, as well as potential abrasion (rocks, scrub…). If you're into active hiking, it must be able to wick away moisture effectively. If you head out in winter, it also needs to be warm enough.
As you can see, this is a garment with multiple properties. The hiking jacket needs to be waterproof, windproof, breathable and insulating. To best meet your needs, you can choose between two main types of jackets: the hardshell vs the softshell.
The waterproof hardshell jacket
The hardshell, or "hard shell", is the waterproof jacket of choice. It keeps water out while ensuring effective moisture management. It is used on long mountain hikes or in areas where the weather is unpredictable. It is ideal in rainy or snowy conditions.
Waterproof jackets have many advantages. Their primary function is their waterproofing, provided by a membrane such as Gore-Tex, which protects against rain and snow. They also function as a windproof jacket, relatively lightweight and designed to withstand harsh environments.
On the downside, hardshell jackets are not the most breathable due to their membrane. This is particularly noticeable during intense effort. They offer no thermal insulation, which means they are not warm jackets. They are also fairly stiff and therefore not the most comfortable or flexible.
In heavy rain, other garments such as rain capes can be used. They have the advantage of being more covering, compact and extremely waterproof. However, they are far less breathable.
The softshell jacket
The softshell, or "soft shell", is the perfect jacket for dynamic activities. It has water-repellent properties that cause rain to bead and run off the surface. This jacket is worn in mild to stable climates or on short outings.
Like hardshell jackets, softshell jackets have many strengths. First, they are breathable garments that wick away perspiration efficiently, making them great for intense activities. They are comfortable jackets that offer excellent freedom of movement. They are also windproof and water-repellent. Finally, they provide good thermal insulation thanks to their fleece lining or insulating material.
Despite all these advantages, choosing a softshell hiking jacket does come with a few drawbacks. Their main weakness is their limited waterproofing, as they do not hold up in heavy rain. They are also less protective, performing worse than hardshell jackets in windy conditions. Overall, they are less versatile when the weather is changeable.
Hiking down jackets
Alongside hardshell and softshell jackets, hiking down jackets are hugely popular on the trails. Mainly used as a mid-layer, these jackets are ideal in cold, dry conditions and at altitude.
Down jackets are valued for their versatility. They are lightweight, compact and insulating, making them suitable for a wide range of activities. Above all, they feature excellent thermal insulation with natural or synthetic down fill. You can use one as a complement to your hardshell.
On the other hand, down jackets are fairly delicate garments that offer little resistance to tearing or wear. Natural down models lose their insulating power in high humidity, while synthetic down models tend to be heavier and less compressible.
Choosing the right hiking jacket depends on the specific conditions of your outings. Hardshell jackets are ideal for bad weather or long days out, while softshell jackets are better suited to active outings in mild conditions. You can also opt for both, so you can hike in comfort and take shelter when a sudden downpour hits.
