Which women’s softshell jacket should you choose for hiking?
On an October ridge, wind quickly cuts through a fleece on its own. For hiking in cool, windy weather, choose the ENERGY. It combines three layers in one jacket: fleece insulation inside, a CimaShell membrane that blocks strong winds of 60 to 90 km/h, and a stretch outer face.
The hood adjusts at three points and detaches by zip when the sky clears. Two zipped side vents release heat on the climb, while the hook-and-loop cuffs can be adjusted with gloves on. The chest pocket has a waterproof zip to protect a phone from rain and stays accessible without opening your pack.
Is a women’s softshell jacket waterproof?
It keeps a shower out. The ENERGY membrane withstands 10,000 mm of water pressure, equivalent to 10,000 Schmerber, but its seams are not sealed. If rain lasts more than 30 minutes, put on a hardshell jacket. In heavier or prolonged rain, water will eventually get through the seams. Key specifications:
- Blocks winds of 60 to 90 km/h.
- Membrane: 10,000 mm; seams not taped.
- Breathability: 10,000 g/m²/24 h.
- Weight: 650 g in size S.
The membrane lets moisture escape during exercise, with a breathability rating of 10,000 g/m²/24 h. You’ll find jackets with sealed seams in our women’s hardshell jackets.
How to wear a softshell jacket in cold weather
Wear the ENERGY as an outer layer. Its fleece lining already provides insulation: in cool weather, a technical t-shirt is enough underneath. When it gets colder, wear a fleece under the softshell. You’ll find the models in our women's fleece jackets. The stretch outer face moves with your arms as you use your poles. Open the side vents before you get too warm on the climb, then close them at the summit.
In severe cold at altitude, keep an women’s insulated jacket in your pack for breaks, when your body cools down quickly. The difference between the two layers is explained in the article Fleece or softshell: which should you choose?.
Women’s softshell jacket: which size should you choose?
The ENERGY runs slightly small. If you’re between sizes, choose the larger one. It’s a versatile jacket designed for women hikers and reliable for everyday wear, whatever the season: spring rain, brisk autumn winds or dry winter cold at altitude.
For your lower half, see our women’s hiking trousers. You’ll find other jacket fits in our women’s hiking jackets.
Caring for your softshell and getting it repaired
Eventually, water stops beading on the surface. The shoulders lose their water repellency first, where the pack straps rub. Restore the water repellency with a waterproofing treatment of our care products. Like all Cimalp clothing, the ENERGY benefits from the lifetime repairs. For him, the DYNAMIC uses the same 10,000 mm CimaShell membrane: see our men’s softshell jackets.
