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Softshell Jackets

Guide

Softshell Jackets

On most dry days outdoors a softshell jacket is all the shell you need: it keeps out wind and short showers, stretches with you and lets sweat escape faster than a rain jacket. It is usually not waterproof.

Key points

Keeps out wind and short showers, usually not waterproof.
Moving fast: no membrane. Often in the wind: membrane.
Wear the softshell jacket, pack the waterproof.

Which type for which use?

Use	Choose	Reason
Brisk hillwalking, climbing, dry-weather ascents	ChooseSoftshell without membrane	ReasonBreathes fastest, very stretchy, light. Only wind-resistant, soon wet in rain
Ridges, cycling, windy days in town	ChooseSoftshell with membrane	ReasonWindproof, sheds showers for longer. Warmer uphill, slightly stiffer
Ski touring, cross-country skiing, cycling	ChooseHybrid softshell	ReasonWindproof front, breathable back. Back and underarms barely protected
Cold days with little effort	ChooseLined softshell	ReasonWarm without a mid-layer. Too warm on climbs and from spring onwards
Nursery, school, family walks	ChooseKids' softshell jackets	ReasonSoft and stretchy, no cords at hood or neck up to size 134 (EN 14682). No substitute for a rain jacket

Types compared

Softshell without membrane
For brisk ascents and climbing in dry weather.
- Advantage: Breathes fastest
- Drawback: Only wind-resistant
Example: Bergans Cecilie Mtn Softshell Jacket ›
Softshell with membrane
For ridges, cycling and windy days in town.
- Advantage: Windproof
- Drawback: Warmer uphill
Example: VAUDE Men's Cyclone Hooded Jacket II ›

What to look for when buying

Question	In brief	Why
How windproof should a softshell jacket be?	In briefmax. 5 l/m²/s	WhyA fabric counts as windproof when it lets through no more than 5 litres of air per square metre per second. Softshell jackets with a membrane usually meet that.
Is a softshell jacket waterproof?	In briefShowerproof at best	WhyUsually not. A DWR (durable water repellent) finish on the face fabric makes showers bead off. In steady rain the fabric wets out and water gets through the untaped seams.
Membrane or no membrane?	In briefDepends on your pace	WhyWithout a membrane, a softshell jacket breathes best and suits fast ascents.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between softshell and hardshell?

A hardshell is waterproof, a softshell jacket is stretchier and breathes better. Waterproof takes a waterproof membrane or coating plus taped seams.

Do I need a fleece under a softshell jacket?

Under an unlined softshell jacket, yes, once it turns cool. It blocks the wind but adds little warmth of its own. On mild days a base layer underneath is enough, in frost you add a fleece. Lined models have that layer built in.

How do I wash a softshell jacket?

At 40 °C with a little liquid detergent and no fabric softener, as Gore advises for its fabrics. Dry it, then tumble for a further 20 minutes on gentle heat to revive the water-repellent finish. Your jacket's care label comes first.

What does PFAS-free DWR mean?

No PFAS, a group of fluorochemicals, were added to the water-repellent finish. From 10 October 2026 the EU restricts PFHxA, a sub-group of PFAS, in clothing newly placed on the market (Regulation (EU) 2024/2462).