"Softshell"

[Frnc]

Lots of clothing is described as softshell. The problem is, it can mean many different things. To me, softshell should aim to be warm, breathable, reasonably wind proof, not waterproof, but maybe able to take a bit of light rain.

There is the what I'll call "standard" softshell that's fluffy on the inside, smooth on the outside, fairly thick. These jackets (and trousers) can be fairly cheap in price. They are very good for the price. I don't think they usually have a membrane, so are not waterproof, but they are quite windprrof and are reasonably breathable but not massively. You can get too hot in them if active.

There is a much thinner softshell made for climbers etc that is less warm, less windproof, but much more breathable and easy to move in. I've not seen trousers in this material, only jackets and pullover tops.

There is another kind for climbers that's tougher, harder material, and is not fluffy on the inside.

I had some trousers in the "standard" type that were great for really cold, damp, windy weather. But they ar a bit big now so I was looking to replace them. I was struggling to find any that didn't have loads of silly pockets patched all over the legs.

I noticed that quite a few are now advertised as waterproof and have a membrane between layers. I didn't really want that but have ordered a pair off ebay as the price was reasonable. Obviously waterproof means less breathable.

I also noticed some trousers described as softshell that just looked like normal nylon walking trousers.

Also I have a jacket made out of a fantastic material. It's waterproof, highly breathable, soft, not shiny, not noisy, and the inside is ok against bare skin. It's like a hardshell that looks like a thin softshell. Sadly not many manufacturers using this type yet, and the hood had no adjuster. This is a Madison Flux. But they also make Flux trousers in a different material that's not waterproof!

There is also a material by Polartec called Neoshell that's like a thicker version of the Flux jacket, ie a hardshell that is soft, silent, matt, and highly breathable. https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/polar ... explained/

[Another think you can get with hardshells to help airflow is zips under the armpits.]

An alternative to softshell is a warm base layer or thin fleece with a thin windproof over the top, eg Pertex. This gives a lot of flexibility in terms of the fatct that you can take the outer off, or even just wear the outer over a t-shirt.

Also on this note there is the Buffalo concept of Pertex over fleece over bare skin, even in the rain! I've not tried this one.

[Frnc]

Sorry if this should be in the gear section.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Sorry if this should be in the gear section.

Sorted

[pseudonym]

Also on this note there is the Buffalo concept of Pertex over fleece over bare skin, even in the rain! I've not tried this one.

My go to item of cold weather clothing.

[Frnc]

Also on this note there is the Buffalo concept of Pertex over fleece over bare skin, even in the rain! I've not tried this one.

My go to item of cold weather clothing.

Interesting. I first read about them many years ago, before softshells were invented. If I'm doing anything active, I'll do a similar thing, usually a warmish but thin base layer, and a Pertex-type windproof top. Maybe a microfleece gilet in between if it's near freezing. But in the rain I want waterproof, and if I'm not active and it's proper cold, I'll wear an insulated jacket, eg Primaloft. I have too much gear tbh, it's a vice.

[pseudonym]

Also on this note there is the Buffalo concept of Pertex over fleece over bare skin, even in the rain! I've not tried this one.

My go to item of cold weather clothing.

Interesting. I first read about them many years ago, before softshells were invented. If I'm doing anything active, I'll do a similar thing, usually a warmish but thin base layer, and a Pertex-type windproof top. Maybe a microfleece gilet in between if it's near freezing. But in the rain I want waterproof, and if I'm not active and it's proper cold, I'll wear an insulated jacket, eg Primaloft. I have too much gear tbh, it's a vice.

I wouldn't go as far as this bloke tbh, but I've been close:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLtklD4LSX0

[Frnc]

My go to item of cold weather clothing.

Interesting. I first read about them many years ago, before softshells were invented. If I'm doing anything active, I'll do a similar thing, usually a warmish but thin base layer, and a Pertex-type windproof top. Maybe a microfleece gilet in between if it's near freezing. But in the rain I want waterproof, and if I'm not active and it's proper cold, I'll wear an insulated jacket, eg Primaloft. I have too much gear tbh, it's a vice.

I wouldn't go as far as this bloke tbh, but I've been close:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLtklD4LSX0

Lol! I'll pass on that. Impressive though.