Short answer: Choose a softshell jacket by temperature and pace. A lightweight softshell suits spring, autumn and moving in the wind, an insulated softshell with fleece suits colder days. NORDBLANC softshell jackets are almost without exception made of SOFTSHIELD® 10000, meaning a water column of 10,000 mm and breathability of 10,000 g/m²/24 h. The models differ in warmth, wind resistance and features. Women’s and men’s models are chosen using the same details. A softshell is not enough for long rain.
Which softshell jacket should you choose for how you will use it?
According to the product details, hiking is listed among the activities on all softshell jackets in the collections, and everyday wear on most of them. Running, cross-country skiing and cycling are listed on only some models, mainly the lightweight sports softshells. How a softshell differs from a hardshell is described in the guide Softshell or hardshell.
| Situation | Type of softshell | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| A walk or the journey to work in the cold | insulated softshell, softshell coat | warmth, drawcord hood, adjustable hem |
| Hiking in spring and autumn | lightweight softshell | wind resistance, hood, waterproof zips |
| Running, cycling, cross-country skiing | lightweight sports softshell | reflective details, taped seams, activities listed on the product |
| Spring skiing in dry weather | ski softshell | snow skirt, insulation, warmth |
| All-day rain | jacket with a membrane, not a softshell | taped seams, water column |
How do lightweight, insulated and sports softshells differ?
The differences lie in insulation, wind resistance and features. A comparison based on the details on NORDBLANC products:
| Type | Warmth (indicative scale) | Wind resistance | Taped seams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight softshell | not stated | High on almost all | not among the features |
| Insulated softshell with fleece | down to -10 °C | High on most | not among the features |
| Lightweight sports softshell | not stated | Medium | more than half of the models |
| Softshell coat | down to -10 °C on some | High on some, no figure on others | not among the features |
A lightweight softshell has no insulation and does not warm you by itself; you take care of warmth with the layer underneath. Almost every classic softshell jacket has a hood with a drawcord and an adjustable hem. All the lightweight sports softshells have reflective details. Check the wind resistance on the product, in the parameters.
Women’s models are in the collection women’s softshell jackets, men’s in the collection men’s softshell jackets; all of them together, including coats and anoraks, are in the category softshell jackets. Lightweight sports softshells are also in the collection Ultralight 3LL softshell, where you will find trousers as well as jackets. How lightweight sports softshells differ from ultralight and insulated jackets is described in the guide Lightweight sports jacket.
Insulated softshell jacket: when should you choose one?
An insulated softshell is SOFTSHIELD® 10000 material with fleece. On NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale, insulated softshells are rated down to -10 °C. The scale serves only to compare NORDBLANC models with one another, and how warm you actually feel depends on the wind, your pace and the layers under the jacket. An insulated softshell suits colder days on the move: a walk, a day out, the journey to work. For standing around outdoors and in frost a winter jacket is the safer choice; you will find them in the collections women’s winter jackets and men’s winter jackets.
There are few insulated softshells in a jacket cut on offer, and they are mostly men’s models. Women’s insulated softshells are mainly coats and an anorak. For skiing there are insulated women’s ski softshell jackets with a snow skirt and warmth mostly down to -20 °C. You will find them in the collection ski softshell.
Jacket, coat or anorak?
A jacket reaches to the waist or hips. A coat is longer, covers the hips and seat, and suits town and walks. An anorak is pulled on over the head and fastens with a short zip. The names overlap, so look at the length of the specific model. All three kinds are made of SOFTSHIELD® 10000 with a water column of 10,000 mm. In the softshell jacket collections the coats and anoraks are women’s models. Both anoraks have a hood with a drawcord and an adjustable hem. Most coats list a hood drawcord; taped seams and waterproof zips are not among their features.
How much water column and breathability does a softshell jacket have?
On NORDBLANC softshell jackets it is almost always a water column of 10,000 mm and breathability of 10,000 g/m²/24 h. On the verbal Waterproofness scale they are at the Waterproof level. The number after the name SOFTSHIELD® corresponds to the water column in mm. The exception is the sweater-look softshell coats with SOFTSHIELD® 5000, that is, with 5,000 mm.
The meaning of both numbers is explained in the guide Water column and breathability. For a softshell it follows that it copes with wind, a shower and wet snow while you are moving. Classic softshell jackets do not have taped seams, and only some models have waterproof zips. For all-day rain, therefore, choose a jacket with a membrane, as the guide How to choose a waterproof jacket advises.
What fit and size of softshell jacket should you choose?
All the softshell jackets in the collections have a Regular fit, meaning classic rather than close-fitting. Some ski softshells have Slim fit, a closer cut. Most models are made of polyester with elastane, so the material stretches as you move. Women’s models come in sizes 34-44, men’s mostly S-XXXL.
Try the jacket on with the layer you will wear underneath it, for example a sweatshirt or fleece. The measurements and how to take them are summarised in the guide How to measure jacket and ski trouser size and in the size charts.
Women’s or men’s softshell jacket: how does the choice differ?
The material, water column and breathability are the same on women’s and men’s models. The types and sizes differ. In the softshell jacket collections the women’s range includes softshell coats and anoraks as well as jackets, the men’s only jackets; men’s sweater-look softshell coats with SOFTSHIELD® 5000 are classed among the spring and autumn coats. The collections softshell jackets and women’s softshell jackets also include softshell sweatshirts, which you can tell by the name. You can try the jacket on in our stores.
When is a softshell jacket not enough?
A softshell is a common choice for spring and autumn; advice by weather is in the guide Spring and autumn jacket. It is not enough in two situations:
- Long rain. The water column is 10,000 mm and classic softshells do not have taped seams.
- Frost and standing around outdoors. A lightweight softshell does not warm you by itself. The layers underneath are compared in the guide How to choose a baselayer.
What should you look at before buying?
- Features. Almost all classic softshell jackets list a hood with a drawcord and an adjustable hem; lightweight sports softshells are mostly without a hood, and most softshell coats list a hood drawcord. Most models in the category have reflective details, and only some have waterproof zips. Ventilation zips are not among the features. What each model has is on the product, in the Features section.
- Warmth. It is NORDBLANC’s indicative scale for comparing models, not a guaranteed temperature.
- Care. Wash the jacket following the label. General instructions are on the page Product care.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a lightweight softshell jacket from an insulated one?
By the name and the warmth shown on the product. Insulated models have the words with fleece in the name and mostly a warmth level down to -10 °C, and according to the descriptions they are made of a material with fleece. Lightweight softshells have no insulation and no warmth level is stated for them. Both groups sit together in the collections, so look at the name and the parameters.
Down to what temperature is a lightweight softshell jacket enough?
NORDBLANC does not state a warmth level for lightweight softshells, because they have no insulation and the jacket itself does not warm you. The layers underneath decide the warmth. You warm up when walking but not when standing still, so at the same temperature you need different clothing under the jacket. For colder days there are insulated softshells, which are rated down to -10 °C on the indicative scale.
What should I do if I get too hot in a softshell jacket?
The breathability of the material is 10,000 g/m²/24 h, and softshell jackets do not have ventilation zips among their features. What helps is technical underwear instead of cotton, which soaks up sweat, a thinner layer under the jacket and an open zip.
Is a softshell jacket suitable for cycling and running?
Lightweight sports softshells are suitable: all of them list running, hiking, cross-country skiing and cycling among their activities. All of them also have reflective details, more than half have taped seams, and their wind resistance is Medium. Classic softshell jackets have hiking and everyday wear as their activities.