Softshell or hardshell? When a softshell jacket is enough

Short answer: A softshell jacket is a stretchy, breathable jacket against wind and light rain, a hardshell is a stiffer waterproof shell with a membrane and taped seams, and an insulated jacket adds insulation that keeps you warm even when you are standing still. Softshell is enough for walking, hiking and everyday wear in spring and autumn; for prolonged rain a hardshell is the safer choice, and for frost and skiing an insulated jacket. NORDBLANC softshell jackets have a water column of 10,000 mm, and outdoor jackets of the hardshell type 15,000 or 20,000 mm.

What is the difference between softshell, hardshell and an insulated jacket?

The difference lies in what the jacket has to cope with: freedom of movement, rain or frost. An overview based on the details on NORDBLANC products:

The figures describe the fabric, not the whole jacket, and different manufacturers measure them in different ways. How to read water column and breathability is explained in the guide Water column and breathability.

What is softshell, and what is a softshell jacket made of?

Softshell is a stretchy, soft-to-the-touch, breathable fabric that stops wind and light rain and does not restrict movement. NORDBLANC softshell jackets are made of SOFTSHIELD® 10000, a three-layer laminate of polyester with elastane. They have no insulation, and only a few models are labelled as softshell with fleece. The water column is 10,000 mm on all of them, breathability is 10,000 g/m²/24 h, and on most models wind resistance is rated high on the NORDBLANC scale.

Is softshell waterproof?

Partly. Softshell with a water column of 10,000 mm copes with rain and wet snow as long as you are walking or moving, and on the NORDBLANC waterproofness scale it is rated Waterproof (the scale is for comparing models and is not a standard). For an all-day downpour or sitting in the wet, however, it may not be enough:

• Seams and zips. According to the features listed, NORDBLANC softshell jackets do not have taped seams, and only some models have waterproof zips. Water can therefore get in through the stitching or the zip before it gets through the fabric.
• Pressure. Under rucksack straps, on a wet bench or when kneeling, more water presses on the fabric than rain falling from above. A higher water column is better there, for example 20,000 mm on outdoor jackets.
• Surface. Water first runs off the water-repellent finish on the surface. Washing and abrasion wear it down, and when the fabric soaks up water it becomes heavy and wicks sweat away less well.

So think of softshell as a jacket for wind, showers and movement, not for long periods of rain.

What is a hardshell jacket?

A hardshell, also called a shell jacket, is a jacket made of membrane fabric that keeps rain and wind out and has no insulation. It is usually stiffer than softshell but deals with waterproofing more thoroughly: with taped seams and waterproof zips. You build up warmth underneath in layers, for example with thermal underwear, fleece or a winter gilet.

NORDBLANC outdoor jackets with a TERATEX® membrane and a water column of 15,000 or 20,000 mm correspond to the hardshell type. Almost all of them have taped seams, waterproof and ventilation zips and an adjustable hood. The product texts expressly describe as hardshell the jackets made of 3LL TERATEX® 20000 material with a water column of 20,000 mm, which you will find in the collection 3LL waterproof jackets. On the NORDBLANC waterproofness scale, 20,000 mm is rated Highly waterproof. You will find more models in the collections women’s outdoor jackets and men’s outdoor jackets.

When is a softshell jacket enough?

Softshell is enough when you are on the move and the weather is not going to catch you out for the whole day:

• Walking and hiking in dry or changeable weather. According to the product details, NORDBLANC softshell jackets are intended for hiking and everyday wear. A breathable softshell fabric lets sweat escape when you walk briskly.
• Spring and autumn. It stops the wind and a shower does not matter. You adjust the warmth with a layer underneath, such as thermal underwear and a sweatshirt, as the guide How to choose a baselayer describes.
• Town and the commute. Almost all models have an adjustable hood, an adjustable hem and hook-and-loop cuffs, so no draught gets in.

It is not enough for prolonged rain, for standing around for longer in frost or for sitting in wet snow: it has neither taped seams nor insulation, and its water column is lower than that of outdoor jackets. For cross-country skiing and fast movement in winter, lightweight sports jackets are a better fit, and according to the product details most of them are intended, among other things, for hiking, running and cross-country skiing. You will find more clothing in the collection cross-country ski clothing, and layering is described in the guide What to wear cross-country skiing.

Softshell for skiing: is it enough or not?

For spring skiing in dry weather and at a brisk pace softshell may be enough, but for a full day of winter skiing it is not. The table shows the difference between a NORDBLANC softshell jacket and a ski jacket:

Ski jackets made of softshell material are intended directly for the piste. There are only a few models, and you will find them in the collection ski softshell. How to choose the water column, insulation and fit of a ski jacket is covered in the guide How to choose a ski jacket. The same applies to trousers, and the difference is described in the guide How to choose ski trousers.

When should you choose an insulated jacket?

An insulated jacket is worth it when you are standing, sitting or moving slowly and cannot warm yourself up by moving: a bus stop, a walk with a pushchair, a chairlift, frost. The insulation holds warm air against the body, whereas softshell and hardshell only keep out wind and water. With NORDBLANC winter jackets, look at three things:

• Insulation. Most winter jackets have synthetic hollow-fibre insulation (FURTHERM), some have THERMOLITE® EcoMade T-DOWN, and only a few models have down. The differences are covered in the guide Down or synthetic jacket.
• Waterproofing. Insulated does not mean waterproof. Only some winter jackets have a membrane, with a water column of 3,000–20,000 mm, most often 10,000 mm. For rain and wet snow, look for it in the product details.
• Warmth. Most winter jackets are rated down to −10 °C on the NORDBLANC indicative warmth scale, and some down to −20 °C. The scale is only for comparing NORDBLANC models with one another, and how warm you actually feel also depends on wind and movement.

For town and outings, choose from the collections women’s winter jackets and men’s winter jackets, and for skiing from the category ski jackets. How to choose according to where you will wear it is described in the guide How to choose a winter jacket.

What should you look for in a women’s and men’s softshell jacket?

NORDBLANC women’s and men’s softshell jackets have the same materials and parameters; they differ in cut and sizes. Choose according to these points:

• Size. All models have a Regular fit, that is, classic rather than close-fitting. Try them on with the layer you will be wearing, such as a sweatshirt. The measuring procedure is summarised in the guide How to measure jacket size, and the measurements are in the size chart.
• Zips. Only some models have waterproof zips, so check them on the product page in the Features section.
• Fleece inside. Only a few models are labelled as softshell with fleece; the others are lighter and have no insulation.

You will find the selection in the collections women’s softshell jackets and men’s softshell jackets, and the whole range in the category softshell jackets. You can try the jacket on in our stores.

How do you care for softshell and hardshell?

Wash both fabrics according to the label, with the zips fastened and without fabric conditioner, which clogs the surface of the fabric, and dry them hung loosely, away from the heating. As soon as the fabric starts to soak up water, restore its water repellency with a proofer made for membrane fabrics. You will find the instructions on the Product care page.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell that a jacket is a hardshell?

A hardshell has a membrane, no insulation and is usually stiffer, with taped seams and waterproof zips. On NORDBLANC outdoor jackets you can tell by the water column of 15,000 or 20,000 mm, the taped seams in the Features section and the absence of insulation. The texts on the product pages expressly describe jackets made of 3LL material with a water column of 20,000 mm as hardshell.

Is softshell more breathable than hardshell?

Not necessarily, going by the NORDBLANC figures: softshell jackets have a breathability of 10,000 g/m²/24 h, outdoor jackets 10,000–20,000 g, mostly 15,000 or 20,000 g. Almost all outdoor jackets have ventilation zips; on softshell jackets they are not among the features. The figures are laboratory values, and how it feels also depends on your pace, the layers under the jacket and the weather.

Is a hardshell jacket suitable for frost?

Not on its own, because it has no insulation and only stops the wind. In frost you wear thermal underwear and fleece under it, and when you are moving that works well. For standing around and slow walking, an insulated jacket that keeps the warmth in by itself is simpler.

How many jackets do I need for the whole year?

For everyday wear two are often enough: a softshell for spring, autumn and moving about in the cold, and an insulated jacket for winter. Add a hardshell if you go on long hikes or are often out in the rain. For skiing you need a ski jacket.

Does a softshell jacket have a hood?

Almost all NORDBLANC softshell jackets have a hood with an adjustable drawcord; a detachable hood is only an exception. In the features you will also find an adjustable hem and hook-and-loop cuffs.