what is a softshell jacket

A softshell jacket is a type of outerwear that fills the gap between lightweight insulating pieces and waterproof hardshells. They are made with woven nylon or polyester that is stretchy, highly breathable, and decently weather-resistant. Softshell jackets are intended for high-output activities where youre working hard, such as climbing, biking, backcountry skiing, cross-country skiing, and hiking. They are ideal for cool weather that is not too wet, making them a great outer layer for fall and spring daily activities like walking your dog or taking a stroll around the neighborhood. Softshell jackets are water-resistant, which means they can keep you dry in light to moderate rain. However, they are not completely waterproof and cannot compete with hardshell jackets in severe weather conditions like high winds and rain downpours. Softshell jackets are among the most versatile pieces of outdoor apparel, and there are many variations, each excelling for various reasons. They are designed to be flexible and stretchy so that you can easily layer up and still move comfortably for a variety of high-output activities. Softshell jackets are comfortable and soft to the touch, making them a clear winner in terms of comfort compared to hardshell jackets.