{"id":88292,"date":"2023-06-15T11:04:23","date_gmt":"2023-06-15T09:04:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/hardshell-softshell-difference\/"},"modified":"2023-06-21T17:08:13","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T15:08:13","slug":"hardshell-softshell-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/blog\/hardshell-softshell-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Hard shell, soft core? \u2013 hardshell vs. softshell"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are things we think we know. But if we think about it more carefully, we quickly realise that we actually have no idea about it. This is how I felt the other day when I was asked what the <strong>difference was between a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/softshell-jackets\/\">softshell jacket<\/a> and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/hardshell-helmets\/\">hardshell<\/a> jacket<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two different types of material<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My research has shown that there is an increasing intersection of soft and hardshell. So, you can no longer separate the two <strong>material types<\/strong> so easily. It is not possible to go into all possible and impossible variants in this rather limited blog post, however. So, let\u2019s just agree to simplify and generalise.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hardshell-when-it-has-to-be-weatherproof\"><strong>Hardshell \u2013 when it has to be weatherproof<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hardshell-profile\"><strong>Hardshell<\/strong> profile<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Use<\/strong>: outer wear for mountain and winter sports.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Purpose<\/strong>: Weather protection. Protects against rain, snow and strong wind.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Properties<\/strong>: Waterproof, windproof, breathable<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Materials<\/strong>: Polyester, polyamide (nylon)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Well-known names \/ brands<\/strong>: Gore-Tex, Sympatex, Dermizax<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Variants<\/strong>: 2-, 2.5- and 3-layer jackets, with membrane or coating<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Advantages<\/strong>: good weather protection, robust<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Disadvantages<\/strong>: little protection against cold, breathability may be limited<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Bergfreunde-Frau-Regenjacke.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Bergfreunde-Frau-Regenjacke.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hardshell means stable outer shell.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\u201d><strong>Hard shell<\/strong> is really nothing more than the name suggests, a <strong>stable outer skin<\/strong>. Hardshell jackets are always worn as the outermost layer of clothing and are the first line of defence against the elements. The material is usually relatively strong and not stretchy, hence the name.&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>&#8220;><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Good weather protection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A hardshell jacket is in fact what we think of as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/waterproof-jackets\/\">waterproof jacket<\/a>. Some people know this type of jacket as a <strong>Gore-Tex jacket<\/strong> but this is just the brand name of a material. In simple terms, hardshell jackets offer <strong>good weather protection<\/strong>. They are always used when it is raining or windy, for example. Hardshell jackets also provide reliable protection from the elements when skiing or mountaineering, when there is a threat of increased contact with snow and ice.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good hardshell jackets are also always breathable. Put simply, this means that <strong>precipitation<\/strong> is reliably kept out from the outside, but moisture produced inside the jacket, for example through heavy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/sweat-rate-calculator\/\">sweating<\/a>, can be released to the outside. The way this works depends on the <strong>technology<\/strong> and the structure of the respective <strong>material<\/strong>. Let\u2019s take a look at exactly how hardshell jackets are constructed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-layer-construction\"><strong>The layer construction<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\u201d&gt;A hardshell jacket is made of multiple layers. On the very outside is the outer fabric, which protects the jacket from <strong&gt;mechanical damage<\/strong&gt;. There is also an <strong&gt;outer fabric that is impregnated<\/strong&gt; to help keep water and dirt away from the membrane. The second layer is usually a <strong&gt;breathable membrane<\/strong&gt; or<strong&gt; coating<\/strong&gt;. This ensures, in simple terms, that no moisture can penetrate the jacket from the outside, but at the same time allows moisture to escape from the jacket to the outside. On the inside, the jackets have a lining, which also protects the membrane from <strong&gt;mechanical damage,<\/strong&gt; There are different versions, which I will explain briefly.<\/span&gt;<\/div&gt;\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Patagonia_TORRENTSHELL_gunem_b_0059_BP-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Patagonia_TORRENTSHELL_gunem_b_0059_BP-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Among other things, the first layer protects against damage and also against cacti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>2-layer jackets<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>2-layer jackets<\/strong> are usually relatively simple and therefore inexpensive hardshell jackets. In manufacturing, only the outer fabric and the membrane are laminated, while the inner lining is usually sewn in loosely. There are also jackets in this category that do not have a <strong>membrane<\/strong>. The outer fabric is coated on the inside with <strong>PU<\/strong> (polyurethane). 2-layer jackets with a membrane or coating are mostly used when you need reliable and easy weather protection. For example, for day hikes or for everyday use.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>2.5 layer jackets<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jackets with a <strong>2.5-layer construction<\/strong> are the compromise between two and three layers. With this construction, the outer fabric is firmly bonded to a membrane. However, there is no sewn-in <strong>lining<\/strong>. A very thin protective layer is applied directly to the laminate instead. This saves both weight and pack size compared to <strong>2- and 3-layer jackets<\/strong>. This type of jacket is therefore often used for <strong>trekking tours<\/strong> or cycling.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>3-layer jackets<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>3-layer jackets are effective even in <strong>extreme weather conditions<\/strong>. The basic construction is identical to that of a 2-layer jacket. An additional lining is laminated directly inside as the innermost layer. This makes this type of jacket <strong>very robust<\/strong> and suitable for use on longer tours. Typical uses are skiing or mountaineering.<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\u201d&gt;3-layer jackets are effective even in <strong&gt;extreme weather conditions<\/strong&gt;. The basic construction is identical to that of a 2-layer jacket. An additional lining is laminated directly inside as the innermost layer. This makes this type of jacket <strong&gt;very robust<\/strong&gt; and suitable for use on longer tours. Typical uses are skiing or mountaineering.<\/span&gt;<\/div&gt;\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-waterproof-and-breathable\"><strong>Waterproof and breathable?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It sounds logical that where nothing goes in, nothing goes out. Easy, right? Well, not quite. After all, as already mentioned, good hardshell jackets are both weatherproof and breathable. How well this works, depends on a number of factors. Put simply, jackets with a <strong>PU coating<\/strong> are less breathable than jackets with a membrane. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/W17_29A5086m_VAUDE_Attenberger_r-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/W17_29A5086m_VAUDE_Attenberger_r-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A good dry treatment is the base of functional hardshell jackets.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, there are also significant differences in terms of mechanism and <strong>efficiency<\/strong> when it comes to <strong>membranes<\/strong>. Gore-Tex membranes, for example, are membranes with a <strong>microporous structure<\/strong>. This structure is dense enough to prevent water droplets from penetrating inside, but large enough to allow the much smaller water vapour to escape from the jacket. Sympatex membranes, on the other hand, use a <strong>physicochemical principle<\/strong> that uses, among other things, the difference in pressure and temperature between the environment and the inside of the jacket.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whichever technology is used, however, a membrane or hardshell jacket is nothing without a<strong> good dry treatment<\/strong>. This should therefore be renewed or refreshed from time to time. There are also different technologies for dry treatment, but ultimately they all have exactly the same effect, which is<strong> to keep water and dirt<\/strong> reliably away from the membrane. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is important because otherwise the structure of the membrane could become saturated and clogged. As well as heavy rain, mud or simply sun cream and your own body fat can also block the membrane. This would then severely compromise the <strong>waterproofing<\/strong> and above all the breathability of the jacket.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good dry treatment is therefore essential for the functioning of a hardshell jacket. If you would like to learn more about this topic, then read <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/blog\/dwrs-blessing-or-curse\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\u201d>Jan\u2019s blog on DWR finishes<\/span><\/a><span style=\" font-weight:=\"\">.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-brief-introduction-to-typical-membranes\"><strong>Brief introduction to typical membranes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Gore-Tex<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Gore-Tex<\/strong> is the name of an entire family of materials and has been almost synonymous with weatherproof and breathable clothing for a long time. Whatever the finished material may look like or be called, <strong>Gore-Tex membranes<\/strong> are all based on the same mechanism: a special structure. ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) is used for this purpose. ePTFE membranes form a special, microporous structure. This is so tight that the comparatively large water molecules cannot pass through the structure. <strong>Water vapour molecules<\/strong> however, are much smaller and can pass through the structure without any problems.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To allow <strong>water vapour<\/strong> to escape through the microporous membrane, there also needs to be a <strong>temperature difference<\/strong> between the inside of the jacket and the ambient air. The lower the outside temperature is compared to the inside temperature, the better water vapour is wicked away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Dermizax<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dermizax is another <strong>material family<\/strong> that is available in different versions. However, the same mechanism is used for all membranes: polyurethane is used for <strong>Dermizax membranes<\/strong>. This material is hydrophilic, which means it is \u201cwater-loving\u201d. It has small molecules that can literally soak up water. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Sympatex<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The family of <strong>Sympatex materials<\/strong> also includes different versions, which are all based on the same principle. They use a physicochemical principle. This sounds more complicated than it actually is. The membrane consists of two different components: <strong>hydrophobic polyester<\/strong>, which doesn\u2019t let any water through and <strong>hydrophilic polyether<\/strong> which allows targeted transport of water vapour. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A pressure gradient from the inside to the outside is also needed here. If this is caused by a significant temperature difference, the water vapour molecules produced by sweating are released to the outside along the hydrophilic <strong>molecule chains<\/strong>. You can find more information on Sympatex from Wiebke in her article <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/blog\/sympatex\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201dSympatex: the environmentally friendly wind and water protection!\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-softshell-to-stay-comfortably-warm\"><strong>Softshell \u2013 to stay comfortably warm<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Softshell profile<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Use<\/strong>: warming layer of clothing for mountaineering and winter sport, can also be used as an outer layer in good weather<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Purpose<\/strong>: cold protection, limited protection from rain, wind and snow<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Properties<\/strong>: warming, very breathable, water and wind-repellent, sometimes also waterproof<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Materials<\/strong>: Polyester, polyamide (nylon)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Well-known names \/ brands<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/windproof-jackets\/\">Windstopper<\/a>, Schoeller, Polartec<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Advantages<\/strong>: Good protection against cold, breathable<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Disadvantages<\/strong>: only limited weatherproof properties<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-highly-breathable-and-warming-but-not-so-weatherproof\"><strong>Highly breathable and warming, but not so weatherproof?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/19275-Gamma-MX-Hoody-W-Shorepine-F18-1.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/19275-Gamma-MX-Hoody-W-Shorepine-F18-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Softshell jackets are usually only somewhat waterproof.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main purpose of softshell jackets is to protect against cold. They also reliably keep out piercing winds, depending on the design. Unlike hardshell jackets, softshell jackets are often only weatherproof to a <strong>limited extent<\/strong>. A light rain shower is no problem for most softshells. So, if you only have to go to the bus stop or the bakery around the corner in bad weather, you certainly won\u2019t get soaking wet. However, many soft shells usually lose a lot of their waterproof qualities in heavy showers or when they are exposed to rain for a longer period of time. <strong>Classic softshell jackets<\/strong> are not waterproof, but only water-repellent.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The properties of a jacket and its fabric depend on numerous factors. You can get softshell jackets with and without a <strong>membrane<\/strong>. The membranes ensure, among other things, that wind and <strong>potentially also rain<\/strong> are kept out. However, this does not mean that softshells without membranes are always wind-permeable.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Breathability<\/strong> is another factor. Generally speaking, softshells are much more breathable than hardshells, i.e. they can release sweat more quickly to the outside. With extremely weatherproof jackets, however, which are <strong>somewhere between<\/strong> hard and softshell, the breathability unfortunately also decreases significantly. As you can see, it\u2019s all a bit confusing. Fortunately, we have already covered this topic in detail here in Base camp.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One area where softshell jackets definitely score points over hardshell jackets, however, is <strong>protection from the cold<\/strong>. Once again, it\u2019s down to the material. It is not uncommon for softshells to have a brushed and warming layer on the inside. <strong>Fleece or velour fabrics<\/strong> are often used here which ensure that the warmth is kept close to the body. These materials also feel very comfortable against the skin.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first main difference between soft and hardshells (generally speaking) is therefore: Hardshells are <strong>weatherproof<\/strong>, but only offer limited warmth. Softshells are warming, but only offer limited weatherproofing.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-soft-hard-comfort-with-softshell\"><strong>Soft, hard, comfort with softshell?<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\u201d&gt;If hardshells are hard, are softshells soft? Yes. At least, almost. <strong&gt;Softshell materials<\/strong&gt; are softer and <strong&gt;more flexible<\/strong&gt; than hardshells.\u00a0<\/span&gt;<\/div&gt;\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you take a closer look at hardshell jackets, you\u2019ll immediately notice one thing: the relatively firm and inflexible material. Depending on the cut of the jacket, this may come at the expense of <strong>freedom of movement<\/strong>. Some people also find the typical cracking noise of a hardshell jacket annoying.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/hiking_005437_couple_rgb-1-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/hiking_005437_couple_rgb-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">As the name suggests, softshell jackets are usually softer and more comfortable to wear.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\u201d>Fortunately, this is different with softshell jackets. The softer and more <strong>flexible material<\/strong> means that there is no crackling or rustling. Softshell jackets can also stretch to a certain extent, which makes it possible for them to fit close to the body without noticeably restricting <strong>freedom of movement<\/strong>. This is particularly advantageous for <strong>fast sports<\/strong> such as cycling and running.&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>&#8220;><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <strong>soft inner surface<\/strong> means that softshells are comfortable when worn next to the skin. Whilst hardshells can feel cold, most softshells feel as warm as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/fleece-jackets\/\">fleece jacket<\/a> or jumper.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\u201d>There\u2019s also a second <strong>key difference<\/strong>: softshells are usually more comfortable than hardshells.<\/span><\/div>&#8220;><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-applications-and-compatibility-of-softshell\"><strong>Applications and compatibility<\/strong> of softshell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If we look at hardshell and softshell jackets in terms of their suitability for everyday use, softshell jackets clearly comes out on top. It covers a very wide range of uses in moderate conditions. So if you\u2019re looking for an everyday jacket for <strong>cold weather<\/strong>, for example, you\u2019ll certainly be happy with a softshell jacket. So is there <strong>any reason<\/strong> to choose a hardshell jacket or is it more of a dinosaur from a bygone outdoor era? I don\u2019t think so. Let\u2019s take at look at some typical use cases.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Everyday, leisure, travel<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned, softshell jackets are superior for everyday life. They provide a pleasant amount of extra warmth on colder days. They also keep out rain, depending on the material, so they are perfectly adequate for all the <strong>weather<\/strong> you can expect in the city and in the country. However, if you go out with your dog every day in wind and rain, you definitely need a <strong>good hardshell jacket<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Hiking, trekking and bike touring<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It depends on the season and the weather forecast for the tour. For example, if you&#8217;re going on a hike in <strong>stable autumn weather<\/strong>, a softshell jacket has an advantage because it is comfortable to wear and has warming properties. But if, for example, if summer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/lightning-distance-calculator\/\">thunderstorms<\/a> are expected during the<strong> course of the day<\/strong> or if bad weather is forecast in general, hardshell jackets and their extensive <strong>weather protection<\/strong> come out on top.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Ski touring and mountaineering, winter sports<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The higher you go in the mountains and the more wintry the conditions, the higher the demands. Therefore, you often see a combination of hard and softshell jackets when skiing and mountaineering (and not only there). It makes sense: if you are ascending while <strong>ski touring<\/strong>, you won&#8217;t have much contact with the elements (assuming the weather is good). The body reacts to <strong>exertion<\/strong> by producing <strong>heat and sweat<\/strong>, but at the same time it is winter and therefore cold. So, softshell jackets once again win out here because of their good<strong> breathability<\/strong> and comfort. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\u201d>When you reach the summit, you often have to deal with strong winds. There is also the risk of increased contact with snow on the descent (be it deep snow, a fall or both), which makes a strong case for a <strong>hardshell jacket<\/strong>. However, in winter, you would <strong>freeze<\/strong> if just wearing a hardshell jacket. The solution: The onion principle, which means wearing both jackets on top of each other and getting the best of both worlds.<\/span><\/div>&#8220;><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hard-or-softshell\">Hard or softshell?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see, it\u2019s not as easy to make an exact<strong> distinction between hard and softshell<\/strong> as it might seem at first glance. The lines between the two types of jacket are fluid, both in terms of <strong>material properties<\/strong> and areas of application. In some conditions, it can also be useful to use a <strong>combination of both jackets<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\u201d>One question remains: What about the general <strong>features<\/strong> of the jackets, such as hood, pockets, <strong>ventilation zips<\/strong> etc.? Well, this question can be answered simply, but vaguely: there is almost nothing that can\u2019t be found in both types. From extremely minimalistic to fully equipped, there is a complete spectrum of options.<\/span><\/div>&#8220;><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are things we think we know. But if we think about it more carefully, we quickly realise that we actually have no idea about it. This is how I felt the other day when I was asked what the difference was between a softshell jacket and a hardshell jacket.&nbsp; Two different types of material [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":57817,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[189],"tags":[27,183],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-88292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice","tag-hiking-trekking","tag-winter-sports"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Hard shell, soft core? \u2013 hardshell vs. softshell<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What\u2019s the difference between a hardshell and a softshell jacket? Research has shown that there is an increasing intersection of hard and softshell.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/blog\/hardshell-softshell-difference\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hard shell, soft core? \u2013 hardshell vs. softshell\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What\u2019s the difference between a hardshell and a softshell jacket? Research has shown that there is an increasing intersection of hard and softshell.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/blog\/hardshell-softshell-difference\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Alpinetrek\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bergfreunde\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-06-15T09:04:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-06-21T15:08:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/pexels-gabriela-palai-404960.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"961\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"J\u00f6rn\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"J\u00f6rn\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"14 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"BlogPosting\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/hardshell-softshell-difference\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/hardshell-softshell-difference\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"J\u00f6rn\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/be38ad9c835eeb98cbda6973f0e625df\"},\"headline\":\"Hard shell, soft core? \u2013 hardshell vs. softshell\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-06-15T09:04:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-06-21T15:08:13+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/hardshell-softshell-difference\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2076,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/hardshell-softshell-difference\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/12\\\/pexels-gabriela-palai-404960.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Hiking &amp; Trekking\",\"Winter Sports\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Advice\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/hardshell-softshell-difference\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/hardshell-softshell-difference\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/hardshell-softshell-difference\\\/\",\"name\":\"Hard shell, soft core? \u2013 hardshell vs. softshell\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/hardshell-softshell-difference\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/hardshell-softshell-difference\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/12\\\/pexels-gabriela-palai-404960.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-06-15T09:04:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-06-21T15:08:13+00:00\",\"description\":\"What\u2019s the difference between a hardshell and a softshell jacket? 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