The Best Softshell Jacket Review

The Softshell Jacket: A Luxurious Comfort
Softshell jackets strive to provide the perfect amount of weather protection and breathability for day use cold weather activities. They specifically aim to be more breathable than hardshell jackets and are therefore best for consistently high output activities where your body is working hard and generating a lot of heat and moisture. Although some softshells can be more comfortable than other types of jackets, they are a weight-inefficient form of insulation and weather protection. Therefore, softshells are rarely suitable for multi-day overnight trips. Also important, recent advances in waterproof breathable technology and ultralight windproof textiles are further encroaching on the space traditionally occupied by softshells. Although we love softshells for select winter activities, like climbing and cross-country skiing, we encourage you to consider purchasing a wind jacket and either a rainjacket or a hardshell before a softshell, if you don’t own them already.

Product Selection and Testing
We selected eighteen top-tier softshells that span all types of construction. Some have windproof membranes, others have thick fleece lining, and others are not insulated and don’t have membranes. Testing occurred over a three-year period in Alaska, the Sierra-Nevada, Cascades, Rockies, Midwest, and in Northern New England. We speak about the advantages and disadvantages of specific types of softshells in our Buying Advice Article.

Criteria For Evaluation
Breathability
Breathability is the single most important part of a softshell and its the main reason to choose a softshell over a hardshell or rainshell. However, there is an inherent tradeoff between breathability and wind and water resistance. Increasing breathability decreases weather resistance. As long as you keep moving, highly breathable softshells can keep you warm in windy and cold environments (see photo below). The Patagonia Traverse, a lightweight running softshell, is the most breathable jacket tested and the FlyLow Higgins, a membrane equipped snow sport shell, is the least breathable jacket tested.

Water and Water Resistance
Softshells are not waterproof and shouldn’t be used in conditions that demand that attribute. Windy and dry conditions, ideally between 0 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit, with high output activities are the optimal conditions for a softshell. In anything else, you’re likely better off with some combination of a hardshell, fleece, wind shell, or synthetic insulated jacket. Unfortunately, conditions can turn for the worse and, depending on where you live and what activities you plan on doing, you might want a softshell that offers a greater degree of wind and/or water resistance. A windproof and highly water resistant membrane such as Gore Windstopper and Polartec Powershield Pro makes a softshell more water resistant and completely windproof. Several jackets tie for being highly water resistant. The Patagonia Traverse is the least water resistant jacket tested.

Mobility
This variable measures comfort in motion. Jackets with high mobility scores are unrestrictive and perform well for activities like cross-country skiing, running, and ice climbing. Fit, patterning, weight, and stretch contribute to mobility. The Marmot Leadville, Beyond Clothing Cold Fusion Shock, and Arcteryx Venta MX tie for first place here. The FlyLow Higgins was the least mobile jacket tested.

Features
Here we assessed the quality and quantity of each jacket’s features as they contribute to its specific end use. We looked at the design of hand warmer pockets, chest pockets, zippers, zipper pulls, pit zips, interior pockets, hoods, and adjustment cords. The Arcteryx Venta SV and Venta MX score highest in this category because nearly every component is designed with the utmost attention to detail and balances function with ergonomics and style. The hood is the most important feature found on any softshell and both of these Arcteryx jackets have exceptionally comfortable hoods that work well whether worn with or without a helmet. The Beyond Clothing Cold Fusion Shock takes second place in this category because each jacke tis custom made to order; you to select the exact features you want.

Versatility
Softshells are designed for very specific end uses. Increasing performance, i.e. breathability, for high aerobic activities activity generally decreases performance for foul weather activities. Therefore, softshells with windproof membranes and pit zippers are more versatile that those without because they can be used in a wider range of conditions. The decreased breathability resulting from a windproof membrane can be mitigated by opening pit zips. Overall this system is more capable in a wider range of environmental conditions and physical activities because it works well both when you’re working hard and when the wind is howling and you’re not moving. The Arcteryx Venta SV is most versatile jacket tested. The highly insulated, cold weather climbing specific Outdoor Research Lodestar is the least versatile jacket tested.

Style
This variable reflects the average score given by a group of seven (five female, two male) judges with no prior knowledge of the jackets. Two people modeled each softshell while the judges assessed appearance. According to this rating system, the Arcteryx Venta SV is the best looking jacket because its simple design and sleek lines —there are no chest pockets— trumped many of the more cluttered jackets.

Weight
Although a softshell will primarily be worn on your body, weight can be an important attribute for if you need to carry the jacket in backpack. Lighter jackets are generally more compact, more comfortable and more mobile, too. At 28.5 ounces the Outdoor Research Lodestar is the heaviest jacket tested and, at 9.8 ounces, the Patagonia Traverse is the lightest jacket tested.

A Note About Warmth
Softshells are designed specifically to be more comfortable than other types of winter sport shells but they are a weight-inefficient type of insulation. In general, we prefer uninsulated softshells because they are lighter, more versatile, and a better value than insulated softshells. Layering with a baselayer and a fleece midlayer outperforms highly insulated softshells. Again, softshell jackets are not well suited for use on most multi-day overnight trips- they are too heavy and are not waterproof.

Editor’s Choice Award: Arcteryx Venta MX
The Venta MX takes ice and alpine climbing to the next level with its exceptionally comfortable and well-featured design. A Gore Windstopper membrane and two different face fabrics make this jacket completely windproof, highly water resistant, and very durable. The MX is cut longer than most softshells, which is a critical feature that keeps it tucked underneath a harness all day long and helps to prevent deep powder from getting into your pants while skiing. The extra length also makes this piece warmer than other shells that ride up and expose your lower back to the elements. Two massive crossover chest pockets are backpack and harness compatible and the large hood is truly comfortable when worn over a helmet. At 18 ounces the Venta MX is surprisingly lightweight and packable, which makes it more pleasant to carry in a backpack if you need to (many other softshells weigh four to eight ounces more). Although best for climbing, our testers reached for this jacket more than any other- for all types of activities. The Venta MX represents the pinnacle of technical all-weather softshell design.

Top Pick Award for Versatility: Beyond Clothing Cold Fusion Shock
The Cold Fusion Shock is custom made in Seattle to fit your body. Measure yourself, select various build options to suit specific end uses, and design your own softshell online. This jacket fits perfectly and moves with your body like a professional ballet dancer. The Cold Fusion is slightly more breathable than the Arcteryx Venta MX. The ability to choose the features you want— such as hoods, pockets, and zippers— makes this jacket a true versatile winner.

Top Pick Award For Aerobic Activities: Marmot Leadville
Cold weather high output activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, running, and day hikes require maximum breathability. The Marmot Leadville delivers this, plus strategically placed Windstopper panels that increase weather resistance, two handwarmer pockets, and a chest pocket. This simple and affordable jacket is a highly comfortable, all-purpose shell for less than terrible weather.

Best Buy Award: Patagonia Simple Guide Hoody
The Patagonia Simple Guide Hoody offers climbers and general winter lovers a high quality softshell for less than $150. That’s one-third the price of the Arteryx Venta MX!! We were truly impressed with this shell’s ability to balance weather resistance and breathability. It works well for climbing and pushes the performance-per-dollar limit farther than any other softshell we’ve tested.