How to Choose a Softshell Jacket for Women

If you found yourself looking at this website, you might be asking yourself, "do I really need that softshell jacket I've been eyeing?" Alternatively, you might be wondering how to pick the right softshell for your needs. If this is you, then read on for some advice on selecting the best softshell for your lifestyle and adventure needs.

Softshells are among the most versatile jackets on the market because of their ability to strike a balance between weather protection, breathability, and mobility without sacrificing comfort. The best softshells resist wind and water without becoming swampy like a hard shell or rain jacket. Ideally, they should also be stretchy, soft, and supple.

Sounds amazing, right? Well, they certainly can be, depending on what type of outdoor activities take up your time. Softshells can be excellent layers to have in your kit, but they may not be a necessary addition to your closet. If you are new to outdoor adventuring, you might want a hardshell and an insulating layer before considering a softshell. That said, softshells are an unbeatable option for mountain athletes who need a jacket that provides some weather protection while allowing you to move unhindered by a stiff or non-breathable jacket. If your idea of a good time includes getting sweaty in the backcountry, where temps and weather vacillate, then a softshell is probably a great adventure accessory for you.

If you're still unsure, or you want to learn more about layering in general, we recommend referencing our How to Layer Clothing to Keep Warm article to help you decide when to wear a softshell, as well as what other jackets or fleeces to layer with them. First and foremost, you will want to determine if you need a softshell, a hardshell, or both. If you are primarily concerned about staying dry in a downpour, then you should get your hands on a top-ranked hardshell jacket or a rain jacket. If you value breathability and a little warmth over everything else, then you'll want a top-ranked women's fleece jacket. And if you want a layer that gives you a little bit of both, then a softshell will be the choice for you.

Types of Shell Layers

There are an incredible number of protective layers available on the market. This can make it difficult to determine which type will best suit your needs. Here we outline some of the most common shell layers and their ideal uses to guide your decision.

Hardshell

A hardshell jacket is a waterproof layer that offers full protection in stormy weather without turning into a swampy mess. This is the layer you want to have with you when you're miles deep in the backcountry and think you'll hit heavy precipitation. Think backcountry skiing, ice climbing in wet or humid conditions, mountaineering expeditions, overnight winter trips in the mountains, or heavy rain or wet snow when it is cold. It will be the most protective of all the shell layers, being windproof, waterproof, and durable. Usually, hardshells are more breathable than a rain jacket but less breathable than a softshell. They can also be pretty expensive.

Rain Jacket

A rain jacket is another waterproof layer, but these tend to use less sophisticated fabric than a hardshell, meaning it won't be as breathable or durable. They are also much less expensive than hardshells and often much lighter-weight. While they serve a similar purpose as a hardshell, they can get really swampy if you're doing anything aerobic while wearing them. That said, they are an excellent protective layer for the budget-conscious outdoors person or for someone who needs an emergency waterproof layer that doesn't want the heft or the price tag of a hardshell.

Softshell

A softshell is generally wind and water resistant (though some models, particularly hybrids, stray from convention here). These layers are breathable and very flexible, making them more comfortable than a hardshell or a rain jacket. The more wind and water-resistant or warm, the less breathable they become — proving you really can have too much of a good thing. They work best for activities that involve aerobic activity, lots of movement, and exposure to the elements but not an all rainstorm.

Windbreaker Jacket

A windbreaker is a lightweight layer that protects from the wind. It will not be waterproof and usually is not very water-resistant either. Typically, wind jackets are very packable and are ideal for clipping to a harness on a multi-pitch climb or tossing into a backpack for a multi-day trip. The benefit to these layers is that they are much lighter than other types of shells, but they also offer far less protection.

Running Jacket

A running jacket offers a thin layer of protection while running in the cold. It can be either a wind jacket or a softshell, but it is highly breathable and usually has features tailored to runners to make them more functional and comfortable.

Ski Jacket

A ski jacket is an insulated jacket with either a softshell or hardshell exterior. In most cases, it is better to have an insulation layer separate from a shell layer, but for skiing at a resort, it is convenient and comfortable to have both in one layer. These jackets usually have features to allow for temperature regulation, such as pit zips, and also have features targeted specifically towards skiers like powder skirts and pass pockets.

Hybrids

Every year, we see new hybrid designs on the market that try to bring together some "perfect" combination of the above features. Think of a wind-resistant fleece or a waterproof softshell. While this sounds awesome in theory, they tend to miss the mark, providing too much insulation to move well or too much weather resistance to be breathable. That said, every year hybrids get closer to proving that you can both have and eat cake. Our review features a couple of excellent hybrids that don't sacrifice the golden trifecta of weather protection, breathability, and mobility. And even the less nimble ones can be useful for more specialized applications; think of these jackets as tools for a focused athlete rather than a generalist who is seeking a multi-use jacket.

When to Wear a Softshell Jacket

Hardshell vs. Softshell

The primary difference between these two layers is that hardshells are waterproof while softshells are typically only water resistant. In the outdoor industry, waterproof means the material has a protective membrane that is impermeable to water even during a continuous downpour. Waterproof jackets have taped seams and either waterproof zippers or a storm flap underneath the zipper to protect the zipper from water seepage. By contrast, water resistant means that the garment will repel a drizzle for a short period but will eventually absorb water and wet out. The seams and zippers may or may not be taped, and often the water resistance is due to a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) fabric treatment that will break down with use. Never fear, you can buy a water resistance spray for your worn-out softshells to reinvigorate their water protection. To synthesize, a high-end hardshell can function as a rain jacket while providing some breathability, while a softshell (that is not waterproof) cannot. Bottom line, hardshells are more expensive but also more protective than softshells.

The trade-off for the lack of a waterproof designation is that softshells breathe far better than hardshells. High-end hardshells allow some moisture to transfer through the material, but softshells do this better and more comfortably. Rather than leaving you feeling swampy inside a rubbery jacket, softshells help regulate your temperature with thinner, more porous materials.

Another big difference between hard- and softshells is tactile. Softshells tend to be much more comfortable than hardshells; they are stretchier, more flexible, less stiff and noisy, and not as suffocating. As the name implies, softshells are often soft and silky to the touch. Some are even fleece-lined to be even cozier and provide extra warmth. They feel incredible and are much more enticing to wear. While softshells do not provide the same degree of water protection as hardshells, they are more pleasurable to wear — especially while climbing, ski-touring, running, or hiking. Besides, a hardshell may be unnecessary, depending on how and where you plan to use your jacket.

Softshell vs. Fleece

Some of you might be asking, if storm protection is not my top priority and if breathability is the main reason to wear a softshell, then why not just wear a fleece jacket? A fleece will be less expensive and far more breathable than a softshell. In most cases, it will also be more insulating, offering a thin layer of warmth. However, except for a few windproof fleeces, they aren't designed to provide weather protection. Softshells allow for breathability while repelling a moderate amount of wind and water at the same time. For activities such as ice climbing or ski-touring, where you work up a sweat and need something breathable, you may also want some wind or water resistance for protection from snow or running ice. Both of which would soak right through a fleece. This is where a softshell shines.

Best Uses for a Softshell Jacket

Even though many companies claim to make waterproof and breathable jackets, it is almost always a trade-off between the two. The more waterproof a jacket is — especially when it is really wet — the less the fabric is able to release your sweat through the "pores" in the fabric. Enter the softshell. It sacrifices some waterproofing in exchange for premium breathability. Ultimately, you will want to use a softshell for most mountain activities where the chance of aerobic activity is high and the chance of getting completely soaked is low. They're great in dry snow for backcountry skiing, ice/mixed climbing, or mountaineering because you're unlikely to get too wet from precipitation, and getting sweaty on the approach results in the chills any time you stop. If you expect unpredictable and wet weather, then get a hardshell, but for the rest of us mountain adventurers, softshells are the way to go.

Softshells are our favorite layer for all manner of mountain activities, including backcountry and cross-country skiing, ice/mixed climbing, rock climbing (especially alpine and multi-pitch), mountaineering, fall and winter hiking, camping, and snowshoeing. They can also be fantastic for urban cycling and general commuting during the spring, fall, and even winter. A flattering, affordable, and comfortable softshell can also be the perfect jacket to wear for all your less extreme day-to-day outdoor activities such as walking the dog, gardening, shoveling the driveway, and running errands.

Types of Softshell Jackets

It's important to remember that the more layers you wear under or over your softshell, the less breathable it becomes — so plan wisely when choosing the right softshell for you. This is why we've broken down softshells into four sub-categories, including technical, active, casual, and hybrid jackets, so you can more readily determine which jacket is ideal for your needs.

Technical

Technical softshells are best for technical pursuits like ice/mixed climbing, winter mountaineering, and backcountry skiing. These jackets aim to provide superior protection from the wind, moisture, and cold temps. They are often lined for extra warmth and are only able to offer ventilation through mesh-lined pockets or pit zips. Some are windproof, others have taped seams like a hardshell. Most technical softshells are pretty dang water-resistant (and some are almost waterproof). These softshells are often heavier and less breathable than active softshells. Instead, they aim to strike a balance between weather protection and mobility while still being breathable enough for cold-weather aerobic pursuits. This category includes jackets like the Arc'teryx Gamma MX.

Active

Active softshells are much lighter-weight than technical softshells. These jackets are meant as wind layers with minimal water-resistance and they offer superior breathability for fair-weather aerobic endeavors. Active softshells are ideal for warm weather rock climbing, alpine climbing, trail-running, peak-bagging, and summer mountaineering. This category includes models as diverse as the Rab Borealis, Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody, or Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoody. These softshells are not designed to keep you ultra warm or provide premium weather protection, but they are great layers to keep you comfortable in wind or shade in cool but not cold weather. The Arc'teryx Gamma LT proves the only noteworthy exception to this rule, as it just about splits the difference between a technical and an active softshell by having a thin lining while being very breathable. Thus it is warm enough for warmer winter activities but breathable enough for summer alpine rock climbing.

Casual

By contrast, casual softshells are best for providing warmth in urban environments or while car camping. These jackets don't offer the premium mobility or breathability of active or technical softshells, but they make up for it by being warmer or more water resistant. As such, they are not really made for more technical activities like rock/ice climbing, mountaineering, or backcountry skiing. Jackets like The North Face Apex Bionic or the Athleta Rock Ridge fit this bill quite well. The Apex Bionic is surprisingly water-resistant while being somewhat stiff, and the Rock Ridge is incredibly warm and wind-resistant.

Hybrid

Hybrid softshells have become all the rage. These jackets aim to be do-it-all shells that combine two types of materials with different properties, resulting in a piece that has qualities usually found in different jacket categories. Examples of this are jackets that use both hardshell and softshell materials or jackets that combine lightweight insulation with a windproof material. With strategically-placed fabrics, the resulting jacket can function well in very specialized applications, but they generally don't perform either function to perfection. For instance, a jacket that uses hardshell and softshell materials won't be as storm-proof as a hardshell, but will also be less breathable than a typical softshell. This category includes the almost waterproof Rab Kinetic 2.0, which is less breathable than other softshells and slightly less waterproof than a traditional hardshell. The soft fleece-insulted Arc'teryx Proton FL Hoody is a hybrid that combines the warmth of a light puffy with some of the added protection of a softshell.

Other Considerations

Features

Most jackets on the market come with a standard set of features like hand pockets, an adjustable hem, and a hood. There are, however, a few features that don't come standard issue. Think about your favorite activities and whether or not you want a helmet-compatible hood, adjustable sleeve cuffs, gusseted underarms, and various extra pockets.

We always prefer hoods on jackets that provide weather protection, though many are available in non-hooded versions. Some hoods are roomy enough to accommodate going over a helmet, and some are streamlined and designed to fit underneath. If you are a runner or a nordic skier, having a smaller hood may be preferable, but for ice and rock climbing or other types of skiing, having a large hood that can fit over a helmet (or a trim hood that can fit under one) is mandatory.

Many activities that demand a softshell also require wearing gloves, so it's important to think about cuffs and whether or not you want them to be adjustable. Adjustable cuffs make it easy to pull the sleeves over a pair of gloves and secure them with velcro to keep snow, wind, and wetness away from the wrists — keeping you warmer and dryer. But stretchy, non-adjustable cuffs are easy to fit underneath gauntlets and, depending on their construction can be easier to push up to your forearms and have them stay in place.

As a general rule of thumb, we think that if a softshell has pit zips (which most of them do not), it is not worth purchasing. A softshell is supposed to be breathable by nature, and that breathability should come from the material. Some hardshells or insulated ski jackets need the ventilation provided by pit zips to be comfortable, but a softshell shouldn't require this feature. The more important thing to look for is whether or not the pockets are mesh-lined — if they are, this is a great way to ventilate and heat dump when you're working hard and verging on overheating.

Other features worth considering include strategic gussets to improve movement and fit, a drop tail hem to ensure your backside stays covered while climbing or moving around, key clips or internal pockets for valuables, and a pocket that doubles as a stuff sack for stashing your jacket on your harness while climbing.

Fit

Lastly, we'll cover fit so you can see how several of the jackets in our review measured up in terms of hood fit, torso, and sleeve length. Recently, the gear industry has begun to finally expand the sizes offered for their products. Some of the softshells in our review include a size range from XXS-XXL. Offering a wider array of sizes seems like the least companies can do to make sure that the outdoors are accessible to everyone.

No matter how active a softshell might be, the fit of the body and hood can vary wildly.

Finding the correct fit in your jacket is vitally important for your overall experience while wearing it. It should be form-fitting but not too snug. You will want to make sure that you can wear a few layers underneath — at the very least a base layer and a fleece — ideally even a thin insulated jacket. You don't want it to be too loose because extra space lets in the cold. It's also smart to check that it does not ride up when you lift your arms and that the jacket stays in place during all kinds of movement.