Softshell vs Hardshell, Which is Best?

Confused about whether a softshell or hardshell jacket suits your outdoor plans? Discover the key differences between softshell and hardshell jackets, and learn exactly when to wear each for maximum comfort and protection.

In SHORT…

What’s the difference between softshell and hardshell jackets? Find out how these two outer layers serve very different purposes in outdoor adventures.
When should you wear a softshell or hardshell? Learn when softshells are ideal for high-movement activities and when hardshells become essential for heavy rain and severe conditions.
How can you get the best of both worlds? Discover why combining softshell and hardshell gear can offer unbeatable versatility for hiking, climbing, and mountain sports.

You’ve probably seen ‘softshell’ (no, not the turtle) and ‘hardshell’ dotted about our website or mentioned in our Hereford store, but what do these strange words mean and what is the difference between the two? Let’s dive into our Softshell vs Hardshell blog.

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Softshell vs Hardshell: What is Softshell fabric?

To start with, both of these terms refer to fabrics. Softshell fabrics are used across a huge variety of products within the outdoor industry, including jackets, trousers, hats, gloves and so on.

Benefits of softshell fabric

Softshell fabrics are stretchy, soft, weather-resistant (‘resistant’ being the key word!) and breathable, making them fantastic for almost every outdoor scenario. Heading into the mountains for a day of walking? A softshell jacket and trousers will almost certainly be the perfect choice. Countryside walking? Softshell. Alpine climbing? Softshell! They’re available in so many different thicknesses and weights that you can pick one that suits the temperature of the environment you’re heading into. You’ve got everything from thin and lightweight variants that are perfect for keeping the wind off on spring/summer evenings, to thick, fleece-lined ones that are brilliant for winter in the mountains here in the UK.

Softshell vs Hardshell: Negatives of softshell fabric

They’re typically not fully waterproof or windproof. Yes, they’ll keep wind and rain off you for a decent period of time, but you can’t rely on them to keep you 100% dry. What you gain in breathability, stretchiness and comfort you lose in outright protection, essentially. There are variants that have waterproof membranes, but these are few and far between so we’re not going to go into them.

What is the hardshell?

Hardshell refers to a fully waterproof (and usually 100% windproof) garment that is used to keep the worst of the weather off you. This can be a jacket, pair of trousers, gloves or  any waterproof clothing. You’d use a hardshell when a softshell garment can no longer cope with the conditions; i.e if it’s raining heavily. You would use a hardshell when you have to, not as a garment to be worn all the time. Imagine a hardshell like a pair of wellies and a softshell as a pair of comfy walking shoes. The wellies are great when you really need them, but overkill the rest of the time. The walking shoes are fantastic almost all of the time but not quite up to scratch in the worst conditions. Like softshell garments, there are many variants, from thin and breathable trail running jackets to thick and ultra-protective mountaineering pieces.

Hardshell Benefits

They are 100% waterproof and almost always 100% windproof. Lob them on in horrid weather and they’ll protect you like a suit of armour. Now, I say ‘almost’ always 100% windproof as different brands have their own version of hardshell fabrics. Some aren’t fully windproof, which does complicate things slightly.

Hardshell Negatives

It’s not particularly stretchy, not as breathable as softshell, not as comfortable and comparatively more expensive.

Softshell vs Hardshell Which should you pick?

Both! Softshell garments are an absolute game changer and I don’t think I could go without them now. You’ll probably wear these 90% of the time you’re outside, so try to go for the best you can afford. That being said, we would never recommend heading into the outdoors for any lengthy period of time without a hardshell stuffed in your pack. If it starts raining heavily (like it does a lot in the UK), you don’t want to get caught out and end up wet, cold and miserable.