Softshell jacket - what is it?

It is believed that there is no bad weather, but there are unsuitable clothes. Softshell jacket is an excellent protection during wind and rain, and it will be a beautiful addition to your wardrobe.

Softshell - what kind of material? The composition and features of the fabric

The literal translation of the word softshell from English is “soft shell”. This refers to the convenience of the material, which is so necessary when sewing clothes for sports. The material includes several layers that are layered on top of each other. The densest is the outer layer. The inner layers are softer; they allow air to pass through and protect against heat loss. Between the layers is a membrane layer of fleece. The thicker it is, the warmer the product will be.

The “heart” of the structure is the inner surface on which there is the finest nap. The villi perform the function of expelling moisture, which is formed during excessive physical activity. The owner of such clothes will never sweat. The composition of the jacket is affected by its purpose. It may contain lycra, polyester fibers, polyurethane or polyamide.

Among the features of the material are the following:

waterproof (of course, the jacket will not protect from heavy rain, but light rain or snow is not terrible);
breathability, due to which the greenhouse effect is not formed;
elasticity;
the presence of dirt-repellent properties;
protection against gusts of wind;
thermal insulation.

Differences between membrane and membraneless jackets

There are several manufacturing techniques for the material, as a result of which two types of jackets are on sale:

Membrane, consisting of three layers.
Membrane-free, in which there are only two layers.

Both the first and second protect from the wind and keep warm. Nevertheless, membrane-less models are more popular. Why? The thing is that the membrane creates additional weight, due to which the thing becomes heavier . But there are some nuances:

membraneless jackets are blown a little;
they “lie” worse in shape;
suitable for moderately low temperatures (can withstand frost up to -7 degrees).

The top layer of the jackets may be different:

pore layer: wear-resistant, has waterproof and breathable properties, has short-term protection against moisture;
non-porous layer has a good advantage - windproof.

What softshell jacket models exist?

The separation of models of jackets is made for women and men. Often softshell is acquired by people engaged in a certain type of activity. For this reason, some types are designed for a specific industry:

Tactical model designed for the army - Tactical softshell. You can put on equipment on it, the jacket is insulated, has many double-sided zippers and pockets. Such options are made in green shades.
Shark Skin Soft Shell tactical jacket with water-repellent properties. Color and tailoring provide comfortable wearing in the field. The model is equipped with numerous pockets for various necessary trifles. In pockets there are special recesses for wires.
An excellent jacket for active pastime - Delta Soft Shell Jacket. The model is lightweight and comfortable to wear.
A classic Marmot jacket is perfect for everyday wear. Successfully replace the usual windbreaker.
Practical and non-marking model - Ternua Lightning. As features, it is worth highlighting cuffs with finger slots and special protective inserts in front.

Equally popular are female models of a variety of options:

Lightweight Jack Wolfskin cantata women sports jacket that protects against wind in cold weather. The tailored tailoring best emphasizes the dignity of the figure.
Elegant model Iris Jkt. A great option for outdoor activities, has many pockets and a waterproof pad.

What kind of weather is this jacket for?

Due to its water repellent and heat retention properties, the softshell jacket is perfect for outdoor recreation and other outdoor activities . It is recommended to wear such clothes during light snowfall or light rain. Do not forget that heavy snow and rain will not save from cold and water.

How not to run into a fake when buying?

In order not to purchase a fake, you should consider the following points:

the jacket should really protect against moisture, that is, the material is water-repellent;
it is worth buying clothes only in trusted stores;
the fake does not let air in; non-breathable material is used;
in the area of seams and lightnings, the thing should not get wet.

How to wash and care for a softshell jacket?

Incorrect washing or cleaning significantly reduces the wear time of the product. Wash such a jacket in a washing machine is definitely not worth it. A delicate wash is required at a temperature of 30-40 degrees with the addition of detergents for membranes. On such sprays there is a mark "Sport".

Dry the product only on the shoulders at room temperature. Drying on a fireplace or near heaters will ruin the material. Almost no damage to the water-repellent impregnation of products detergents from Nikwax and Grangers.

Do not do the following: