SOFTSHELLS

A ‘hardshell’ essentially means a waterproof; an outer-layer jacket with a membrane and face fabric that is necessarily stiff to keep out water. By contrast a softshell is stretchier, more breathable and – yes – softer, because it only aims to be water-repellent, not fully waterproof. It also aims to be more breathable, allowing moisture vapour to pass outwards at a greater rate than a hardshell. They are usually coated with a treatment called DWR (durable water repellent) which will withstand drizzle and fleeting showers, but not persistent heavy rain.