Softshell is a material that is perfectly suited for use in outdoor activities. It is a fabric that is functional - meaning it protects against wind and to some extent against water. It is ideal for the transitional period, i.e. for spring or autumn. On the contrary, it is not suitable for hot summer for understandable reasons. It is not even suitable for cold weather, where you would rather use a more insulated jacket.
Woven and membrane softshell
In reality, we will meet woven softshell and membrane softshell. Both are naturally used for the production of softshell jackets. Let's start with the membrane one. The latter is usually more resistant to wind and rain, but on the other hand, it is more difficult to wick away sweat. Membrane softshell jackets will be appreciated mainly by users who like high-altitude hiking and ski mountaineering. However, it is still true that this solution is not completely suitable for freezing conditions.
Woven softshell, on the other hand, is more suitable for everyday use, for example during autumn and spring walks on windy days, or when we can expect rain. Elements of the middle, insulating layer are also sometimes made from woven softshell for transitional seasons. Some users combine, for example, a woven insulation layer with a membrane outer jacket.
Easy to maintain
Softshell jackets (or the material as such) also have the advantage of being easy to maintain. If you get them a little dirty, it is often enough to wipe the dirty area with a damp cloth. And since in 90% of cases you only get dirty just a little bit, you're done with that damp cloth.
But it is clear that even a softshell jacket will sweat over time and will need to be washed. In this case, the instructions for the specific piece of clothing must be followed. Definitely do not wash the softshell jacket together with other clothes in a classic detergent, but on the contrary, use a detergent specifically designed for softshells.
Softshell jackets are generally not recommended to be ironed, tumble dried, dry cleaned or soaked before washing. You will also find out the maximum temperature at which you can wash it on the label of a specific jacket.
The ideal jacket for the outdoors
Their characteristics make softshell jackets ideal jackets for the outdoors. At least in spring and autumn. Their indisputable advantage is a great price-performance ratio – they bring with them better quality than, for example, nylon jackets, but on the other hand, they are cheaper than membrane hardshell models, such as Gore-Tex. The differences between softshell and hardshell will mainly be used by professionals and those who go out into nature more in the winter (although they also usually have a softshell jacket in their wardrobe for lighter hikes). For the rest of us, a softshell will be more than enough.