Mens Softshell Jackets
READ: Waterproof Buying Guide / Layering System Guide
It keeps you dry enough without overheating on the train or in the car. Heading into proper hill weather, look for a hybrid build instead. It puts a waterproof panel across the shoulders and back, where rain hits hardest, and softshell fabric everywhere else for stretch and airflow. Men's softshell jackets built this way give you rain cover where you need it and freedom of movement where you don't.
Shop mens softshell jackets and pick the layer that matches your pace and your forecast.
A softshell jacket stops wind and light rain while staying stretchy and breathable, whereas a hardshell uses a fully waterproof, non-stretch shell built for sustained heavy rain. Softshells suit fast-moving activity like hiking or cycling in changeable weather. Hardshells suit standing about in a downpour, like waiting for a bus in a storm.
Most softshell jackets are water-resistant rather than fully waterproof. They handle drizzle, light showers, and wind-driven rain well thanks to a DWR coating, but sustained heavy rain will eventually soak through the fabric. For proper waterproofing in a downpour, pair a softshell with a packable rain shell or choose a hybrid jacket with waterproof panels.
The best softshell jacket for hiking has a stretch fabric that moves with your stride, a DWR coating to shed light rain, and underarm vents for when you're working hard uphill. Look for taped critical seams and a fabric weight suited to your climate: lighter for summer trails, heavier for cold, windy ridgelines.
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