Looks like many new donkeys that have just come into contact with the outdoors will have this question: What is the difference between soft shell and hard shell? How should we choose in outdoor sports?
Today, let's talk about this topic.
What is a Jackets?
When it comes to soft shells and hard shells, we must start with the jacket.
Jackets, the earliest used outer protective clothing for high-altitude climbing processes and crowning, were widely translated as: Jackets.
During high-altitude mountaineering, the weather conditions are often very bad. In the first second, the weather is sunny, and the next second becomes a storm. Therefore, in order to be able to withstand such a sudden change in the mountains, the jackets are made of materials. Must be done: windproof, waterproof, breathable and other needs.
More often than not, what we call the "Jackets" scientific name is: Hardshell.
Soft and hard shells
According to the outdoor apparel functionalities, fabrics and the use of the environment, the outer layer protection can be roughly divided into: Hardshell (Softshell) and Softshell (Softshell).
â–¼ Hardshell
It is generally worn as the outermost layer to protect the wind, rain, and snow. As mentioned above, some outdoor sports such as ice climbing, snow-capped mountains, and professional adventures often encounter extreme weather conditions. The highest level of windproof, waterproof, and breathable properties are required in apparel fabrics. In order to meet the durability of high-frequency use and to meet the needs of evacuation equipment in the event of an emergency storm. The soft shell is far from this effect, so, compared to the hard shell jacket is more suitable for professional outdoor sports.
â— Complete snow protection â— Wind protection â— Waterproof â— Breathable â— Outermost clothing
(Arc'teryx Shell: Alpha AR)
â–¼ Softshell
The soft shell is a waterproof layer on the warm and windproof fabric. It is a kind of clothing between the fleece jacket and the jacket. It is suitable for the communication of spring and summer and the communication of autumn and winter. Because the outer layer is made of waterproof fabric, so it has waterproof and windproof performance; while the inner layer uses fleece fabric, but also has warm air permeability performance. Softshell Jackets are light weight and easy to carry. Compared to hardshells, Softshells are more flexible and air permeable, but they can only be used for routine protection and are not suitable for use in extreme environments.
â— Water repellent treatment â— Good air circulation â— Breathable â— Flexible (flexible)
â— As outer and middle clothing
(Arc'teryx Soft Shell: Gamma LT)
Soft shell VS hard shell
In the following, we will take you on a detailed understanding of the differences between the two types of outdoor apparel in order to facilitate the selection of different outdoor sports.
â–¼Waterproof
Hard shell Jackets use PU waterproof coating + seams heat sealing glue technology, so it has superior waterproof, can effectively prevent the invasion of frost and snow and rain, and has a strong wear resistance.
The soft shell is mainly to provide certain protection in non-bad weather, generally there will be DWR water repellent coating, enough to meet daily use, but still slightly inferior to the hard shell.
(hard shell material has excellent water resistance)
â–¼ Breathability
In outdoor sports, because of the large amount of sweat, a good breathable outdoor clothing can quickly excrete these moisture, keeping the body comfortable and dry. Otherwise, in cold weather outdoors, it is dangerous to experience cold and temperature loss.
However, air permeability and water resistance are relative. To obtain good water resistance, it is necessary to sacrifice breathability as a cost.
Although the current hard shell fabric is very advanced, it still can not fully derive the sweat and water vapor produced during the exercise. Therefore, the hard shell has a lot less air permeability than the soft shell.
At the beginning of the design, the soft shell fully considered the need for aerobic exercise, sacrificed part of the waterproofness in exchange for good breathability, and was suitable for sports with more perspiration, such as cycling, hiking, and skiing.
(The hard shell focuses on waterproof, soft shell focuses on breathability)
â–¼Wind resistance
In outdoor sports, the cold wind can easily take away the temperature of the body surface and cause the rapid loss of heat. Therefore, the windproofness of the jacket is also very important.
The soft shells are divided into windproof soft shells and membrane windproof soft shells according to the different windproof principles. The former relies on tight arrangement of fabric fibers to provide windproof effects, good air permeability and comfort, and the latter adopts laminated breathable and breathable membranes to prevent winds. Good isolation performance. No matter what kind of material, it is enough to meet daily needs, but if extreme conditions, it is recommended hard shell.
â–¼Comfort
The soft shell combines the functionality of the warm layer and the protective layer. Compared to the hard shell, the fabric used will be more flexible, more comfortable to wear, and better in flexibility and extensibility during activity.
â–¼ warmth
In addition to the above-mentioned performance, warmth is also a big role for Jackets.
In terms of thermal performance, soft shells also have certain advantages. Soft shell fabrics can be combined with different thermal insulation materials to increase their thermal performance. The hard shell itself does not have warmth, so the warmth still needs to rely on the middle warmth layer such as fleece, down coat or cotton suit.
How to choose everyday wear?
Let's go back to the article that started the friend's question. If we need to wear it everyday, how can we pick it?
Miller Xiaobian personally feel that if it is daily wear, it is recommended to choose soft shell.
The biggest advantage of the soft shell is that it maximizes the versatility of a single piece of clothing, allowing it to simultaneously take into account windproof, breathable, warm, extended and other characteristics, to achieve an ideal all-round way for a multi-purpose, of course, the most important is: soft shell enough It looks good!
Just like the next mill Xiaobian to recommend for everyone this Arc'teryx Archaeopteryx Gamma LTHoody lightweight windproof soft shell, in addition to the quality of pole, or the preferred control!
Arcteryx Gamma LT Hoody lightweight windproof soft shell, continuing the Arc'teryx bird has always been a good workmanship and core technology. Wee BurlyTM double-layered fabrics made of 56% nylon, 34% polyester, and 10% spandex, and DWR water repellent treatment, make the fabric double-sided with strong water repellency.
The resin zip layer on the front of Gamma LT Hoody adds a windproof skirt, which prevents most of the wind from entering the interior of the garment from the front of the zipper.
The hood is also very large and can be compatible with the helmet, and the plastic treatment of the visor in the trimming makes the visor a certain support, and does not appear soft to step on the belt, and it can also exert a better rain-shielding effect when extended for a certain distance. To meet daily activities.
There are adjustable drawstrings on both sides of the hem. When the drawstrings are tight, the hem fits the buttocks even more. Even a large body movement wind does not directly pour in clothes from the hem, while the Wee BurlyTM double layer Fabrics are made to maintain good ventilation while maintaining wind and warmth.
Of course, for the appearance control, practicality and beauty are as important as each other. The bulky, unattractive outdoor clothing Xiaobian is rejected in everyday life.
However, Archaeopteryx's Gamma LT Hoody soft shell jacket can not only respond to changes in the weather, but also always maintain good breathability, plus three-dimensional cut and colorful color, in addition to suitable for outdoor sports wear, in the daily commuting with Very nice!
Having said so much, in fact, soft shell and hard shell have their advantages, and no one is better than anyone else. The most important thing is to choose the protective outer layer that is more suitable for you according to the different outdoor activities. You say, right?
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