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Insight Horizon Media

What is softshell fabric?

Author

Michael Henderson

Published Mar 20, 2026

What is softshell fabric?

What is Softshell Fabric? Softshell is made from woven fabric, making it a warm layer that brings comfort without the restriction or limitations of other materials. Although not 100% waterproof, the material is water-resistant, highly breathable, high-performing, and lasts a long time!

Is softshell breathable?

Softshell jackets can perform as either mid or outer layers. They’re relatively lightweight, super breathable and can offer you short term protection against wind and rain. Combining comfort and flexibility, softshells are versatile garments that can fill the gap between your fleece and hardshell jacket.

Is softshell good for winter?

Soft shell jackets are used for stretchiness, warmth, and breathability during active outdoor adventures. They can be used as an insulating mid layer when you’re layering for skiing or dressing for cold, snowy weather, and they’re a great choice for everyday wear in cool weather.

What is the difference between softshell and fleece?

The basic difference is that fleece is designed to provide warmth not weather protection while soft shell is designed to provide weather protection before warmth. Fleece is only wind or water resistant if a second material – an inner membrane or outer tightly woven shell – is added.

What is softshell fabric good for?

Activities Suitable For For activities such as climbing, fair weather hiking and cycling where you need a lightweight outer layer, a stretch-woven softshell jacket is ideal. Some softshell jackets are fleece lined for added warmth. For cycling or running a thinner, breathable softshell is ideal.

Is softshell waterproof?

Softshell Jackets are lightweight, breathable and generally windproof and water-resistant, too. They are worn as part of a layering system, together with a base layer and a breathable, waterproof outer hardshell (simply known as a shell jacket).

What is the purpose of softshell?

WHAT ARE SOFTSHELL JACKETS USED FOR? Softshell jackets are used for hiking, climbing and mountaineering in changeable conditions. Their main purpose is to keep you comfortable when you’re active so you don’t have to layer up or down with a hardshell jacket and a t-shirt or base layer.

Which is warmer fleece or softshell?

Warmth and Insulation Bear in mind that fleeces provide warmth but don’t offer weather protection as opposed to softshells which offer weather protection more than warmth.

Is softshell windproof?

How warm is Softshell?

While a non-insulated softshell jacket can still keep you warm at 20° F, a properly insulated softshell jacket can protect from cold down to -20°. For activities in severe cold, like ice fishing or snowmobiling, you can even opt for an Extreme Softshell that protects you in temperatures of -60°.

Is softshell warmer than fleece?

How warm is softshell?