Softshells

Best Around-Town: Salewa Puez Hemp/Durastretch 2/1 Hybrid Jacket

Weight: 15.9 oz (M)
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros and Cons

⊕ Stylish and fashionable
⊕ Versatile design with zip-off sleeves
⊕ Extremely comfortable to wear
⊕ Wind-resistant for outdoor activities
⊕ Breathable material for enhanced comfort
⊗ Lacks waterproofing for wet conditions
⊗ Sleeves can be easily lost if not secured

Zip-off pants often receive criticism, but zip-off jackets? Absolutely! Salewa’s new Puez Hemp DST 2/1 Hybrid Jacket is a surprisingly stylish softshell with removable sleeves that zip off at the bicep. Tester Preston Due, a Wasatch multi-sport athlete, found that the design significantly improved ventilation and versatility. For instance, he comfortably hiked in temperatures ranging from 50 to 65 degrees with the Salewa shell in jacket mode and enjoyed trail running without the sleeves in the same conditions. Due believes the zip-off technology offers “better breathability than pit zips.” However, he did mention that pit zips are easier to operate in the field, describing the zip-off process as “a pain.” Removable sleeves also present a unique challenge: “I almost lost a sleeve after it fell out of my pocket on a trail run,” he admitted.

Due was particularly impressed by the Puez’s stylish appearance, which comes in a trendy beige colorway and a fashionable silhouette, perfect for trips to local hangout spots. While the zip-off technology is the main feature, Salewa also equipped the Puez with a snug-fitting hood and two divided hand pockets with top-access zips and side-access snaps.

While some water-resistant softshells can withstand prolonged exposure to precipitation,the wind-resistant and breathable hemp and poly-fiber torso,stretchy nylon sleeves,and underarm panels all become wet during “scattered showers.”Therefore, it is better suited for fair-weather adventures and casual outings rather than more demanding missions in the mountains.

Best Soft shell: Helly Hansen Blaze Hooded

Weight: 16.3 oz (L)
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros and Cons

⊕ Athletic and stylish design
⊕ Decent weatherproofing capabilities
⊕ Excellent breathability for enhanced comfort
⊗ Cuffs are somewhat fragile

When Seattle-based tester Dr. Jedediah Doane is working, he wears scrubs. But when he’s off the clock, you’ll often find him wearing the new Helly Hansen Blaze softshell like a uniform during his explorations of the Pacific Northwest. One particular attribute that makes the Blaze a keystone of his outdoor wardrobe is its breathability. Despite the lack of pit zips, Doane found the moisture-wicking properties of the four-way-stretch polyamide and elastane fabric to be exceptional. During hikes and trail runs in the Central Cascades, the shell “delivered above-average breathability, whether wearing a pack or not,” reported Doane.

Moisture is also effectively managed by the mesh-lined pockets that double as vents. Thanks to a PFC-free, DWR-treated fabric and a cinch able, flat-brimmed hood, the Blaze provides admirable weatherproofing for a soft shell and handles minor drizzles without causing discomfort. “I’d definitely trust this while ski touring,” he added. Considering its impressive durability, soft feel against the skin, and athletic fit fine-tuned by an adjustable hem, it’s no surprise that the Blaze earned top honors as our favorite soft shell in the test.

Most Heavy-Duty Soft Shell: Ortovox Westalpen Softshell

Weight: 1.1 lbs (M)
Sizes: S-XXL

Pros and Cons

⊕ Exceptional durability
⊕ Suitable for all four seasons
⊕ Premium Merino wool blend
⊗ Bulky design
⊗ Heavy weight

One of our tester was initially skeptical about the Ortovox Westalpen wool and polyamide softshell. It’s super beefy and, on paper, seems better suited for winter. However, after bushwacking through tennis court-sized manzanita thickets in the Sierra, grating his elbows and chest against textile-tearing granite, and speeding up blustery ridgelines this past summer and fall, he quickly changed his mind. While it’s the heaviest shell we included, it’s also the most durable. “Calling it a softshell is almost misleading,” says tester. “This Ortovox shell can push hard, resists abrasion, breathes better than anticipated given the thickness of the fabric, and cuts wind like a wall of snow blocking a tent.”

The DWR-coated Westalpen is a patchwork piece that combines two wool and polyamide blends: a lighter, stretchier collaboration with Swiss textile magnate Schoeller for breathability and precip protection along the upper shell, and more resilient inserts in high-impact zones along the lower torso and forearms. The lighter fabric takes advantage of Merino’s temperature regulation and wicking properties, enhancing breathability—a quality further enhanced by two ventilating mesh-lined front pockets that partially make up for the lack of pit zips. The thick fabric is also insulative, which allowed tester to keep his puffy jacket in his pack during near-freezing alpine hikes in the Sierra.

How to Choose a Shell

If we had to describe the perfect shell jacket, it’s one that can handle any adventure in every condition, from trail runs on breezy ridgetops to backpacking missions in snow and sleet. Unfortunately, the perfect shell doesn’t exist. Subsequently, if there’s one word to keep in mind when shopping for a shell jacket, it’s “compromise.” Here are the most important factors to keep in mind when deciding which features to prioritize.

Specialized Shells vs. All-Around Shells

Specialized shells that crush a particular type of condition or activity are woefully under-gunned—or over-gunned—for other types. For instance, a high-denier three-layer shell is overkill for most hikes and backpacking trips. Vice versa, all-around shells that can handle multiple conditions or activity types are often not the best at those activities. The Outdoor Research Foray II, our favorite all-around shell, can hang on both mountain bike rides and climbing adventures, but it’s not our favorite in either category.

Weight vs. Durability

Weight is another aspect that requires compromise. The lightest shells, like the Montane Featherlite Nano, sacrifice elements like durability (and/or waterproofing). The Ortovox Westalpen? It can scrape against rocks no problem, but it’s not breaking any records for weight.

Budget vs. Quality

Of course, compromise is also at play when it comes to budget. While we’ve included our top budget pick—the REI Rainier, which provides excellent protection at a stellar price point—you generally get what you pay for. If you’re buying a cheap shell, you may be making a compromise on performance, or at the very least, technical ability.

Lightweight shells and windbreakers, like the Smartwool Active Ultralight Anorak, are fairly affordable, but not very technical, and taking them on a socked-in alpine climb would be a fool’s errand. As you step into the realm of more technical, higher-quality three-layer fabrics (a sandwich of a bonded inner liner, waterproof and breathable membrane, and protective face fabric that’s widely accepted as the best armor in extreme conditions), expect to pay more.

Waterproofing vs. Breathability

Waterproofing and breathability are discussed ad nauseam in shell jacket product descriptions and gear reviews because they’re some of the most critical elements to consider. The best shell jackets will keep you dry from both precipitation and perspiration, and manufacturers use different semi-permeable membranes, most famously Gore-Tex, to defend against precip while allowing sweat to escape. Again, this comes down to compromise: more waterproofing comes at the cost of breathability, and vice versa.

Softshell vs. Hardshell Jackets

No discussion of waterproofing versus breathability is complete without touching on the designation between hardshell and softshell jackets. Hardshells are typically stiffer in hand, more waterproof, and less breathable. Softshells are, as the name suggests, softer to the touch, and they usually provide better active wicking, but are less trustworthy in serious precipitation. Oftentimes, hardshells are only deployed when weather rolls in, while softshells can be worn all day long because they’re more breathable. There are pros and cons to each, so we like to have both in our closet. That said, if you’re only going to get one shell, our recommendation is that it should be a hardshell, which is more adaptable year-round.

Compromising and the Art of the Quiver

If you’re a skier or snowboarder, mountain biker or surfer, fly fisherman or kayaker, you’re likely familiar with the art of the quiver. The average skier, for instance, may be content having one pair of all-mountain skis, but advanced skiers will often build a quiver of multiple pairs in order to better react to changing conditions and objectives. In addition to their all-mountain skis, they may have a pair for powder, a pair for park, and a pair for backcountry—you get the picture. The same concept can be applied to shell jackets.

If you’re a dedicated specialist, like a trail runner or a mountaineer, it makes sense to start with a specialized shell. But if you’re an indiscriminate outdoor enthusiast who bikes one weekend and hikes the next, it makes sense to start with an all-arounder, like the Outdoor Research Foray II. Then you can add specialists: an ultralight emergency layer like the Montane Featherlite Nano, or an alpinism-worthy bombproof shell like the Ortovox Westalpen.

Final Tips for Shell Shopping

• When shopping for a shell, it’s important to keep fit and layering in mind. If you’re supporting your local gear shop and you plan to wear a puffy underneath your shell, bring your puffy with you when you shop.
• If you’re planning to use the shell while climbing or biking, make sure you try it on with a helmet.
• If you’re shopping online, shop from a place like REI or Backcountry that has a customer-friendly return policy.