Waterproof, Softshell & Windshell Jackets

Hardshell jackets

A waterproof, windproof and breathable membrane, built for sustained rain, snow and wind. Hardshells are the jacket you rely on when the weather turns. All of ours use SKJOLDR™, our proprietary 3-layer fabric, and the range runs from a sub-300g ultralight shell to a fully featured expedition jacket.

Softshell jackets

A stretch woven fabric with a water-repellent finish. A softshell sheds showers and wind but is not waterproof. In exchange it breathes far better than a hardshell and moves with you, which makes it the jacket to wear on the move in dry cold, showers and high-output days.

Windshell jackets

A thin, windproof and highly breathable layer that packs down to almost nothing. A windshell takes the edge off the wind on ridges and summits without trapping heat, and suits trail running and fast, light days.

Weather.

If you expect sustained rain or snow, you need a hardshell. For dry cold and passing showers, a softshell is more comfortable. In wind with little rain, a windshell is often enough.

Effort.

The harder you work, the more breathability matters. Many people wear a softshell or windshell on the move and carry a hardshell for the weather.

Weight and pack size.

If the shell spends most of the day in your pack, choose the lightest one that will do the job when you need it.

Features for your activity.

For climbing and skiing, look for a helmet-compatible hood and pockets you can reach with a harness or pack on. For skiing, RECCO® rescue technology adds a margin of safety.

Durability.

A heavier face fabric (higher denier) takes more abrasion from rock, ice and pack straps. A lighter one saves weight.

See the full range of men's waterproof, softshell and windshell jackets.

What is the difference between a hardshell and a softshell jacket

A hardshell has a waterproof membrane and is built for sustained rain, snow and wind. A softshell is water-resistant rather than waterproof, with more stretch and breathability, and suits dry cold, showers and high-output days. Many mountain days call for both, with the softshell worn on the move and the hardshell carried for the weather. Read the Mountain Layering Guide: How to Layer for the Mountains.

Is a waterproof shell jacket the same as a hardshell?

Yes. "Hardshell" describes a fully waterproof, windproof and breathable outer layer. A softshell or windshell can look similar but is not waterproof.

Do I need a windshell if I have a hardshell?

Not always, but a windshell is far more breathable and packs smaller. On dry, windy days and when running, it lets you stay protected without overheating, and the hardshell can stay in the pack.