In order for professional or amateur active sports or just a comfortable pastime in nature, fresh air, even if it's bad weather, whether it's snow, cold piercing wind, drizzling rain, bring pleasure, the question arises of choosing the right quality outerwear, the so-called equipment. It can be sports, walking. Often, among a wide range of textile industry products, you can find softshell suits. What are they? What weather is good? What are they made from? Softshell… What is it? Let's try to find answers to the above questions.
Softshell… What is this term and where did it come from?
Buffalo's partners came up with a revolutionary idea to replace the three-layer clothing scheme with a more lightweight, but with all the performance characteristics, based on fleece and Pertex fabric. Although such clothing remained a terrible downpour and strong wind, nevertheless it began to be popular with climbers. Actually the term "softshell" for its classic version of clothing was introduced into use by the issuingeco-friendly things and sports equipment by Patagonia. Literally translated from English, the term means “soft layer”, but conceptually it implies the same minimization of clothing layers that a person needs in the cold season. Modern production technology or innovative fabric? Softshell - what is it?
Softshell is a practical, soft-touch multilayer material. It is based on synthetic fibers (polyurethane, polyamide, lycra, polyester, cordura), but the trend is to mix synthetics with natural fibers. It is produced by applying a strong, wear-resistant outer (front) layer to a softer inner (back) layer that protects against heat loss. Between them is a membrane layer. The thicker the fleece layer, the warmer the product. The softness of the wrong side is given by fine-fibered microlint, which, due to internal thermoregulation of the heat coming from the human body, remains dry even during intense physical exertion. In this case, excess moisture formed will be removed to the outside. Therefore, from a practical point of view, it is more expedient to wear softshell things on a naked body.
Quality characteristics of the softshell
Among the main properties of a material that is quite light in weight and compact when folded, the following are of paramount importance:
- waterproof (due to a special impregnation, the softshell fabric is able to repel moisture, but it will not create 100% rain protection);
- dirt-repellent properties;
- protection against gusts of wind (hercharacterizes the CFM index: the lower it is, the higher the wind protection);
- high breathability, no "steam effect" (since it is a breathable membrane material);
- good thermal insulation;
- elasticity (softshell stretch clothing does not restrict movement, effectively fits the human body, fits the figure).
Classification of softshell products by material and production technology
Depending on the production technology, quality and quantity of layers, softshell products are divided into two- and three-layer. Three-layer: elastic top - membrane - fleece. Two-layer - fleece and top (without a membrane): thermal underwear - insulation; thermal underwear - wind protection, insulation - wind protection. They are more popular. A moisture and windproof membrane is characteristic of heavy products, the absence of a membrane or its presence with wind protection are light softshells.
Three-layer products are called Insulated Soft Shell. Polyester or polyamide stretch, silicone impregnation - this is Non-insulated Soft Shell. Combining the properties of the two above types - products Hybrid.
Softshell membrane products
For membrane softshell products, the upper front layer can be:
- based on a porous, non-porous and combined membrane that protects against moisture; all products are windproof; due to the lower price category, the classic non-porous base (with and without seam sealing) has become very popular;
- based on porous or non-porous membranes,protecting from the wind; porous - wear-resistant, despite the high stretch, breathable and waterproof properties, are characterized by short-lived moisture protection; non-porous - not completely blown;
- based on porous membranes, partially (up to 98%) protecting against wind, the speed of which does not exceed 50 km/h.
Inner back layer consists of:
- thin fleece (classic);
- too thin moisture-wicking layer (light);
- long pile warm fleece (highloft).
Membraneless softshell products
Membraneless softshell products are based on:
- dense heavy types of fabrics, which are characterized by slight blowing, high thermal insulation, suitable for moderately low temperatures, but do not fit well;
- light warm stretch materials, including those with thin moisture-wicking impregnation, which are wear-resistant, and in the cold in calm weather with high physical activity, they fully justify themselves.
The purpose of the softshell
The future purpose and level of physical activity of a person will directly affect the choice of one or another type of softshell clothing. Customer reviews confirm that in membraneless products they feel very comfortable in dry weather, otherwise they may need additional wind and moisture protection in the form of windbreakers. In the off-season in urban conditions, a raincoat, a leather jacket can be replaced by membrane windproof jackets, which can become indispensable on hikes,when practicing, for example, Nordic walking, easy running. For winter, it is better to purchase porous options for softshell things. Partial windproof membrane with lightweight 3-layer jacket - equipment for people with a high level of physical activity (cross-country skiing, ski slopes, etc.).
What kind of weather is a softshell useful for?
So, the choice was made in favor of softshell clothing. What air temperature is it designed for? As a rule, a person in a softshell product will feel comfortable at moderate temperatures. We are talking about 5-10 ºС below zero. Lovers of going out into nature will not be hindered by wind, rain or snow, unless we are talking about hurricanes and downpours. In harsh weather conditions, a softshell can be a great addition to fleece clothing, thermal underwear.
Softshell products
Practical and comfortable outerwear, overalls, trousers, sweatshirts, gloves, even shoes and sleeping bags made of softshell material are rapidly conquering the textile market. All these things are practical, durable, applicable, including in urban conditions, do not rustle while walking, and allow you to save the family budget.
To a greater extent, it is the softshell jacket that is associated with products from the above material. What's this? A universal type of clothing of different colors, convenient for trips to nature, hiking, walking - this is clear to everyone. On the other hand, this compact, lightweight 2 in 1 product, at the same timeprotecting from the cold and replacing a raincoat. Its distinguishing features are considered to be the average length of the product that covers the lower part of the body, a stand-up collar, a pull-down hood that saves from all kinds of precipitation, which can be hidden in a special pocket on the collar, wide sleeves with Velcro fasteners that prevent the penetration of wind, waterproof zippers, trims on locks (this is a kind of design decision). This is an irreplaceable thing in the wardrobe, capable of emphasizing the refined taste and style of lovers of an active lifestyle, as, in fact, the reviews are unanimous. A softshell jacket is a great option to withstand various unpleasant vagaries of nature.
Are there many fakes?
How to determine if you have a fake or really high-quality softshell material? What are these differences? Unfortunately, many manufacturers miss (perhaps deliberately) the moment of manufacturability of softshell products, so sometimes you can buy a pig in a poke or a membrane analogue, and not the actual softshell. In addition, now hardshells are very close to softshells in their composition and production technology, the line between them is often indistinguishable or simply erased. Undoubtedly, the name of the manufacturer will say a lot about the quality of softshell products. Aspiring manufacturers such as Marmot, The North Face, Sivera, Bask, Patagonia and others simply cannot afford the “average” softshell clothing option.
Proper care
How to care for softshell products? At what temperature andwashing mode calculated fabric? The answer to the question can be found on the label, but you should not resort to washing things every time. Sometimes it is enough to wipe them with a damp microfiber. It is not recommended to clean the dirt with a brush, even with the softest bristles, as it can damage the canvas. If washing cannot be avoided, then you should do it manually or resort to a gentle washing cycle of synthetics at 30ºС with a delicate spin, after turning the product on the wrong side. It is important to refuse abrasives, bleaches, use warm water, soapy water, liquid detergents, dry in a straightened form. Contraindicated: joint washing of the softshell with other things, drying on heating radiators, ironing. Deodorants, body creams, open flames can harm the quality properties, including the water-repellent impregnation of the product.
Follow these simple guidelines. Proper care of softshell products will preserve their presentable appearance and functional characteristics and extend their service life.
