Everything you need to know about soft shell and hard shell jackets

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If you plan to ride in cold or wet weather, you need to prepare your gear to keep it warm and dry. However, there is a dizzying array of jackets to choose from to protect you from inclement weather.

Bicycle clothing brands sell a range of jackets for harsh conditions, many of which carry high price tags.

Waterproof cycling jackets come in one of two basic styles: hard shell or soft shell. But what does each mean, and what are the benefits of each? We have talked with experts to find out.

Hard shell jackets are usually made of woven outer fabric. This makes it less elastic than soft shell fabrics usually made of knitted fabrics.

Endura product manager Ian Young said: "The extra elasticity of the shell fabric can be used to ensure the comfort and performance of the close-fitting clothing, so it is particularly suitable for road products." "This soft shell also means that the product tends to be quieter when riding. "

Young pointed out that there is no strict definition of what constitutes a hard shell jacket or a soft shell jacket. "With the evolution of various waterproof and windproof fabrics in the past few years, the boundary between soft shell and hard shell is not as clear as before," he said.

Both the soft shell and the hard shell provide wind and rain protection from the film layer sandwiched in the jacket structure, while allowing water vapor to escape, so that you will not become too wet when you are sweating profusely.

That used to be between the outer and inner fabrics-a three-layer fabric. Recently, 2.5-layer and 2-layer laminates have become an option. Here, the inner layer inside the membrane is reduced or absent. This results in lighter structures that can become more breathable.

Gore reversed this situation with its Shakedry fabric, where the film is located on the outside of the jacket. This provides excellent breathability for the lightweight jacket, a permanently waterproof outer surface, which, as its name says, can shake off surface water. Initially rigid, the latest Shakedry fabric also includes stretch.

In the latest generation of Castelli Gabba, the ambiguity of the hard shell and soft shell categories is also obvious. This is the typical soft shell jacket used by professional cyclists when racing in bad weather.

In 2010, the original Gabba was not very waterproof. In order to ensure sufficient breathability, in the fourth generation launched in 2019, Castelli used a new Gore-Tex Infinium fabric to improve water resistance.

Due to the brushed inner surface of the shell fabric, the internal seams cannot be taped, but Castelli has applied tape on the outside of the seams on the shoulders of the latest Gabba RoS, adding a little waterproof performance.

However, hardshell jackets are usually better to withstand long periods of rain, so if you expect to go out in a downpour, then they are a good choice. This can usually be helped by the manufacturer attaching seams to the inside of the jacket, as the seams at the unwrapped seams can seep into the rain over time.

“They are very suitable for raining all day long and need to keep the core warm and dry. Rapha’s most advanced hard shell fabric is Gore-Tex Shakedry. Rapha’s product designer Harry Osborn said: “It is ultra-light and completely waterproof on the market And the most breathable waterproof fabric. "

Endura's Young said that lighter hard shells are usually more suitable for lighter shells. "But for maximum comfort, they need to be layered more carefully," he warned.

Hard shells may also be easier to pack. "The two-layer Exoshell20ST fabric used in Endura’s best-selling Adrenaline Race Cape is between a soft shell and a hard shell-the lightweight mesh is bonded to protect the film, forming a waterproof, breathable shell that is elastic enough to fit tightly It fits well, and its packaging is small enough to hide in the back pocket of a sweatshirt, or to keep you dry in heavy rain," he said.

"The only drawback of this fabric is that it is relatively fragile, so it won't last long in the wardrobe of off-road riders!"

Anne Weir, Gore's fabric expert, emphasized the importance of breathability for comfort while riding. As the outer surface of the jacket evaporates, it allows heat to escape and also helps keep the inner layer you are wearing drier. Gore has a full range of fabrics designed for activities such as cycling, in which you work hard and may generate a lot of heat and sweat.

The company uses a machine to measure the resistance of its laminates to water vapor loss, and its Gore-Tex Shakedry, Active and Infinium fabrics are rated as extremely breathable. The first two will be classified as hard shell fabrics, while Infinium is a soft shell fabric that is not waterproof (but waterproof).

However, although Shakedry and Active fabrics are very thin, Infinium shell fabrics add a soft inner surface. This increases its warmth, so you will feel comfortable with fewer layers underneath.

Therefore, there is a balance between comfort and warmth and breathability when riding. In a warm, humid environment, a thin hard shell jacket may be a better choice, while in a cool, humid environment, wearing a soft shell jacket may feel more comfortable.

Brands tend to mix the fabrics they use in softshell clothing. Osborne says this provides maximum breathability and makes you feel comfortable when riding at a rhythm, just like the Rapha Pro Team Winter jacket.

Weir of Gore confirmed the emphasis on comfort and breathability in soft shell clothing. "Many Gore-Tex Infinium and Windstopper styles also use a'fit-to-body' design, which fits the body better," she said.

"Many styles use breathable fabrics where the airflow allows heat to dissipate, and many styles have partial tapes just to provide some light rain protection where the end use needs it. Although these styles will provide a high level of protection against wind, cold and light rain, they are not Built for long rains.

"You may still be wet, but comfortable. However, using Gore-Tex waterproof material under those heavier and prolonged rain conditions will provide more protection and long-term comfort."

Both Weir and Osborn pointed out that if you are riding in wet and cold weather, there is no reason not to wear a more waterproof hard shell and a warm soft shell.

Our three experts agree that this is not about choosing between hard shell and soft shell, but choosing the right clothes according to your riding conditions.

Weir pointed out that even in dry conditions, many cyclists wear hard shell jackets because they are breathable, lightweight and easy to pack, while other riders choose Infinium soft shells in the rain because of its shape and freedom of movement. And thermal regulation.

"Prioritize various product and fabric attributes: waterproof, windproof, breathable, fit, function, weight, packaging size, price, etc., and look for products that meet the most important box of the conditions and riding type you plan to use because," Yang said.

Paul has been cycling since he was a teenager and has been writing about bicycle technology for nearly a decade. Before it was invented, he liked gravel, riding a cross-country bike through the south hills, and along a muddy path through Chiltern. He also dabbled in cross-country mountain biking, and then returned to cycling.

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