We're here to help! Early morning approaches to long routes are an ideal match for a softshell. It is lightweight, wind-resistant, breathable, abrasion-resistant, and highly stretchy. Add to all of this the fact that it is a very affordable jacket, and it is no wonder why this jacket is the staple softshell for most outdoor adventure nerds. Related: How to Choose a Softshell Jacket for Women. We also considered style. The top performers in this metric are the three ultra-stretchy and thin active softshells in our lineup: the Rab Borealis, the Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody, and the Outdoor Research Ferrosi. On the flip side, if a jacket says that it's fully windproof (as opposed to just wind resistant), it's a safe bet that it won't be super breathable. To decide what type of softshell is ideal for you, We recommend considering the primary activities you plan to do while using your new softshell. Mobility is one of the most important elements of a softshell jacket. Many of the other active softshells and active hybrids performed well in this category as well, including the Gamma LT, Proton FL, and the Kinetic 2.0. We hope this review has answered some of your softshell questions and helped guide you toward the right model for your next outdoor adventure. By and large, softshells are only water and wind resistant. Americas Best Backpacking and Outdoor Adventures, Lightweight Soft Shell You wouldn't even know the Borealis was on your harness except for how pink this one is! Minds blown. It has great features for the price including a pocket that doubles as a stuff sack, so you can clip your jacket to your harness when not in use. We assess versatility by considering features, durability, style, and ease of use between various activities and climates. Unlike potentially life-saving layers such as waterproof hardshells and insulative baselayers, a softshell is great to have but won't keep you as warm as an insulation layer (like a puffy jacket) or as dry as a hardshell if you get caught in a serious storm. It ticks nearly every box that a durable wind layer for climbing or hiking should. Being made out of a more durable fabric and being well-suited for cooler alpine temps, it is on the heavier end of active softshells in our review. Our team tested each of these jackets side-by-side in various climes, from blustery days climbing ice in the Rocky Mountains to surprisingly frigid desert climbing days in Indian Creek, Joshua Tree, the Black Canyon, and Red Rock. The revised version of the jacket has some sleeve slippage between the fleece lining and the shell fabric when you pull it over long-sleeved shirts (especially fleeces). Check out our other reviews for a deep dive into the best rain jackets, hardshells, windbreakers, running jackets, and down jackets. We love the top-shelf features on this jacket, including pockets that are accessible when you're wearing a harness or the hip-belt of a backpack and an innovative hood with an inner gasket to keep your face dry. This is because it splits the difference between a technical and an active softshell. No sponsored content. We also appreciate the harness-compatible pockets and two-way adjustable, helmet-compatible hood. When she can get away, she chases sun the rest of the year in Colorado and the deserts of Utah, Arizona, and California. This active softshell moves incredibly well and is ridiculously comfy, all without breaking the bank. The Borealis is breathable enough that you won't turn into a swampy mess, even after climbing a fist crack in the sun! Given that mobility is critical for a softshell, we reviewed several stellar options that exemplify unimpeded mobility. rab.uk.com. We tend to associate ultralight gear with wearing out ultra-fast, but not so with the Alpine Start it bucks the trend by being ultra-light and ultra-durable. Softshells are ideal during the shoulder season when temperatures vacillate wildly or for aerobic backcountry activities in the winter when you need premium breathability to avoid getting chilled by your sweat. Both are great options for moving quick and fairly light. Short wonder the Gamma LT steals the show. However, with extended exposure to moisture, the Kinetic 2.0 will eventually absorb water like other softshells in our review, proving to be more water-resistant than waterproof, as the manufacturers claim. Notably, this jacket can withstand dryer moisture like snow but has below-average water protection, especially when compared with the technical softshells and hybrids in our review. It is a feature-rich active softshell that offers great wind protection, making it a perfect option for rock climbing, peak bagging, or backpacking. This jacket was designed with alpine climbing and cool-weather mountain activities in mind, but it would be well-equipped as a light jacket for travel, hiking, or any activity where you move from warm to cool temps. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. A few models constructed with very thin material scored well in this category. Active softshells are ideal as wind layers while summer or alpine climbing, trail running, or hiking, while technical softshells are best for ice and mixed climbing, winter mountaineering, snowshoeing, and backcountry and/or cross-country skiing. They're incredible layers for warm skiing in the spring or cool climbing and hiking in the fall when you're unlikely to encounter an all-out torrential storm. While we recognize that thin fabric and breathability are not the same things, we couldn't ignore the fact that jackets with minimal material often breathe well by default. Got feedback? No matter what your needs are, our review has some fantastic options. It moves incredibly well, owing to the ultra-stretchy fabric, and even though it isn't very water-resistant, it is among the fastest drying active softshells in our review. The Kinetic offers more weather protection and is the most water-resistant jacket in our review. While style is subjective, it is important no one wants to pay top dollar for an ill-fitting or unattractive article of clothing. That being said, none of the jackets we reviewed are so heavy to raise red flags. There are definitely plenty of jackets geared toward casual urban outings, but regardless of your chosen activity, a restrictive jacket will not allow you to move freely enough to enjoy yourself. Sadly, the Proton FL does not have this feature, so if you need to stash your jacket mid-route, you'll have to get a stuff sack specific for the job. The new hood is fully fleece lined and more spacious than previous iterations. That being said, the downsides may be irrelevant, depending on the jacket niche you seek to fill. Softshell jackets are designed for backcountry adventures like climbing, skiing, and trail running all activities that demand unhindered movement. Our review team maintains that while versatility is important, it is the least important metric we consider. We loved the Arc'teryx Gamma LT for its high performance across the board and for striking the proper balance between opposing metrics, which is why it earns top honors. Meanwhile, it has fantastic ventilation in the pockets, making it almost as breathable as the thinnest jackets in our review. We love the Rab Borealis for striking a similar balance between excellent features and affordability. 
The Alpine Start features a lightweight and stretchy Schoeller fabric that ensures you can move well without being stifled by sweat. It is everything a hybrid should strive to be. It has a flattering cut while not skimping on the features you want out of a softshell, including Napoleon-style harness-compatible pockets that are mesh-lined for extra ventilation and a two-way cinched helmet-compatible hood for an excellent fit while climbing, hiking, or ski touring. The jackets that ranked highest in this category were ideal for myriad activity types and could handle well in diverse weather. This is less of a problem for the casual softshells, as those are meant to be worn around town, but this is a big deal if you're looking for a technical softshell for ice climbing or backcountry skiing. The fit is a little on the boxy side, so if you're between sizes, you might consider sizing down. Read review: Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody. Hybrid softshells are relatively new on the scene, and they attempt to bridge the gap between different jacket types be it by providing extra insulation or water resistance. They can leave you feeling swampy, suffocated, and stuffy. Most of the jackets were tested in size small. This jacket also surprised our reviewers with above average breathability (water-resistant jackets are notorious for their lack of breathability). The exceptionally water-resistant Apex Bionic is one of the warmer softshells in our review, and it did well in our water-resistance test making it a great option for a winter jacket in an urban environment. These softshells are not designed to keep you ultra warm or to provide premium weather protection, but they are great layers to keep you comfortable in wind or shade in otherwise warm weather. We love hanging out in the Proton FL because it manages to be wonderfully warm (and soft!) This includes activities such as climbing (rock, ice, mixed, or alpine), skiing (backcountry or cross-country, although for alpine/downhill, you'll want something warmer), snowshoeing, mountaineering, trail-running, peak-bagging, or hiking. Sizes: mens S-XXL, womens XS-XL They proved durable and, could withstand the abrasion of granite walls and sandstone cracks and wouldn't disintegrate at the mention of crampons and ice tools. When it is fully zipped, the collar is too snug and stiff to be comfortable, and it poked us in the neck. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. 
While the Apex Bionic is too heavy to be ideal for technical outings, it is durable and warm, making it a great jacket for car-camping. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Compared to other softshells, it has below-average water resistance, but it does dry quickly and offers great 3-season protection. $75, 9 oz. With almost as many jackets to choose from as there are stars in the sky, it can seem overwhelming to find the right one for you. This jacket is so lightweight that you'll almost forget you have it with you, and it can be stuffed into its chest pocket for clipping it on your harness or stowing it in the bottom of your pack when not in use.
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