#1
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Clothing question - hardshell vs. softshell
Hi folks -
I have seen cycling outerwear from several manufacturers (Pearl Izumi, Rapha, i.e.) that have a "hardshell" or "softshell" label in the item name. An example would be "Rapha Hardshell Jacket". Is there something to this besides marketing nomenclature? If this is an industry standard, then what is the difference between the two? I understand the difference when talking about turtles, but fabric? Not a clue. Thanks - |
#2
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In my experience it mostly comes down to water permeability and breathability.
Hardshells don't breathe as well, but are waterproof or more highly water resistant than softshells. |
#3
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Think of hardshells as rain jackets, no insulation...softshells, as windproof slightly insulated (this varies) and water resistant.
Make sense? |
#4
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Sounds correct to me. I like a hardshell vest or jacket and a soft/insulating layer to handle changing conditions.
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#5
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head down to an rei and check out hardshells vs softshells and the difference is obvious. it's old hat to backpackers. fwiw, i wouldn't assume level of water permeability with either.
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#6
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Quote:
I was just at REI a couple of weeks ago looking at liner gloves. Wish I had this question in my noggin when I visited - I would have looked around as suggested. |
#7
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originally everything was hardshell...like the comment, think rainshell
when "soft" shells were introduced, people loved them since the outer fabric could be bonded to a fleecy interior, so warmer, no noise, more breathable and water resistant enough for most non-rain applications. a hard shell will be a better barrier, you just need to evaluate if the conditions warrant this capability |
#8
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Hardshell jackets are typically layered or laminate construction garments with an DWR treated outer nylon or poly bonded to an 2nd inner waterproof EPTFE membrane layer (think gore) and then with a 3rd lining or bonded layer.
Hardshell are typically extremely waterproof, don't stretch, and very limited breathability. Like your general use mountaineering jacket/90's yellow gore cycling jacket Softshell are typically textiles made of stretch nylon/poly layers that don't often have a waterproof membrane layer (but may have a wind layer). The redeeming quality is that it is usually a stretch garment with good water resistance (but not waterproof), better breathability than a hardshell and a more comfortable piece. Usually it can be used more fitted, and cut more aggressively, because of the stretch. For 95% of use, no one needs a hardshell. But for the 5% they are quite valuable.
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cimacoppi.cc |
#9
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Wind jackets and pants, my favorites, are kind of in the middle. nt
nt
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#10
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Check out Polartec NeoShell… It's either the best, or the worst, of both worlds!
-Mark in St. Louis |
#11
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Cycling is a great application for Neo's stretch and breathability. You're going to get absolutely soaked riding in the rain either way- either by your own sweat under a jacket, or by the rain, or by a combination. What you need is wind protection and heat exchange- Neo does both those, AND keeps out probably 97% of the rain even in that setting. I love Neo. I wear it on the bike, and in the mountains. If waterproofness is the main concern, and exertion isn't high, Gore is still the least air-permeable and most waterproof option out there.
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where are we going, and why am i in this handbasket? |
#12
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Quote:
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#13
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Clothing question - hardshell vs. softshell
Not sure which is what but the two brands I always here as being the best are Showerpass and Castelli...
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#14
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Clothing question - hardshell vs. softshell
I know we have lots of thoughts on Rapha. I have a Hardshell I got as a gift last year (great wife). Wore it today for a ride in KC with a temp of 31 and N winds gusting up near 20. Polypropylene base and an icebreaker and I gotta say I was totally comfortable. Have an Assos Air Jack as well and find it great when it is ~35-45. Just great performing garments.
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Strong, Peg Marcelo, Hampsten, Speedvagen, Spectrum Ti |
#15
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We also probably shouldn't even be saying waterproof exists on a spectrum (although I kinda did) There is waterproof or not... the rest is water resistance. The only product I know that is waterproof is an EPTFE membrane, or a garbage bag.
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cimacoppi.cc Last edited by rain dogs; 12-16-2014 at 08:59 PM. |
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