Softshell jackets are an essential component of any outdoor layering system. They are helpful in a range of circumstances since they are water and wind-resistant, as well as breathable and flexible, allowing them to move with you and keep you dry when you’re out in the elements. With so many softshells available in a variety of materials and with varying features, deciding which one is best can be tough. 

 

This article is here to help you better understand your options and choose the best softshell jacket to keep you warm and safe from the elements on all of your adventures.

Table of Contents

1. Gamma LT Hoody

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Look no further if you’re searching for a versatile item that can be worn on the trails as well as around town.

 

The Gamma LT is the lowest weight jacket in the Gamma series, a collection of relatively warm yet breathable and flexible clothing. The DWR-coated synthetic fabric is double woven, providing additional abrasion resistance without adding weight.

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2. Research Ferrosi Made for Outdoors

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Even if you check the weather long in advance, it might be difficult to anticipate the exact circumstances you’ll encounter outside, but the Outdoor Research Ferrosi is a softshell hoody that should keep you comfy no matter what. The main body of the coat is made of flexible material to allow for a complete range of motion, and the strengthened proprietary Cordura fabric on the arms and shoulders is both robust and abrasion-resistant. 

 

With water and wind protection, the jacket locks the elements out and the heat in.

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3. Black Diamond Alpine

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This softshell jacket is ideal if you need a packable softshell to take with you on lengthy alpine trips. It fits into its chest pocket and includes a hook for attaching a carabiner so you may connect it to your harness or pack. The Alpine Start is made of a unique Schoeller fabric that is both durable and elastic, and it has a Nanosphere technology treatment that repels dirt and water.

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4. The Dawn Patrol

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When you need a softshell with superior weather resistance and the same permeability as traditional options, consider this jacket could be precisely what you’re looking for. The Dawn Patrol is a technological item that blurs the distinction between a softshell and a rain shell. It has a fleece lining, big internal storage pockets, and an outside zipped chest pocket. What I appreciate best about the Dawn Patrol is how focused it is on the wilderness.
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5. Marmot ROM Jacket

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The Marmot ROM is an abbreviation for “Range of Motion,” which means that this softshell is designed to move with you on the trail, whether you’re scrambling over boulders or down a steep scree. The design allows your arms to move freely, whereas the side vents on the body of the jacket are breathable and flexible for further flexibility. The remainder of the jacket is made of a special Wind-stopper fabric that repels rain and keeps out gusts of wind.

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6. Mountain Softshell Jacket

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This is a lightweight softshell constructed of Pertex Quantum Air, a unique fabric that is both breathable and windproof. The fabric’s long-lasting water-resistant coating protects you from getting damp in rainy circumstances.

 

The hem, cuffs, and hood all have elastic to keep them in place, and the hand pockets are zipped to keep your valuables safe. The Kor Preshell can be compressed quite a bit to fit into one of the compartments and then into your pack.

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The Bottom Line

A softshell jacket is hard to match for high-output activities. Their ventilated and flexible materials provide excellent performance and a wonderfully smooth finish that moves with you, and their robust shells can endure mild breeze and precipitation as long as you don’t wear them in a rainstorm. 

 

It’s difficult to find a more adaptable shell for a variety of outdoor sports. The best six softshell jackets for 2021 are listed above, and they range from casual coats for everyday usage to performance items for backcountry skiing and ice climbing.