The main differences between hard and soft shell jackets are waterproofness and breathability.
In this article, you’ll learn to decide which type of jacket is best for your type of skiing.
Types of Jackets for Skiing
There are two main categories of skiing jackets: hard shell and soft shell.
Which one you choose for skiing depends on two things:
- The type of skiing
- The conditions
These are also factors when choosing the best weight and insulation level of your ski jacket.
What Is a Soft Shell Jacket?
Softshell jackets are made for breathability, offering water repellency rather than full waterproofness. Breathability allows body heat and sweat to pass through the jacket to cool you down during more physical activities.
Dry conditions and the types of skiing that produce a lot of body heat, such as cross-country skiing or backcountry skiing, make soft shells a good choice.
Wet conditions and types of skiing where retaining body heat is important, like downhill skiing, make hard shells a much better option.
What Is a Hard Shell Jacket?
Hardshell jackets prioritize waterproofness over breathability. That being said, all hard shells offer some breathability.
When skiing in wet conditions or areas with high precipitation, such as the Pacific Northwest or Japan, hard shells do a good job of keeping moisture from entering your skiing outfit.
A majority of hard shell ski jackets are designed for waterproofness and don’t offer any insulation other than in specific locations like pockets and neck gaiters. They act solely as a waterproof layer that we can add layers of insulation under if needed.
In colder conditions, it’s common to add fleeces or puffer jackets under your hard shell. For more info on layering, check out our dedicated article on “How To Layer For Skiing.”
Insulated Ski Jackets
Downhill skiing requires staying warm in cold conditions, including sitting still on a chairlift. Insulated ski jackets come in clutch for that. There are two main types: lightweight insulated soft shells called “puffies” or “puffers” and insulated soft shells with inner layers
Puffer jackets are a versatile choice since they can be worn as an outer layer on warmer days or as an insulation layer on colder days.
Insulated softshells offer the benefit of breathability, which is ideal when skiing terrain that requires more physicality.
Insulation material is either natural or synthetic, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Read on to learn more.
Ski Jacket Insulation Types
Insulation in ski jackets can be one of the following:
- Down – Natural insulation made of bird feathers, typically duck or goose feathers.
- Pros – Great heat retention, highly compactable.
- Cons – Loses heat retention capabilities when wet. Takes a long time to dry.
- Synthetic – Polymer fabrics are designed to mimic the heat retention of natural insulation.
- Pros – Retains heat retention capabilities even when wet. Dries faster than down.
- Cons – Offers less heat retention and is less compactable than down.
- Hybrid – A blend of natural and synthetic material that maximizes the benefits of each.
- Pros – Warmer than synthetic insulation, and quicker to dry than down insulation. Easier to pack down than synthetic insulation.
- Cons – Not quite as warm as down. Slower to dry than synthetic fills.
Ski Jacket Fabrics
What Is Softshell Fabric Made Of?
Soft shell material is typically a blended synthetic fabric that has a waterproof and breathable membrane over a layer of insulation.
The synthetic blend is often weighted more towards polyester, as it is a soft and flexible fabric. Some soft shell jackets offer improved durability by weighing the blend more towards nylon or other durable polymers.
Some jackets have elastane, or other flexible fabric, added to the blend for maximum range of movement in key areas, like under arms and elbows.
The outermost membrane typically contains a ‘k’ rating that indicates the level of waterproofness or breathability – higher numbers, e.g., 20k/20k, indicate more breathability and waterproofness than lower numbers, e.g., 5k/5k.
Insulated soft shell jackets have an added layer of insulation which varies from a simple layer of soft material, such as brushed taffeta, to a thick layer of down, synthetic, or blended insulation.
What Is Hardshell Fabric Made Of?
Hard shell jackets are also typically a blended layer of synthetic fabric backed by a waterproof and breathable membrane.
Hard shells don’t typically have insulation layers and the outer layer is a heavier synthetic material designed more for durability than softness.
Ski Jacket Features
Here are some ski clothing features to look out for:
- Taped seams and zippers – Sealed with a strip of waterproof fabric, taping ensures that water doesn’t get inside your ski jacket through the stitching.
- Ventilation – Strategically placed ventilation, such as under arms, is key to heat and moisture management so you’re not cold and wet on the mountain.
- Helmet-compatible hood – Integrated or removable, a hood that is designed to fit around a helmet is important for keeping warm when moving quickly or when it gets windy.
- Hand-warming pockets – Avoid cold fingers by keeping your hands in insulated pockets between runs or on mountain downtime.
- Hem adjustment – Being able to cinch the waist of your ski jacket helps prevent snow from getting into your jacket.
- Powder skirt – The clippable, elastic belts inside ski jackets help keep snow away from your mid and base layers.
For a more in-depth look at ski jacket features, check out our “How To Choose a Ski Jacket and Pants” article.
Soft shell and hard shell jackets both have their purpose. If it’s wet outside, a hard shell is your best choice for keeping moisture out. If it’s very cold and wet, and your skiing is less intense, you can add a puffer under your hard shell. If the temperature is low and the conditions are relatively dry, an insulated soft shell jacket will fit the bill.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on weather, activity level and personal preference. After reading this article, you should feel more confident in choosing the right type of jacket for your day out skiing.
