Softshells emerged when people wanted something to bridge the gap between waterproof hardshells and highly breathable fleeces. The softshell sought to be the best of both worlds. These jackets range from heavyweight and waterproof to ultralight and ultra-breathable, so chances are you can find the right one for to help you stay dry and comfortable in a wide range of weather conditions and outdoor activities.

• More breathable than a hardshell.
• More wind- and water-resistant than a fleece.
• Makes for a lighter system as you often don't need any additional insulation.

While many stretch-woven softshells hold off a good amount of moisture, they can only be considered water resistant. Softshells with membranes offer waterproof protection that rivals top-shelf hardshells. However, the pores in these membranes are slightly larger than those in waterproof shells, so they breathe better. Basically, they're waterproof in about any condition except for a full-on monsoon.

• Softshells with membranes are waterproof.
• Stretch-woven softshells are water resistant.

It's hard to distinguish between stretch-woven and membrane softshells, but this may be the most-important factor for choosing. Membrane-equipped softshells offer greater weather protection at the expense of breathability; stretch-woven fabrics breathe better for aerobic activities, but don't protect as well. So how do you tell them apart? The easiest way is by looking at the fabric. Below you'll find a list of fabrics which fall into each category.

Anything! Softshells have seen use for everything from ultralight backpacking to high-altitude mountaineering.

• Hiking and backpacking.
• Ice climbing and mountaineering.
• Skiing and snowboarding.
• Casual wear.
• Trail running.
• Cross country skiing.
• Winter trail running and snowshoeing.

The Lowdown:

These jackets shed wind and water thanks to the tightness of the fabric's weave. Most stretch-woven jackets keep you dry in pretty brutal snow or moderate rain, but eventually moisture will win out and you'll start to get a bit wet. However, if you're working hard, your body heat drives out the moisture, so you probably won't get totally soaked as long as you're moving.

The Lowdown:

Just like hardshells, these jackets feature a waterproof breathable membrane for weather protection. The difference is that membrane softshells use a slightly looser weave for increased breathability. Keep in mind that "looser" is measured in this case on a microscopic level. These jackets will hold off hours of horrendous downpour. It has to be a full-on monsoon to soak through a softshell with a membrane.

Disadvantages:

• Not completely waterproof.
• Sometimes not completely windproof.
• Not as lightweight as comparable fleece.

Disadvantages:

• Not as breathable as stretch-woven softshells.
• Generally heavier than stretch-woven softshells.
• Not quite as waterproof as a full-on hardshell.