Fleece vs Soft Shell vs Hard Shell Jackets – Outdoor Gear Guide | Sportsmans Warehouse

Fleece Jackets: Ultimate Warmth with Lightweight Comfort

Fleece jackets are essential for outdoor enthusiasts, offering excellent warmth-to-weight ratio with virtually no moisture retention. The unique fibres of a fleece create air pockets that trap warmth, making it an ideal middle layer for outdoor activities. Available in different weights (100, 200, 300), fleece jackets provide varying levels of insulation depending on your needs. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or layering up for cold weather, fleece is a top choice for comfort and protection against the cold.

Soft Shell Jackets: Flexibility Meets Protection

Soft Shell jackets combine the best of both fleece and hard shell jackets. Made from stretchy, durable fabrics, these jackets provide excellent mobility while ensuring breathability and water resistance. The lightweight design allows for ease of movement, making it ideal for active outdoor pursuits. A soft shell jacket is perfect for all-weather conditions, offering protection from wind and light rain, while keeping you warm and comfortable.

Hard Shell Jackets: Maximum Water and Wind Protection

For extreme outdoor conditions, a hard shell jacket is your best defense. These jackets are fully waterproof and windproof, designed to keep rain, snow, and cold air at bay. Hard shell jackets feature advanced technology like eVent® fabrics, which allow sweat to escape while preventing water from entering, making them ideal for mountaineering, skiing, or any high-intensity outdoor activity. Although not as breathable as soft shell jackets, they provide unparalleled protection in harsh weather.

Technology Guide: Fleece, Soft Shell & Hard Shell

• Polartec® Fleece: Offers a durable, non-pilling surface with moisture-wicking properties to keep you dry and comfortable during any outdoor activity. Its high stretch allows for flexibility without compromising warmth.

• Dura Shield Fleece: A microfleece fabric known for its lightweight warmth and durability. It’s perfect for long-lasting performance and comfort, offering excellent abrasion resistance and thermal insulation.

• Firestorm Micro Fleece: Made from high-quality denier yarn, this fleece traps warmth while resisting moisture, ensuring optimal warmth and protection in cold conditions.

• First Ascent Light Speed Series: Engineered for fast and light movement, these lightweight, packable products are perfect for high-speed outdoor adventures and weekend trips.

Soft Shell Technology

• Edge Series: Designed for serious athletes, this range incorporates advanced proprietary technology and high-performance materials for durability and comfort in any weather.

• Fusion Soft-Shell: Combining the warmth of fleece with the water and wind resistance of a hard shell, these fabrics offer excellent performance for high-intensity activities, except in prolonged wet conditions.

Hard Shell Technology

• eVent® Fabrics: Patented Direct Venting Technology ensures maximum breathability and waterproofness, allowing sweat to escape while keeping rain and snow out.

• The products that bear the Edge Series logo are a collection developed for the most serious athlete. Products feature our advanced propriety technology, incorporating the best materials and designs available.

• Thermo-Shield Insulation: A next-generation synthetic insulation that offers an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, providing warmth even when wet.

• Microtex Fabric: Fully waterproof and breathable, Microtex fabrics ensure top-tier performance in extreme outdoor conditions, with a minimum of 5000mm waterproof rating and 5000g/m² breathability.

• Firestorm Micro Fleece: These fleece fabrics are made of the highest quality denier yarn. Their fibres create multiple air cells that trap warmth inside and give superior protection against cold. No moisture retention, excellent weight to warmth ratio and a velour finish which ensures good washability and abrasion resistance. We offer this in a variety of weights.

• First Ascent Light Speed Series is a selection of products that have been specially developed for moving fast and light. Fabrics are lightweight and packable. Designs are minimalist and great for "done in a day" activities and weekend adventures, like adventure racing and alpine style ascents.

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