Conquer the Elements

This final article in our layering series is on outerwear. We've covered the base layer and midlayers, which provide moisture wicking and warmth. Now to keep out the elements.

The outerwear layer is for weather protection and should be both waterproof and windproof. "Hardshell" is often the term to describe outerwear that is both waterproof and windproof.

There are several waterproof fabrics available, but a feature you certainly want is for it to be waterproof-breathable. Non-breathable and waterproof outerwear is available, but isn't suited for the outdoors. All of our hardshells are waterproof-breathable, allowing your heat vapor to "breathe" outside of the jacket without letting the rain into the jacket. This makes for a much more comfortable rainy day outing.

Waterproof-breathable fabrics can be separated into two categories: coatings and laminates (sometimes called membranes). Coatings are applied to a jacket, often utilizing a very small textured pattern to keep the jacket from feeling clammy or sticky. Examples of coatings are Marmot PreCip, Mountain Hardwear Conduit DT, and The North Face Hyvent.

Lamintes/Membranes are separate piece of fabric constructed onto the face fabric (the outermost fabric). Gore-Tex is the most well known membrane and is one of the best performing materials. Companies also have their own proprietary membranes such as Marmot Membrain, Mountain Hardwear Conduit, and The North Face Hyvent Alpha.

The difference between the materials is mostly in durability. A membrane is much more durable than a coating. Further durability can be achieved through different face and inner fabrics. You would want a more durable face fabric for activities requiring greater abrasion resistance, but that can be independent from the waterproof/breathable material.

Pricing for outerwear tends to line up first with the material used: coatings tend to be cheapest, then proprietary membranes, and Gore-Tex is often at the top. Price differences are secondarily a result of other features and technology used. You will certainly get your money's worth out of all the hardshells we carry.

So which hardshell is right for you? Well, that is completely dependant on your activity. Fortunately, we know our way around hardshells and can help you find the perfect one for your needs.

A quick note about softshells. So far we've been talking about hardshells, which, as mentioned, are both waterproof and windproof. Softshells are water- and wind-resistant, and are often combined with a fleece lining. The weather resistance and insulative properties of softshells can vary greatly from one piece to another, but they are generally designed for high-aerobic activites where breathability is more important than full-on weather protection. Activites like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, and cool weather trail running are perfect for softshells. They are not a replacement for hardshells if full weather proofness is required, but they can replace some of your fleece midlayers. The extra weather resistance can keep the less breathable hardshell a little further down in your pack.

So come talk to us about what you're doing and we can help you find the right hardshell or softshell. You can take a look at our selection online as well.