8 Best Hardshell Jackets In 2020

How To Choose A Hardshell Jacket – Buying Guide

Like with any other piece of equipment, it’s more than useful to know what it can offer you and what you should expect in terms of performance. This is especially true if a product is a bit pricey, and meant to last for a long time. Take a look.

Suitability and Use

As we mentioned, this is an all-around product. You won’t use it just for camping, you may use it as your everyday rain protection, hiking, skiing or other activities. Based on your preference and intended use, you want a jacket that offers particular features. For example, when camping you want a jacket which protects you from the weather of course, but also allows free movement and has above average durability.

On the other hand, if you’re buying a ski jacket, you want the hood to be helmet compatible and the jacket should include a powder skirt. For hiking and climbing it’s often important that it’s lightweight, and that you can use the pockets and other features without removing other gear (backpack or harness). This is certainly something worth thinking about because it will make your experience better.

Related Review: Patagonia Jacket

Waterproofing and Breathability

Hardshell jackets try to find a balance between these two opposites, so you can get the best of both. Waterproofing makes sure that no water from the outside is going to pass through. On the other hand, breathability allows water vapor to leave the jacket so you don’t get wet from your own sweat. Hardshell jackets usually have three layers to help achieve this, which we will discuss in more detail when we talk about materials.

To show how waterproof a fabric is, Hydrostatic Head (HH) rating is used, and a higher value is better. A cylinder is held against the fabric and filled with water to a certain level (in millimeters). Then you check if the fabric holds up or if there is water leakage. A fabric with at least 1000mm HH rating is considered waterproof. All hardshell jackets have way more than this, with some going over 10,000mm. Breathability means vapor passing through, and the material needs to allow it.

In addition, a DWR coating is applied on every jacket, and it improves both things we mentioned. It stands for Durable Water Repellent, and basically it prevents water from sticking to the surface of your jacket. Instead, it forms beads and rolls off the surface. The outer layer remains dry, and the jacket can breathe because vapor can leave.

This coating can last and function for a certain period. If the DWR is gone, the jacket can “wet out”. This means the outer layer gets soaked. It will still be waterproof because water can’t pass the membrane. However, it won’t be able to breathe and you will end up sweating more than you used to. Luckily, you can re-apply the coating again – we will explain how a bit later.

Mobility

Since it’s made for the outdoors, the jacket needs to remain mobile – you need to have a free movement without restrictions. This depends on the fabric as well as the design of the jacket. Nylon can be rigid sometimes, and won’t feel as comfy as some other jacket types. Heavier jackets can influence movement, so manufacturers try to make them lighter for this reason. Also, you should pay attention to length and fit, because if it’s too large it will get in your way when moving about.

Durability

This mainly depends on what the jacket is made from, and most hard shells are made to be very tough and durable. The material used for the outer layer (face) needs to be as strong as possible. Fabric quality is measured in Denier, and a higher number means thicker thread. Keep in mind that stronger fabric is heavier, so lighter jackets won’t be as durable. Durability also depends on how you take care of your jacket – if you maintain it properly it will certainly last longer.

Weather Resistance

Thanks to the materials and the design itself, a hardshell is your number one choice against nasty weather. It keeps rain, snow, and ice out, and also prevents the chilly wind from reaching your bones. Like many other features presented, this too varies from one jacket to another, so pay close attention if you plan on putting your new backpacking gear to a serious test.

Warmth

This type of jacket has pretty clear tasks, and keeping you warm isn’t one of them. Even though some products come with insulation layers, that is usually not enough when it becomes cold outside. For this reason, many models come with a looser fit – so you can wear something underneath to keep you warm. On the other hand, this can be a plus too. If you need rain protection during warmer months you can just wear it over a t-shirt and feel comfy without overheating.

Fit

This is one of the more important things because it influences the performance of your jacket. As we mentioned, you will often need to wear some layers underneath, so don’t get a jacket which is too tight, or you’ll feel constricted. On the other hand, if it’s too lose it will feel baggy and possibly allow air and water inside. The best hardshell jackets will have many drawcords to allow better adjustment. Hem and cuffs are most important for a snug fit and keeping the cold air out. You can also loosen them for better air circulation if you feel warm.

Some longer jackets come with an adjustable waist, while others allow you to tighten the hood properly. If you have the opportunity, try out the jacket before buying it, or at least see what other customers said. Carefully measure your proportions and then check the sizing so you can be sure to get the best fitting product.

Weight and Packability

The weight of your new jacket can be more or less important, depending on your situation. Hardshells generally have acceptable weight, so you most likely won’t have a problem with this. You may opt for a lighter jacket if you want to pack it and want your backpack to be as light as possible. Some shell jackets weigh as little as 10oz. However, a lighter jacket often means fewer features, because something had to be sacrificed for that weight loss.

Whether you’re going to be able to pack the jacket tightly or not depends on the material. This type of jacket is generally easy to pack because they are not bulky. Some models are larger than others though. They do take more space compared to rain jackets, but it isn’t a significant difference.

Materials

When it comes to materials, manufacturers normally use either nylon or polyester as the outer layer, with some additions underneath. Both are synthetic materials with great durability, and solid wind and water resistance. Nylon is more common because it’s excellent for waterproofing. As we mentioned earlier, hardshell jackets usually have three layers. You will hear about materials like Gore-Tex, eVent, and NanoPro. You don’t need to trouble yourself over this too much. Even though there are small differences between them, they will all work great if you take care of your jacket.

The outer layer (jacket face) is made from the mentioned materials and coated with DWR. This layer repels water and gives strength to the jacket. The middle layer is where the magic happens – it’s a special membrane that is fully waterproof on one side, but still has tiny pores that allow vapor to pass through on its way out of the jacket.

This membrane is sensitive and can get clogged with dust, dirt, oils, or other things. For this reason, there is an inner layer that serves as membrane protection. It consists of a thin polyurethane layer next to the membrane and another material which makes the jacket more comfortable to wear. Jackets with 2 and 2.5 layers also exist, and they have a different design. They are somewhat lighter, but less durable and with reduced versatility.

For the jacket to be fully effective, it needs to have waterproof seams. They are necessary when connecting fabric, and they need protection too – otherwise, water can come through. Waterproof products come with either welded or taped seams. You should certainly check this when buying a jacket. If you notice a problem, you can buy a seam sealer and fix the leak yourself.

Zippers

Quality zippers are almost as important as jacket material. It’s no use if the material is waterproof if your zippers are leaking. They need to work smoothly, so you can easily close your jacket. There are two main ways to keep the water out. The zipper can be coated with rubber, or the jacket has a storm flap that goes over the zipper. Jackets with coated zippers are usually lighter, but often more expensive. As an added feature, some jackets have two-way zippers – these allow you to unzip from the bottom if you need to adjust your pants or use the pockets, which is very handy.

Additional features

Many added features are available, depending on the model and manufacturer. Some can be found on many models, but they are designed differently. Let’s start with the hood – you can find it on most if not all hardshell jackets. However, some are removable, while others can be rolled and packed into the collar. Your head needs protection too, so a good hood can be tightened. As a bonus, some hoods are helmet-compatible, which we mentioned earlier.

For extra ventilation, some jackets have pit zips (underarm vents). By unzipping them you allow air to freely circulate and cool you down more easily after intense activity, or just when the outside temperature rises.

Pockets are a necessity, and almost all jackets have them in one way or another. But it’s not just about having them, it’s about number and placement too. You need to have enough room for all the things you need at hand. In addition, good placement allows quick access to what you need. Like the rest of the jacket, they need to be waterproof. Besides pretty standard hand pockets on each side, some products have them in the chest area, on the sleeves, and even on the inside.

FAQs

Globo Surf Overview

A mountaineering jacket is an excellent addition to your outdoor camping gear. You will get unsurpassed versatility from a product that can protect you from all types of weather. As we said, choose a jacket based on your activity. The best hardshell jackets have features that will make your experience much better. We hope our guide helped you, and you now know what to look for and how to pick out a product. You’ll certainly enjoy the outdoors more!

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Have you tried a jacket that made it onto our list? How effective is it? Are you comfortable wearing it? Is it durable? Please share your experience with us in the comment section below.