Softshell material - what is it and what is it good?

To professional or amateur activities with active sports or just a comfortable pastime in nature, fresh air, even when it comes to bad weather, whether it's snow, cold piercing wind, drizzly rain, brought pleasure, the question arises about the right choice of high-quality outerwear, the so-called Equipment. It can be athletic, walking. Often, among a wide range of goods of the textile industry, you can find suits softshell. What are they? What kind of weather are good? Of what sewn? Softshell ... What is this? Let's try to find answers to the above questions.

Softshell ... What is this term and where did it come from?

The revolutionary idea of replacing the three-layer clothing scheme with a lighter, but all-performance option, based on fleece and Pertex fabric, was suggested by the partners Buffalo. Although such clothing and remained terrible rain and strong wind, yet it has become popular with climbers. Actually, the term "softshell" for its classic version of clothing was introduced into the everyday life of environmentally friendly things and sports equipment by Patagonia. Literally in English, the term means "soft layer", but conceptually suggests the same minimization of layers of clothing necessary for a person in the cold season. Modern production technology or innovative fabric? Softshell - what is it?

Softshell is a practical, soft-touch multi-layer material. It is based on synthetic fibers (polyurethane, polyamide, lycra, polyester, cordura), but the tendency is the mixing of synthetics with natural fibers. It is made by imposing a durable, wear-resistant outer (face) layer on a softer layer, protecting against heat loss, internal (purl). Between them - a membrane layer. The thicker the fleece layer, the warmer the product. Softness on the wrong side gives a fine fibrous microvoice, which due to internal thermoregulation coming from the human body of heat remains dry even under intense physical exertion. At the same time, excess moisture will be output outside. Therefore, from a practical point of view, it is more advisable to wear things soft on a naked body.

Qualitative characteristics of softshalla

Among the basic properties of a light enough and weighty material, the following are of primary importance:

- waterproof (thanks to a special impregnation softswool fabric can repel moisture, but it does not create 100% protection from rainfall);

- dirt-repellent properties;

- protection against gusts of wind (it is characterized by the CFM: the lower it is, the higher the wind protection);

- high air permeability, lack of "vapor effect" (since it is a breathable membrane material);

- good thermal insulation;

- Elasticity (stretch dress softshell does not constrain movements, effectively tightens the body of a person, falls on the figure).

Classification of softshell products by material and production technology

Depending on the production technology, quality and quantity of layers, soft-shell products are divided into two and three layers. Three-layer: elastic top - membrane - fleece. Two-layer - fleece and top (without membrane): thermal underwear - warming; Thermal underwear - protection from wind, insulation - wind protection. They are more popular. The moisture and windproof membrane is inherent in heavy products, the absence of a membrane or its presence with wind protection is a light soft shell.

Three-layer products are called Insulated Soft Shell. Polyester or polyamide stretch, silicone impregnation, is a Non-insulated Soft Shell. Combining the properties of the two types listed above - Hybrid products.

Membrane softshell products

In membrane soft products, the upper face layer can be:

- on the basis of porous, free and combined membrane, protecting from moisture; All products are non-blowable; In view of the lowest price category, a great popularity was gained by the classical non-free base (with sealing of seams and without it);

- on the basis of porous or free-floating membranes that protect from the wind; Pore - wear-resistant, despite high stretch, breathable and waterproof properties, characterized by short-lived moisture protection; Pure - not completely blown;

- on the basis of pore membranes, partially (up to 98%) protecting from the wind, the speed of which does not exceed 50 km / h.

The inner back layer consists of:

- thin fleece (classic);

- too thin water-separating layer (light);

- long-wove warm fleece (highloft).

Soft-free softshell products

Bezsmembrannye softshell products are based on:

- dense heavy types of fabrics, which are characterized by a slight purge, high thermal insulation, suitable for moderately low temperature conditions, but do not fit well in the figure;

- light warm stretch materials, including those with a thin moisture-impregnating impregnation, which are wear-resistant, and in the cold in the windlessness with high motor activity fully justify themselves.

Purpose of softshalla

The future purpose and level of motor activity of a person will directly influence the choice of a particular type of softswool. Customer testimonials confirm that in airless products they feel very comfortable in dry weather, otherwise they may need additional wind and moisture protection in the form of storms. In the off-season in urban conditions, a raincoat and a leather jacket are able to replace membrane windproof jackets, which can become indispensable in hikes, while practicing, for example, Scandinavian walking, easy running. For the winter, it's better to purchase porous versions of soft things. Partial windproof membrane complete with lightweight 3-layer jacket - equipment for people with a high level of motor activity (crosses, ski slopes, etc.).

In what kind of weather is softshall useful?

So, the choice is made in the clothes softshell. What is the air temperature? As a rule, a person in a softshall product will feel comfortable with moderate temperature conditions. It is about 5-10 ° C below the zero mark. Fans of access to nature will not be hindered by the wind, rain or snow, unless it is a question of hurricanes and downpours. In severe weather conditions softshell can be an excellent addition to fleece clothing, thermal underwear.

Softshell products

Fast practical and comfortable outerwear, overalls, trousers, sweatshirts, gloves, even shoes and sleeping bags made of softshall material win the market of textile products. All these things are practical, durable, applicable, including in urban conditions, while walking does not rustle, allows you to save the family budget.

To a greater extent, with the products from the above-described material, it is the softswool jacket that is associated. What is it? A universal kind of clothes of different colors, convenient for trips to nature, hikes, walks - it's understandable to everyone. On the other hand, it is a compact, lightweight "2 in 1" product that simultaneously protects from the cold and replaces the raincoat. Its distinctive features are considered to be the average length of the product, covering the lower part of the body, the collar-stand, the pulling hood, saving from all kinds of rainfall, which can be hidden in a special pocket on the collar, wide sleeves with Velcro fasteners, waterproof zippers, On locks (this is a kind of design solution). This is an indispensable thing in the wardrobe, capable of emphasizing the exquisite taste and style of lovers of an active lifestyle, which, in fact, is unanimously testified by the reviews. Softshell jacket is an excellent option, which allows to resist various unpleasant moods of nature.

Are there many fakes?

How to determine if a fake is in front of you or really high-quality softshell material? What are these differences? Unfortunately, many manufacturers are missing (perhaps deliberately) the moment of manufacturability of manufacturing softshell products, so sometimes you can buy a cat in a bag or a membrane analog, and not actually softshell. In addition, now the hard-shells in their composition and production technology are very close to softshalls, the line between them is often indistinguishable or simply erased. Undoubtedly, the name of the manufacturer will say a lot about the quality of softshell products. Such aspiring manufacturers, like Marmot, The North Face, Sivera, Bask, Patagonia and others, simply can not afford a "quality average" version of softshell clothing.

Proper care

How to care for products made of softshell material? What is the temperature and washing schedule for the fabric? The answer to the question can be found on the label, but do not every time to wash things. Sometimes it is enough to wipe them with a damp microfiber. It is not recommended to clean the dirt with a brush, even with the softest bristles, as it can damage the canvas. If washing can not be avoided, it should be done manually or resort to a gentle washing regime of synthetics at 30 ° C with delicate spinning, having previously turned the product to the wrong side. It is important to refrain from abrasive agents, bleaches, use warm water, soap solution, liquid detergents, to dry in straightened form. Contraindicated: joint washing softshalla with other things, drying on radiators, heating, ironing. To damage the quality properties, including water-repellent impregnation of the product, deodorants, body creams, open fire are capable.

Follow these simple guidelines. Proper maintenance of products from softshall will save their presentable appearance and functional characteristics and extend the service life.