10 Best Softshell Jackets [Updated 2023]

Mountain Hardwear KOR

The Mountain Hardwear KOR softshell jacket is super light and folds neatly away into its own pocket, making for easy and practical storage in your backpack. It stuffs down pretty small, so you can keep it in an outer pocket and access it quickly when you really need it.

It’s made from Pertex Quantum Air Ripstop fabric which is durable and very breathable so that you don’t overheat on those steep ascents. The material is also great at keeping the wind out and is coated with a water repellent treatment that ensures you don’t get too wet in a downpour.

The hem, hood, and cuffs are elasticated to make sure the jacket stays in place and doesn’t ride up or move around in strong winds. There’s also a chin guard and wind flaps to protect your face when those bitterly cold winds come through.

It’s designed as a mid-layer, so you can wear it over your base and pre-mid layer or under your final outer layer. It has two harness-compatible zippered hand pockets to keep your hands warm too.

This is a great softshell jacket at a good price.

Arc'teryx Gamma LT

Arc’teryx is one of the top manufacturers when it comes to outdoor clothing and the Arc’teryx Gamma LT softshell jacket got its inspiration from the need for a rock climbing jacket and was then refined to make it ideal for any outdoor use.

The Arc’teryx  Gamma LT is one of the best quality softshell jackets around and it should be at over $200. It truly is an investment but well worth it if you spend a lot of time being active at high altitudes or in chilly windy wet conditions.

Made from Wee Burly Double Weave fabric, the jacket offers great weather protection – firstly from the wind, but also while being breathable enough to stop you from sweating. This is key to staying warm, as sweating creates moisture in your base layers which can make you very cold.

The Wee Burly Double Weave fabric stretches in 4 directions, is water-repellent and it’s tough. The stretch and durability make the jacket very abrasion resistant so it won’t rip while you’re doing any adventure activity.

The jacket comes with elastic cuffs and a drawstring base to keep it in place. And for all you climbers out there, the hood is also large enough to go over a helmet. The front zipper is also made to keep water out and stop your inner layers from getting damp.

Note: If you are looking for a nice Arcteryx down jacket to go with it, try the Cerium or Thorium.

This is definitely one of the top softshell jackets, especially if you’re planning on some adventure sports but it’s very expensive. Remember, there is also the Arc’teryx Gamma LT Hoody if you want that little extra head warmth on a cold day too.

RAB Kinetic Plus

If your time in the outdoors is quite often spent in a very rainy area or you simply hate getting wet, then the RAB Kinetic Plus is a great soft jacket for you. Most softshells aren’t waterproof in order to keep them breathable but the Kinetic Plus is a little different.

Rab has created its own Proflex fabric that is not only stretchy and breathable but waterproof too. They have added a hydrophobic membrane between two layers of polyester and dropped it in a moisture-wicking lining on the inside to ensure you stay dry.

The zippers all have water guards and the seams are sealed to stop moisture from getting in. And the hood is stiff to protect your face in heavy rain. You couldn’t be more protected from getting wet.

The side pockets are deep for keeping your hands warm and storing anything you want to have quick access to like your phone or camera.

This is an awesome softshell that’s perfect for keeping you warm and dry in heavy rainfall while still having all the breathable, windproof qualities of a normal softshell. Of course, if you hike often in the wet, you definitely need a rain jacket or hardshell to really keep you dry.

Black Diamond Alpine Start

The Black Diamond Alpine Start was originally designed for climbers. It is a handy softshell that packs into its own pocket that you can then clip onto your harness. It has found a greater purpose than just being a standby climbing jacket and is perfect for shielding you against gusty winds and light rainfall with its built-in weather resistance.

It packs down very small, making it an ideal match for your backpack’s outer pocket which you can access quickly if a sudden gust or shower catch you by surprise. It’s made from a Schoeller fabric that is durable and stretchy.

The fabric has been treated with Nanosphere technology to repel dirt and water. It’s by no means waterproof but will keep you protected from light showers. The jacket is quite long to protect you from the wind and the sleeves are made to be a bit loose to give you full arm movement.

There’s only one pocket on the Black Diamond Alpine Start softshell jacket. It’s quite roomy for any valuables you might want to keep close by, but it would be nice to have some hand pockets too.

The Alpine Start is a great lightweight softshell jacket for long hikes, but it is just that. Also handy if you’re a climber.

Patagonia Nano Air

Patagonia love pushing the boundaries and the Nano Air is one of their best efforts yet. It is both a casual and active wear jacket, so has you covered for a trip into town as well as winter hiking or ski touring.

The stretchy fabric they use – in all the right places – means it’s a joy to wear no matter what activity you are doing. It’s made using polyester, and 87% of it is recycled. Another of Patagonia’s great benefits – they love the outdoors and want to protect it as well.

Although this jacket is meant to be worn as an in-between softshell, it also acts well as a decent mid-layer too. It comes with synthetic insulation (60g weight) that also stretches with you, and allows air through. Great news if you are sweating your way up an incline in snowshoes or touring, as having to constantly take off your jacket on a tour is something I absolutely loathe!

Patagonia loves details too, and the Nano Air has them in spades. The handy pulls on all the zippers mean you won’t be fumbling with gloves on, and the large zippered chest pocket is great for storing maps and other quick-access items. The chin guard is also high enough to make a huge difference in the cold and wind, but not so high it’s annoying when you don’t need it.

On top of that, the elastic cuffs are going to keep the wind out when things get nasty too. And, this jacket folds into its own pocket, so it’s easy to stow and have with you at all times.

All in all, this is a great option for those of you who love to keep active in fall or winter and want something that looks great oo.

The North Face Apex Risor

If you’re looking for a jacket that comes into its own in windy, cold conditions, then The North Face Apex Risor is right up your street. It’s made to be warm and windproof to keep you comfortable no matter the weather.

The jacket is made from WindWall fabric which, as it sounds, is 100% windproof. It has a fleece lining to keep you warm when the winds blow like ice. The outside is has a durable water-repellent finish that makes the jacket virtually waterproof. If you like being on the top of mountains, this jacket will have you back, literally.

It has a loose but not sloppy fit to give you a full range of movement even with a backpack on. The cuffs are semi-elasticated to keep the sleeves from riding up and the zipper is durable and almost completely weatherproof.

There are three pockets, two for your hands, and one zippered chest pocket for easy storage and quick access to anything you want to carry on your person.

The North Face Apex is an extremely durable and warm softshell that’s ideal for spending time on cold windy mountains. Of course, it’s no Gore-tex jacket, but it does have some water resistance.

Marmot ROM

The Marmot ROM (Range Of Motion) is designed to move with you. Whether you’re climbing a wall or navigating a gorge the jacket is completely unrestrictive to give you a full range of movement and get you through any kind of terrain comfortably.

This softshell has a zonal design so as not to inhibit movement. The arms are made with Angel-Wing Movement, the sides are breathable and stretchy for air and flexibility, while the cuffs, hem, and hood are all adjustable to keep the warmth in.

The ROM is made from a combination of Marmot M2 softshell and Gore Windstopper fabrics that make the jacket breathable, windproof, highly water-resistant, and comfortable.

There are three pockets, two on the sides and one on the chest. Perfect for storing any valuables and keeping your hands warm at the same time. It is a bit heavier than other jackets in the review but a few extra ounces aren’t much to worry about.

A great jacket overall, perfect for any adventure.

Outdoor Research Ferrosi

If you’re looking for a good value allrounder softshell that can handle most of what the outdoors can throw at it, then the Outdoor Research Ferrosi should be top of your list. Outdoor Research really did think of everything a softshell needs when they made the Ferrosi.

This softshell jacket is made with a hybrid-mapped construction. What is that you might ask. This means that they have strategically placed the right fabrics, insulation, and technology around the jacket to give your body the greatest benefit. Smart hey.

This Outdoor Research Ferrosi Jacket features reinforced shoulders and sleeves to reduce abrasion. The hood is adjustable, the hem has an elastic drawcord to fit, there are elastic cuffs to stop the sleeves riding up, and the YKK zipper is treated to be water repellent.

This jacket is made of a huge combination of materials to ensure its quick-drying, breathable, light, water-resistant, wind-resistant, UPF 50+, gives freedom of movement, and more.

There are three pockets; two on the sides for your hands and one on the sleeve which doubles up as a stuff sack, ideal for easy storage and quick access. There is a key clip and a carabiner loop too.

The Outdoor Research Ferrosi is an awesome jacket that comes at a great price and is fit for any occasion.

Marmot Tempo

The Marmot Tempo is another great all-round softshell for any outdoor activity. It’s been designed so that you don’t overheat while running around the outdoors.

The M3 softshell fabric keeps you warm and dry, protecting you from wind and the odd shower. It’s not made to deal with anything but light rain and if you’re looking for something that’s good in heavy rain, this is not it.

Where the Tempo does excel is during high tempo activities, like running and climbing. It’s exceptionally breathable to ensure you don’t sweat while you’re being active. It features Marmots Angle Wing Design, ensuring your arms aren’t restricted from moving freely while you’re clambering around.

The cuffs are elasticated and the hem is adjustable to ensure the jacket doesn’t ride up. This keeps you protected and stops you from having to adjust and faff around your jacket while you’re busy having fun.

There are three pockets, one on the chest for your valuables and two on the sides for keeping your hands warm.

Under Armour Barrage

The Under Armour Barrage is a pretty solid allrounder too as far as soft shell jackets go. It’s made to be light and warm for those long days in the outdoors.

Made from 100% polyester, it features a bonded three-layer design including a warm brushed inner layer.  The inner layer is effective at wicking moisture from your skin and circulating your body heat, to keep you warm but not too warm.

The fabric is treated with UA Storm technology to repel water while still being breathable. And the outer layer is made with windproof construction to keep protected from those icy gusts we all know and kind of love.

The jacket comes with hand pockets and in a range of colors. It’s pretty good value too.

Columbia Ascender

The Columbia Ascender is perfect for those that don’t venture into the extreme that often, but who want a quality soft shell.

It’s made from quality polyester that is good at keeping you warm and dry. It’s wind-resistant and water-resistant to a point but it’s not made for heavy downpours and strong icy winds. You’ll need another layer on top of the Ascender in those conditions.

It has a narrow fit to it and comes with bounded cuffs, an adjustable drawcord hem, and a quality zipper to give you a good fit. There are two zippered handwarmer pockets too so you can keep your digits toasty on the trail.

Overall a great value soft shell for everyday use.