Outdoor Fabric vs. Softshell: A Comparison of Outdoor Materials

Choosing the right material for outdoor clothing and accessories is key to comfort and safety during activities. Two popular materials that often come up in the context of outdoor gear are Outdoor Fabric and Softshell. While both are designed for outdoor use, their properties, construction, and applications differ significantly. Understanding these differences is crucial for making an informed decision about which fabric will be best for your needs.

In this article, we’ll deeply compare Outdoor Fabric vs. Softshell, analyzing their durability, waterproofing, breathability, and typical uses. We’ll advise you on when a softshell jacket will be your best ally and when it’s worth opting for the ruggedness of Outdoor Fabric. Learn about the key technical parameters, technologies, and coatings used in these materials, and find out what to look for when choosing clothing and accessories for your outdoor adventures.

Key Differences Between Outdoor Fabric and Softshell

Although both Outdoor Fabric and Softshell are outdoor materials, their purpose and characteristics differ significantly.

Mechanical Strength and Abrasion Resistance

Outdoor Fabric is a material with exceptional mechanical strength and abrasion resistance. Its dense weave and PVC coating make it extremely durable and resistant to damage, ideal for intensive use. Softshell, while also durable, focuses more on flexibility and comfort, not offering the same extreme abrasion resistance as Outdoor Fabric.

Waterproofing and Protection Against Weather Conditions

Here, significant differences emerge. Outdoor Fabric, thanks to its PVC coating, often provides high waterproofing, making it ideal for manufacturing backpacks, bags, or shelters that need to protect their contents from rain. Softshell, on the other hand, while protecting against wind and often being water-resistant (thanks to its membrane and DWR coating), its main task is to provide protection and breathability, not absolute impermeability in heavy rain. It’s not a fully waterproof membrane material like Hardshell or Gore-Tex.

Breathability and User Comfort

In terms of breathability, Softshell definitely wins. Its membrane construction allows for efficient moisture wicking, which increases comfort during active pursuits. Outdoor Fabric, however, is much less breathable due to its dense structure and coating, making it unsuitable for direct skin contact in clothing where ventilation is required.

Characteristics of Outdoor Fabric

Before we go into a detailed comparison, let’s take a closer look at Outdoor Fabric.

Construction and Composition: Polyester with PVC Coating

Outdoor Fabric is typically a polyester fabric with a very dense weave, which is additionally coated with a layer of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) on the underside. It is this coating that gives it its unique properties.

Technical Properties: Abrasion, Tear, and UV Resistance

The main properties of Outdoor Fabric are its phenomenal resistance to abrasion, tearing, and mechanical damage. It is also resistant to UV radiation, which prevents color fading and material degradation from sunlight.

Typical Applications: Backpacks, Bags, Shelters, Workwear

Due to its durability and waterproofing, Outdoor Fabric is widely used in the production of:

• Backpacks and travel bags, where resistance to chafing and moisture is important.
• Equipment covers, tents, and shelters.
• Elements of workwear, where high resistance to damage is required.

Characteristics of Softshell Material

Now let’s focus on softshell material.

Construction and Composition: Fabric with Membrane and DWR Coating

Softshell material is usually a three-layer construction. The outer layer of the material is a flexible fabric (e.g., polyester or nylon), which is designed to protect against wind and light rain. Beneath it is a membrane that provides breathability and partial waterproofing. On the inside, there is often a soft fleece or other material that increases thermal comfort. The outer surface is often covered with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating, which makes water bead up and run off the surface instead of soaking in.

Technical Properties: Breathability, Flexibility, Wind Protection

The main properties of softshell are its excellent breathability, flexibility (which provides freedom of movement), and wind protection. This makes it an ideal outer material for changeable weather conditions when we need both warmth and moisture wicking.

Typical Applications: Outdoor Jackets, Sportswear, and Workwear

Softshell is primarily used for the production of:

• Softshell jackets and sweatshirts, which are popular for hiking, running, cycling, or climbing.
• Outdoor pants and sportswear.
• Some elements of workwear, where freedom of movement and wind protection are important.

Comparison of Technical Parameters

To better understand the differences between Outdoor Fabric and Softshell, let’s compare their key parameters.

Waterproofing: mm of Water Column and Applied Coatings

• Outdoor Fabric: The waterproofing of Outdoor Fabric is usually very high, often reaching values of 5000-10000 mm of water column or more, thanks to the thick PVC coating. This means it provides high waterproofing and can withstand heavy rainfall.
• Softshell: The waterproofing of Softshell varies. These materials can have waterproofing from 1000 mm to approximately 8000-10000 mm of water column (depending on the quality of the membrane and DWR coating). They are not fully waterproof membranes (such as Gore-Tex or Hardshell), which are completely impermeable to water, but they provide good protection against rain and moisture in moderate conditions.

Breathability: Moisture Vapor Permeability Coefficient

• Outdoor Fabric: Breathability is negligible. This material is not designed to wick moisture away from the body.
• Softshell: Has high breathability, measured by the MVTR (Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate) or RET coefficient. A high MVTR or low RET means that the softshell material effectively wicks water vapor (sweat) to the outside, which is crucial during physical activity. Protection and breathability are its main advantages.

Abrasion and Tear Resistance

• Outdoor Fabric: Exceptionally high abrasion and tear resistance, making it an ideal choice where the material is exposed to mechanical damage.
• Softshell: Good abrasion and tear resistance for an outer garment material, but it doesn’t match the durability of Outdoor Fabric.

Fabric Weight (Grammage) and Impact on Durability

Fabric weight (g/m²) directly impacts its durability. Higher weight usually means a denser weave and greater wear resistance. Both Outdoor Fabric and Softshell come in various weights, adapted to specific applications.

Technologies and Coatings Used in Materials

Both Outdoor Fabric and Softshell owe their properties to special technologies and coatings.

PVC and Teflon in Outdoor Fabric

In Outdoor Fabric, the PVC coating plays a key role, giving it waterproofing and stiffness. Sometimes, a Teflon coating is also applied to the outer layer, which increases resistance to stains and dirt.

Membrane and DWR in Softshell

In Softshell, the key elements are:

• Membrane: A thin layer of material (often polyurethane) that is placed between the outer and inner layers. Its microporous structure allows water vapor to pass through to the outside while blocking water droplets from entering from the outside.
• DWR (Durable Water Repellent): A special hydrophobic coating applied to the outer layer of Softshell, which causes water to bead up on the surface of the material and run off instead of penetrating. This ensures that the softshell protects well against light rain and moisture.

Fabric Impregnation and its Practical Significance

Regular DWR fabric impregnation is crucial for maintaining the waterproof properties of Softshell. Over time, the DWR coating can wear off, so it’s worth renewing it with special preparations.

Alternatives and Related Materials

In the world of outdoor fabrics, there are many alternatives and related materials.

Cordura as an Alternative to Outdoor Fabric and Softshell

Cordura is a registered brand of nylon fabrics known for exceptional durability and abrasion resistance. It’s often seen as a premium material compared to Outdoor Fabric, which is often a generic term for polyester fabrics with a coating. Cordura 500D or 1000D are popular variants with very high strength.

Differences Between Cordura, Outdoor Fabric, and Other Technical Fabrics

• Cordura: Nylon, extreme durability, often more expensive.
• Outdoor Fabric: Typically polyester with a PVC coating, very durable and waterproof, more affordable.
• Softshell: Flexible fabric with a membrane, priority is protection and breathability, not full waterproofing.
• Hardshell: Full waterproofing and windproofing thanks to a membrane (e.g., Gore-Tex), but lower breathability and flexibility than Softshell. This is a solution for extreme conditions.

Practical Application in Clothing and Accessories

Let’s see where each material performs best.

Softshell Jackets and Their Functionality

A softshell jacket is a versatile piece of clothing for changeable conditions. It’s ideal for hiking, running, cycling on cooler days when we need wind protection and moderate rain protection, but also want a breathable jacket and freedom of movement. Products like the Evo jacket are excellent examples.

Outdoor Fabric in Outdoor and Work Accessories

Outdoor Fabric is indispensable where durability is key. You’ll find it in trekking backpacks, travel bags, ski covers, and also in workwear, where the material is exposed to heavy loads and friction.

Material Selection Depending on Conditions and Activity

The right material choice is the basis for successful outdoor equipment.

What to Look For When Choosing Outdoor Material

Always analyze:

• Weather conditions: Are you expecting rain, wind, low temperatures?
• Intensity of use: Will the material be exposed to chafing, or just light rain?
• Type of activity: Do you need maximum freedom of movement, or uncompromising protection?

Thermal Comfort and Mobility

Softshell offers better thermal comfort (thanks to the inner fleece layer) and significantly greater mobility (flexibility) than stiff Outdoor Fabric.

Durability and Ease of Maintenance

Outdoor Fabric is easier to maintain in terms of cleaning, but Softshell requires regular DWR fabric impregnation to maintain its properties.

Certificates and Safety Standards

Pay attention to certifications such as REACH (concerning chemical substances) and OEKO-TEX® (guaranteeing the absence of harmful substances). These confirm the quality and safety of the material.

Summary: Which Material to Choose?

The decision between Outdoor Fabric and Softshell comes down to the purpose the product is meant to serve.

When Outdoor Fabric Is Better

Outdoor Fabric will be better when you need:

• Extreme mechanical strength and abrasion resistance.
• High waterproofing and moisture protection for backpacks, bags, covers, or elements of workwear.
• A material that will not have direct skin contact and does not require high breathability.

When to Opt for Softshell

Softshell is an ideal choice when you care about:

• Protection and breathability simultaneously.
• Protection against wind and moderate rain.
• Freedom of movement and flexibility during physical activity.
• Thermal comfort on cooler, but not freezing, days.
• A versatile softshell jacket for outdoor activities such as hiking or cycling.

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