Looking after a softshell

Have you heard about softshell jackets?

Softshell fabric is assembled from various layers that each bring a specific characteristic to the finished textile. Between insulating against the cold and wind, breathability and water-repellent properties, softshell offers multi-layered and multifunctional protection, making it an all-in-one product highly prized by sports enthusiasts and professionals who want to be covered, but without being hampered.

Softshell technology also consists of reproducing the layering of clothes in a single item, making it extremely practical.

The different types of softshell jackets and their uses

When it comes to choosing the right softshell jacket, some features are indispensable:

• Slim fit, perfectly matching the body and following its movements without restriction
• Zip fastening, protected at the end so that it can be fastened to the top without pinching the neck
• Side pockets, practical for sliding your hands in or storing small items such as a phone or barcode scanner.

Our selection for outdoor sports when the temperature drops :

For skiing or hiking in the mountains, it would be advisable to look for a warm 3-layer style, such as this lined hooded softshell parka from Kariban (K650). Its high neck and hood provide excellent thermal insulation and, if it’s really cold, this style can also be combined with an extra fleece jacket, such as Kariban’s K911 style, to be worn under the parka.

Our selection for a long mid-season hike

For a walk in the forest or a hike in pleasant weather, Kariban’s softshell body warmer for men (K403) or ladies (K404) is ideal.

It will keep you warm with its three layers while its sleeveless style makes it lighter to transport, an undeniable bonus for a long day of walking!

Our selection for a logistics, construction or security professional

Softshell technology can even be combined with reflective textiles. The proof comes in the form of this high-visibility softshell jacket from Result R450X, which is warm, light and economic. It is suitable for logistics professions that involve being visible when the light is poor, but without being hampered by a jacket that would be too bulky.

Our selection for outdoor professions (gardener, delivery operative, tradesperson, etc.)

Are you looking for the ideal jacket for people who work outdoors? Consider styles with several pockets, practical for storing a pen, wallet or notebook. A detachable hood can also be a bonus, as in the K413 from Kariban. This jacket can be worn over a polo shirt, for example, for a smarter and more conventional look, as in the case of a site manager, for example.

Looking after your softshell jacket

Whether in the worlds of sports or work, softshell jackets are often put through their paces: perspiration, bad weather, dirt, residue… This means they have to be looked after properly to preserve the effectiveness of the garment and its characteristics. Poor care may interfere with the jacket’s water-repellent, breathable and insulating properties.

Regular maintenance after every use

We do not recommend washing your softshell jacket in the washing machine every week. On the other hand, to space out the washes, we highly recommend cleaning it by hand, with a slightly damp cloth, after each wearing. This will remove any residue that may have built up after a hike or a day at work (mud, dust, etc.) It should then be stored in a dry place to make sure any humidity in the air does not damage the fabrics.

Machine wash at 30° with a gentle detergent but without fabric softener

From time to time, a softshell jacket can be washed in the machine, provided a few precautions are taken. The jacket should be washed on its own, without any other garments to avoid friction with other fabrics, buttons or fastenings. Recommendations may vary between styles, but a maximum of 30° is always preferable for the wash, if possible on a delicates programme and with a very gentle detergent. Before washing, try to remember to turn the jacket inside out and close the zip fastenings. Fabric softeners, bleaching agents and stain removers, which may clog up the materials and damage their breathable and water-repellent features, should be avoided at all costs.

Air dry and waterproof the fabric

Finally, we recommend skipping the spin cycle and avoiding the tumble dryer, again to make sure you don’t damage the softshell. Instead it would be better to air dry the garment and even better to do so on a hanger so that it can keep its shape.

Once washed and dried, you may want to apply a waterproofing spray to restore the water-repellent layer to full effectiveness.

Softshell garments are becoming increasingly popular with professionals and sports enthusiasts alike and their design is compatible with the environmental goals and expectations of customers: eco-friendly materials, high visibility technology, different degrees of insulation and waterproofing, new colourways… There is no doubt that softshell fabric is, and will remain in constant evolution, to offer styles that are increasingly technical and high performance.