Softshell has revolutionized outdoor wear, and the US military has proven that it also rocks in modern military applications. A quality softshell jacket is hot shit for modern military units operating outside summer temperatures. Very breathable, windproof, and quick-drying. This article provides some guidance on when and how to use softshell in a tactical environment. It also answers many common questions.
Softshell in military use
The history of softshell garments is somewhat shrouded in mystery, since many claim to have invented the concept. What we do know is that it happened in the late 20th century, and one possible name that pops up is Maiden Mills. It was originally a civilian outdoor garment, but was adopted for military use fairly soon.
When the USA entered the war in Afghanistan, US forces ended up in extreme cold conditions and found out the hard way that their clothing system sucked there. Their complaints led to the development of the cold-weather clothing system known as the Protective Combat Uniform (PCU). The system is divided into seven interchangeable "layers" that can be mixed and matched to protect against different weather conditions. Level 5 - Soft Shell Jacket and Pants are the cornerstone of the PCU system.
Are all softshell jackets similar?
No. There are two types of softshell jackets: the thicker, lined softshell and the thinner and more breathable unlined softshell. Furthermore, the quality varies from cheap sweatshop crap to high-quality garments made for professional use.
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Thinner softshell lacks a lining and a membrane. Water resistance is achieved through surface impregnation. These softshells are more breathable and better suited for active use, such as rucking and hiking. Warmth is regulated with base and mid-layers.
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Thicker softshell features a fleece lining under the windproof outer and often a membrane. It offers better water and wind resistance, but breathability is a lot poorer. Warmth is regulated by removing the hot garment altogether.
How to use a softshell jacket?
A true softshell is a very versatile jacket for demanding physical activities, such as marching or hiking, and under variable weather conditions, from cooler Finnish summer days to snowy winters. In military use, it replaces the regular uniform jacket outside hot summer days.
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Active movement: Pair the softshell with a Merino wool base layer. The wool wicks; the softshell breathes and blocks the wind. If you get cold, add more merino wool underneath. If you get overheated, reduce underlayers and open ventilation zips.
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Halt: When movement stops, you start losing heat. Add insulation layers to trap that heat.
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Biblical rainstorm: Throw a rain poncho or rain anorak on top of the softshell or switch to a hardshell.
What is the best temperature range for a softshell jacket?
A lightweight softshell jacket without a fleece lining is designed for the +15°C to -10°C" range (59 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit). So, in Finland, it is a three-season jacket for active use. There are also thicker fleece-lined softshells that are better suited for less active or colder weather use.
What should a soldier look for in a high-quality softshell?
Make sure that the softshell is made from high-quality, thin, breathable materials
The OG softshell, made from synthetic fleece and a laminated outer layer, is bulky and breathes very poorly. It is not suited for strenuous military use, because you get overheated very easily. The proper way to adapt to different weather conditions is layered clothing. If it gets colder, add a merino wool base and mid-layers underneath.
Make sure that the hood fits your helmet
Civilian softshells might not be designed to accommodate a helmet.
Make sure that the softshell is NIR-compliant
It is not enough to have a camo pattern. That pattern should also be able to hide you from common night-vision devices.
Check that the softshell is designed to be used with plate carriers and rucksacks
You should look for details such as raglan sleeves without a seam at the top and a smart zipper design.
Select a large enough size
For versatility, you should have enough space for warmer mid-layers underneath. Some softshells (like ours) have accounted for this in their sizing. Check that beforehand.
Look at the price
There are loads of cheap Chinese softshell jackets on the market, but they are unsuited for professional military use. Quality softshells are made from durable, NIR-compatible technical fabrics. The downside of these fabrics is their high cost. European and US production is also more expensive than Chinese production, but it can also affect supply security.
Softshell vs. hardshell: Which one do I need for a ruck?
In heavy exercise such as rucking, you want your clothes to be breathable rather than waterproof, which favors a softshell. When marching in rain gear, you aren't getting wet from the rain; you’re drowning in sweat. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule:
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Rainstorm in cold weather: Put a rain anorak or rain poncho on top of the softshell or switch to a hardshell.
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Hot weather: Use a regular field uniform
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Very cold winter: Use an appropriate winter combat uniform combined with suitable layers.
Tactical softshell vs. civilian softshell: What’s the difference?
Military softshell requirements differ significantly from the civilian ones. Camo patterns need to be mil-spec and NIR-compliant. The hood must be large enough to accommodate the helmet, and you also need to ensure the softshell is compatible with plate carriers, backpacks, and chest rigs. Materials must, of course, be durable enough to survive harsh military use.
The good thing is that mil-spec softshells are excellent for civilian use, too. So if you need a softshell jacket for both military and civilian use, just get the mil-spec one.
How waterproof is a softshell jacket in heavy rain?
Modern softshell jackets are not waterproof, but they are often water-repellent. For example, our L3 Softshell Jacket features a PFC-free DWR treatment, making it resistant to light drizzle. The idea of a modern softshell jacket is to be very breathable, which it cannot be if it is waterproof.
Another good thing about a lightweight softshell jacket is its quick-drying properties. So, if it gets soaked, it will dry very quickly. In some cases, your body heat can dry it while on a heavy ruck. If you want to stay fully dry in a rainstorm, put on a rain poncho, a rain anorak, or switch to a hardshell jacket.
Old-school softshell jackets sometimes have a waterproof membrane, but then the breathability suffers drastically.
Is softshell windproof?
Thanks to its tightly woven structure and specialized technologies, softshell fabric offers excellent wind resistance. For example, our L3 Softshell Jacket is classified as windproof. This makes it a reliable option for military and outdoor activities where wind exposure is a concern.
Is a softshell jacket warmer than a fleece?
Some are, and some aren’t. Old-school softshell jackets have a fleece lining and a windproof outer layer, making them warmer than just a fleece. Modern, lightweight softshell jackets don’t have a lining because they emphasize breathability over warmth. But they are still windproof. Warmth is regulated by merino wool base and midlayers.
Can I wear a softshell jacket under a plate carrier or a pack?
A mil-spec softshell jacket pairs comfortably with a plate carrier, backpack, or chest rig.
For example, our L3 Softshell Jacket features raglan sleeves to prevent the extra load from chafing your shoulders raw. Furthermore, the pocket zippers are on the sides, removing the zip pulls and such from the chest region, which might chafe or cling to things.
Why are some softshell jackets more expensive than others?
The price of a softshell jacket depends on four factors: the quality, features, manufacturing country, and brand. Cheap Chinese jackets made from inferior materials and poorly designed features are cheaper than mil-spec jackets made in Europe.
The market is flooded with cheap Chinese "tactical" jackets featuring an asthmatic polyester fleece glued to a thick outer shell. They don’t breathe, they’re bulky, and they suck in military use. High-quality military softshells require carefully designed tactical features, expensive, technical materials to balance durability, stretch, and NIR compliance.
Production in Europe is, of course, also more expensive than in China. Quality-wise, not all Chinese products are crap. You can also get good stuff from China. However, European production also provides much better security of supply, which is vital in the military world. If China ends up on the opposing side in a conflict, they will prevent you from getting your Chinese-made gear when you really need it.
The brand logo can also significantly raise the price. If you compare two softshells from different manufacturers, check the materials, features, and the country of origin. Expensive jackets made in China usually have a brand premium built into the price.
The Final Verdict
In modern warfare, your gear is either an asset or a liability. The era of the "tactical trash bag"—those heavy, non-breathable membranes that turn a simple ruck into a portable sauna—is over.
When you’re operating on the edge of exhaustion, your worst enemy isn't always the person in the opposite treeline. It can also be the moisture management inside your kit. If you’re soaked in sweat after a high-intensity push, and the temperature drops or the mission shifts to a static overwatch, moisture drags you toward hypothermia.
Choosing a non-NIR-spec craptical jacket from a generic web store can be a very costly mistake. In the enemy’s NVGs, a low-quality jacket can glow like a neon sign, stripping away the concealment your life depends on.
A professional-grade softshell isn’t a fancy fashion statement; it’s the layer that allows you to keep moving when the wind is biting and the drizzle is constant, without the suffocating heat of a hardshell.
Invest in quality materials that breathe, designs that don’t chafe under your plates, and gear that is built where the supply lines won't vanish when the shooting starts. Whether you’re rucking through the slush of a Finnish spring or holding a line in a mountain pass, your softshell should be the last thing on your mind—because it’s doing its job, so you can do yours.
Choose right, layer smart, and stay in the fight.