1. What Does “Softshell Jacket” Actually Mean?
A softshell jacket is a flexible outer layer designed to protect you from wind and light rain while letting your body breathe.
Unlike stiff hardshell raincoats, softshells feel like armor that moves — ideal for outdoor work, hiking, or cold-weather training.
They combine durability with stretch, giving you protection without the bulky, plastic feel of traditional waterproof gear.
2. What Material Is a Softshell Jacket Made From?
Most softshell jackets use a woven polyester or nylon blend with a water-repellent DWR coating on the outside and a soft brushed fleece or thermal knit inside.
That dual-layer build gives the magic balance:
- Outer shell: blocks wind, sheds light rain.
- Inner layer: traps warmth, wicks away moisture.
Higher-end versions (like Lazarel’s Patex Durashell™) add a hydrophobic membrane and reinforced seams for full waterproofing — something cheaper softshells skip.
3. How Warm Is a Softshell Jacket?
Softshells aren’t down puffers, but they’re far warmer than you’d think.
They trap body heat effectively because the inner fleece and wind-blocking shell create a micro-climate around you.
The result:
- Warm enough for autumn → early winter, even in wind or drizzle.
- Breathable enough for physical work or hiking without overheating.
That’s why pros prefer them to heavy coats — warmth you can move in.
4. Which Is Warmer — Fleece or Softshell?
Fleece alone is warm indoors or under a shell, but it fails the moment wind or rain hits.
Softshells, on the other hand, seal warmth and block wind.
In simple terms:
- Fleece = insulation only.
- Softshell = insulation + weather protection.
That’s why most modern outdoor gear combines the two — and why the Alpha One uses a polar fleece inner lining under a 10 000 mm waterproof shell.
5. Why the Right Softshell Matters
Not all softshells are equal.
Cheap ones peel, soak, or lose shape after a single season.
Once water sneaks through, the jacket becomes useless — cold, heavy, and miserable.
The Lazarel Alpha One Softshell Set was built to fix those exact problems:
- High-performance Poly+ outer shell — fully waterproof, windproof.
- Polar fleece core — thermal comfort without bulk.
- Flat-Fell Seams + LAZA™ Smooth Zippers — no leaks, no jams.
- Reinforced knees & elbows + adjustable waist and cuffs.
- Full set (jacket + pants) = top-to-bottom weather protection.
So instead of asking “how to stay warm in a softshell,” you can ask “which color of Alpha One should I get?”
6. Final Word — Don’t Settle for Half Protection
If you’re investing in outerwear, go beyond marketing labels.
A true softshell should keep you dry in real rain, not just “repel drizzle.”
The Alpha One Softshell Set delivers what most jackets promise:
rugged waterproofing, controlled warmth, and all-day comfort that lasts for years.
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