Softshell pour les pêcheurs : comment choisir ?

Clothing made of modern Softshell materials is definitely one of the best options for active people engaged in sports, hunting and fishing. And first of all, this is clothing for the most mobile types of such recreation. As for us, fishermen, this type of equipment will be most useful for those who prefer the most dynamic types of fishing, such as fly fishing, spinning, tenkara. Of course, softshell is also suitable for other fishermen, but all the advantages of this clothing are revealed to those who spend more time in it in motion than in a static position. Actually, these clever elastic fabrics were created for such active activities in cool weather, in order not to restrain your body with multi-layered rather stiff clothes, so that your hands and feet felt as free as possible and nothing prevented you from moving and overcoming any obstacles on your way.

Nowadays, almost every brand includes Softshell clothing in its assortment

The expression Softshell itself came to us from the distant 90s of the last century, it was invented by Patagonia to simply avoid confusion and to distinguish this new soft and light protective clothing Softshell from the more rigid and heavy, familiar then Hardshell. There was no such abundance and variety of softshell as there is now. Today almost every self-respecting brand of sports, hunting and fishing clothing has Softshell products in its assortment. Manufacturers of these materials today offer a lot of patented brands of softshell, many of which are on the ear and serve as a guarantee of quality and comfort of their brands – Polartec Windbloc and Polartec Power Shield, Gore Windstopper and Gore-Tex Softshell, Schoeller 3XDry and others. Time goes on, and today it is quite possible to make a pretty clear system of the whole variety of modern softshell. Let’s put it this way, Softshell can well be divided today into three main categories:

1. Softshell membrane waterproof;

2. Softshell membrane windproof;

3. Softshell non-membrane windproof.

So, #1 on the list

This Softshell will be the heaviest and least soft, but still lighter and not as stiff as Hardshell. In terms of its protective properties, these fabrics are almost as good as Hardshell materials, but are stretchier than them, and also have a surface that is not as swishy when moving. This type is used most often in difficult types of mountaineering, snowboarding, skiing and in the outfit of various kinds of law enforcement agencies. In fishing clothes Softshell membrane waterproof is extremely rare, as Hardshell dominates here, storm jackets and coveralls from it we are more accustomed to in any bad weather.

The fabric rustles less when moving around

No. 2 on the list

This type of softshell can be confidently called the most popular. Softshell Membrane windproof is found in a wide variety of clothing for anything, including our favorite fishing. Such a spread and popularity in the unique, you could say, properties of these wonderful fabrics. The basis in them are windproof membranes, of which the best by definition are Polartec Windbloc and Gore Windstopper. They have the highest vapor permeability and excellent 100% wind protection.

The main function is wind protection

But at the same time, the waterproofness of such clothes is quite high, despite the fact that this property is not a priority in it. Nevertheless, in such Softshell you can safely survive various kinds of precipitation, this clothing starts to leak only under a thorough downpour of rain, but in such weather no one fishes.

Impermeability is also quite high

No. 3 from our table

This is a very interesting type of softshell. Softshell membrane-free windproof – so what might we need membrane-free clothing for? And what is the reason for the popularity of these fabrics? Here I have a membrane softshell jacket, and why would I buy almost the same, but without membrane protection, what is the logic, what is the power, brother? Indeed, at first glance, it may seem that it is just this type of inexpensive Softshell clothing, devoid of any protective layer. But in fact, everything is not so primitive. Yes, this type of softshell really does not resist wind and precipitation so well, but it breathes perfectly, that is, the breathability and vapor permeability of this clothing is higher than others. And at the highest physical loads, this type of Softshell is less than all others contributes to the fact that we sweat in any hike. It is comfortable even in warm weather. The main consumers of this type of Softshell clothing are cyclists, runners, climbers. But there are such clothes in hunting and fishing assortment of different companies, and for this category of users these clothes are treated for protection from precipitation with some impregnation (DWR – Durable Water Repellent). The main, so to speak, trick of such clothes – you walk faster and go further, but you sweat less and stop less often to cool down.

Impregnation protects against precipitation

The following conclusion can be drawn from all the above – Softshell clothing is first of all necessary for those of us who have to move around a lot when fishing or combine, for example, hunting and fishing. Those who do not need to exert themselves much and move far, may not need Softshell in addition to the usual Hardshell clothing. But for all lovers of active fishing, hunting and other hiking life, who adore spinning, fly fishing or old-fashioned boat fishing, hunting adventures, mountain hiking or even just quiet “mushroom hunting”, Softshell clothing will be the best modern choice. You won’t sweat when walking and won’t freeze at the parking lot, it won’t restrain your hands and body movements, it will protect you from precipitation, but if the hike is long, it’s worth to bring a light and compact waterproof suit or raincoat in case of heavy downpour.

Softshell is best suited for active movement

Of the Softshell membrane and windproof Softshell that is available in the Spinningline store, I would recommend to pay attention to Simms products, their Challenger Windbloc Hoody is an excellent jacket for walking fishing and for everyday wear.

A great option for fly fishing

Of the cheaper options, such clothing from the Remington gun brand, such as Stalker jackets and suits, is very practical . This is primarily hunting clothing, so in addition to camouflage coloring, it is also equipped with a mask on the face, hidden in the hood.

Hunting clothes are made with appropriate coloring

From Softshell membrane-free windproof excellent jacket Simms Rogue Hoody, it will be suitable for any distant and heavy trekking to fishing, or hunting, not letting your back extra wet.

Quality clothing will keep you healthy

Take care of your precious health and wear the right well-designed clothing, in it you will not have to experience discomfort anywhere, neither on fishing, hunting, or in the city.

Auteur : Bob Nudd est un pêcheur expert qui a plus de 20 ans d'expérience et qui a remporté de nombreux concours.