Gore-Tex or softshell? Which one to choose, and when

Once you start taking an interest in outdoor gear, one of the first terms you’ll come across is Gore-Tex. For a lot of people, “the best jacket” and “a Gore-Tex jacket” mean pretty much the same thing.

It’s perfectly normal to think that way. Gore-Tex products are usually more expensive than the same brand’s other jackets, and at some point the “if it’s expensive, it must be good” logic kicks in whether you like it or not. But that’s one of the most common mistakes in the outdoor world.

Dig a little deeper and another term appears: softshell. And that’s exactly where the confusion starts.

“Hang on, wasn’t Gore-Tex the expensive one? It’s waterproof, it blocks the wind and it breathes. So what’s this softshell for?” you might be thinking. How do I know? Because I thought exactly the same. And the first question that comes to mind at this point is: “So which one is better?”

Neither is better than the other. They’re simply made for different jobs.

Right now you’re probably saying to yourself, “Fine, but just give me a straight answer.” And you’ve got a point. As users, we’re all looking for one right answer. But the reality is a bit different.

So in this article, let’s look together at how Gore-Tex and softshell differ, which weather calls for which, and what you need to know so you don’t spend money you don’t have to.

First, let’s clear this up: Gore-Tex isn’t a product

Many of us think Gore-Tex is a jacket model. In fact, Gore-Tex is a fabric technology. (We cover how the technology works and who needs it in detail in our what is Gore-Tex article.) It’s built around doing three basic jobs as well as possible:

• Keeping water out.
• Blocking the wind.
• Helping sweat vapour escape.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? It’s raining, the wind’s blowing and you stay dry.

That’s why Gore-Tex products have been the go-to for years for trekking, mountaineering, camping and outdoor activities in tough weather. Many people even treat it as the standard.

If you’re going to be out in the rain for a long time, or you can’t trust the forecast, Gore-Tex really can make a big difference to your comfort. But as with every good thing, there’s a price – and there’s another side to it.

Gore-Tex isn’t always the smartest choice

One of the most common mistakes newcomers to the outdoors make is choosing Gore-Tex for every situation. That’s exactly how I thought at the start. My logic was simple: “If it’s waterproof, why would I choose anything else?”

After all, I’d be protected from the rain, I wouldn’t feel the wind and I’d be safe. But after a few hikes I noticed something: in some situations, what was bothering me wasn’t the rain – it was my own sweat.

On brisk walks or steep climbs in particular, your body produces a serious amount of heat. And you’d be right to think: “Hang on. Didn’t you just say Gore-Tex lets sweat out?”

Yes, I did. Gore-Tex is a breathable technology. But not so breathable that it can cancel out the laws of physics. If you’re producing a lot of heat and moisture inside, there’s a limit to how much of it Gore-Tex can get rid of. So even when it isn’t raining outside, you can feel damp, hot and stuffy inside. And trust me, that feeling can be really annoying. This is exactly where softshell comes in.

What is softshell?

Put as simply as possible, softshell is an outer layer that puts comfort first. It’s usually:

• Stretchy.
• Quiet.
• Free to move in.
• More breathable.
• Protective against light rain and wind.

There’s a downside, though: softshell products aren’t fully waterproof. So if you stay out in heavy rain for a long time, sooner or later you’ll get wet.

But for most everyday use and plenty of outdoor activities, that isn’t really a big problem. Let’s be realistic: how many of us regularly walk for hours in a downpour?

Softshell jackets can be incredibly handy, especially for city walks, autumn treks or outdoor activities in dry weather.

How my view of softshell changed

When I first started researching outdoor gear, being Gore-Tex was almost my only criterion. The internet is very good at selling us the idea of “waterproof”.

Then I took a look at how I actually use my gear. On most of my walks in Istanbul, I wasn’t getting caught in the rain. And on hikes, most of the day was dry too.

So I asked myself: “If it isn’t raining for most of the day, why am I always wearing something designed for rain?” On top of that, Gore-Tex is by nature a stiffer material that feels more like a shell. Did I really need to wear it all the time?

Luckily, it turns out I wasn’t the only one making this mistake. Over time I learnt that many experienced trekkers carry both a softshell and a waterproof in their pack. So the choice isn’t really “one or the other” – it’s about using the right gear at the right time.

When should you choose Gore-Tex?

This article may have sounded anti-Gore-Tex so far, but it definitely isn’t. In some situations it’s still the most sensible option.

When prolonged rain is forecast

If you know you’ll be out in the rain for hours, Gore-Tex should be your pick. Softshell won’t be enough here.

High altitude and harsh weather

In the mountains, the weather can change within minutes. Wind, rain and low temperatures can all hit at once. In conditions like these, Gore-Tex gives you a real advantage.

Multi-day treks

If you’re spending more than one day out in the wild, staying dry matters. Wet gear doesn’t just sap your morale; it can affect your performance too. That’s why on longer routes it’s always worth carrying a waterproof outer layer.

In winter

If you live somewhere wet and windy in particular, a Gore-Tex jacket can be a very sensible choice.

When does softshell make more sense?

Here’s the interesting part: far more often than most of us think.

Everyday wear

Most of us live in cities and don’t walk through a downpour every day. So for everyday wear, softshell is often the more comfortable option.

Trekking and hiking

If it’s dry or there’s only a chance of light showers, softshell can be a better choice than Gore-Tex. You’ll move more freely and sweat less.

Fast-paced activities

For fast walking, easy running, cycling or high-tempo routes, breathability really matters. This is where softshell usually does better.

Spring and autumn

These are transitional seasons – not quite winter, not quite summer. Softshell is tailor-made for exactly this kind of weather.

The smartest solution: layering

There’s a key principle that’s been used in the outdoor world for years: layering.

Experienced people rarely try to solve every problem with a single jacket. Instead, they use a three-layer system:

• Base layer: a technical T-shirt that wicks sweat away.
• Mid layer: a fleece or light insulating layer.
• Outer layer: softshell or Gore-Tex.

When the weather’s good, the softshell is enough. When the rain starts, the Gore-Tex comes out of your pack.

At first it might feel like you’re carrying a bit too much gear. But in practice, this system is far more comfortable and flexible.

The verdict: Gore-Tex and softshell aren’t rivals

When researching outdoor gear, most people see these two as rivals. In fact, it’s the opposite. Gore-Tex and softshell are designed to solve different problems.

• If your priority is maximum weather protection, go for Gore-Tex.
• If your priority is comfort, freedom of movement and breathability, softshell will make more sense.

Over time, my approach has come down to this: if rain is genuinely expected, I carry Gore-Tex. If I’ll be on the move for most of the day and the risk of rain is low, I wear softshell.

Because in outdoor activities, the biggest enemy is usually not the rain but choosing the wrong gear.

Using the right layer at the right time makes you more comfortable and lets you enjoy your time outdoors more. For more guides on technical fabrics and jackets, have a look at our Outdoor Clothing category.