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If you participate in outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, or skiing, you have likely heard of something called hard shell fabric. But what is it really? Here we take a look at what makes the fabric special, and why it’s such an awesome helper for the outdoors!
Hard shell fabric is a durable, waterproof material that we use to make a variety of outdoor gear. Among it are jackets, pants, raincoats. However, the main purpose of a hard shell material is to keep you dry and warm when conditions are gnarly. It also allows your body to breathe, so you don’t overheat when you are doing a lot of moving around.
What is so special about Hard Shell Fabric?
Well, this is what hard shell fabric is, and why the one that you would like to buy your gear and accessories in would be different to any other type of fabric. Hard shell material consists of THREE layers. Each layer has a unique responsibility that will keep you protected and comfortable when you are outdoors.
This feature allows the outer layer to be very tough and waterproof. This means water cannot pass through it, which means in the rain you stay dry. The layer against your skin is soft and also helps keep you cool. It’s nice against your skin, which matters when you’re wearing it for a long time. It's the middle layer, known as the membrane, that makes hard shell fabric a real deal.
The membrane has unique properties and is a minuscule layer. It lets water vapor, which you exhale, out from the inside, but prevents raindrops from coming in. This is the feature that makes hard shell fabric waterproof, windproof, and at the same time, breathable!
The other advantage of hard shell fabric is that it is lightweight and pliable. Which is all very important when you are doing outdoor activities, so essentially you can move unhindered when you are hiking or skiing. Not to mention, it is tough and durable, making it perfect for rugged environments without cracking or breaking down.
How Does Hardshell Fabric Protect You from Rain and Wind?
Preventing water from getting into your gear is one of the chief tasks of hard shell fabric when you're raining or snowing. Hard shell fabric is entirely waterproof, unlike the other fabrics that soak upwater. This means raindrops simply slide off the surface of the fabric. Even if the sky's throwing down buckets when you're out, you can stay dry and cozy in gear made of this cloth.
A hard shell fabric is also often windproof. When outside, and for example in windy places, the cold air comes in and makes your body very cold. If you are wearing a hard shell fabric — it is windproof which will keep the cold wind out and will help you stay warm and cozy. This is extremely critical outdoors when you may face heavy winds.
What Other Places Use Hard Shell Fabric?
Soft shell weave is popular among the outdoor community, and it is used in a lot of different styles of outdoor clothing. For example, many companies make jackets designed for hiking, ski pants designed to keep you warm on the slopes, and raincoats that’ll keep you from getting wet, all using hard shell fabric.
Hiking and camping jackets are usually made from hard shell. These jackets are nice as they’re waterproof, but also allow your skin to breathe. Which means you can trek through rough terrain without becoming overly warm or sweaty.
Ski pants should be made from a tough and waterproof fabric as well. This means you are still warm when your neighboors are under the snow. Hard shell fabric keeps you from feeling restricted when skiing, which is important because you want to be able to move freely.
The other type of clothing made from hard shell fabric is raincoats and parkas. These clothes have excellent waterproof and windproof properties, which is very helpful for harsh weather. The fabric is also lightweight and packable making it ideal for travelling. You can also take them with you anywhere.
What to consider for your next vacation
When you consider a more excellent outdoor adventure, there are a couple of things you ought to keep on your mind while picking up flaw fabric hardware.
First, think about how waterproof your gear needs to be. Different types of hard shell fabric offer varying levels of waterproofing. Some for drizzle, others for deluges. Choose wisely, you will want a fabric that can withstand the downpour of the elements you will encounter!!
After that, consider breathability. Your body sweats when you are active, and when you are working hard. If what you’re wearing isn’t breathable, you can get sticky, sticky and feel uncomfortable. Selecting a material that lets air flow through will keep you dry and comfortable no matter how much you wriggle around.
Finally, make sure to look at the strength and durability of the fabric. Perhaps you find yourself in the woods or some other natural habitat where the rough terrain can cause your gear to wear. Choosing a fabric that is good quality will help ensure your gear lasts longer and will put up with more harsh conditions.
Finally, hard shell fabric is just a wonderful material that helps protect you from the feelings of danger, the cold, and the wind when you go out. The waterproof with breathable properties is what makes this coat work so well in helping you through the bad weather. Everything from climbing ropes to tents will utilize this tough fabric, allowing adventurers across the globe to trust the gear they use to support their outdoor activities. So whether you are hiking, camping, skiing, etc., hard shell fabric is there to help you with your adventure!