More and more women choose a shell jacket as their main outer layer, and there are good reasons for it. A hardshell keeps out rain, wind and snow, yet it breathes well enough to wear while you're working hard – on the slopes, on a hill walk or on the bike. It's also built to be hard-wearing, so a good shell can last you for many years.
The key is the membrane. It makes the jacket waterproof and windproof while still letting moisture from your body escape.
Hardshell jackets are built as a layered system, where each layer has its own job. Most have three layers, though a few have only two. Two-layer jackets leave out the inner layer that protects the membrane, so they're usually less durable. Most of the women's shell jackets we stock have three layers.
The outer fabric takes the wear and tear from outside and blocks the wind. It isn't waterproof in itself, but it has a water-repellent treatment so the fabric doesn't soak up water.
The middle layer does the most important work. It's a membrane full of microscopic pores that are far smaller than a drop of water, so rain can't get through. They are, however, large enough for water vapour to pass, which lets the moisture from your body escape. Membranes come in many different versions, and the product description tells you which one each jacket uses.
The innermost layer protects the membrane from wear from your body and the clothes underneath. Depending on the material, it can keep the jacket very light or add a little more weight.
A shell jacket keeps the weather out but doesn't insulate much on its own, so you control the warmth with what you wear underneath. Add or remove a layer and you adjust your temperature in seconds. On a ski holiday, combine it with women's thermals and a warm fleece or ski jumper, and you're ready for both icy mornings and mild spring afternoons.
That mix of properties makes the shell jacket one of the most versatile pieces you can own. It's just as useful in a gale or a heavy downpour as on a ski tour, a cross-country trip or a long cycle.
It's also a natural fit for Irish weather, where a bright morning can turn into an Atlantic shower before lunch.
If you mostly head out on dry, cold days and want maximum breathability, a softshell jacket may suit you better. For real rain and wet snow, the hardshell wins every time.
We stock shell jackets for women from brands with many years of experience in technical outerwear, including Montane, Scott, Lundhags, 2117 of Sweden, Swix and Craft. We don't compromise on quality, and you can still buy them at a good price.
You get a price guarantee on the whole range, a 14-day right of return and fast delivery from our warehouse in Denmark.
