Shell jacket guide

A shell jacket is an essential piece of workwear for those who spend time outside in all types of weather. It makes up the outer, protective layer in a layering system and is often combined with a warming mid-layer and a moisture-transporting base layer during the colder months. Unlike a softshell jacket, which is usually made of a flexible, woven material, a proper shell jacket typically has a stiffer wind- and waterproof membrane. Fristads offers a wide range of shell jackets for men and women, including high visibility, flame and rain certified models, suitable for use all year round.

Determining which shell jacket is right for you boils down to your needs, preferences and budget. Before you decide, you need to consider how the jacket will be used and whether it has to be breathable, waterproof, windproof or all of the above. Here, we have explained some of the most common terms that are good to know when buying a new shell jacket.

A water resistant shell jacket is usually made of a tightly woven fabric that offers some inherent protection in a light drizzle, but it doesn’t keep moisture out for very long. The next step up is a water repellent shell jacket, which generally has been treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) to keep the fabric from absorbing the water beads. But the best protection against rain and moisture undoubtedly comes from a waterproof shell jacket which in addition to a DWR treatment also sports a membrane and taped or sealed seams. All the shell jackets in Fristads’ product range are waterproof and breathable, allowing you to stay comfortable while working outside during heavy rainfall for long periods of time.

Water pillar is a measurement that describes how waterproof a fabric is by measuring how much water it can handle in a water entry pressure test. In this test, water is applied to the fabric and the pressure gradually increased, until the fabric is penetrated in three places. Certified Fristads shell jackets and rain jackets can take a water pillar of at least 10,000 mm, which is equivalent to being exposed to heavy rain or snow for a long time. Gore-Tex garments have reached water pillar ratings as high as 28,000 mm in Gore’s own rain room tests, making them waterproof even in extreme conditions.

A shell jacket not only protects you from wind, rain and snow – it also allows moisture to pass, which is essential to your comfort during physical work. Breathability is measured in grams of water passing through 1m2 of fabric from the inside to the outside in 24 hours (g/m2/24 h) and is expressed as a so called RET value. The lower the RET value, the better breathability during intense activity. As a general rule, a RET value below 20 stands for good breathability. Some materials, like the polyurethane-coated polyester that is common in rain jackets, are not breathable at all. In that case, the garment is usually equipped with ventilation to allow excess heat to escape.

Material

Besides water pillar and breathability, it is important to consider the performance of the material when it comes to durability, weight, flexibility, impact on the environment and so on. Most Fristads shell jackets are made of either Gore-Tex, which is well known for its highly waterproof and breathable properties, or Airtech^®, which is a technically advanced material with the same functions that we have developed ourselves. Both materials are very durable and lightweight. For a smaller environmental footprint, we also offer a shell jacket in recycled polyester.

Fristads’ shell jackets have been designed with the needs of different users in mind. Some are lightweight and are made of 4-way stretch, others are extra durable with reinforced pockets for tools. We have shell jackets that are made of recycled materials and those that are known for their advanced membranes. To see detailed descriptions of the features of our shell jackets side by side, we recommend that you use the comparison function in our web shop. Comparing our shell jackets is easy, just follow these steps:

1. Go to our shell jackets page
2. Check the little box in the top-left corner that says “Compare” on each of the jackets that you are interested in. You can choose to compare up to four jackets.
3. Click the big black button that says “Compare.”

Most of the shell jackets in our category for building and construction belong to our Haverdal, Alnaryd and Tyresta concepts and have been developed to withstand challenging conditions all year round. In addition to being waterproof and windproof, these shell jackets are highly breathable to ensure that you stay comfortable during physically demanding shifts. The design, materials and functionality of each jacket align seamlessly with other garments in the same concept.

For professions that require high-visibility clothing as well as protection against the weather, we offer several high-vis shell jackets, including jackets that are flame certified. In this range, you will find functional shell jackets that are waterproof,  windproof and highly breathable. Our high-vis shell jackets are made of Gore-Tex and Airtech® materials and feature advanced membranes that protect against heavy rain and strong winds. Some jackets are available in women’s models.

A shell jacket is usually made up of three components, or layers: an outer shell, a membrane and a lining. The shell is the durable, tightly knitted fabric that gives the jacket its characteristic look and feel, and the membrane is what stops water droplets from penetrating the jacket. If the membrane is breathable, it also lets excess moisture evaporate from your body. The lining in turn protects the membrane from wear and tear and makes it possible to have pockets on the inside of the jacket. In most jackets, the membrane and the outer shell are bonded together whereas the lining consists of a separate, softer fabric; this is called a 2-layer shell jacket. In more technical jackets, all three layers are sometimes bonded together to save bulk and weight. These are called 3-layer jackets and are more common in the outdoor industry.

Many of our shell jackets can be used both at work and on the trail, but if you are looking for a jacket especially designed for outdoor recreation, look no further than our Zinc shell jacket. Zinc is a waterproof and windproof jacket made of recycled materials. A jacket that allows you to explore the outdoors while treading lightly on the planet.
Zinc shell jacket is designed to be worn as the third, outer layer when you need extra protection against the weather. Combine it with our lightweight, quilted Oxygen PrimaLoft® jacket for soft and warm comfort year-round or wear it with a hoodie or sweatshirt on warmer days.