Summer is a beautiful season full of colours, but mainly season of nice and hot weather. And it is the hot weather that might cause little complications when choosing the right clothing for the summer. Oftentimes we have very good hiking shoes, but they are too warm for summer. And the same applies to clothing and other accessories. Thanks to the high temperatures, we are also witnessing storms from time to time. That means heavy showers, wind and the temperature goes down as well. And it is not nice when the storm hits us when we are unprepared. This all could be solved by carrying the proper jacket. However, it might not be as easy as it sounds. Even when choosing the right summer jacket we may face some complications...
Everything has its features
Those summer jackets that we will be taking for our trips, or even to work should be lightweight but mainly functional. Of course it depends on type of the jacket, whether it is a Windbearker, stylish cotton jacket, waterproof jacket, etc. As we can see there are many types of jackets for this season. Let´s forget the latest fashion trends for now and focus more on functional jackets that offer features we need. The main features include weather resistance and breathability. Those are the key features for us.
The lightest but still great
The lightest summer jacket is so-called WindBreaker. This type of jacket is excellent when the wind blows. The main purpose is to provide protection from the wind in dry, cool conditions. Oftentimes, the windbreakers also protect from light showers. These jackets are made from synthetic materials that are constantly being improved. Let´s forget those vintage windbreakers that weren´t comfortable. Modern technologies offer more features than we could even imagine. Such jacket can be then used for running, walking, hiking and at the sime time conveniently stored in our backpack. Pay attention to features such as adjustable waist with elastic drawstrings and detachable hood. These features will make our jacket even better. However, windbreakers are not meant to withstand heavier showers. For such situations, we will need something different.
Good old Softshell
The softshell jackets are much better option for more severe rain. Softshell itself is very modern material. It provides some protection from rain yet still remains breathable (to some level). Another feature is water column. The water column indicates the level of water pressure that a fabric can withstand before water penetrates it. Standard rating is around 5000 mm, the better ones have 10 000 mm. For even better water resistance we should purchase jacket that has fully taped seams. As much as Softshell seems to be unbeatable, the Windstoper offer better features when it comes to strong wind as well as it might be too warm for summer months due to its insulating properties. So the question is - is there any ideal material ?
Our top choice
The best material what we can choose when it comes to summer jackets is Gore-Tex. The only disadvantage seems to be higher price, otherwise it offers excellent features. Gore-Tex jackets are breathable, waterproof and durable. There are several types of Gore-Tex, offering different level of protection. However, even the "weakest" one can still offer better features than other competitive materials. Moreover, it also offers wind resistance which is the feature we will need for our outdoor activities.
They all have something in common
It is only up to us what jacket we will purchase. It depends on what we will be using it for as well as on our budget. For most of the activities, softshell jacket should be fine. If we don´t have enough of room, we can take lightweight raincoat. Whatever jacket we are going to choose, pay attention to overall construction. Such jacket should feature armpit vents as well as hood that provides insulation and protection for the head. The jacket should be also long enough to cover our entire back even when we raise our hands. Another features include taped seams, high-quality zippers and so on. Yes, it depends on budget as well, but we don´t buy such jacket every year...