Women's Softshell Pants

What activities are women's softshell pants suitable for?

Softshell pants are incredibly comfortable, providing effective weather protection and delivering high performance in most terrains and settings. This makes them a versatile option for a wide range of outdoor activities. Their lightweight feel and 4-way stretch enhance ease of movement for hiking, climbing or backcountry skiing, while their overall warmth and durability also suits camping, backpacking, travelling or just everyday wear in cold weather. For all-round comfort and performance, check out the Mountain Designs range of softshell pants for women.

What materials are women's softshell pants made of?

Mountain Designs softshell pants for women are constructed with a fabric blend of hard-wearing nylon and polyester, and stretchy elastane. This combination is what makes the softshell lightweight and durable, and gives it the 4-way stretch that enhances range of movement.

Can you wear women's softshell pants hiking?

When you're hiking, you want to wear lightweight clothing that doesn't weigh you down, and offers freedom of movement as you traverse across undulating landscapes. Our Mountain Designs softshell pants for women deliver on both, as well as providing durability to withstand tears and rips from rocks, sticks and debris strewn on the trails. They are also moisture-wicking and fast-drying to help manage perspiration away from your skin. For cold weather trekking, our softshell trousers bring performance and comfort so you can keep focused on the track ahead.

What are the warmest softshell pants?

Softshell pants are a versatile option for staying warm in cold weather. They are lightweight, durable and stretchy, providing warmth without the weight and an excellent range of movement. This makes them a popular choice for aerobic outdoor activities in cool climates, including hiking, climbing, backcountry skiing and trail running. While softshell pants are warm enough to be worn as an outer in mild conditions, if the temperature starts approaching freezing you should layer over the top with a hard-shell outer, like rain pants or insulated snow pants, for additional warmth.

Are any women's softshell pants water-resistant?

At Mountain Designs, we have designed our women's softshell pants with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish that provides a basic level of water resistance to withstand passing showers or a light sprinkling. This treatment is applied to the outer face and works by causing water to bead and run off, reducing its ability to saturate the material. Our softshell pants are also fast-drying for quick, easy maintenance. But if you are outdoors in heavy rain or you anticipate a big downpour, you're better off with some technical rain pants, which provide full waterproof protection through waterproof fabrics, inner membranes and seam-sealed construction. Wear these alone or over the top of your softshell pants.

What is the difference between softshell pants and rain pants?

The main difference between women's softshell pants and rain pants is the level of waterproofness. Rain pants are designed specifically for protecting the body from wet weather, with a hard-shell outer that is waterproof or highly water resistant, and seam-sealed construction that prevents water from penetrating through the stitching. Pair these with a rainproof hooded jacket and gaiters for full protection in a heavy downpour. Softshell trousers do have a basic level of water resistance thanks to their Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish, but are more suited to cold, dry weather. They will handle a light shower, but rain pants will always perform better in extended rainy conditions.