Shell jacket guide

Stay dry and comfortable all day – regardless of the weather.

A shell jacket or rain jacket makes up the outer, protective layer in a layering system and is an essential piece of workwear for those who spend time outside in all types of weather. Fristads offers a wide range of shell jackets and rain jackets for men and women, including high visibility, flame and rain certified models. We divide them into three different categories, depending on features, material and technical complexity of the garment. In our guide for shell jackets and rain jackets, you can compare features like breathability, waterproofness and number of pockets in a handy table format. Combine with matching shell trousers for complete protection against rain and wind.

A shell jacket holds several features, but most importantly it is a wind- and waterproof functional jacket, made of a breathable material. A shell jacket can be both lined and unlined. Unlined shell jackets can be used year-round applying the 3-layer principle and can therefor work as a spring, winter and rain garment all-in-one. If you spend a lot of time outside you may also want to combine your shell jacket with a pair of shell trousers.

You can identify a shell jacket on its taped seams and the fact that the product description includes a value for the water pillar and a value for breathability, or so called RET. In our guide below you can learn more about which functions to look for before choosing which shell jacket to buy.

A shell jacket is a functional garment that is suitable for a variety of outdoor activities and can be used as the outer layer in a 3-layer system. Unlike a soft shell jacket, which is usually made of a flexible, woven material, a proper shell jacket has a stiffer wind and waterproof membrane. The outer layer of the jacket is usually treated with a durable water repellent to prevent the moisture from penetrating the fabric. A waterproof shell jacket also has taped or sealed seams and the product description often includes a value for the water pillar and a value for breathability, or so called RET. Find out more about these key concepts in our guide below before you decide on a shell jacket.

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.

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.
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