What is a Softshell?
The softshell component is a highly technical fabric combining 3 materials: a breathable, windproof microporous membrane sandwiched between a water-repellent fabric on the outside and a comfortable, warm fleece on the inside. The properties of this highly technical material provide thermal comfort, breathability, lightness and ease of movement thanks to the stretchy, warm component, combined with protection against 30 minutes of light rain.
What is water repellency?
Not to be confused with waterproofing! Functionality obtained by applying a hydrophobic water-repellent treatment to the fabric. This process prevents water from adhering to the surface of the fabric, thus limiting its ability to absorb water. When we add the idea of movement, water can glide over the fabric, a phenomenon known as water repellency. Thanks to water repellency, water doesn't soak the outer fabric, so the jacket stays light, doesn't retain moisture and dries faster.
What is a product's breathability and the RET index that measures it?
The breathability of a fabric corresponds to its capacity to let water vapor generated by the body (perspiration) escape. It can be measured using the RET (Resistance Evaporative Transfer) index, expressed in PAa-m²/W.
As RET is a resistance index, the lower it is, the more breathable your garment. RET between 6 and 12: very breathable, RET between 12 and 20: breathable, RET over 20: not breathable. Our regatta sofshells have a RET of 18.85Pa-m²/W.
How important is a windproof product?
It's very important to be protected from the wind, whether you're working or resting, because it cools the body enormously. According to the 'Windchill' model, which measures the temperature felt under the influence of wind and cold: for a temperature of 5°C, combined with a 30km/h wind, the temperature felt will be 0°C. If the air temperature is 0°C and the wind speed is 30km/h, the temperature felt will be -6°C. The components in our products counteract the effect of wind.
How is the hood constructed?
The hood of this product has been designed so that it won't get in the way while you're sailing. The seams are positioned to follow your head's movements. Its adjustment point at the top provides optimum height adjustment. Adjustment points at the collar provide additional width adjustment, to limit the ingress of wind and cold. This hood has been tested for use with and without a waterproof jacket.
Water-repellent maintenance
To regenerate the fabric's water-repellency and optimize your garment's performance throughout its lifetime, you can use a water-repellency spray or water-repellency reactivating liquid. The total water repellency of the softshell 900 jacket withstands 5 washes. After that, it's advisable to reactivate with waterproofing treatment for total performance.
