Hard Shell vs Softshell Jacket: Which Should Your Brand Make?
Hard shell vs softshell jackets compared for outdoor brands: waterproofing, breathability, stretch, weight, cost and when to choose each for a custom program.
Read articleTechnical outerwear manufacturer · OEM / ODM
Custom Hard Shell & Softshell Jacket Manufacturer
Mont Gear develops custom hard shell jackets and pants, softshell jackets and pants, and Polartec® jackets for outdoor brands, from tech pack and pattern review through sampling, seam sealing, testing, bulk production and final quality control.
Development / Sampling / Seam sealing / Testing / Bulk production / Quality control View our QC process →
Pattern / hood / articulation review
Fabric systems
Hard shellSoftshellPolartec®
300 pcsMOQ per style
45 daysBulk lead time after pre-production sample approval
OEM / ODMFrom a tech pack, sketch or reference sample
2.5L · 3LSeam-taped shell construction
Sample room
Real samples, built to the spec.
A colour-block shell jacket and pants set from our development line, shown with the construction details buyers ask about. Fabrics, colours, trims and logos are set per program.
Product programs
Custom shell, softshell and Polartec® outerwear.
Choose a program to see construction options, fabric platforms, spec ranges and what to send for a quote.
Hard Shell Jackets & Pants
Waterproof, windproof, seam-sealed 2.5-layer and 3-layer shells for alpine, ski, hiking and rain.
View program
Softshell Jackets & Pants
Stretch woven softshells with bonded fleece or membrane: windproof, breathable and built to move.
View program
Polartec® Jackets
Power Shield, NeoShell, Alpha and Thermal Pro programs engineered around Polartec fabric platforms.
View program
Hard Shell & Softshell Pants
Shell pants and bibs with articulated knees, reinforced hems, snow gaiters and zip-vent options.
View programBuyer proof
Four checkpoints. One quality record.
Evidence buyers can review before bulk production.
01
Tech Pack Review
Turn product goals, target market and performance requirements into a workable manufacturing plan.
02
Pattern Engineering
Review fit, articulation, grading points, hood geometry and layer compatibility before sampling.
03
Lamination & Seam Sealing
Plan fabric lamination, tape width, bonding settings, waterproof zippers and construction checkpoints.
04
Inline & Final QC
Record measurements, construction checks, packing details and shipment readiness.
Choosing a shell system
Hard shell vs softshell vs Polartec® platforms.
The first decision in any outerwear program is the fabric system. This is how the three options usually compare.
| Hard shell | Softshell | Polartec® platforms | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical construction | Face fabric + waterproof breathable membrane (+ backer or liner): 2-layer, 2.5-layer or 3-layer laminate | Stretch woven face bonded to fleece or microgrid backer; membrane versions available | Branded fabric families: Power Shield and NeoShell (weather protection), Alpha (insulation), Thermal Pro and Power Grid (fleece) |
| Weather protection | Waterproof when seam-sealed, fully windproof | Wind-resistant and water-repellent (DWR); waterproof only with a membrane | Depends on the platform chosen for the style |
| Breathability & stretch | Good to very good breathability; low to moderate stretch | High breathability and high stretch for active use | Platform-specific: designed for breathability and comfort in motion |
| Best for | Rain, storm, alpine, ski and mountaineering shells | Cold dry days, hiking, climbing, ski touring, cycling layers | Brands that specify a named Polartec fabric for performance and marketing |
| Mont Gear program | Hard shell jackets · pants | Softshell jackets · pants | Polartec jackets |
General guidance for orientation. Final construction, fabric weights and performance values are confirmed per program in the tech pack and quote.
Applications
Built for snow, trail and rock.
Custom technical outerwear for demanding environments.
Ski & Snow
Hard shell and insulated jackets, bibs and pants for resort, backcountry and snowboard brands.
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Hiking & Alpine
Lightweight, packable shells and breathable softshells for mountain and trail brands.
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Climbing & Mountaineering
Helmet-compatible hoods, harness-friendly pockets and durable shells for technical routes.
View applicationCapabilities
From design to production. Built on technical expertise.
Mont Gear is a B2B custom technical outerwear manufacturer supporting OEM and ODM projects, from concept and tech pack through pattern development, sampling, lamination, seam sealing, testing, bulk production and final QC.
- Tech pack and design support
- Material sourcing and matching: hard shell, softshell and Polartec® platforms
- Outdoor pattern engineering
- Functional hoods, vents and pockets
- 2.5-layer, 3-layer and bonded softshell development
- Prototype sampling and fit review
- Seam sealing and waterproof construction
- Bulk production and quality control
Our production process
From tech pack to shipment.
A transparent OEM / ODM process for custom hard shell, softshell and Polartec® outerwear.
Design & tech pack
Review the product, target market, materials and construction, and turn them into a workable tech pack.
Pattern & sample
Develop patterns and a prototype, then collect fit comments and revise.
Testing & validation
Confirm construction and the required performance tests on fabrics, seams and finished garments.
Bulk production
Coordinate materials, cutting, sewing, lamination or seam sealing, and inline checks.
QC & shipment
Complete final inspection, packing and export hand-off.
Factory & quality control
Where quality is checked.
Product-specific OEM programs
Technical development by product type.
Focused buyer guides for hard shell, softshell, Polartec® and ski programs.
- 01 Hard shell jackets
- 02 Hard shell pants
- 03 Softshell jackets
- 04 Softshell pants
- 05 Polartec® jackets
- 06 Ski jackets & pants
Buyer search terminology is used for discoverability. Third-party branded materials require confirmed access, authorization and compliant labeling for each OEM program.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers for sourcing teams.
What products can Mont Gear manufacture?
Custom hard shell jackets and pants, softshell jackets and pants, Polartec® fabric jackets (Power Shield, NeoShell, Alpha, Thermal Pro and Power Grid programs), fleece, ski and snow outerwear, and hiking and climbing jackets for outdoor brands.
Do you support OEM and ODM?
Yes. Projects can begin with a complete tech pack, a sketch, an approved reference garment or a product-development brief.
What is the difference between a hard shell and a softshell jacket?
A hard shell uses a waterproof breathable membrane and sealed seams for full protection from rain and snow. A softshell uses a stretch woven fabric, usually bonded to fleece, and is wind-resistant and water-repellent but not fully waterproof unless it includes a membrane.
Can you make jackets with Polartec fabrics?
Yes, as a manufacturing partner, subject to fabric availability, buyer authorization and labeling approval for each program. Mont Gear is not an agent or licensee of Polartec.
What information is needed for a quote?
Share the product category, target market, size range, estimated quantity, fabric direction, testing requirements, sample timing and delivery window. A tech pack or reference sample helps.
How is waterproof construction reviewed?
Review can include seam-tape maps, bonding and adhesion checks, waterproof zippers, hood geometry, DWR requirements, inline checks and final inspection.
Knowledge for better products
Insights & resources
Hard Shell Pants Spec Guide: Fabrics, Zips, Knees and Cuffs
How to specify custom hard shell pants: fabric weight, knee shaping, side zips, seat reinforcement, cuffs, gaiters and seam taping, with a spec checklist for brands.
Read article
What Is a 3-Layer Laminate? 2L vs 2.5L vs 3L Explained
3-layer vs 2.5-layer vs 2-layer laminates explained for outerwear: construction, weight, durability, cost and which to choose for custom hard shell jackets.
Read articleLet’s build your next outdoor collection
Start a technical RFQ
Send your tech pack, reference sample, product category, quantity and delivery window for a practical project review.
- Designs & tech packs welcome
- Professional advice from our team
- Confidential project discussion
Mont Gear custom hard shell, softshell and Polartec® outerwear manufacturing
Mont Gear supports buyers searching for a custom hard shell jacket manufacturer, custom softshell jacket manufacturer, custom hard shell pants manufacturer, custom softshell pants manufacturer, Polartec jacket manufacturer, Polartec Power Shield softshell jacket OEM, Polartec NeoShell jacket manufacturer, Polartec Alpha insulated jacket manufacturer, 3-layer shell jacket manufacturer, waterproof breathable jacket manufacturer, private-label outdoor clothing manufacturer, custom ski jacket manufacturer, custom hiking jacket manufacturer, technical outerwear OEM / ODM, taped-seam jacket manufacturer and custom fleece jacket manufacturer.
Trademark note: Polartec®, Power Shield®, NeoShell®, Alpha®, Thermal Pro® and Power Grid™ are trademarks of their respective owner. Mont Gear is not an agent or licensee of Polartec. The names are used here to describe fabric platforms buyers search for and specify. Polartec fabric availability, buyer authorization, labeling, hangtag use and public performance claims must be confirmed with the trademark owner and approved supply sources for each program.