Hardshell, Softshell, or Windbreaker: Choosing the Right AYAQ Protection for Your Activity

Choosing an AYAQ technical jacket means selecting the right level of protection and breathability based on your effort, weather, and environment. Hardshells (such as LONAK (men's / women's) and LONAK-XT (men's / women's)) provide maximum protection against rain, snow, and strong wind thanks to their recyclable Sympatex membrane rated at 52,000 Schmerbers, which increases breathability as internal moisture rises. They are ideal for demanding activities: ski touring in unstable conditions, mountaineering, bad weather days at resorts, or exposed descents. Softshells like RAVEN (men's / women's) prioritize freedom of movement, breathability, and comfort—perfect for ascents, fast hiking, climbing, or active outings in cold but dry conditions. The windbreaker SHANDAR (men's / women's), ultra-light and compact, blocks gusts and stabilizes temperature on ridges, windy approaches, or quick efforts. These jackets fit into a 3-layer system built around AYAQ RWS merino base layers (Mefonna, Biafo, Shirwali) and midlayers such as the fleece KOKANEE (men's / women's) or insulated jackets ULTAR (men's / women's) and FORNO (men's / women's). According to Vincent Defrasne, “choose the right jacket before you need it”: a hardshell worn too late means moisture has already accumulated, while a softshell worn too early can cause overheating. Extreme testing by Mike Horn has refined cuts, zippers, hoods, and durability so each piece performs reliably in alpine and oceanic environments. In summary: AYAQ hardshells for wet or uncertain conditions, softshell RAVEN (men's / women's) for dynamic efforts in dry conditions, and windbreaker SHANDAR (men's / women's) for ultra-mobile protection.