Softshell vs hardshell warmth

Interested to hear what peoples experiences are in warmth differences between hardshell and softshell clothing, assuming all insulating layers are the same. I'm debating between getting warmer long underwear (currently have smartwool intraknits) or just getting some hardshell pants (currently wear Arc sigma AR's) to improve warmth of my lower body.  

I think it can depend on the weather conditions. If it’s wet and/or windy I would prefer a hard shell to keep me warm throughout the day. Otherwise, a soft shell tends to have more warmth under pure cold conditions. I consider them to be different parts of the kit. One isn’t inherently better than the other. I just treat the hard shell as another layer.

As Cron says, this is really comparing apples to oranges. They are meant for different conditions.

Softshell tends to ventilate better than hardshell and therefore keeps layers underneath dryer when it's not raining, hence they can feel warmer in dry cold conditions (provided they are either windproof or the wind is mild). But hardshell obviously keeps your mid- and base layers relatively dry in wet conditions and that will feel warmer than wet mid layers. 

At the end of the day, any layering system for mountaineering that doesn't include both is incomplete. 

My favourite combination is a do-almost-everything soft shell trousers that I can combine with a good warm base layer and a relatively lightweight 3L hard shell trousers with 3/4 to full zips in the pack. Bonus points if the soft shell trousers have waterproof reinforcements over the bum, lower leg and knees. 

Agree with above. My layering system is almost always the same softshell pants (Mammut Champ Pants for hiking/mountaineering but discontinued or BD Dawn Patrol for BC ski) with the warmth of my system being determined by the thermal weight I'm wearing underneath. The 3L hardshell (full zip) generally stays in the pack unless conditions get really rough. That being said, adding a windproof layer does add significant warmth over just the softshells (by preventing evaporative cooling and reducing windchill). I do know plenty of friends who prefer the opposite (always opting for hardshell as their go-to pant)

Too many factors. Soft shells can be thin, thick and even with a bonded liner. Hard shells can be three layers or two layers with a lining. 

Bug Boy wrote:

Interested to hear what peoples experiences are in warmth differences between hardshell and softshell clothing, assuming all insulating layers are the same. I'm debating between getting warmer long underwear (currently have smartwool intraknits) or just getting some hardshell pants (currently wear Arc sigma AR's) to improve warmth of my lower body.  

What kind of climbing/ mountaineering do you plan on doing? That will help a lot.

I am also in the front range of Colorado and climb in the park etc etc ice, rock, mountaineering etc. I almost always wear a thick softshell pant (OR cirque II for climbing/ mountaineering or the OR Trailbreaker for ski mountaineering) with a Smartwool/ icebreaker long underwear underneath. I change the thickness of the long underwear for conditions. 

These would be used for less aerobic, but colder temperature climbing (aid climbing) than soft shells so my thought was hard shells would trap more heat. I realized I can’t really afford new hardshell outerwear though so it’s a bit of a moot point for this season. 

if you are looking at purely staying warm without much body movement to generate heat a combination of a fleece (or small puffy) with a hard shell is going to be considerably warmer than a similar weight soft shell.

if you can only choose between a hard shell and a soft shell, a soft shell is going to be warmer if there isn't much wind.  if there is heinous wind it is probably a toss-up between the two -  a hard shell is a lot more wind-proof than a soft shell.  if there is precipitation a hard shell is going to keep you warmer than a soft shell.

for aid climbing, a soft shell is probably the best choice (unless it is raining on you).  it is more breathable and a lot more abrasion resistant than a hard shell.

I day-trip climb predominantly in soft shell (Rab Ascendor) in winterish cool conditions.  Stretchy clothing is nice.  I also carry a light weight full-zip hardshell pant and jacket that will go over the softshell when the conditions could be wet and more distant from the car.   Full zip hardshell pants are getting hard to come by but I couldn't do without them if moisture is involved.  It's nice to be able to put the hardshell pants on without having to take the crampons or harness off.  Bigwalling?  Hardshells will get destroyed but are sure nice if it's wet.  Wet = cold.  Stay dry.  If it's dry the softshell stuff is king.  Multi-day?  Long underwear and hardshell gives you the most a assurance of staying warm and dry.

Unfortunately, nothing is perfect for everything.