Riding in Wet Weather

[KnottedYet]

what's the difference between a hardshell rain jacket and a soft shell?

In the general sense (and I'm sure someone will come along to correct me and give specifics) a hardshell is the good ol' rain jacket, often either a coating or a membrane to keep the wet out. A softshell is a dense weave that is more along the lines of water-resistant.

example of a hardshell: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=29971

I think this is an example of a softshell: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=28496 but I could be wrong. The ones I've fondled at REI are a very tight, almost rubbery feeling weave. Reminds me of boiled wool.

I like wearing my dense wool weaves in the rain, with a rain jacket if it's really dumping. Fenders are my friends, and buddy flaps really do help keep the bike cleaner. www.buddyflaps.com (even with full fenders I was still spraying crud onto my bottom bracket)