The present invention relates to microcapsules comprising a capsule core and a capsule wall, obtainable by a process comprising the free-radical polymerization of an oil-in-water emulsion which comprises the following constituents: 30 to 90% by weight based on the total weight of the monomers of one or more monomers (monomers I) from the group comprising C1-C24-alkyl esters of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid and itaconic acid 10 to 70% by weight based on the total weight of the monomers of one or more ethylenically unsaturated crosslinkers (monomers II), where at least 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomers I, II and III, is a highly branched polymeric crosslinker, 0 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the monomers of one or more monounsaturated monomers (monomer III), which are different from the monomers I, and a hydrophobic core material, to a process for their preparation and to their use.