Softshell as Windshirt substitute

Andy, some of the more modern, more breathable windshirts have greater air permeability than many of the safari-style shirts, especially those specified as bugproof. Sierra Designs just released an intriguing shirt which is a combination of the two genres.

" I had one if the original fleecy softshells, and just didn't like the way falling snow clung to it, so switched to Neoshell"

Do you use Neoshell as a softshell ? Because whatever they claim, it isn't.

David: who besides SD has one? (Not sold on a lot of the new SD stuff).

I'm starting to feel like I should just stick with my cotton/nylon blend button up- best solution for heat/sun/bugs perhaps.

The aforementioned Alpine Start has the greatest range of useability of any fabric I've tried. For strictly heat/bugs, I still prefer a cotton/poly thrift store number.

If these windshirts are so breathable (air permeable), wouldn't that make them not very wind resistant?
Is it possible for a high quality fabric to be both more wind resistant AND more breathable than a lower quality fabric that is less wind resistant AND less breathable?

@Justin For me that is the case. I went from a windjacket that had a CFM of 2 or 3 to one that has a CFM of 20 and when the wind is blowing I can definitely feel it creep in when it is cold and it chills me.

You aren't walking hard enough or your base layer is too light. The alternative is getting too sweaty.

Of course I am not walking hard enough, I am trying to enjoy myself. Without the wind I am just fine walking along but when it start blowing around 20mph the Westcomb Crest Hoody gets to be too chill. Not really good for a windshirt that is supposed to protect you from, you know, the wind. but otherwise it is a pretty good softshell.

The Weatcomb is deigned for a higher level of activity. Maddening!

Non-membrane softshells tend to breath a lot better than windshirts (yes, even the best ones).

Softshells are great when it's cold enough you'll be hiking in them most of the time. I have a hard time being comfortable going uphill hard in a windshirt, but softshells work a lot better for me. For most of the 3-season, it's usually too warm for me to go uphill in a windshirt, though, so my softshells tend to only come out in winter.

Pants are a different story, of course, and I tend to wear softshell pants almost 100% of the time.