wind jacket

Somebody please explain to me why a "wind jacket" is on a backpacker's gear list when a Gore-Tex of eVent parka will do the job and also serve as raingear. I thought the idea of UL backpacking was to have multiple use gear whenever possible.

Eric

Because there is a big difference between $50 for a decent wind jacket and $225 for an eVent Rain Jacket. Personally I just use DriDucks for $15. Wind shirts are nice if you know it is not going to rain alot though but you still want to keep yourself a bit warm.

If you have your heart set on a wind shirt though, get the Marmot Ion. Or just use the DriDucks.

I use a poncho-tarp so I don't have any need for a Gore-tex or eVent jacket. A wind shirt suits me just fine. I was a little skeptical of them at first too, but after using one I can't imagine a reason not to bring it along. It is surprisingly functional for only 3 oz.

I made the Liberty Ridge from thru-hiker using the 1.1 oz DWR fabric. It was only $30 and was pretty simple to make. It does leave a little to be desired in breathability but thru-hiker also offers the kit with Momentum. If I ever make a bivy I'm ordering some extra Momentum to make another windshirt.

My windshirt goes with me quite literally every time I go hiking.

Adam

"Somebody please explain to me why a "wind jacket" is on a backpacker's gear list when a Gore-Tex of eVent parka will do the job and also serve as raingear."

Good windshirts like the Houdini are significantly more breathable than Gore-Tex and even eVent, so you can use them to block the wind during high exertion activities. They add a lot of flexibility to your layers. If it's 60 degrees and windy, I am chilled in just my base layer, I would sweat badly with a Gore-Tex shell, but the windshirt is just right. For me a windshirt over a lightweight wool base layer is good from about 40 degrees to 70+ degrees while hiking. That's a pretty big temp range for 3 ounces.

I've used the same 2.6 oz $84 Montbell UL Windjacket for years of backpacking and technical climbing. I never expected any thing this light to last so long. It is more breathable than anything else I have tried which is critical for me. DWR treatment allows it to resist mists. If it ever wears out I will upgrade to the "heavier" hooded UL Wind Parka at 3.3oz $89

"I thought the idea of UL backpacking was to have multiple use gear whenever possible"

IMO, a wind jacket is part of a system. If you already bring seperate rain gear, then perhaps a wind jacket is not needed. But for those of use who bring a poncho/tarp, a wind jacket is perfect for light precip and obviously wind and extra warmth.
Example. If it rains, I sport my poncho/tarp, and if it gets windy I sport my wind jacket. No reason to bring a heavier – less breathable – goretex or event jacket.
If you use a tent, and need a rain jacket – then a wind jacket may not be needed.

It might be helpful to look at a wind jacket as, as they call them in Britain, a "windshirt", rather than a jacket. I see windshirts as windproof shirts that you can wear over a base layer and under a thermal layer. That ability to layer under a thermal layer is important, you can boost the temperature range of the thermal layer and you can quickly put on the thermal layer without taking anything else off. I use a windshirt for the majority of my time walking except when it's too hot. When I'm walking fast and it's not too cold and my body heat manages to evaporate the water that collects on the windshirt surface, I even manage to walk in the rain until it starts coming down hard. That kind of versatility you just can't get with w/b materials like Goretex or eVent.

I have the Montane, and really enjoy it. As someone else said, think of it as another shirt that is very light, but can really add some warmth/comfort. I wish I had the hooded version since that would really help keep drafts from around my neck, and a light mist off my me. I don't have an opinion about the GoLite shirts, but in general I would prefer more breathability over more waterproofness.

I sometimes throw my windshort into my briefcase when traveling because it is so small, and if I get stuck somewhere with bad weather it's very welcomed.