Durable, quickdrying windshirt?

My Houdini has lasted well and has no issues with durability.

Is there any evidence that there is a durability issue with Houdini windshirts? They have been on the market a while.

I forgot to mention that I'm looking for something for offtrail use including activities such as skiing and mountaineering. Houdini wont stand such abrasion.

You could look at the Cloudveil prospector, which is made with Inertia fabric. I have this jacket and it is a good combination of durability, breathability, wind protection and weight.

Check it out, it may be what your looking for.

Josh

The ArcTeryx Squamish would be a great choice if looking for a durable, light, off-trail windshirt.

Don

Inertia is interesting but I wanted some fabric to make windshirt myself.

I think what I am going to do is wear light quickdrying insulation eg.100 fleece over a driduck suit.

check out the momentum over at thru-hiker.com slightly less durable than epic but much more breathable and water resistant.

Husefa,
Why wear the fleece ove the DriDucks? The DriDucks will do more to repel water if you should get rain/fog.
Duct tape will offset your need for durability, and it's cheap too! My DriDucks pant/jacket set was $15 and can take light abuse. I get off the beaten path when I go fishing and I'm more worried about ripping out the crotch of the pants than I am the jacket getting torn. No tears yet, but I've got tape handy if it should happen.

>I'm more worried about ripping out the crotch of the pants

some folks here have converted driduck pants to chaps. I will be trying that too. no worring about ripping the crotch.

what cool about driducks is that propore is a non woven fabric. So it doesnt absorb any water. So however cold outside you will never have a frozen face fabric.

no personal expierence with this item, but let us not forget that Steve House climbed the rupal face of nanga parabat in a houdini, so it's probably tough enough for most of us.

although perhaps House's invulnerability and other super powers extend to his clothing as well.

I think a good bicycling windshirt, maybe in a size larger, not skin tight as bicyclists prefer, would be the best bet. Be sure the back is wind resistant as well.

Eric

I Have used the Montane Aero Smock for several years now on all kinds of trail and off trail conditions. You will be surprised how durable the Quantum is.

Durability in general is inversely proportional to weight, or in the case of spectra/dyneema or kevlar, cost. Lighter weight fabrics take up less water and dry quicker. One way to deal with this if you are making your own is to add wear panels only where needed: elbows, shoulders, lower back out of double material or heavier material (3oz supplex works well). Polyester dries a little faster than nylon and takes up a little less water, and also takes dwr replenishing easily with wash in Nikwax Polarproof or others. The lightest polyester windshirts I've found were the now out of production Marmot Chinook (full zip, hooded), and the hoodless, full zip, Pearl Izumi Optik. These are both very gossamer fabrics, but if you could buy one and add reinforcements that might work.

Neil, thats a very good advice. thank you.