Most breathable windshirt

[Matthew L.]

Hi everyone. I am looking for the most breathable windshirt on the market. I do want some sort of DWR on it for drizzle protection. I don’t really have much of a preference for hooded or hoodless designs or full-zip or half-zip just that it breathes well and is as light as possible. It would mainly be used for backpacking and running when it is somewhat cool with a light breeze and with rain threatening. I have checked out many, many jackets and these are the ones that are in the running:

1. Patagonia Houdini (hooded, fullzip, 4 ounces)
2. Patagonia Dragonfly (hooded or hoodless,halfzip,3.5 oz
3. Montbell U.L. Windshirt (hoodless, fullzip, 2.6)
4. Montane Aero (hoodless, halfzip, 2.5-2.9)
5. Outdoor Research Ion (hooded, 3/4 zip, 3.5)
6. Montane Featherlite (hoodless, full or half zip, 3-3.5
7. Golite Wisp (hoodless, halfzip, 2.5)
8. Golite Ether (hooded, halfzip, 3)
9. Marmot Chinook (hooded, halfzip, 3)

Which do you like the best? Are there any that you like better? Thanks for your help!

[kevin davidson]

Having tried a number on your list and currently owning a 2 year old Chinook (which I still think highly of) , I would get the one missing on your list– the only hooded Pertex Quantum windshirt available—the recently discontinued Marmot Ion.
Feature and cut wise similar to the Chinook (just ever so slightly shorter in the body and tighter in the chest. 3.1 oz. in L.

I just got mine from http://www.marmotmountain.com at a closeout price of $69.95.
From the trail run I did the other day, I can tell it breathes a little better and shed a light rain better as well.

By the way, the Chinook like the Ion is a full zip. Chinook in L is 3.75 oz.

[Matthew L.]

Have you tried the Montane Aero? It is made of Quantum as well, and I was wondering if there was a difference between the breathability of the Aero and Marmot Ion since they both use the same shell fabric.

[kevin davidson]

Yes and none that I could tell –I like Montane products for their cut and quality but the hood is a must in a windshirt for me, hence the Ion.

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