Windshirt preference poll – hooded or not

Since I wear glasses, I find that the hoods on most jackets does nothing to shield my glasses from rain drops and therefore has no value to me.

Sometimes I use my windshirt as a light rain jacket and I do wear it under my poncho to provide a coverage for my arms and for any rain that might blow in through the sides of the poncho.

I use a Sunday Afternoon hat for sun and rain protection…with its wide and long brim, it provides me the rain protection for my glasses.

Having said that, my OR windshirt does have a hood…the next one that I get will be a Golite Windshirt, which does not have a hood.

Hope that helps.

-Tony

I use both. I like my windproofs to be just that. Windproof. I don't like them to be very water-resistant, as that affects breathability. I don't use a windshirt as a lightweight rain jacket.
As my windproofs have little water resistance, i prefer a hood for walking, then i can throw my rain jacket on top when needed.
A hoodless windproof is better for cycling.

I would prefer a hooded windshirt, but my favorite windshirt (montbell) does not offer one. I use a windshirt for warmth and occasionally as a bugshirt. Having a hood means I don't have to be as careful with my headnet.

The hood doesn't add much weight but offers more versatility, in my opinion. If it is truly put to use to fend off the wind, the more solid material of an integrated hood is more protective than the separate combination of a jacket and hat, which will usually leave an unprotected area in the upper neck.

Definitely hooded. I would not buy one with it.

If your core is getting cool enough to demand wind protection, your head and neck need it too.

With hood… ideally a hood can be tucked out of the way. Then the wind really kicks up it would be hard to under-estimate how much the hood helps, especially when layered over the typical wool or fleece hat which is air permeable. The hood adds a great deal of versatility.

–mark

Hooded. Even for twelve bucks.

Hooded, preferably rolled into the collar like my perfect Montane Lite-speed.

Hooded, is always the best and worth the weight

I have both and prefer my hooded Patagonia Hoodini for Winter and the shoulder seasons…even when wearing a wool or fleece balaclava the addition of a hood sure adds to warmth by blocking the wind and trapping the heat!

Hooded for sure. I use the Houdini and the Lite-Speed, along with a stretch balaclava. Though it's worth noting that if the weather was going to be consistently hot I might leave the windshirt at home and just layer my BPL Trekking Shirt over a merino baselayer if extra warmth is needed. But I'd hate to be without a windshirt for most of my trips, esp since my raingear is a rain cape and windpants.

Just adding to the overwhelming majority, here–definitely with hood. If you need something to cut the wind, reduce heat loss, whatever, you lose a ton of heat through your head. Hoods make sense and add perhaps .25 ounce–ie, nothing. As for hoods and glasses, I wear glasses and most of my upper layers have hoods. I've never had a hood make my glasses get more drenched. I also don't wear windbreakers for rain. But if it's a real problem, I wear a floppy-brimmed hat under the hood. Bottom line, there's no penalty for having a hood. The price difference is insignificant. You gain versatility.

Hooded, absolutely. But withOUT any collar. I don't like the collars which the hood can be stuffed into.
I wear a broad-brimmed hat, either inside the hood or outside. Works wonderfully.

No special pocket to put it in, just the hood

I prefer no hood on a wind jacket. if it's cold enough for me to need protection for my neck and head then chances are I'm wearing a lightweight hooded down sweater rather than my windshirt. A hood made of thin paperweight material is of little value to me; if the wind is cold enough that I'd want to use a windshirt hood I should be using a hood or hat that prevents radiant heat loss as well.

Hooded for sure; no hood pockets, no collars, no pockets, no fancy stuff…

Definitely hooded! Love my Montane LiteSpeed. If it's cold enough for a windshirt, then it's cold enough for a hood! Mine is a breathable windshirt, not a rain jacket.

I go hoodless, carry a hat, and wear my hair/beard longish for wind and sun protection.

Hooded, pullover, no pockets. I use the GoLite Ether.

I would replace my Ether with a Brawny windshirt from BPL if it came in either red or black. The Brawny windshirt is simple and clean with useful features.

Hooded here as well, also got a Golite Ether. I like to pull the hood up when it's drizzling, and will keep it on till I absolutely have to change to waterproof.

Does anyone have any experience with the Mammut Microlayer windbreaker? I can pick one up at a good deal, but I don't know how it compares with other likes the Patagonia Houdini. Anyone have any experience with this jacket. It is hooded with a half zip.

Hooded – yes
$12 – yes

Houdini

Definitely hooded. On Thursday, I sent several hours traversing a treeless high ridge above 11,000'. The wind was cold, strong and unrelenting. Without a hood, I would have been miserable. Spending twelve dollars (and an extra half ounce) would be worth it for that part of my trip alone.

I use my tarp as a scarf with my beanie or rain hat when I need the wind protection. I cross it in front and tuck it into the straps or my jacket if dry.

It dries it out if a little damp in the morning too. I tried hanging it off of the back of the pack a bunch of times but I always end up dragging it and it doesn't totally dry.