Windshirts and Hoodies That Won’t Break the Bank

A cheap rain suit that works is Dri Ducks:
http://www.froggtoggs.com/?outerwear/driducks get the ultralite suit.
The main downside is that they are fragile. If you're careful and hike on well maintained trails they'll work; if you bushwhack they won't last long.

What sizes?

6pm.com has the Patagonia Houdini for $50 in larger sizes.

You can buy running jackets and pants at discounters like Marshalls and TJ Maxx, and the big box stores have their own house brands. If you live in an urban area, the thrift stores will have lots of options for cheap.

CAMP USA has the Magic Jacket ($36) and Magic Anorak ($30) in their closeout section in Size Small & Medium.

http://camp-usa.com/products/apparel/closeout/closeout-magic-jacket-1668.asp

I have the camp magic jacket and like it. Make sure to order up a size though because they run small.

@ Walter,

I have the DriDucks ultralite for use as raingear.

I should have been more specific about my needs and wants. I am looking for a hooded windshirt/windbreaker and a long sleeve synthetic hooded shirt for an insulating layer.

@ Dale,

My normal size is XL. I am 5 feet 9 1/2 inches tall and 217 pounds. That Houdini is so tempting but a little out of my price range as I'd still be looking for the long sleeve synthetic hooded shirt for an insulating layer.

@Christopher,

Thank you for the PM and the post. Unfortunately my size would be XL.

@ Jeff,

My normal size is XL which is sold out. If they run small I'd have to order a XXL which doesn't seem to be an option.;-(

Party On,

Newton

john

my suggestion for an el cheapo fleece insulating layer for on the move (there are also options for static insulation but itll be heavier) is a 100wt fleece you can find anywhere for cheap … and use a beanie as not too many cheap fleeces have hoods

heres one at lands end for $17

pull over …

hhttp://www.landsend.com/pp/ThermaCheck100HalfzipPullover~212301_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::WTL&CM_MERCH=IDX_Outerwear-_-Fleece-_-Men&origin=index

the wind shell is a bit harder as its hard to tell breathability … you can try asking lands end if their DryOff treatment is a DWR, or if its a waterproof non breathable coating … if its the former heres a 25$ jacket

http://www.landsend.com/pp/PackableRainJacket~206604_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::ZTU&CM_MERCH=IDX_Outerwear-_-Men-_-JacketsParkasCoats-_-Jacket&origin=index

or hit department of goods …. they usually have gear at great prices …

hope that helps

Here's a few more wind shirts at backcountry.com (which I think runs Dept of Goods), BUT they are all around $50.00, so I would go for the Patagonia Houdini listed above.

http://www.backcountry.com/stoic-wraith-shell-mens

http://www.backcountry.com/marmot-trail-wind-hooded-jacket-mens

http://www.backcountry.com/the-north-face-verto-jacket-mens

Edit: here's an Icebreaker Superfine 200 Hoody in XL for $74.97 (http://www.backcountry.com/icebreaker-superfine-200-hoody-surf-mens)

Edit: here's a Terramar Body-Sensors Geo Fleece Pullover Hoodie for $29.99 at Campmor (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___35167)

Steven,

Thanks for the info.

I think I'll be ordering the Terramar hoodie from Campmor. The Terramar Men's Body-Sensors Geo Fleece Expedition Weight Half Zip Shirt weighs in at 6.5 oz minus the handwarmer pocket and hood. There is no posted weight on the Terramar Men's Body-Sensors Geo Fleece Expedition Weight Pullover Hoodie on Campmor's webpage for that item. I can't believe that the handwarmer and hood would add more than an ounce or ounce and a half. This would put me right at my target weight of 7.5 to 8 ounces.

It seems that I will have to dig a little deeper for the windshirt. I had seen the Stoic Wraith shell. It is lighter than the Houdini but I think I like the Houdini better.

I'm still looking. ;-)

Party On,

Newton

The driducks jacket makes an OK windshirt with a little modification — it's loose fitting, so some elastic at wrists and waist to keep the wind out(or rubber bands around your wrists and a string tied around your waist.

EMS has a RAB wind shirt of 15D Pertex Quantum for $55 that might be interesting.
http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4346034&lmdn=Category&cp=3707807.12019738
The Camp anorak is OK also.

To be honest, after trying a couple of windshirts that don't breath enough and trying my Event parka as a windshirt, I'm tempted to go back to my old plain anorak that weighs about 12 oz; it's made of polyester that's like nylon ripstop. It breathes very well and has a big pocket for mittens and scarf and NO DWR. It's just easier to adjust warmth, with zippers open/closed, waist open or cinched, and hats and scarf on/off. If there is any chance of rain or wet snow, it still needs a rain parka over it. I wish it were lighter. It's easy to find equivalent nylon windbreaker jackets but without hood at Goodwill or Salvation army. Just make sure it's not coated nylon.

Walter,

I still haven't given up entirely on the "rain jacket" from Academy as an inexpensive alternative.

From Academy's website;

"…Magellan Sportswear® Adults' Lightweight Rain Jacket, which is made from breathable, lightweight 100% nylon material…"

I emailed them with a product enquirey regarding the existence of a hood and the jacket weight.

The RAB Cirrus, Stoic Wraith and Houdini are all great choices. Camp doesn't have my size in the Magic Anorak. Too bad since it is on sale for $30.00. ;-(

Thanks again.

Party On,

Newton

The Terramar hoodie looks like a good buy. I would go for the full zip jacket version myself and add a beanie or balaclava— easier to vent and get on and off. If they had a hoodie with a full zip for $30, that would be great.

I would avoid going for a cheap rain jacket as a windshirt. You have the DriDucks and that is breathable material. I would expect the Academy to be PU coated material and not breathable, making it a guaranteed sweat box if used like a windshirt.

Do read reviews on any of the major brand windshirts. You would expect them all to perform in a similar manner, which is NOT the case. There is strong consensus to the Houdini working well, but the Marmot Trail Wind has been given negative comments in the forums here. If you ware going to go cheap with a windshirt, I would look for an uncoated nylon windbreaker. You will find a lot of cheap windbreakers with light PU coatings and untaped seams, which is a design I never understood. They will repel light rain and give you a false sense of security until they get really wet and start piping water through those unsealed seams. Having cold water running down your neck isn't much fun! Trying to use one for a windshirt will make for an instant greenhouse. I can see the economy in buying a $10 windbreaker, but once you get into the $30+ range, you might as well bite the bullet and get the Houdini on sale.

Dale,

This is what I have gotten from Academy thus far.

"Yes it does come with a hood. Weight is approx. 10 ounces."

It is twice the weight of the Houdini but less than half the price.

The seams on this jacket are taped but I have enquired as to whether or not the material is coated in any way.

The Academy/Magellan jacket is $19.99. I have some time. I agree with you that once I get past the 30+ range it is time for the Houdini trick. ;-)

Thanks for your input.

Party On,

Newton

If the seams are taped, the material is coated and it will be a sweat box if used as a windshirt— or a rain jacket for that matter. Ultimately, it is street stuff.

Tell you what– I have an REI windbreaker with a hood and pockets, lightly coated black nylon, 9.2oz and nicely made. It is water resistant, but does not have taped seams. It is marked as size large, but fits me with room to spare (26.5" across the armpits) and I am normally an XL size. I will PIF it to you for the cost of the shipping, which should be $6 for a Priority Mail Tyvek envelope. PM me if you want it.

Hey Newton,

Mind sharing who has the Magic on sale for $30?

Thanks!

@ Dale,

Generosity is thy name. ;-)

Here is some more info just in from Academy's customer service.

"It looks like it is taped with the breathability feature that you are asking about.

There is no indication that it has any type of coating or dwr that you mentioned
previously." ;-?

@ Rusty,

It's C.A.M.P. USA

http://www.camp-usa.com/products/categories/CLOSEOUTS.asp

Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page. The Magic jacket is $36.00 and the Magic Anorak is $30.00. Both are only available in Small and Medium. Read above in this thread where they seem to run a size smaller.

Party On,

Newton

Newton,

I have had great luck with the Sierra Designs Microlight Jacket. I am on my second one and it has been a great Windshirt. The reviews aren't great and I agree their advertising is a little off, but this is a great coat for the $39.00 price tag. I have picked them up for as little as $14 on clearance at REI too.

We have 7 of them in the house (wife and 4 kids). it works great. It was excellent in Montana on a BPL course. I used it the entire time. Dry ducks were my got to rain gear. We saw some light snow and rain. I love it. No really, really love it. Especially for the price.

Thanks – Jason

Jason,

Thank you for sharing your experience with the Sierra Designs Microlight Jacket.

I agree that the reviews aren't great about the breath-ability of the jacket. I had looked at it and after your post I read through all of the reviews.

Since Dale offered his PIF I have decided to continue this experiment for $6.00 instead of $19.99 and accept his generous offer and save a 1/2 oz in the process. ;-)

FWIW as far as the hooded shirt goes I will also be ordering the Terramar Men's Body-Sensors Geo Fleece Expedition Weight Pullover Hoodie on Campmor's webpage that Steven suggested. Campmor sent me a 10% off coupon a while back that expires on 11/8/11 so things seem to be falling into place on this one too.

Thanks to all for your input and suggestions. BPL continues to be the place to be for hikers to get help and advice from other hikers.

Party On,

Newton

Thanks for the info. Too bad they don't have my size. Rats! :(

@ Dale,

I received the REI jacket in today's mail. Your appraisal of its actual size versus its size L tag was right on the money. It fits my XL torso quite well with some room to spare.

Thanks again Dale.

@ Steven,

Also in today's mail was my delivery from Campmor of my Terramar Men's Body-Sensors Geo Fleece Expedition Weight Pullover Hoodie. It has all the design features I required and is as I desired made of polyester and spandex. I weighed it on my scale and it registered 14.7 ounces.

The Terramar Men's Body-Sensors Geo Fleece Expedition Weight Half Zip Shirt lists its average weight as 6.5 ounces.

The hoodie has naturally the hood, two regular size cordlocks, a length of 3/32" shockcord, two plastic spacer beads, a large 2 3/8" doubled over bottom hem and a large handwarmer front pocket. All of these "extras" and the fact it is an XL and not a M size probably add up to the 8.2 ounce difference in weight when compared to the 6.5 ounce Half Zip Shirt.

The price was right. It is soft and comfortable and I can see ways to reduce its weight closer to my original goal. I'll score this one as a win in my book.;-)

Thanks for pointing me in its direction Steven.

Party On,

Newton

Glad to hear that worked out. Just a thought — can you replace the cordlocks and cord with lighter options? Or remove them entirely? Those little things can sometimes work on to a few ounces.

Newton,

Glad you like the windshirt. BTW, I think the breathability is very close to the Sierra Design Microlight and the REI has better features, IMHO. Red Ledge has knocked out some similar models too.

You're getting the lesson on advertised weights– they vary all over the place. With that Terramar hoody, you are getting an extra layer of fabric over the belly for the kangaroo pocket too. Also, there is nothing to guaranty that two models use the same fabric. You may find garments with the same model name that vary from one production run to another or model year. The advertised weight is a thumbnail guesstimate until it hits your scale: "the grams stop here."

I'm sure that some manufacturers and retailers don't take weight as seriously as UL hikers do and don't see a few ounces more or less as false advertising. I bought a North Face Verto backpack last year, advertised at 11oz and it was more like 13.5 — a 23% error, but "only" 2.5oz.

Have fun!

Steven,

My Terramar hoodie has an appointment with my MYOG (modify your own gear) surgeon.

On the list to go;

Cord locks, spacer beads, shock cord, kangaroo pocket, wide doubled hems and a hood reduction (it's huge).

I plan on reshaping the overly large hood into a more reasonably sized hood resembling one on an Anorak.

I'll probably use a simple drawcord on the hood instead of shockcord with some micro mini cordlocks from Quest.

Stay tuned. ;-)

Party On,

Newton