Affordable Windshirt?

Police raid jackets are basically the old-school windbreakers from the 80s and 70s. They come lined and unlined. You'll obviously want an unlined one.

http://sallyscopshop.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=845

Sally's is pretty easy to work with. Call them and let 'em know you what you're looking for and they'll make it happen.

I bought one of the women's Champion windshirts at Costco. It is blue and not a particularly feminine cut, bought it a couple sizes up (X large). It's made out of polyester, quite breathable (maybe slightly too much so for a windshirt), and it weighs 6 oz. It cost 9 something. Doesn't have a hood though. Anyways, it's a great beater windshirt, seams pretty burly/tough. Needs to be treated with a DWR though, i think.

I had a Brooks LSD wind shirt for a while and it was great for the money. You can usually get them for $40-$50 all day long. I think it was less than 6oz in an XL. It's polyester so not quite as tough as its nylon counterparts, but sounds like that won't be an issue.

Ryan

Ian,

Oh my god. I won't get robbed, that's for sure. Maybe this question belies how little I've tried googling myself into an armchair expert, but is there a law against wearing a "Federal Agent" jacket casually? Like, impersonating a police officer?

If there isn't, well, I totally dig these. I wish I knew the weight.

Ha ha! Yeah I'd have them send you a plain one. I'd hate to hear that you were eating out of a straw because a gubnent hater threw a beer bottle at the back of your head as you were riding down the road.

The one I have next to me at the moment is lined, XXL, is screen printed and has patches on it. It weighs in at 12oz. I suspect that an unmarked/unlined one size XXL will probably be 1/2 that.

For poops and giggles, I gave it the Darth Vader test. Not so good in this regard to be honest.

I think I have an unlined one at work. If so, I'll see if it's the same breathability wise.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/marmot-ion-wind-jacket-for-men~p~3969g/?filterString=s~marmot-wind-jacket%2F&colorFamily=01

can get pretty cheap with one of their many sales and deals.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=84082&skip_to_post=770933#770933

I've heard the latter Ion's are pretty NOT breathable though.

What if, instead of going cheap and light you go for durable and breathable?

OR Ferrosi Hoody is made of a Cordura two-way stretch soft shell material, breathes with the best of 'em while still shedding wind and repels water great. I've worn one for riding in cooler weather and it does well.

Runner's wind shells can be a great buy. The Brooks LSD Lite II is 6 oz in size large. Breathability is similar to the lower UL versions, but it has a big cowl vent on the back. The hood tucks into the collar, making it a good option for biking use.

The current LSD Lite III is on sale at REI for $42 in blue. Brighter colors are ~$50 or so on the web. http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/lsd-lite-jacket-iii/210429902.030.html#q=LSD+lite&start=4

I got a bright orange II version for $10 in a thrift store :) I've seen similar models for cheap in in outlet and discount stores like TJ Maxx and Ross.