Shell game?

If you can't find your size, screw the wind jacket.

A number of hikers here posted they bring one or the other but not both to save weight.

The advantage a dedicated wind jacket has over a hard shell is it's generally a fair bit more breathable thus better for those warmer days while hiking but there's a chilly breeze, or stopping on top of peaks. That being said, it's personal preference. You probably don't NEED both, but my 2012 Houdini breathes great and weighs nothing, so I always keep it in the pack.

I wonder if you could find a military version of the Houdini in XXL?

I remember looking for one but had difficulty because for ecwcs there were different manufacturers.

^^^

MARS is a keyword for the search. I found a Large on eBay last year.

Best of Luck.

If you want a decent wind jacket, check out Luke's Ultralite Gear [http://lukesultralite.com/products/windgear]. He has wind shells, and will generally do custom work for not a lot of extra money.

Don't be afraid to step outside the hiking clothing box to find a wind shell. There are lots of running, cross country skiing and biking wind shells that have good ventilation, but they are typically closer to 10oz— and less expensive. The Brooks LSD is a good example. I'm trying a Sporthill jacket with Epic fabric that shows huge potential for a hybrid wind/light rain jacket.

These heavier wind shells can be tougher and have more features like cowl back vents, pockets, lined collars, cuff adjusters and the like. Most do not have hoods.

You could also sub a good button-down shirt until you find a Houdini.