durable bushwacking windshirt

[Justin Baker]

I could use some help with this. I'm looking for a windshirt that can handle pushing through sharp manzanita and other brushyness. I love my patagonia houdini but it's not up to the task.

I'm looking for something in the 7-11 ounce range.
Hood mandatory.
Maybe a very light softshell would work?

In cold weather I will probably be using this over less durable insulation pieces like merino wool or grid fleece to protect it from abrasion when necessary.

I've looked at the wild things windshirt (10 oz) and it's supposed to be in between a rain jacket and windshirt, would prefer just a plain breathable windshirt.

Does anyone have a suggestion? I've done plenty of searching but everything I find is either some burly softshell or an ultra thin windshirt.

[Roger Caffin]

Simple: MYOG
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/notes_from_the_field_bushwhacking_shell.html
and
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/myog_shell_top.html

Cheers
edited to correct URL

[Ken Thompson]

Bad link Roger

How about a little heavier nylon?

http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/piragis/piragis-windshirt-102536

[James Marco]

Hey Roger, The link is broken, somehow.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/myog_shell_top.html#.VC_h0GddWoU
is what I have.

[Link .]

Here is a hyper link to both articles and Ken's suggestion
Notes from the Field – Bushwhacking Shell
Make Your Own Gear: Shell Top

Piragis Windshirt

[James holden]

Youre really looking dor a softshell if you want durability

Theres a reason why climbers wear softshells and many here wear softshell pants

Now thicker nylon can be quite durable, but at that point itll weight the same as a light softshell

If you want a windshirt perhaps the military versions?

;)

[Harald Hope]

supplex/taslan – rockywoods.

rogers suggestion of taslan/supplex, which are basically the same thing, is good. I've used the same sierra designs supplex pants for literal decades now, though I did have to patch the knees a year or so back, with supplex patches, of course.

The stuff is totally big sur proof, and it breathes ok in even high heat, though it's better I think when it's under around 80F or so. I never get cold in it walking so I don't know what the lowest comfort temp is.

Dries super fast, is very strong, is NOT light.

I picked up what I think is a softwhell used and I sweat like a pig in it, to the degree I never use it anymore. It's a tight fitting style though. I'd rather wear a supplex wind shirt myself than the softwhell, and the supplex will be incredibly durable.

If I were to do this, I'd pick up a cr@ppy used windshirt at a thrift store (or just go to thrift stores and look for heavy wind shirt type jackets), with the most basic construction possible, ideally one piece for each arm, two pieces for the body, and one for the hood, ad then rip the seams and use the pieces as the template for sewing a new one. I did rain pants sort of like that, and they work fine.

Other options you may not have considered are things like used army wool shirts, which would not be useable in hot areas, but would be great in cooler times. Also worth a thought as cheap and easy is just a basic shirt, made out of polyester or nylon, also via thrift stores. that's cheap and easy, and should last you ok.

[Roger Caffin]

URLs fixed – thanks. (Missing h in bushwhacking …)

Anna also gove the right links.

Cheers

[spelt with a t]

FWIW, Justin, I have a supplex windshirt in near-identical the design from the link Ken posted, and I've been unable to destroy it in 15 years. The stuff lasts.

[Roger Caffin]

> I have a supplex windshirt in near-identical the design from the link Ken posted,
> and I've been unable to destroy it in 15 years. The stuff lasts.
Some of the ones I make (Taslan, ~=Supplex) have lasted from about 1998.

Cheers

[Brett Peugh]

I would make one of Roger's also if I could sew.

[Jerry Adams]

same as Roger – make my own supplex shirt – fairly durable but I don't do crazy bushwacking

I wouldn't consider it a windshirt, just a shirt, or maybe that's all a windshirt is : )

Kind of heavy for a larger jacket

[Jordan Z]

I don't think they make it anymore but the Marmot Ion wind shirt is very durable. I've had it now for about 5 years and it is in perfect condition. Decent off trail/bushwhacking usage as well. Weighs around 5 ounces, might be worth a try.

[Andrew F]

Black Diamond Alpine Start? It's 9 oz, very breathable and will be way more durable than a Houdini.

[Justin Baker]

Roger, MYOG would be best but I have no sewing machine, sewing skills, or time to learn. I do want to get really good at MYOG at some point.

Ken, that looks like a possible option. Thanks for the link.

Harald, I am basically looking for something that is Big Sur proof.
It would probably be my only carried clothing in the summer because the only time I would possibly get cold during the day would be if the wind picked up when hiking on a ridge.
During the colder winter months it would also be useful.
In cold weather I could wear soft baselayers and midlayers that aren't very abrasion resistant and throw the windshirt over if I'm forced to push through brush.
I do the same thing with windpants. I like hiking in running tights and I have thrown some thrift store windpants over them for abrasion.

Andrew, I just looked at Dave C's review for the black diamond and it looks promising. That black diamond also looks good for the winter camping I want to get into.

Can anyone tell me how the really light softshells compare in durability to the heavier weight nylon windshirts?

I stop by my local thrift stores about every week (they are on the way to school) but I have yet to find a windshirt that had a hood and a decent fit.

[David Chenault]

Justin, the Alpine Start is holding up very well. No holes or anything close, which is impressive.

[Justin Baker]

On sale at backcountry right now, I'm totally getting one. Thanks David!

[Trill Daddy]

Agreed. Although I find the fit a bit odd.

[John S.]

Use an old rain jacket. Lighten the weight by cutting off the hood.

[Mike M]

if you can find one, the military Houdini (made by Patagonia) is definitely robust, but twice the weight of the regular Houdini (4.5 vs 9 oz), I use it for hunting and is holding up famously- these are issued to special forces troops so I'm guessing they have stressed theirs considerably more than I have :)

[Daryl and Daryl]

Here's a supplex jacket in med for $15. They also have a top and bottom wind suit.

Other good deals at this site too. Check out the $5 fishnet tops, for example.

here

[Ito Jakuchu]

"Agreed. Although I find the fit a bit odd."

Same here. Remember when it fit ok overall it was too tight around my shoulders.
Bit heavy, but very often you can wear it all day. I bought something similar but a bit lighter from TNF JP. Even when it's too hot I just take off my base layer..

[Justin Baker]

No hood :(

[Brett Peugh]

My Westcomb Crest hoody has taken a few small scrapes so far.

[Roman Vazhnov]

Tight neck area makes it unusable.

[Author]

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