Affordable Wind Jackets

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I'v ehad one for a couple years and it is my absolute #1 go-to piece of gear… take it with me on every trip and use it allt he time. FOund mine on Backcountry for about $50, and you ought to be able to do at least as well during the sales going on all over the place now.

Yuo can prolly find something a little lighter or a little cheaper, or maybe even a littll better… but I'm happy enough with mine tha tI won't even bo looking unti it's in tatters and I'm forced to go shoppping again That might be a while, though!

Daryl do you have any idea what the specs for jacket on the link you posted are?

Carlos, there are loads of windbreaker like the one Daryl points to which are dead cheap. Usually these fit poorly, and always the DWR is crap. You get what you pay for, in my book.

Windshirts are a summer item for most, so a bunch are on sale at the moment. Backcountry.com has some good ones (Montane Mountain Star, OR Ferrosi) at the moment.

David,

I have learned the same lesson that you usually get what you pay for. I definitely want a jacket that actually works and I will pay for it when it is worth it.

However like you said there are many options out there. The major brands usually get all the spotlight but I am sure there are others that many members here favor that are similar. I just want to make the best decision possible since I don't have a lot of vendors that carry most of them nearby.

Check out your local sporting goods store, like a sports authority.

There's 16 pages of discussion about one particular cheapie, which might be the same one that Daryl is referencing, here: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=84082&skip_to_post=781938#781938

Carlos, do you have much of an idea of what you want out of a windshell? Do you anticipate wearing it often, or packing it most of the time? (The later would suggest smaller and lighter as a priority.) Do you run warm and move quick? (Which would suggest a more breathable shirt.) There certainly some lesser known, non 100+ dollar options, but matching preferences with the item in question can be tricky.

To be more specific; the Montbell Wind Blast is probably a darn good value. Montbell generally does fit well, though the "cut generously" part of the description would make me wary. While 50D taffeta isn't very light, it should hold up well and be middle of the road with respect to both windproofing and breathability. In my experience Montbell's DWR is substandard, but certainly decent.

I like my Marmot Trail Wind Hoody. It's relatively cheap (~$60) fairly light (~5 oz) and made of polyester instead of nylon. I find the polyester to be much more comfortable on the skin and quicker to dry when wet.

The real expense in a windshirt is weight. Once you break away from the 3-4 ounce level to slightly heavier examples, there are many less expensive options and it is far easier to find used garments. Once you get to the 10 ounce level there are some incredible jackets offered for biking, running and cross-country skiing that work well for hiking. Button down shirts come into the picture at the 10 ounce level as well.

Recent options in UL windshirts may be very light weight but aren't very breathable, cutting their overall utility. As I've gotten into bike travel, I've been surprised at the good wind gear available in that market.

I found this Novara (REI's biking line) Conversion model convertible jacket/vest that has great features and top notch construction and it is 10 ounces in men's XL size:

Another great example is the now discontinued SportHill Climate jacket that was made with Epic fabric that has incredible DWR/breathability properties and the design has good ventilation features and comes in at 10.4oz in a men's large. I found a brand new one in a thrift store for $10!

The Brooks LSD series of running jackets are good for hiking and they have been made for many years (they are up to version IV now I think), so finding deals on used and old stock is pretty easy. The weights on the LSD jackets are in the 4oz range, so they are very much in the UL bracket.

I bought a Champion Polyester 6 oz wind-shirt at Costco for about 10 dollars. It was too breathable, and had either no, or very crappy DWR.

Easy fix on both parts. Washed it well in hot water with oxy clean (in case it had any DWR), rinsed very well. Took some silicone adhesive, thinned it a lot with paint thinner, mixed it up very well with an old hand held blender i don't really use anymore otherwise (it's now dedicated to this function).

Threw the windjacket in the dryer to get it nice and hot, and applied the silicone adhesive with a combo of foam brush and microfiber cloth on a hot day outside. Let it dry outside, then put it in the dryer again.

Now has a more reasonable wind resistance, and a great DWR, which i think will last a long while (perhaps similar to EPIC). In any case, it's a much thicker coating than most diy, pre made type DWR treatments.

This process can be applied to any polyester or nylon fabric provided you get rid of any pre-existing DWR, and the material is breathable enough to begin with. Don't add it to a fabric that is already highly wind resistant–you'll basically make a silnylon or silpoly fabric, but likely not as good as commercially available stuff.

"Usually these fit poorly, and always the DWR is crap."

Carlos,

I bought several of the Bill Rogers jackets I liked them so much. The extra large size I have weighs 6.2 ounces on my scale.

I tend to prefer and wear it instead of my 4 ounce Houdini. It just seems to fit me better, looser, more comfortably and less bindingly. The Houdini clings to me when it gets sweaty. The slightly heavier and stiffer fabric in this windbreaker clings less and makes it easier to carry on a relationship with it. Perhaps it will be more durable than the lighter Houdini fabric? Only time will tell.

I doubt that the DWR is crap because I doubt that it has DWR. I prefer uncoated fabric jackets with no DWR or other coatings.

Breathability of this jacket is similar to my Houdini with the Houdini being just a tad more breathable.

The zipper on this jacket is larger than the Houdini and snags less than the Houdini. zipper.

It has a nice big hood which I like because I have what is commonly referred to as a "nice big head".

I wish this jacket had a full front zip but it doesn't.

This jacket will not turn any heads at Sun Valley this summer but it works for me and it features three full size cordlocks with drawstring at the neck and waste. My Houdini has a little piece of foam rubber I never use.

I carry only an REI Kimtah eVent parka for both rain and wind and save the weight and bulk of a dedicated "wind jacket"/shirt.

I've backpacked Virginia, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Utah, Colorado California and Canada and never yet felt I needed a dedicated wind shirt.

I still don't get the whole concept if, after all, we are supposed to have "dual duty" items whenever possible. But, hey, I'm a codger and need to lighten my load so I stick to what has worked for me.

I guess I should have given more information on the intended uses that this jacket would serve me.

I typically run very hot while active and then cold when inactive so I am looking for a layer that is on the more breathable side with wind blocking ability and as much water resistance as possible without sacrificing too much breathe-ability and. I want to be able to layer under it as I have some good fleeces (and a puffy or two) that benefit immensely from the wind protection. The fact that these wind jackets are so packable and light is an added bonus for me.( Blah I made it sound like the perfect jacket which was not my intention)

I understand these will not perform like a rain jacket under sustained precipitation but if they can keep me dry enough through sporadic showers on days where there was very minimal chance of rain and save me some weight I would be happy. I am not a fan of the plastic bag feeling.

I have been using my rain jackets as a substitute for this and I sweat like a pig if I have it on while hiking even with the pit zips and zipper pulled down. Not to mention my rain jackets are 13 and 21 oz respectively.

Im athletic sized which sometimes can limit my options because for me baggy is ineffective. I would prefer full zip cause it is easier to vent and takeon/off I am 5'11" with a 40" chest and 33 waist.

Carlos, if you can find a Montane Mountain Star in your size I think you'll be very happy. The Squamish and BD Alpine Start also fit your performance criteria, but are a lot more expensive.

I will continue comparing some of the suggestions given here to see if I can find the right piece for me.

I have seen a good amount of wind pieces that come without a hoody. How useful is a hoody in such lightweight jackets that are not intended to be rain shields? Is it really that necessary?

I seem to use my windshirt frequently with my R1 hoody in the late fall, early spring. Given that combination, I really like having a hooded windshirt. Put up both hoods and I am toasty into the 20s, easily. If a hooded R1 isn't in your closet, maybe not quite as critical. I think I would base it on whether you like hoods in general (I do!)

Hoods are awesome and very pragmatic. Btw, in colder weather, you can combine a more highly water resistant hooded wind jacket with a special fleece (Paramo "pumpliner" or equivalent), and have an effectively waterproof (for most conditions) jacket.

Since the fleece acts as your mid layer, and you would already be bringing a windjacket, it's a great combo. Unfortunately doesn't work well for warmer weather since the combo is pretty warm while high active.

I actually recently purchased an R1 and have not been able to take it out in the field yet for heavy use, but so far it is amazing. I did quick inventory of my layers and I have more hoods than I realized. I think you guys are right in that it makes too much sense to have an attached hood.

I have sent out an email to Montbell requesting more spec information on some of their wind shells by comparison. Hopefully that will come back with useful data.

Montbell Dynamo is a great wind jacket, and the Dynamo pants as well.

I've used it in the high 40's-low 50's and light rain with only a base layer (old EMS Techwick) and was very comfortable while moving. Got quite damp but maintained enough warmth. Recently used it in the Catskills down to 27F and very windy, adding only a 100-wt fleece jacket as middle layer and was also comfortable, even after stopping for a few minutes.

To me, hoods are essential.

However, these are very light jackets. Wouldn't want to bushwhack in them.

The MEC Farpoint might be what you're looking for but it's price range is a bit outside your target window. Especially when you factor in the shipping to the US. It looks promising though.

http://www.mec.ca/product/5034-288/mec-farpoint-jacket-mens/?q=farpoint

I have found in thrift shops lightweight nylon hooded windbreakers or polyester dress shirts for wind shirts.
I have both half and full zip windbreakers. I've got a black Adidas front zip windbreaker with a hood that rolls up in the collar that I've used for years.
I don't know the weight offhand, but I suspect they are no heavier than many $100 wind shirts, yet they perform the same function.

Michael,

Our experiences are similar.

The expensive name brand ones often sit in a box whereas the only slightly heavier inexpensive ones get used.

Word, Daryl and Daryl.
BTW, my Adidas windbreaker also has zippered pockets which I really like – I don't like not having pockets on my outer layers. And it looks sporty in a 1980s sort of way that current manufacturers just can't seem to capture.