wind shirts

The Dirt Catwalk: Modern Layering Ensembles for Backpackers

Wilderness Skills May 24, 2024

In this article, I discuss some of the challenges that an effective layering system needs to address. In addition, I highlight a handful of the layers that I use the most and how I combine them into various ensembles for different use cases.

Shell Game: Wind and Rain Jacket Breathability Tests vs. Trail Performance

Gear Testing & Research May 9, 2024

I sent several top wind and rain shells to the lab to measure breathability and then took them on the trail for real-world testing.

What Properties Influence the Air Permeability of Wind Shirt Fabrics?

Gear Testing & Research April 30, 2024

The purpose of this report is to investigate the relationship between air permeability, fabric porosity, weave type, and yarn structure via photomicrography and image analysis. This is not an exhaustive research study, but rather, an exploration of some of the fabric design attributes that have an impact on air permeability rates.

By The Numbers Fabric Air Permeability and MVTR are Closely Related, Just Not How You Might Expect

Gear Testing & Research January 15, 2024

This work explores the relationship between air permeability and MVTR in fabrics that do not include a waterproof membrane.

By The Numbers – How Much Wind Penetrates Your Air Permeable Outer Layer at Hiking and Running Speeds?

Gear Testing & Research January 11, 2024

Stephen Seeber helps us answer the question, "do air-permeable garments allow a noticeable amount of ventilation while hiking or running?"

By the Numbers: The Myth of Air Permeability in Windshirts

Gear Testing & Research May 1, 2023

If one of your objectives in selecting a windshirt is eliminating moisture vapor, your selection should rely more heavily on Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) than Air Permeability Measurements (APM / CFM).

Standards Watch: Standards Are Important (But Not Enough)

Gear Testing & Research March 19, 2021

Rex Sanders illustrates how difficult it can be to make accurate product comparisons based on manufacturer-provided data.

Staff Picks 2018: Our Favorite Backpacking Gear of the Year

Gear Guides December 27, 2018

Backpacking Light's editorial team, guides, contributors provide their favorite gear choices in BPL's Staff Picks gear guide for 2018.

Paramo Ostro Ultra Light Windproof Jacket

Gear Reviews November 11, 2018

Paramo's Ostro Ultra Light Jacket is a new version of the popular Ostro Windproof Jacket with features not often found on ultralight jackets.

Patagonia Airshed Pullover Review

Gear Reviews February 18, 2017

This Patagonia Airshed Pullover Review features a new type of wind shirt that focuses on maximizing the air permeability of the fabric.

Pertex Shield Raises Ante in DWR Finishes for Soft Shell Garments

Gear Reviews August 7, 2003 Woven soft shell fabrics such as microfiber polyester and ultralight ripstop nylons suffer from poor DWR finishes that make their utility in the rain very limited. Perseverance Mills of the...

Revisiting Wind Shirts

Gear Reviews August 6, 2003 Revisiting Wind Shirts: Breaking the 3 oz Barrier When we last reviewed wind shirts in “Windshirt Wars”, the lightest fabrics were 1.4 to 1.1 oz/sq.yd. nylons and the lightest hoodless...

Cloudveil Veiled Peak Jacket

Gear Reviews July 2, 2003 Weight: 16.3 oz size M The Veiled Peak is Cloudveil’s midweight softshell jacket for aerobic activities. Unlike their famed Serendipity Jacket, which uses a heavier Schoeller Dryskin Extreme, the Veiled Peak...

Arc’Teryx Alpha Comp

Gear Reviews July 2, 2003 Weight: 14.3 oz size M The Alpha Comp softshell/hardshell hybrid is a solid performing alpine hiking/climbing jacket. If you don’t expect to be inundated with rain, this jacket can handle...

Cloudveil Prospector Jackets

Gear Reviews July 2, 2003 Introduction We like softshell garments. You know that. They are superbly breathable and offer a wider range of comfort than traditional hardshell clothing. Stretchwoven softshells, in particular, with their trim...

Ibex Icefall Jacket and Glacier Vest

Gear Reviews July 2, 2003 Both the Icefall and Glacier use Ibex’ Climawool™ Lite, which is similar to Schoeller Dynamic. It has a woven shell of Nylon and Lycra but has a napped merino wool...

Soft Shells: The Real Story

Gear Guides July 1, 2003 Soft shells like the Cloudveil Rodeo Jacket (shown here) are becoming increasingly popular among backpackers and alpinists alike. Introduction Given only 60 seconds to choose our clothing for a hike...

Soft Shell Pants

Gear Reviews May 1, 2003 Ibex Alp and Ibex Guide Lite Pants; Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pant; Sierra Designs Ultra Pants; Cloudveil Rodeo Pants Table of Contents Info & Stats on Pants Overview of Softshell Pants...

Clothing and Sleep Systems for Mountain Hiking, 1st Edition (August 2002)

Gear Guides August 4, 2002

Clothing and Sleep Systems for Mountain Hiking, 1st Edition (August 2002)

2001 Raingear Roundup Review Summary

State of the Market Reports (*) December 16, 2001 Introduction Long awaited, read the results of a months-long review of raingear that includes extensive laboratory and field testing of fabrics and garments by the BackpackingLight.COM Product Review Staff. Introduction...