Not only is this jacket great for climbing, but we also thoroughly enjoyed for mountain biking. If you are using a screen reader and having difficulty please call us at 1-800-638-6464. When it comes down to the core value of a windbreaker, it may be obvious that wind resistance is the focus feature. A neck snap lets you completely unzip the jacket but still keep it in place, which helps quickly dump heat or adjust midlayers. In the market for the best synthetic insulated jacket A solid base layer is at the core of keeping you warm Overview Enjoying the mountains to the fullest extent series of comprehensive and mutually exclusive tests, some criteria are more important than others, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Low price, simple and effective design, tiny packed-size, impressive DWR coating, Ultimate breathability, next-to-skin softness, Lightest in the category, tiny packed size, larger chest pocket, Well-ventilated, body-mapped Merino panels, Lots of zippered pockets, ease of packing, elastic brim, No feature to stow-away hood, thin material can feel clammy during high-output activity, See-through material, under-performing DWR fabric, Goofy looking brimmed hood, swampy, lack of DWR treatment, The best overall value and performance in a lightweight package that sets the category standard, An ultralight, breathable, versatile layer for those who live by the mantra of fast-and-light, An ultralight jacket purposefully built for fast and light mountain missions, Packable weather protection that skillfully incorporates Merino into a well-ventilated shell, Best-in-class storage in a lightweight, ripstop-nylon shell, all at an affordable price, 90% nylon (51% recycled) / 10% polyester double weave, DWR finish, 100% nylon ripstop, woven w/ DWR treatment (Green Theme Technology), 100% nylon outer, 54% Merino wool / 46% polyester liner, DWR coating, No (company states reflective logo on left chest, too small to really be visible), Yes reflective logos on chest, back, right arm; stripes on cuffs and seat hem, Our Editors Choice for its simplicity, price, and solid performance in a lightweight package, A breathable shell that works equally well as a mid-layer for fast-and-light missions, Made for the mountains, this ultralight jacket will help you push your limits, Perfect for adventure runners looking for packable weather protection, If you love pockets and still want solid wind protection, this jacket is hard to beat, Unique Diamond Fuse fabric adds extra durability and longevity to this clean, technical shell, The benefits you love from you Merino baselayer, re-designed as an alpine outerlayer, A fine offering from Arc'teryx, but more expensive than some higher performing models, More weather than wind resistant, this runners shell can breathe and shed light rainstorms, A clean, technical piece that splits the difference between windbreaker and softshell, A slim, European-fit jacket designed with features not included on other lightweight options, A price-point jacket whose core performance is comparable to the those at the top of the list, A classic windbreaker thats a steal-of-a-deal. Copyright 2006-2022 Catch.com.au Pty Ltd (ABN 22 149 779 939). How can we improve GearLab?
DWR coatings are chemical applications that repel water while still allowing the fabric underneath to breathe properly. Even though there are thoughtful additions to improve water resistance, like fully taped seams on the chest pocket, the DWR finish is not enough to stop anything more than a quick passing storm. Catching wind above 12,000 feet in New Mexico. Many manufacturers choose to compensate for poor fabric breathability by including features designed to help with venting. or receive liquor (Penalty exceeds $700). *, Reliable, warm and comfortable - the Gorge, . An ideal choice for uphill athletes, but maybe not those climbers looking at a questionable forecast, considering the Houdini Air all comes down to what you are looking for in a windbreaker jacket. We also recognize that your specific needs may differ from how heavily we scored each metric. The Arc'teryx Squamish Hoody, the Patagonia Houdini, and the Houdini Air are slightly heavier than the Distance, but all pack into their own chest pocket to relatively the same size. Slightly heavier weight jackets like The North Face Flyweight Hoodie are great options for mountain biking, where you need a jacket to cut out the wind on downhills, but still need them to be breathable for pedaling back uphill. This windbreaker jacket should continue to perform well for years across a variety of activities. Let us know! It is also important to recognize that all of the jackets we chose to include in this review are among some of the best products available today. The Ortovox Merino windbreaker uses a revolutionary process to combine nylon and Merino wool into a single-layer piece of outerwear. While it offers a top-notch blend of wind resistance and breathability, it is by no means weatherproof even a few minutes in a light rain will soak through the shoulders. Living in a dry climate, we did not have the good fortune of frequently being drenched by real rainstorms during our testing. The super soft and warm high pile Sherpa inner in No ads. Everything we make has an impact on people and the planet.
The Rab Vital Windshell is packed with pockets, loaded with features, and still costs less than many jackets in this review, earning recognition for its excellent value. OUR
We found that this mesh backing across your shoulders on the KUHL Parajax helped wick away perspiration and keep things a little more dry when wearing a backpack. These are easy entry points where the wind can circumvent your carefully woven nylon barrier.
Msg & data rates may apply. Got feedback? Automated marketing messages will be sent to the phone number provided. The tighter the fabric is woven together, the less space between individual fibers, and the less air-permeable the fabric becomes. The Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell is the lightest jacket in the entire review, and it stuffs down to a tiny package. All of this, at nearly half the price of other jackets, makes the Flyweight Hoodie an incredible value. For example, we give greater weight to critical metrics like wind resistance and packability. These jackets are not only exceptionally light, but they often pack down to a size smaller than your average Nalgene bottle so you have little excuse not to throw one of these into your pack for extra weather protection. Your current browser is no longer supported on llbean.com. That doesnt mean its flimsy, though. The Ortovox Merino Windbreaker is special in this case, utilizing a proprietary weave that incorporates Merino wool and nylon into a single layer, resulting in an exceptionally wind-resistant jacket. Share your opinions with other L.L.Bean customers. Aaron often finds himself in some questionably windy situations, whether in the high mountains or out in the desert. For an outstanding blend of value in a jacket that seamlessly blends wind resistance and breathability, The North Face Flyweight Hoodie is a slightly more casual jacket that still features many of the same standards as other high-priced, more technical pieces. Enjoy exclusive offers, the latest on products, and new ways to get outdoors. Even though the Flyweight lives up to its name relative to most jackets, when compared directly to some of the best ultralight shells in this review, the jacket could even be considered heavyweight and bulky. Some chilly, mountaintop testing of wind resistance in the less-than-ideal Patagonia Houdini Air. Orders are shipped within 1-2 business days and arrive within 3-10 business days. A 100% recycled polyester face fabric is much more comfortable when worn next-to-skin, and is mesh-backed in key spots for enhanced breathability and an extra touch of warmth. We compared our previous findings with how each jacket felt in the strong, cold winds we experienced. Not only is it our top overall scorer, but it is also relatively inexpensive and remarkably durable. He spends much of his time outside and draws on past experience as a retail buyer to dissect and discuss the nuances of technical gear. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. If you don't quite know what we're talking about, go and visit New Mexico in the spring, and you'll understand. The material although lightweight, ripstop nylon does not breathe well. registration number FR0015518. Water resistance is a nice feature in a windbreaker but is certainly not what these jackets are designed for. The interlocking yarns significantly increase wind resistance without adding any weight. However, the size they pack down to is not equal, nor is the ease of stuffing them or transporting them afterward. The lightest windbreakers weigh less than a quarter-pound. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Here, he is wearing the highly breathable Patagonia Houdini Air as a mid-layer under the more substantial Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody, which is essentially an ultralight softshell. Front storm flap to keep out the elements. From long, casual hikes to more intense trail runs, The North Face Flyweight Hoodie is the near-ideal balance of wind resistance and breathability, all at a fraction of the cost of directly comparable jackets.
Well give you trade-in credit and make sure your gear is in goodhands. As a trade-off for leaping improvements in breathability, a stiff wind easily cuts through the thin, single-layer nylon. Our head tester firmly believes windbreakers are the ideal layer for ski touring and mountaineering. Truly incredible in terms of breathability, this super lightweight shell works as a running jacket and doubles equally well as a mid-layer for ski touring. With all of them weighing seemingly next to nothing, does it make sense to penalize the ones that are just slightly heavier but in the grand scheme of things still lightweight? Immerse yourself in the outdoors with the latest Epiq, * Keep out the chills of winter with a new Sydney Swans, Protect yourself from the elements in this Swerve, Zip up and stay protected in Animal's Wilder, Step out and stay protected in Animal's Wilde, Style and functionality come together with Animal's Marin, Lightweight and ready for the trail, Animal's Vale, the product ID: TP4547 Our windbreaker jacket expert is Aaron Rice. Often point deductions came from features that annoyed us: hard to manipulate zippers; hood stowing systems that don't hold; drawcords that are hard to pull or release with one hand; or elastic cuffs and hood liners that aren't tight enough to keep the weather out. Jackets like the KUHL Parajax and Flyweight Hoodie breathe well by effectively wicking moisture from sweat away from the body with a mesh liner.
The Patagonia Houdini represents an exceptional value in this category.
Just ask him, and he will happily tell you that "weather is his jam" he even holds a bachelor's degree in atmospheric and climate science. In side-by-side bike climbs with other top-ranking windbreakers, we were much more swampy inside this jacket. Flexible shipping options are available. Wind resistance and breathability are often contrasting ideas in terms of fabric weave and performance. Since our scoring is based on direct, side-by-side comparisons, a low score doesn't mean that a jacket isn't worth your while. Windbreakers are a great choice for keeping us dry and protected from the elements on ski tours, with the ability to breathe on the way up and block the wind on the way down.
Since these two concepts accomplish the same thing removal of heat and moisture we included them together in this metric. U.S. Customers only.
Windbreakers are a nearly perfect companion for bike commuting, especially during the fall or spring shoulder seasons. All Rights Reserved. Aside from sporting these windbreaker jackets practically every day for months and assessing how we felt, we conducted a wind resistance test. The Columbia Flashback and Salomon Agile can still fold up into one of their hand pockets but are notably absent of a stowable pocket. We're split on the hood brim it does provide extra rain deflection, but it looks goofy and makes it harder to fit under a bike helmet. With its most recent makeover, the historically too-small chest pocket of the Houdini has been updated to accommodate the ever-growing size of newer smartphones (though it is still a bit of an awkward fit.) mid weight fleece. We couldn't sum up the need for a windbreaker jacket better ourselves GearLab is reader-supported. No purchase necessary. Find a complete list of retail store locations, departments and store hours. The new standard for breathability, the Houdini Air kept us completely dry long after our legs gave out on this training run. For this update, we purchased 13 of the best jackets available for side-by-side testing. An alpine-inspired design is suitably minimalist for fast-and-light objectives. Luckily, you can re-apply DWR coatings. Fit is critical, and windbreakers work better when they fit close to the body.
The trick to figuring out which jacket to buy is to figure out how you'll use it. But for other metrics, like water resistance, we conducted laboratory-style tests that could be easily recreated. It is a tall order to ask for a jacket that is already wind-resistant, super breathable, super light, packable, cheap, to also be waterproof. Still, it doesn't apply to every situation. 2022 Patagonia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. But they wear off especially if you wear a pack over the jacket or it is subject to lots of abrasion or scuffing. Super breathable as an outer or mid-layer.
The combination of these methods gives us an idea of how easy it is for air to pass through the fabric of each model. It performed just behind the front runners - built with significantly more material - in our hose test. All of the products we reviewed here certainly did a good job of protecting us from the wind. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, How to Choose a Wind Breaker Jacket for Men. While we loved the softshell-like fit and feel of the Squamish Hoody and the Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody. Scan this code to download the Catch app. 36117384. We considered whether it was designed to be used as a single layer in which case we expected it to fit sleeker and closer to the body for optimal performance. Thats right the entire thing packs into a little bag just beneath the hood, inside back, so you can easily stow it in your bag, car door or anywhere you need to keep it handy. Lightweight, packable and waterproof for hiking, biking, camping and everyday casual wear. Of course, this level of savings does have some externalized costs associated with it. To fairly balance out this question, we rated each product based upon its weight but then adjusted the score slightly based on how small and easily the jacket packs up. Need it sooner? Though it will never compare directly to a rain jacket, the ultralight DWR coating is at the top of its class and does a solid job of balancing wind resistance with breathability. WARNING: Under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 it is an offence:
You can contact us on 1300 222 824. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. When it comes to fit, we checked to see if the sleeves were long enough, if the hood fits over our head well (even with wearing a helmet), and whether the jacket was too baggy or too tight compared to the same sizing in other jackets.
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