Favourite windshirt

slovhike

Thru Hiker
Another favourite from past dry and warm winter is Borealis by Rab. Love how it breaths and moves with you but hate once it gets sweat damp as it needs some time to dry....
 

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
Another favourite from past dry and warm winter is Borealis by Rab. Love how it breaths and moves with you but hate once it gets sweat damp as it needs some time to dry....
That's why I sold mine... It was heavy but super comfy.... But when it was wet.... It was a pig to dry.
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
Went out on the hill in my new Pat Houdini, Ran alpha jacket and OR t shirt. 7 degrees gusty wind, maybe 25 mph. Overheating after 2 miles, the wind shirt was full of condensed sweat. Stripped down to t shirt and wind shirt with hood up and was perfect for the rest of the walk. I'm not convinced that it is much better than the Rab vital hoodie wind shirt. Clearly as we all know the key to breathsbility is to get your layers right so you manage your temperature and therefore perspiration. Maybe the Houdini will be a bit more rain resistant.
 

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
Went out on the hill in my new Pat Houdini, Ran alpha jacket and OR t shirt. 7 degrees gusty wind, maybe 25 mph. Overheating after 2 miles, the wind shirt was full of condensed sweat. Stripped down to t shirt and wind shirt with hood up and was perfect for the rest of the walk. I'm not convinced that it is much better than the Rab vital hoodie wind shirt. Clearly as we all know the key to breathsbility is to get your layers right so you manage your temperature and therefore perspiration. Maybe the Houdini will be a bit more rain resistant.
Bbsc
Be bold, start cold :thumbsup:
 

Jim_Parkin

Ultralighter
The thing with the high cfm
Stuff like pertex equilibrium, is that they aren't actually "windproof".

Very good if moving fast and building steam, as more breathable, but not very good at stopping proper wind. You can't have it both ways. Cfm is a measure of air flow. Therefore the higher the cfm of a fabric, the lower its windstopping abilities.

Even mid cfm breathable stuff like paramo use, needs more windproofing if it's seriously windy and cold. You can feel the wind cutting through it.

So, its a balance. Depending on the your needs and the conditions you want to manage.

Pertex equilibrium is very good at managing moisture. From within or without.

With low/no wind, equilibrium, being thicker (and a lot heavier) than a standard pertex, its somewhat warmer to wear. But as an outer layer, once the windchill gets beyond a certain level, it actually becomes colder due to the more open weave(higher cfm).

So, from a UL point of view, if you don't need to take it off, pertex equilibrium is good, but if you need to carry it, it's more g. (not seen any sub 200g garments)
For most backpacking, I prefer a UL windshirt these days.

(I have used various pertexs since the late 80s, A montane pertex equilibrium windshirt and a Rab Vapourise for over 10 years, and Paramo for similar, so have had ample opportunity to compare itrw)


Yup, I was using my 2011 Montane Dyno last week, with a short sleeved merino baselayer and a long-sleeved baselayer. Those three layers of fairly close-weaves were close enough for the wind and as usual worked well to dump heat/moisture and shelter from the wind (there was some hail and snow on occasion so I did tog up fully a few times)
 

Toby

Summit Camper
I have. A great summer windshirt that avoids clammy and breathability issues. Quite cheap in Blacks and others so don't pay full price.

Another review here:
https://www.tgomagazine.co.uk/gear-editors-column/chriss-column-mountain-equipment-aerofoil-jacket/

Sounds good!! Is it almost to breathable for year round use then? Since Scandinavia can be quite windy!

Mens ME Aerofoil all sizes but only in blue is £59.99 at Gaynors (no womens equivalent, sadly)

https://www.gaynors.co.uk/mens-c4/softshell-jackets-c27/mens-aerofoil-jacket-p12651

Good price! Too bad shipping to Sweden is ~13£
 
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Cali

Backpacker
Went out on the hill in my new Pat Houdini, Ran alpha jacket and OR t shirt. 7 degrees gusty wind, maybe 25 mph. Overheating after 2 miles, the wind shirt was full of condensed sweat. Stripped down to t shirt and wind shirt with hood up and was perfect for the rest of the walk. I'm not convinced that it is much better than the Rab vital hoodie wind shirt. Clearly as we all know the key to breathsbility is to get your layers right so you manage your temperature and therefore perspiration. Maybe the Houdini will be a bit more rain resistant.

I was out for a few hours today at hiking spot couple miles from my home. 57F, partly cloudy, spotty drizzle, wind around 12mph. Wearing BD Alpine Start, Macpac Nitro mid, Bjorn Daehlie merino base. Had BD Start zipped up during hike. When I finished Start and Nitro were completely dry, Daehlie some dampness under arms and back. The Alpine Start makes a big difference in terms of breathability. Same hike in my OR Tantrum II there would be condensation.
IMG_2257.JPG
 

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
Think if I was to get another (I'm not:D) id give the Montbell tachyon parks on ULOG a go, under 80g for all sizes, even has pockets which makes it much more appealing to me, lost without somewhere to stick my hands
 

slovhike

Thru Hiker
@Charlie83 I own one and as you noted its featherweight class but it doesnt breath all that good. Its the older version before the fabric was updated.
But for dry windy summer day its a cracker.

for best breathability and few pennies saved look at faux houdini from Aliexpress...
 

boinius

Hiker
I was using a Zpacks Ventum for 2 years. But it felt to confined..

Was looking at Houdini and Squamish when leaving NZ.

Finally got a wind jacket in Nepal.
Kaemp 8848, Nepali made, not fake one
125gr for large, 3 pockets, heavy zippers and 20euro :)

Used it combined with tshirt and Macpac nitro alpha.
It performed perfect, no overheating or sweating.

Now i got a Gore H5 on sale, but still plan on using a windshirt also .


So do I keep using the 125gr good Nepali one?
Or switch to something lighter
I have been looking at Montbell ex light or Tachyon.
or what people suggest.

Its good in times like this we can at least read lots about gear

thx
 
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