Non 'crisp packet' windproof recommendations

Jamess

Section Hiker
I'm thinking about buying a new windproof but want something that's reasonably 'mountain tough' rather than an 'on trend' crisp packet jacket.

I'll happily trade a few grams for something that will survive more than its first encounter with granite.

It will be 'summer +' use as I'll continue to use my Paramo windshell in knarlier conditions.

Recommendations?
 

rikdon

Summit Camper
I have one of the original Montane lite speed jackets. Weight 160 grams. Never leave home without it. They come up on Ebay now and again. Have no experience with the newer ones though
 

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
Another vote for the Litespeed

The current model is a softer stretchier fabric than the older pertex quantum, but sadly like a lot of my recent acquisitions, it’s hardly been used yet.

Carol has a Rab Vital which is nice too
 
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Robert P

Thru Hiker
I think I have ...9 windproof jackets / smocks (difficult to keep track, and I do like the look of the Squamish...) as they are my favourite outer layer for much of the year

Most are in the mid weight range (100-200g) and to be honest they are all more pleasant to wear than a membrane-based waterproof, for me at least. None of them is really crinkly. I have an old (~2005) Litespeed that is good but there are softer fabrics than traditional Pertex. Personally I'm more interested in the fit and features than the fabric; in particular it is worth bearing in mind that a lot of the lighter jackets are quite short, so for example the old Litespeed was great if you want a fuller length windproof.

In over 20 years since I've been using windproof jackets I've yet to wear one out, so the light fabrics don't necessarily mean poor durability.
 

Mole

Thru Hiker
James - by crisp packet do you mean appearance (shiny?) Or thinness/crinkliness of fabric?
Would you like a hood? Jacket or smock?

I'd suggest a Montane Litespeed or Squamish too.

Buffalo windshirt is old school but tough. Good ventilstion. The new model above is hooded. But I've always found Buffalo grown on hoods a bit rubbish. (On Teclite gear I've had or tried on)

My

My windproofs are:

Montane Litespeed 10 years old (Pertex Microlight, about 180g). I use it in winter mostly. Replaced my previous Montane Litespeed ( next size down, older model) which I got a bit large for.

Others
Montane Smock (pertex quantum 85g) used a lot, still solid; nearly 10 years old.

and the past 2 seasons
Massdrop Veil hooded windjacket (also 85g), which is a slightly more breathable matt fabric in very dark blue.

If you want a simple pertex quantum smock, these are a bargain. Though not sure about fit. https://www.chillcheater.com/tops/pertex-windcheater-jacket
 
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Teepee

Thru Hiker
The Paramo Fuera is still may favourite. Almost indestructable and I've lived in it for years now in cooler conditions.

My Montane Litespeed, despite being quite old now, seems to shrug off thorns and pack wear really well. I've lost count of the times I've snagged brambles and it hasn't torn.

Vanadis.jpg
This summer, I moved into a Klattermusen Vanadis and I think it's going to largely replace the Fuera. Being fully stretchy and silent, it feels like an extension of my skin.
 

Deek

Backpacker
Like Robert P I seem to have too many windshirts. Love my Montane Litespeeds acquired from ebay. Rarely leave home without one. A base layer, old school ME ultrafleece and a Litespeed does me for everything but really cold or wet.

Currently have five I think, 160g to 180g in L or Xl. Newer ones seem about 20g lighter. As Shewie says the newer ones feel softer and possibly the older material is more robust. I prefer the older fabric but like the pockets on newer ones. I find the great hood on the Litespeeds useful so use these more than the hoodless Montane Featherlite pullovers, 100g to 110g (one on ebay at the moment in a large).

Still have an early blue Buffalo wind shirt, 190g, I loved in the days when a 40" chest fitted me, should sell it I guess.

Followed the Buffalo with a hooded Mardale pullover in ripstop that was excellent but heavier at 256g.

The Buffalo & Mardale had velcro cuffs, rather than elasticated, which I prefer.

Only ripped one, on barbed wire, despite low grade scrambling but doubt any would withstand serious or sustained contact with granite.
 

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
Arcteryx Squamish is the one I wear most, had/have a good skelp of them.

Patagonia one is to light imo, anything at all in the pocket and it gets dragged down.

Had the Montane one for a few years (many years ago), barely wore it in all honesty but to me that was a crisp packet.

My wife has a couple of RAB ones that are actually really nice, I just dont tell her that
 

Jamess

Section Hiker
by crisp packet do you mean appearance (shiny?) Or thinness/crinkliness of fabric?
Would you like a hood? Jacket or smock?

I mean thinness/crinkliness = robustness.

My Fuera is tough, zip laden (perfect for venting) but heavy for summer use when it will spend much of the day in my pack.

I recently picked up a Windveil on eBay but whilst I'd run in it it seems too lightweight for serious mountain use. Perhaps I'm tougher on my gear or more accident prone than some!

Feedback on the forum though suggests it will be tough enough so maybe I'll give it more of a chance.

It's good to know what's stood the test of time for others.

Thanks one and all.
 

edh

Thru Hiker
My current Squamish is 8 years old - taken on every trip... bar a couple (usually a mistake).
It's heavier than a couple of other windshirts I have..but.. you know, those last minute 'should I take this' questions...I always do.
It's now mostly used for running, but I have two more of the newer versions as I like it so much. In my opinion, the newer have a different fabric/coating..not the same...
Although this latter point might be a nostalgic take on that my old one is worn as thin as paper.. and lovely
 

Allsquare

Trail Blazer
I recently bought a Rab Vital windshirt hoody and am impressed so far. 144 gms in medium and not a crisp packet. Got a great hood AND pockets too. Seems robust. Online reviews suggest the DWR is weak but it wears off all jackets pretty quickly IME. Not tested yet put I'll give it a coating if needed. Under £40. (I've got a Raidlight crisp packet where weight over functionality is needed).
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
I recently bought a Rab Vital windshirt hoody and am impressed so far. 144 gms in medium and not a crisp packet. Got a great hood AND pockets too. Seems robust. Online reviews suggest the DWR is weak but it wears off all jackets pretty quickly IME. Not tested yet put I'll give it a coating if needed. Under £40. (I've got a Raidlight crisp packet where weight over functionality is needed).
I have one of them and a Patagonia Houdini. They are surprisingly similar even in breathability terms although that is very much unscientific.
 

benp1

Trail Blazer
Also have lots of windshirts, great to use on the bike too

Montane litespeed would be my recommendation, love mine. On my second as my first one was too big for me after some weight loss. Cracking jacket, hood is very useful for walking
 

JKM

Thru Hiker
I recently picked up a Windveil on eBay but whilst I'd run in it it seems too lightweight for serious mountain use. Perhaps I'm tougher on my gear or more accident prone than some!

Feedback on the forum though suggests it will be tough enough so maybe I'll give it more of a chance.
.

I love my windveil, bought it second hand 3 years ago and it's my most used but of kit. In fact it's probably my favourite bit if kit if all time
It's's the only thing that's used all year round. I have had a few falls and bike crashes in it and it's completely undamaged.
Shame they don't make it any more.

Before that I used a Montane Featherlight for 15+ years, felt ridiculously thin but immensely durable, its still absolutely fine just a naff colour. It still come s salt water kayaking and biking sometimes.

I think these fabrics are a lot tougher than you give them credit for
 

Alf Outdoors

F.K.A tarptent
I recommend an Arktis A192 Stowaway Shirt...The fabric feels really tough and strong (which it should as it's mil-spec), yet in Medium (which fits like a Large) my one only weighs 168g.
It makes very little noise when you move in it, it's highly breathable but also offers rain protection too, it has a hood, and it packs really small. Plus you have a big choice of colour options. And it only costs £42!
A192 Stowaway Shirt – Arktis Store
 
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Tony9s

Trekker
these are my favourite 2 at the moment, neither are crisp packet. Decathlon, 2 pockets and a hood. Wear this one a lot

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s...lium-wind-blue/_/R-p-307221?mc=8544106&c=BLUE

Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell Hoodie, really nice fabric, soft and bit like softshell but very light and breathable. Not sure how it will hold up under a pack so have only used it running and day hikes so far. Got it from sportpursuit.

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/...dy-1828211.html?dwvar_1828211_color=858&pos=5
 

Alf Outdoors

F.K.A tarptent
these are my favourite 2 at the moment, neither are crisp packet. Decathlon, 2 pockets and a hood. Wear this one a lot

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s...lium-wind-blue/_/R-p-307221?mc=8544106&c=BLUE

Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell Hoodie, really nice fabric, soft and bit like softshell but very light and breathable. Not sure how it will hold up under a pack so have only used it running and day hikes so far. Got it from sportpursuit.

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/...dy-1828211.html?dwvar_1828211_color=858&pos=5

The MH gets some bad reviews for durability, and I doubt the Quechua weighs 119g, unless it's only for the small version...If it were me, I would visit my local Decathlon store with my kitchen scale (which I have done twice now) so I can weigh any items I am interested in myself...And the reason is, I ordered a pair of slim fit walking trousers from Decathlon online (NH500 Slim) and it said they only weighed 286g in 44 (34 inch UK size) on their website, which was my size, but when they turned up they weighed 402g!!! So you can't trust the weight info they put on Decathlon, and have to weigh everything yourself in-store.
Also, even though the Quechua is listed under waterproofs, it clearly says it is for use in dry weather, so I would not believe it offers much, if any rain protection either.
 
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Boozawooza

Ultralighter
these are my favourite 2 at the moment, neither are crisp packet. Decathlon, 2 pockets and a hood. Wear this one a lot

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s...lium-wind-blue/_/R-p-307221?mc=8544106&c=BLUE

Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell Hoodie, really nice fabric, soft and bit like softshell but very light and breathable. Not sure how it will hold up under a pack so have only used it running and day hikes so far. Got it from sportpursuit.

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/...dy-1828211.html?dwvar_1828211_color=858&pos=5
Could you please weigh your decathlon one
 
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