Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#103098 - 09/14/08 04:40 AM Wind shell
iggy1 Offline
newbie

Registered: 03/27/04
Posts: 10
I would appreciate opinions on wind shells. I have lusted after the Patagonia Houdini for a long time but I can't see shelling out $125 (unless I absolutely have to). Options I am considering are the Montbell UL, Golite Ether, or MEC Breeze( although this is heavier). Any info on these on these or others would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Top
#103099 - 09/14/08 06:30 AM Re: Wind shell [Re: iggy1]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

The MEC Breeze unfortunately replaced the MEC dervish, which was lighter. I have a dervish, I've had people buy the breeze - the breeze is actually fine, even for a few extra grams. Both of them do what I want them to, including geting hosed down with Nikwax tent and gear proof every time I wash them. I wear it very frequently when I'm out for wind and
light rain.
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#103100 - 09/14/08 06:52 AM Re: Wind shell [Re: iggy1]
kbennett Offline
member

Registered: 10/27/03
Posts: 820
Loc: north carolina
You often can get the Houdini at the Patagonia Outlet stores for about 40% off; also check Sierra Trading Post every once in a while.

My main criterion for a wind shirt is breathability. It needs to stop the wind, but not be coated to stop rain, etc. It's one of my most worn pieces of clothing (on the trail) from Sept. through April or so. For a while I used a Mountain Hardwear pullover, but recently I've liked a pullover wind shirt from -- wait for it -- LL Bean. It was <$20 at their outlet, and works quite well.
_________________________
--Ken B

Top
#103101 - 09/14/08 12:25 PM Re: Wind shell [Re: kbennett]
johndavid Offline
member

Registered: 04/23/08
Posts: 260
Loc: jersey city NJ
Sorry, I'm needing to edit this because I thought you said "Wind Shirt" rather than "Wind Shell."

Dunno about wind shells....Are they the same?

In erroneous response I wrote regarding wind shirts:

They're all about the same. Highly desirable pieces of clothing. Frequently waaaay over-priced.

I have a "Wild Things." which I don't particularly recommend. The price was absolutely awful. I think the particular design has been discontinued in favor of a lighter fabric. I wanted it to replace a WT windshirt that I'd had since 1980s... A nostalgia thing. Rather dumb on my part.

For me, however, that windshirts are "must have" items.


Edited by johndavid (09/14/08 12:28 PM)

Top
#103102 - 09/14/08 08:00 PM Re: Wind shell [Re: iggy1]
Heber Offline
member

Registered: 12/31/07
Posts: 245
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri
I really like having a windshirt. My approach to temperature management is lots of thin layers. I wear the windshirt over one or two wool layers and I can easily take it off and stuff it in a pocket if I get warm. You can't do that with a heavier jacket.

Don't have either of the ones you mention but I do have a Marmot Ion which is very similar to the GoLite Wisp. I find the hood a useful feature. I have another windshirt without a hood that is extremely light weight. My wife made it for me using Thru-Hiker's Liberty Ridge Shell kit. The momentum fabric is really light weight and windproof and quite water resistant. However my wife tells me it's a bit tough to sew on so it may not be a good beginner project.

Top
#103103 - 09/14/08 08:09 PM Re: Wind shell [Re: iggy1]
wandering_daisy Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/06
Posts: 2865
Loc: California
Do you sew? I bought rip-stop nylon at Hancock discount fabrics and sewed windpants (from an old pajama pattern) for $6 of material (4 oz). I splurged and bought a Go-light shell (3 oz.) for $30 at Sierra Trading Post. Pants with elastic waist band are easy to sew - shirts are a bit more complicated. Although expensive, I also have a high end bicycle shell (bright orange) that I bought at Sierra Trading Post for about $40. Bicycle clothes are really quite good and very light weight. I like the florescent oraange - when I go alone I have a "flag" to wave around if needed.

Top
#103104 - 09/20/08 04:00 AM Re: Wind shell (Houdini) [Re: iggy1]
deliriousNomad Offline
member

Registered: 04/13/06
Posts: 64
Loc: Matthews, NC
I use a Houdini - and love it.

I asked for it for a gift - and got it for free that way :-)
Like another said - you can find them cheaper in sales and clearances.
_________________________
- deliriousNomad

Top
#103105 - 09/20/08 11:01 AM Re: Wind shell [Re: iggy1]
Bearpaw Offline
Moderator

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 1732
Loc: Tennessee
I've been very happy with my GoLite Ether and Wisp windshirts/jackets. I actually have 2 Ethers, one in a pleasant light green and one in burnt orange that I wear during hunting season. They shed all that much water, but even when wet, they block wind quite well. They turn my inner layers into a very flexible multi-use system.
_________________________
http://www.trailjournals.com/BearpawAT99/

Top
#103106 - 09/20/08 11:26 AM Re: Wind shell (Houdini) [Re: deliriousNomad]
chaz Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: Tennessee
That's a nice gift. About the only thing I get as gifts is A Hard Way To Go. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
Enjoy your next trip...

Top
#103107 - 09/20/08 02:44 PM Re: Wind shell [Re: Bearpaw]
Keith Offline
member

Registered: 01/04/02
Posts: 1667
Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula
I have an Ether, also (Wisp?? whichever one has the hood . . . ). I got mine off the board here and am very happy with it. Then I got my wife a new one and she really likes hers, too.
_________________________
Human Resources Memo: Floggings will continue until morale improves.

Top
#103108 - 09/20/08 04:27 PM Re: Wind shell [Re: Keith]
Bearpaw Offline
Moderator

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 1732
Loc: Tennessee
Quote:
I have an Ether, also (Wisp?? whichever one has the hood . . . ). I got mine off the board here and am very happy with it. Then I got my wife a new one and she really likes hers, too.


The Ether has the hood. I like the Wisp, with no hood for when I bike. I get tired of the hood flopping around in the wind.
_________________________
http://www.trailjournals.com/BearpawAT99/

Top
#103109 - 09/20/08 06:40 PM Re: Wind shell [Re: Bearpaw]
Keith Offline
member

Registered: 01/04/02
Posts: 1667
Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Quote:
Quote:
I have an Ether, also (Wisp?? whichever one has the hood . . . ). I got mine off the board here and am very happy with it. Then I got my wife a new one and she really likes hers, too.


The Ether has the hood. I like the Wisp, with no hood for when I bike. I get tired of the hood flopping around in the wind.

I know what you mean about hood flapping. I had been looking for a Wisp but an Ether was what became available. I don't use a hood often, so I regarded it as something extraneouus. I will have to say, though, that flappage has been minimal in the several times I have been out in the wind with it.

My wife particularly likes her Ether because she enjoys a hood more frequently than I do.
_________________________
Human Resources Memo: Floggings will continue until morale improves.

Top
#103110 - 09/20/08 07:04 PM Re: Wind shell [Re: Keith]
Pika Online   content
member

Registered: 12/08/05
Posts: 1814
Loc: Rural Southeast Arizona
I have a windshirt with a hood that I wear bicycling a lot. I just tuck the hood inside the shirt--no flapping!
_________________________
May I walk in beauty.

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 170 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum