Wind shell

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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="" />

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.

I have a windshirt with a hood that I wear bicycling a lot. I just tuck the hood inside the shirt--no flapping!