Wind shirts!

It seems fabrics are changing so rapidly, some for the better others ..... Well you know. Anyways what new/newish wind shirts are you guys useing? I'm interested in a light weight breathable wind shirt/ jacket. So far I like the new Black Diamond alpine assent. Very breathable, sort of light, nice feeling fabric. The new hoodini has horrible non breathing fabric, MH ghost whisper seems too fragil. Arc'teryx looks good, I just don't know, so I'm relying on you guys!

I recently picked up a Mountain Khaki Granite Creek windshirt, mainly out of curiosity because it was like 90% off. I've only ever worn it in very cold weather, or during non-strenuous activities, so I'll have to get back to you about real performance. I like it so far, though.

Have you done the darth vader test? Does it seem pretty breathable? Thanks for your reply.

Just ordered an MG Ghost Whisperer on supah sale at REI Outlet. It's in transit so no opinion, but they claim it's under two ounces. My standard one is a Patagonia Houdini, which is something like three ounces with fill zip, hood and pocket. I see this spring they're coming out with a Houdini rain jacket. WPB, taped seams and lighter than any equivalent I've seen from anybody.

Might be very interesting but I'll have to wait for the fall clearance sale, if you know what I mean.

Cheers,

I'm very interested in your opinion on the ghost whisper. I've looked at that jacket a dozen times and just worry I would tear it first time out. At 2 oz that's amazing!

Darth Vader test?

Breathing through the fabric.

I've been reading about the OR Ferrosi. I don't know if its a true windshirt, since I haven't actually seen one yet. My local shop has them ordered in, so I'm anxious to see if they live up to the catalog description.

at 14.1 oz it's a bit heavy
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/mens-ferrosi-hoody.html

The hoodless version is a couple of ounces lighter. I thought it was a tad heavy, too, but I typically only wear them in cooler weather, when it's too chilly for just a t-shirt, but not cold enough for light fleece or midweight longjohn tops yet. I was thinking it might add just a touch of warmth. That may not be what this thread is about?

14 oz. is heavier than I'd want for a waterproof raincoat, much less a wind shirt! My windshirt weighs 2.4 oz (no hood). Worn over just a light weight base layer top, it's plenty warm down to freezing while I'm hiking. In warmer weather, it's the outer layer I wear the most during stops or in camp.

As very lightweight shells have come available, I find I'm using my old windshirt for local walks and dayhikes a lot still, but not taking it on backpacking trips.

My OR Helium II rain shell at 6.5 oz in size large doubles just fine as a windshirt. My older (2008 or so) Golite Wisp windshirt weights 2.7 oz. Don't see the reason to bring both.

What I love the hoodless Golite windshirt for is that on just a long local walk I can wad it up and literally stuff it in my pants pocket when I warm up --- no need for a small backpack or even fanny pack.

I'll at least give a preliminary holler once I play with it. Probably safe to presume it's not for brush-whacking. It must be sewn-together bug wings.

To append my earlier comment, the announced Houdini Alpine is spec'd at 6.6 oz.

Houdini Alpine

Cheers,

what are you using?

Thanks Rick!

At present I use a Montbell windshirt with a hood that weighs about 3.4 oz in the XL size. I like a loose fit and Montbell is a Japanese company so the sizes tend to run a bit small for Americans, even when they make sizing adjustments for us. More often I wear a Large.

I don't recall the name of the model and it wouldn't do you any good to know it, as they've replaced it with a different model since I purchased mine. I fully agree with the sentiment that such a windshirt is amazingly good at keeping one warm in moderately chilly and windy conditions and it's one of my favorite pieces of gear/clothes. It even works a treat to keep the mosquitos from biting through it!

As I recall it was in the neighborhood of $75.

Ok, having actually tried it a little, I can't recommend the MK Granite Creek Windshirt for serious use unless you get it as cheap as I did. I paid $15. It's worth $15. It's probably worth more than $15. But it weighs ~9 oz and isn't super breathable, you don't want to wear it during strenuous activity. I plan to primarily use it as a light, nice-looking shell when I want to do things around town in bad but not super bad weather. I think it will do very well in the role that I intend to use it for.

Don't take it backpacking.

It's a Montbell windshirt that was on closeout (discontinued model and color) back in 2008. When on sale for 60% off, I wasn't going to argue with the color, which closely resembles wine vomit.


The fabric is Pertex, don't know which type, slightly calendared but still quite breathable. IMHO, it's the most versatile piece I own and gets worn on backpacking trips far more than any other layer. Like Brian's, it fits in my pocket.

Do note that Montbell is sized for the wonderfully petite Japanese people; we bulkier Americans need to get a size--or even two--larger than we normally wear.

Thanks OM! I'll look on E-bay for an older model.

After a whopping twelve hours here's what I know about the MH Ghost Whisperer.

*They didn't lie about the weight. My men's large is either 1.6 or 1.8 oz, my scale can't quite decide. Call it 1.7.
*It's thin as a thin thing. You can read a newspaper through the fabric. (For you kids, a "newspaper" is like a foldable tablet that doesn't require batteries and has an adjustable display size.)
*It, uh, breaks the wind just fine. I wore it on my morning bike commute and was quite comfy--not cold and not sweaty.
*It's not noisy.
*I can't imagine it holding up against rock scrapes or sharp brush. I'm afraid a stern look might puncture it, but that's just nervousness talking.
*MH claims it stuffs into its own tiny inside pocket but that's an origami trick I cannot pull off. With that said, it packs vanishingly small--maybe 0.5 hot dogs.

Don't know how long is sheds rain--probably for awhile at least. Seams aren't taped and they don't claim WPB status in any case.

Cheers,

Bicycle clothing is light and made to stop wind. What I like about bike shirts is that many are more windproof on the front and not the back - this works out well for carrying a backpack without sweating too much on the back.

I friend of mine who does alpine climbing puts a 2-3 oz windshirt UNDER her outer layer- stops the wind but is not exposed to wear and tear - rock climbers get a lot of that.

I personally like Arcterex. They make alpine climbing specific stuff. Not the lightest but wears forever. I choke on the $$$!! every time I buy an Arcterex item, but soon it is my favorite.

Montbell XL windshirt has been thoroughly tested in a light drizzle and modest output and keeps you dry and pretty warm with just a long-sleeved synthetic crew neck top at around 40F or 5C. Probably the most breathable of all my rainware, fits in a tiny little pixie stuffsack that gets lost in my pockets.

Cost $50 including shipping, weighs 3.7 oz, and I'm happy with the hood and the construction. Would not stand up to rough use (rocks, knives or fish-hooks), but will repel nasty looks and pointed remarks about weight weenies.

Anyone use the patagonia nine trails? It is hoodless and has more breathable panels on the shoulders and back. Looks like a slightly heavier fabric, although I'm not sure if it is any more or less breathable than the new houdini.

That is the trouble, Marmot or Patagonia make a perfectly serviceable windshirt, nice and light, breatheable and they they discontinue and make it worse.

That's why I ended up with Montbell, couldn't get anything even as good as a Houdini.

Montbell tachyon
1.9 oz
minimalist