Windbreakers, wind shirts, or wind shells, are light jackets, running shells, pullovers, or anoraks weighing 2 to 5 ounces that runners, hikers, and backpackers wear as a barrier to prevent winds from removing their body heat. They are usually made of highly breathable and thin nylon (low denier) that can be worn over a fleece or base layer to block wind and keep you warm when hiking or trail running. They are surprisingly warm, considering how light they are.
Here are the best windbreakers and wind shirts available today. Note: when buying windbreakers and wind shells, sellers may list them under running jackets or running jackets as there is a lot of overlap with hiking and packing.
1. Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover
2. Patagonia Houdini Jacket
3. Copperfield Wind Shirt Lighted Equipment
4. Mammut Aenergy WB Hooded Jacket
5. Katabatic Gear Crest Windshell
6. Rab Vital Hoody
7. Montbell Tachyon Wind Jacket
8. Mountain Hardwear Kor Airshell Hoody
9. Outdoor Research Shadow Wind Jacket
10. Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell
Windbreaker and Wind Shirt Buyers Guide
Here are the important features and characteristics to look out for when choosing a windbreaker or wind shirt.
Wind Resistance
The wind resistance of a windbreaker depends on how tightly woven the fabric is and features that help seal the jacket from drafts such as elastic wrist cuffs, a drawcord hem, and a fully adjustable hood. Most windbreakers and wind shirts are made of thin, low-denier nylon or polyester that is highly breathable and windproof. Some windbreakers are cut slim, perfect for running, while others are oversized so you can wear them over a mid-layer, which is often desirable for hiking, backpacking, climbing, and hiking.
Breathing and Breathing
Unlike rain jackets, nylon windbreakers, and wind shells usually have excellent breathability through the fabric, which you can confirm when you feel the fabric getting wet under the armpits due to sweat. In general, the smaller the weight of the fabric, measured in denier, the better it will be from the point of view of breathability. Remember that thinner fabrics wear out faster than stronger, more durable fabrics. Some jackets also use a more specialized nylon with a tighter weave for improved wind resistance, although this may mean they retain more heat. If heat build-up is a concern, it’s better to get a wind jacket with a full-length zipper instead of relying on an underarm vent for extra ventilation. Front-facing the hood is also another strategy that can reduce the jacket’s ability to retain heat.
Weight and packaging
Air shells typically weigh from 1.5 oz to 6 oz and are highly packable, often compressing down to the size of an apple because they are made of lightweight nylon. When hiking and packing, it’s often easier to fit a wind shirt or wind jacket loosely in your bag, filling the gaps between stuff sacks and gear, than to cram it or stuff it into a chest pocket, unless you want to attach it to a riding harness.
Water Resistance
Most windbreakers and wind shells have a DWR coating on the outside to repel mist and drizzle, but you shouldn’t rely on a wind jacket to keep you dry in the rain. The DWR coating will also wear off quickly the more times you put the jacket in a backpack or pocket, rendering it ineffective. If you need a rain jacket, buy one that’s made for the job. Similarly, most rain jackets are too warm to be used as windbreakers.
Wind jackets vs Pullovers
Windbreakers are available as jackets with full-length front zips or pullovers with quarter-length or half-length chest zips. Full zip jackets are usually preferred in terms of ventilation because they allow more air flow, but pullovers are usually lighter because they put more weight on the zipper or are hoodless.
Hood Adjustability
An adjustable hood is essential to block drafts, especially on the face. Look for jackets with a flexible neck and don’t let that, they have tight elastic face holes. The rear volume adjuster also helps to reduce the hood to a more comfortable size when fitted with a helmet.
Fabric Denier
Fabric denier is a unit of measurement used to determine the fiber thickness of individual fibers used to create fabrics. Fabrics with a higher denier value tend to be thicker, stiffer, stronger, and heavier. Low denier fabrics tend to be whiter, softer, silky, and lighter in weight.
Ventilation
While venting, like a pit zipper helps, it just doesn’t work like a full-length zipper. Because the weight is so high in wind shirts, if there are hole zips, they will open permanently rather than have holes.
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