Kifaru Wind River jacket review ***Updated 5/21/23***

[mtwarden]

Gents -the good folks at Rokslide (and Kifaru) have supplied me with a Wind River jacket. This is a wind jacket, what I've always referred to a windshirt. I'm a big proponent of windshirts- for the weight they are far and away the most versatile piece of clothing made imho.

What I'm looking for in a windshirt is wind resistance balanced with the ability to breathe (too much wind resistance usually results in a garment that won't breathe, too little and wind chills you quickly). I'm also looking for the ability to fend off light precipitation and light weight as well.

I received mine yesterday. Mine is a size Large and it fits just right (I'm 5'11" 180 lbs for reference).

It's only offered in one color (Ranger Green), but definitely a hunter friendly color.

It is very lightweight, mine weighs 4.4 oz- that's pretty svelte!

Full zipper. The hood, cuffs and hem have elastic to keep everything in place and weather out. One slash pocket that closes with velcro which also serves to pack the jacket into a very small form.

Look forward to putting it through it's paces in the upcoming weeks

Mike

***Update 5/21/23*** Kifaru Wind River Jacket Review

@robby denning @realunlucky @Brock A

 

[Bump79]

Would be interesting to see a review on the Origin Stow Jacket as well

BODYLOC™ STOW JACKET - ORIGIN RAPTOR™ HIGHLAND CAMO

Origin USA is a manufacturer of products for Jiu Jitsu, MMA, BJJ, Grappling and Lifestyle Athletes. Handcrafted in America... No Exceptions.

originmaine.com

 

[WeiserBucks]

@mtwarden what's your initial impression? Any comparisons to existing products?

 

[mtwarden]

@mtwarden what's your initial impression? Any comparisons to existing products?

nothing yet, just received it- other than the fit/finish is very good AND that it only weighs 4.4 oz

 

[Brock A]

Mine showed up as well. I will be honest, I have never thought about needing a piece of gear like this one. I have always just thrown on my rain coat if I needed a wind break, however, at 4oz, this is a handy piece. I've seen folks in the ultra marathon crowd run something similar but never thought it would apply to hunting. My first thought is upland hunting in the late season. I don't like big bulky clothing as its impedes my shooting and I get way too hot after a couple miles of hunting. This last December, South Dakota had a BITTER wind chill and the temp was around 0 degrees al day. This would have been really nice.

I will chime in as the training/hunting season progresses and give me thoughts.

 

[Dos XX]

Wind shirts are great for upland hunting. I can wear one and be warm but not bulked up with a bunch of layers. I wore one a lot the last 2 seasons, including several single digit mornings.

 

[stvnshnn]

Is it essentially a Patagonia Houdini jacket?


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[mtwarden]

Is it essentially a Patagonia Houdini jacket?


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It's roughly the same weight; how well it performs I don't know.

The Wind River is supposed to be 30d fabric, if so, I'd expect it to be more durable than the Houdini.

 

[*zap*]

nice

 

[BRTreedogs]

I'm interested in how I can apply this as well.
Definitely something you can always have with ya. Even in a cargo pocket.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I'm interested in how I can apply this as well.
Definitely something you can always have with ya. Even in a cargo pocket.

Slight chance of wind where you're going in September

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I picked up a wind shirt after reading something you wrote a few years ago. It’s now always with me, from Nevada in August to Montana in December. Great layering piece and weighs nothing, thanks for the tip!

 

[Kyle Wheeler]

Really excited about this!

 

[WoodBow]

I currently use a houdini and find it to be a very useful piece of gear. I am interested in how the kifaru one does. Not the biggest fan of colors available for the houdini.

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[MADGRZ]

Looking forward to your in depth review. Hoping you'll have another hardcore test like the breathability test via soaked base layers!

 

[mtwarden]

 

[Rufus]

Hey mtwarden. How’s the testing going? Curious how the performance is compared to the other wind layers you have used.
Thanks. -Rufus

 

[realunlucky]

I used the wind river yesterday turkey hunting. It was breezy before the sun came up and made a perfect pairing with just a sweat shirt. When the sun came up and warmed, I just stuffed it in my pants cargo pocket.

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[BRTreedogs]

Ok i just ordered one.
Jerks

 

[mtwarden]

So far so good for me. Just got back from a 5 day backpacking trip in Arizona and wore it every day (usually morning and evening).

For 4.5 oz it really block the wind, it's probably a little less breathable than my Black Diamond Alpine Start, but still decently breathable.

The light weight and the fact that you can stuff it in a cargo pocket when not needed is pretty nice