Most breathable/wind proof jacket?

[cowboyarcher]

Hi all,

This question is not necessarily directly related to hunting, but you guys know technical clothing, so I figured I'd ask here.

I work indoors and outdoors a lot; we are frequently moving from one to the other. I have found the best way to manage this is to wear s comfortable amount of insulating layers for the indoors, topped with a lightweight wind breaking layer. For me, this has been an Eddie Bauer Sandstone Hoodie.

The sandstone is very light and breaths relatively well, but there are times I have to shed it to gain breathability. I think this jack with pit zips would be perfect...

Anyhow, are there any other super breathable jackets out there to consider that still fair well in the wind? Softshells with helmet cut hoods would be preferred (I wear a hard hat a lot).

Thanks for any tips, God bless!

Adam

 

[doverpack12]

Seems expensive for the type of work you described but I think the absolute perfect match is a KUIU Peloton 240 Hoody. Extremely wind resistant you don't feel much In a stiff cold wind and also breathes incredibly well. Most days hunting I wear a merino long sleeve and then the 240 and I am fine whether gaining a lot of elevation fast or moving slow on flatter ground and sitting occasionally.

 

[GFY Outfitters]

First Spear wind cheater jacket. http://www.first-spear.com/product.php?productid=17899&cat=282&page=1

 

[Kotaman]

Sitka Jetstream is my favorite soft shell and works as you describe. Pretty good hood as well. The new Sitka Timberline would work as well but will only come in camo to start. You can get the Jetstream in Green, Grey, or Black in addition to camo.

 

[doverpack12]

Kotaman since I'm guessing you have used them all, which breathes better out of the Kuiu Peloton 240, Sitka Jetstream and new Sitka Timberline jacket?

 

[Kotaman]

doverpack...I wouldn't put the Peloton in the same "class". For me, the Peloton is more of a Mid layer with the capability to be worn on the outside. Since it is not wind proof, the Peloton would breathe better than the Jetstream or Timberline, but the Jetstream and Timberline breathe reasonably well AND have Windstopper and are a true outer layer. I always had a hard time finding a use for my Peloton 240, dont get me wrong, it is a great piece, I just didn't find a great use for it. Besides casual wear, I just never found a good use for it hunting, but we all have our own methods. Heck, I rarely bring a softshell on mountain hunt, but that is a whole other discussion.

The question for the OP is does he want just a wind shear layer that breathes, or a more substantial jacket?

 

[Buckshot92]

Kota,

How does the Kuiu Chinook compare with the jetstream and timberline?

 

[Kotaman]

The CHinook is a nice jacket. But again, no Windstopper and for me the deal breaker on the Chinook is no hood. If I am going to carry a softshell, I want it to have a hood and I want it to keep the wind out. I owned a Chinook for a short period of time, but again it was one of those "what do I use this for?" jackets. I bought and tested over 10 softshell jackets and the Sitka Jetstream came out heads and shoulders above the rest for me as it has ALL the features I want in a softshell: Hood, breathable, windproof and somewhat packable. The Timberline is going to be even more packable.

 

[cowboyarcher]

The question for the OP is does he want just a wind shear layer that breathes, or a more substantial jacket?

Mostly just a wind shear layer that breaths well. I do not mind a good DWR (hence my preference for a soft shell vs a fleece; it's just a bit more versatile) but if there is moisture, I'm usually in a hard shell.

Has any one used the Sandstone and compared it vs these others? Like I said, it's basically perfect other than lacking a bit of breathability.

 

[Kotaman]

Mostly just a wind shear layer that breaths well. I do not mind a good DWR (hence my preference for a soft shell vs a fleece; it's just a bit more versatile) but if there is moisture, I'm usually in a hard shell.

Has any one used the Sandstone and compared it vs these others? Like I said, it's basically perfect other than lacking a bit of breathability.

Then I might throw the Sitka Jetstream Lite in the ring, but it doesn't have a hood.

 

[Obi-wanshinobi]

I don't know if they make this anymore but I got to borrow one and it was great.

Wild Things Gear Wind Pro hoody.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lIEb1RI_s_A

 

[operator449]

Sorry for the late reply, the Arcteryx Squamish Hoody is amazing and fits the bill. Super breathable, great piece of kit. Stuffs into own pocket about size of a tennis ball.

 

[JollyRoger]

I'll second the Arcteryx Squamish or even the Gamma lt hoodie. Helmet compatible hood, great cut for athletic types and everything I have from them has been very durable (at least for ice climbing and mountaineering)

 

[dunner543]

Check out the Arcteryx Atom LT. I've been extremely impressed with mine and wear it all the time. Has a helmet compatible hood, thin fleece on the sides for breathability and a thin synthetic insulation on the rest of it. They came out with and Atom SL recently too which is the same type thing but lighter if I understand correctly.

 

[operator449]

The Atom lt is a staple Arcteryx piece, very versitile and warm for its weight. I wear mine under my Alpha Fl and Kuiu guide dcs up here in the middle of the arctic winter and it holds it's own.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Mostly just a wind shear layer that breaths well. I do not mind a good DWR (hence my preference for a soft shell vs a fleece; it's just a bit more versatile) but if there is moisture, I'm usually in a hard shell.

Has any one used the Sandstone and compared it vs these others? Like I said, it's basically perfect other than lacking a bit of breathability.

Breathability and windstopper don't go hand in hand Unfortunately. You best bet is just a high quality Waterproof breathable membrane. Or a windproof/blocker/stopper fleece that has put zips so you can dump heat