Windbreakers?

[Benjblt]

What do you all think of windbreakers? What would you use them for or would you not use it? I'm talking hunting, training, hiking, casual/around town, etc. Broad question I know but I meant it to be broad. I'm looking at the Sitka Nimbus jacket and you can get it for a pretty good deal right now. My thought process is that it would break the wind close to as well as a rain jacket but breath much better. Do they?

 

[toadmeister]

I had to look that jacket up as I hadn’t heard of it before.

I have the Sitka Jetstream with Gore, and it does block the wind exceptionally well and has performed well for me in light rain for an hour or better. However my point is all rain jackets or windbreakers suffer from the lack of breathing. The pit zips as found on the Jetstream are pure gold to me.

I also have a Cabelas XPG jacket with Gore and the lack of pit zips, noticeably less breathable.


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[Hill Difficulty]

I love inexpensive nylon hooded windbreakers! Always have one stashed or packed for any type of hunting. Can get some amazing quality stuff on Amazon for under $20 in orange, all sorts of camo colors... They're weightless, no frills, non-restrictive, packable, tough, quiet, low cost, they stop wind and retain heat when used over under layers. Also great for throwing over the spendy jacket when you need to crawl around in the dirt or when beating cover.

 

[Hill Difficulty]

...and I do realize the OP is referring to fancier stuff.

See $20 version w/mesh armpits. I'm all for high quality hunting clothing... but in the windbreaker category, the higher end stuff doesn't match up. Usually over-built and too rigid.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Patogonia houdini under a fleece,packs down and weighs nothing,its not gore windstopper but has its place for me.

 

[Jimss]

Most rain jackets cut the wind very well. I have the old version of Sitka Nimbus and it does well at shedding rain plus wind. I'm not exactly sure what is in wind stopper but the wind stopper clothes I've warn over the years shed wind extremely well. Some of my wind stopper are made of quiet cloth material (like micro-fleece) so they are super quiet.

Another rain jacket I've had great luck with that also sheds wind is Marmot precip. It breathes just as well as my Sitka raingear and has pitzips in the jackets. I actually have several pairs of precips because they are so cheap ($50) online.

 

[Benjblt]

...and I do realize the OP is referring to fancier stuff.

See $20 version w/mesh armpits. I'm all for high quality hunting clothing... but in the windbreaker category, the higher end stuff doesn't match up. Usually over-built and too rigid.

Interesting option. I'll have to take a look at Amazon.

 

[Blacktail_Packer]

...and I do realize the OP is referring to fancier stuff.

See $20 version w/mesh armpits. I'm all for high quality hunting clothing... but in the windbreaker category, the higher end stuff doesn't match up. Usually over-built and too rigid.

Can we get a link?

 

[MtGoat]

I have been using the Patagonia Houdini for years.
It is lite weight, packs down into it's own pocket, blocks the wind well and has degree of water resistance.
https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-houdini-windbreaker-jacket/24142.html

At 1.2 oz it has saved my tail on several occasions when I have been trooping up to a ridge line only to top out to a 15 to 20 mph wind that drops the temps to hazardously low temps with the sweat and wind chill.

Nice to have in the car/pack for a wind proof layer around town as well.

They can be found on eBay in last years colors for much lower prices.

Pat

 

[Hill Difficulty]

Can we get a link?

Had to look at a couple of my windbreakers for a refresher on what's what. Each is 'Made in China', bought in the last few years on Amazon (I think)... Here are two descriptions based on different jacket types:

1. Have 2 jackets with mesh pits. One is a dark camo, other is a light desert camo. The tags show FREE SOLDIER. They were around $15 a couple years ago. They're made from a virtually weightless material/thin (can see thru) and tough. Zippers are great, fixed hood, they pack tiny. Fit is slim/athletic cut. Mine fit ideal by going one size up.

2. Have a few others that are typical lightweight nylon windbreakers. I have two that are branded 'Beautiful Giant'. One white camo, one woodland. They cost me less than $15 per, basic cut, fit to size, great zippers, fixed hood, durable and slick nylon.

Been wearing these things for many years for bird hunting/dog training + a packable wind shield/heat retainer over base layers when fishing or rifle/bow hunts. What I've listed will hold up as good as any high dollar piece. Nike and North Face make thin nylon wind jackets if willing to spend $40. Or can go a bit more $ for the Patagonia jacket mentioned. That's the gamut!

Beware when buying this sort of thing on Amazon. Lots of junk offered... and availability of the better cheapo stuff is hit and miss. Hope this helps!

 

[Blacktail_Packer]

Tuank

Had to look at a couple of my windbreakers for a refresher on what's what. Each is 'Made in China', bought in the last few years on Amazon (I think)... Here are two descriptions based on different jacket types:

1. Have 2 jackets with mesh pits. One is a dark camo, other is a light desert camo. The tags show FREE SOLDIER. They were around $15 a couple years ago. They're made from a virtually weightless material/thin (can see thru) and tough. Zippers are great, fixed hood, they pack tiny. Fit is slim/athletic cut. Mine fit ideal by going one size up.

2. Have a few others that are typical lightweight nylon windbreakers. I have two that are branded 'Beautiful Giant'. One white camo, one woodland. They cost me less than $15 per, basic cut, fit to size, great zippers, fixed hood, durable and slick nylon.

Been wearing these things for many years for bird hunting/dog training + a packable wind shield/heat retainer over base layers when fishing or rifle/bow hunts. What I've listed will hold up as good as any high dollar piece. Nike and North Face make thin nylon wind jackets if willing to spend $40. Or can go a bit more $ for the Patagonia jacket mentioned. That's the gamut!

Beware when buying this sort of thing on Amazon. Lots of junk offered... and availability of the better cheapo stuff is hit and miss. Hope this helps!

Thanks Hill. Yeah I jumped on Amazon after reading your post and was quickly overloaded by suspect cheap junk...

 

[Hill Difficulty]

I wish I could be more helpful... but navigating 'Made in China' fashion stuff on Amazon is the Wild West.

FWIW, mentioning the Patagonia Houdini by Coopsdaddy and MtGoat is a winner. Going with a trustworthy known maker dodges wrong sizing/remorse. As MtGoat suggests, there are super deals to be had on eBay. (Thanks, MtGoat.)

I like MtGoat's #9 post - having a packable nylon windbreaker is a no brainer essential. Having a light, windproof shell will turn good poly and wool base layers into a heat retainer/parka real quick.

 

[Blacktail_Packer]

I wish I could be more helpful... but navigating 'Made in China' fashion stuff on Amazon is the Wild West.

FWIW, mentioning the Patagonia Houdini by Coopsdaddy and MtGoat is a winner. Going with a trustworthy known maker dodges wrong sizing/remorse. As MtGoat suggests, there are super deals to be had on eBay. (Thanks, MtGoat.)

I like MtGoat's #9 post - having a packable nylon windbreaker is a no brainer essential. Having a light, windproof shell will turn good poly and wool base layers into a heat retainer/parka real quick.

Agreed, I’ve been trying to play the EBay sniper game with the pieces I’m really missing/wanting to add.

I did find the current rendition of your Free Soldier windbreaker on Amazon for $20 something still complete with mesh pit vents.