![]() Recycled ripstop nylon with a surprisingly stalwart DWR coating shrugs off significant torture and light rain in the backcountry, and a slim fit with a slight drop tail gives it an athletic feel, with just enough room for a couple of light layers underneath. But peek under the hood and you’ll find top-shelf tech, featherlight but bomb-proof materials, and an incredibly versatile design at just over 100 bucks. A single zippered chest pocket, elasticated cuffs, and a drawcord hem round out its basic feature set. While we’ve snagged new iterations as they come out over the years, our original model is still going strong with only a peeling logo to show its age - a true testament to the Houdini’s longevity.įrom a 30,000-foot view, it’s a bare-bones shell. We’ve been testing this jacket on months-long thru-hikes, lofty multipitch climbs, and demanding bushwhacks since 2018, and it remains a shoo-in on any of our adventure gear lists. With a classic cut for style around town, and enough hardworking gumption for the mountains, the Houdini won our best overall award for its rugged versatility, top-shelf construction, and stellar value. Though not the most technical shell on our list, its simple silhouette, approachable price, and ultralight weight have made it the famous take-anywhere jacket it is today. Like many of Patagonia’s products, the legendary Houdini ($109) has developed nothing less than a cult following during its years of service to the outdoor community … and for good reason. ![]() Here it is - the gold standard of windbreaker majesty, and a seemingly ubiquitous quiver-of-one addition to the kit of every hiker, mountaineer, and adventurer we see. Best Ultralight Windbreaker Jacket: Enlightened Equipment Copperfield Wind Shirt.Best Windbreaker Jacket for Mountaineering: Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody.Most Breathable Windbreaker Jacket: Patagonia Houdini Air.Best Windbreaker Jacket for Running: Black Diamond Deploy Wind Shell.Runner-Up Best Windbreaker Jacket: Mountain Hardwear Kor AirShell Hoodie.Best Budget Windbreaker Jacket: Cotopaxi Teca Half-Zip Windbreaker.Best Overall Windbreaker Jacket: Patagonia Houdini.We also made sure our product list is up-to-date with current models, colorways, and designs. Scroll through our top picks below, and be sure to hop down to our comprehensive buyer’s guide, FAQ, and comparison chart for help in snagging the best windbreaker jacket for your needs.Įditor’s Note: We refreshed this article on November 14, 2023, sprucing up our buyer’s guide section with additional information regarding mountaineering-specific windbreakers and details about our testing practices. He knows what makes a jacket worth its salt, and included only the best in this roundup. We tested each jacket with a mind for a variety of different performance metrics, including breathability, durability, and weather resistance.Ĭhris Carter, our lead author, brings over 10 years of gear testing experience to the table, and has used windbreakers in the most demanding, desperate conditions imaginable. For desperate assaults on wind-swept alpine peaks, or casual jaunts in mild weather, we’ve included jackets for every adventure and budget. Over a 7-month testing period, we took over 25 windbreaker jackets on big wall ascents in the Sierras, backpacking excursions through Appalachia, and international climbing expeditions, whittling the selection down to include the most capable windbreakers money can buy. Lash ‘em to your harness, or chuck ‘em in your pack and forget they’re there - windbreakers are the ultralight, ultra-packable jacket of your dreams. While you don’t get the same level of insulation or weather defense as burly hardshells, the simple act of thwarting the wind dramatically boosts your ability to retain warmth without overheating. ![]() Plus, with most models hovering around a scant 5 ounces, they barely register in your kit. Offering stellar protection from the elements in dry, cool conditions, windbreaker jackets are our favorite breathable, packable solutions for just about any adventure you could cook up. It’s time to break out the most versatile layering piece of them all: the windbreaker jacket. ![]() An ambiguous weather pattern rolls in, wind whips at your hair, but you’re charging too hard to throw on a rain jacket - and it’s too cold for your tiny T-shirt. ![]()
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