Using the same abrasion-resistant Diamond Shield fabric seen throughout the rest of their Helium collection, the Helium Wind prioritizes durability and weight-savings in this fully nylon jacket. In short, weight only tells part of the story when it comes to windbreakers. With such a bare-bones build, you get paper-thin 5-denier ripstop nylon (one of jackets colorways is actually transparent), no hood or chest pocket (the Deploy stuffs into a pouch on its collar), and a partial-length, Super Lightweight zipper. Compared to the Houdini youll pay an extra $41for the Distance, but its more sustainable design will be worth it for many.See the Men's Black Diamond Distance See the Women's Black Diamond Distance. Further, the jackets hood surprisingly is not big enough to fit over a helmet. But heres what is perceptiblethe Houdini is $60 less and just as windproof, while the Squamish offers much more mobility and breathability. Slip into the windbreaker, and youll find two pockets along the jackets waistline. First, the Kor uses a thinner fabric (20 denier vs. the Arcteryxs 30 denier), which results in a slight decrease in weather protection and durability. Its shell is crafted from a shiny, protective polyester, and its interior is lined with a cozier version of the textile. In terms of packability, the majority of windbreaker jackets are designed to stuff into their own chest or hip pocket, which usually includes a carabiner loop on the inside. We wore the 100-percent nylon Patagonia Houdini for years as our climbing windshirt of choice, benefitting from its lightweight wind protection while embracing its compromises as simply part of the windbreaker package. These jackets are small but mightyyou dont get full waterproofing or insulation like you might find with a rain jacket or softshell, but the simple act of blocking the wind has a noticeable impact on your bodys ability to hold its warmth. With such a thin nylon body and minimal weather resistance in the knit hood and sleeves, the Airshed Pro is not as protective (or durable) as jackets like the Patagonia Houdini below. Who, then, is the Deploy for? For some, howeverespecially those who run cold, need the extra freedom of movement, or plan to use their windbreaker in the coldit can be a good idea to size up to accommodate more layers underneath (weve appreciated the extra room in the Black Diamond Alpine Start for ski touring this winter). To stack the odds in your favor, its a good idea to look for ripstop fabrics (like the Patagonia Houdini Air) or stretch-woven material that gives under pressure rather than rips (like on the BD Alpine Start). Plus, in addition to a nylon, polyester, or sometimes wool shell material, most have a DWR coating that helps water bead off instead of soaking in. Finally, reflective blazes, low-profile elastic cuffs, and zippered hand pockets round out the build, which is a versatile piece for everything from road and trail running to hiking and biking. The best windbreakers are stretchy and packable and have a DWR (durable water repellent) finish. Of course, top-notch performance comes with tradeoffs: most of the time, stretch woven fabric is heavier and bulkier than straight nylon or polyester, and its often more expensive too. Your best bet is to treat it with extra care and buy from a manufacturer with a great repair policy. Thicker shellsindicated with higher denier ratings, grams per square meter (gsm), or ounces per square yard (oz./yd)will be more durable than thinner varieties, but youll pay a price in weight and packability. While many windbreakers zip from top to bottom, this one is a zip-up pullover. But our concerns are high regarding durability (thin zippers especially give us pause), and the Deploy should be kept on the shelf for all but the most weight-conscious of missions.See the Black Diamond Deploy Wind Shell. The windbreakers hood and sleeves are crafted from a softer textile called Capilene, which promises to wick moisture and dry quicklykeeping you comfortable on all your runs. And its thoughtfully designed silhouette promises to stay in place as you move around. The Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket isnt just water-resistantits fully waterproof. Theyre nowhere near as durable as hardshell jackets, but over the years, our collective windbreakers have endured excessive groveling in chimneys while climbing, being stuffed into packs beside crampons and sticky skins, and day in and day out use. REI Co-op is known for well-designed gear that doesnt break the bank, and their Flash Jacket fits that bill. For high-output activities like running, climbing, backcountry skiingeven rigorous hiking and backpackingwe recommend a more breathable windbreaker. Of course, with 100 percent nylon builds, neither jacket will breathe as well as designs like the Houdini Air or Alpine Start above, but theyre perfectly serviceable for most low-output uses.See the Men's REI Co-op Flash Jacket See the Women's REI Co-op Flash Jacket. If portability is important to you, look for a jacket with this capability. But when weight matters or you dont anticipate working up a sweat, the Houdini still is a reliable windbreaker from one of the top brands in the businessRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Patagonia Houdini See the Women's Patagonia Houdini. The Patagonia Houdini Air Jacket is a well-rounded windbreaker worth investing in. In February of 2022, the Switchback Travel team convened in the town of El Chaltn, located within the Southern Andes Los Glaciares National Park. Category: Running/alpineWeight: 1.7 oz.Materials: 100% ripstop nylonWhat we like: Crazylight yet surprisingly wind-resistant.What we dont: Too expensive and niche for most people. Running-specific windbreakers are designed to keep you protected from the wind without weighing you down or causing you to overheat. On a recent testing trip to Chilean Patagonia and its legendarily strong gusts that never seem to stop, all four of us basically lived in our respective windbreakers. Like the Patagonia Houdini above, its made with 100-percent ripstop nylon (read: no stretch), has a trim fit and minimal feature set, and clocks in at a low sub-4-ounce weight and very small packed size. Not every windbreaker will offer added water protection aside from the added barrier of the shell material, so make sure to be on the lookout for a mention of DWR. Our favorite all-around jacket for alpine environments is the Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody, and the Patagonia Houdini Air makes an excellent lightweight and packable choice, albeit with a little less protection from the elements. At 12.5ounces, the Solano is the heaviest jacket on this list, but remember that this should be of little concern for those with casual intentions. And to help keep air moving, the mens jacket adds ventilation via perforations under the arms, while the womens model uses a hidden vent around the lower torso to dump heat. Additionally, keep in mind that a DWR coating does more than just protect against rainit also keeps dirt and oils from soaking into the shell, preserving the life of the fabric. Further, it clocks in at a relatively heavy 8.1 ounces and has a packed size thats about three times as big as the Houdini Air above. Many of our product descriptions above include comments on fit. Arc'teryx Squamish Hooded Jacket, The 13 Best Bike Shorts for Every Type of Rider, Best for Running: Kristin McGee is a certified personal trainer and currently teaches yoga and meditation for Peloton. On the other hand, we think the REI is the much better casual choiceitll slide over bulkier layers with much more ease, and the handwarmer pockets are helpful for storing a wallet or phone. Since its coated with a DWR finish, you can rest assured knowing its durable, wind-resistant, and water-repellent. Many windbreakers boast elastic cuffs and drawcord hems. Because a jackets ability to dump heat is the main priority when youre constantly building up a sweat (even in cold weather), many running windbreakers incorporate vents or mesh panels into their design as well, which can result in compromised wind and water resistance. Enter The North Faces Cyclonejacket, which, at only $69, provides ample wind protection for most everyday pursuits. Is the Houdini breathable? On top of that, 50-denier fabric and a robust front zipper mean the TNF can handle abuse better than much of the competition. Ultralight and thin by design, you arent out to lunch if you are worried about the durability of windbreaker jackets. We have yet to test the Aero60, but were hesitant to wholeheartedly recommend it for a few reasons. Simply fold up the windbreaker until its small enough to slip inside the pocket, and voilayouve got a lightweight, protective jacket thats easy to carry with you anywhere you need to go. We dont blame you if youre a merino fan whos drawn to the complexities of Ortovoxs windbreaker, but for $200, wed stick to the simpler (and even more protective and breathable) options above. All told, its hard to argue with Arcteryxs high level of quality, and the Squamish holds its own as a stretchy and lightweight wind jacket for alpine adventures. Its true that the Helium Wind is tough, but for high-intensity pursuits you can dump heat a lot better with thinner or stretchier models like the Houdini Air or Arcteryx Squamish. A relatively roomy fit and helmet-compatible hood round out the mountain-specific build, which ups the ante for windbreakers with a great next-to-skin feel and slight insulative properties. But these jackets still have a lot going for them: they are the lightest and most packable designs (particularly nylon) and often the most affordable (particularly polyester). All in all, the impressive durability of windbreakers is just one more feather in the cap of these small but mighty jackets. At the belay or during a transition, you can always throw your insulative jacket on over top. Due to their increased performance, mountain-ready windbreakers can be slightly heavier than the competition, often clocking in above 4 ounces and sometimes as heavy as 7.4 ounces. Lightweight jackets often feature just one chest pocket or no pocket at all, and we see hoodless or pullover styles here too. Second, its best to follow the manufacturer instructions for washing and drying, which usually entail machine washing with cold water and tumble drying (take note that your windbreaker will dry much more quickly than the rest of your laundry). At 6.0 ounces (the latest version drops the weight to 4.9 ounces), the Squamish was noticeably heavier and bulkier than the 3.7-ounce Houdini, but its increased performance was worth the extra burden. Cotopaxi does tack on a rear vent to keep air flowing, but we still dont recommend this jacket for activities during which youre likely to build up a sweat. Most jackets have a single chest pocket that doubles as a stuff sack, a simple hood adjustment, and a hem cinch. Not particularly. These designs Softshell jackets had their heyday almost a decade ago, but the push for lighter and more packable options rendered them nearly obsolete for true performance-oriented activities. Weve worn the jacket in some serious mountain squalls and been fully sheltered from the wind. When it comes to choosing your outer shell, you have a few options, including a windbreaker, softshell, rain jacket, or hardshell. And its reflective details will help you stay visible in lower-light conditions. Category: Running/hikingWeight: 5.1 oz.Fabric: 100% nylon & merino/polyester blendWhat we like: Softness and temperature regulation of merino wool.What we dont: Too much airflow for backcountry use. The Deploy is not for you. Tack on a light 4.3-ounce build and a chest pocket that doubles as a stuff sack, and you get a competitive windbreaker for activities like hiking, biking, and everyday use. The jacket comes in women's sizes 0 through 14. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Now thats saying something Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's BD Alpine Start See the Women's BD Alpine Start. Of all the outdoor activities we cover here at Switchback Travel, hiking isdearest to our hearts. The Ortovox Merino was designed for all-around wind protection, with a relatively thick fabric, a storm flap behind the front zip, robust elastic in the hem, cuffs, and hood, and long sleeves built to cover the backs of the hands. They also help to keep cool air out. On the other hand, a softshell will give you all the protection you need, along with great breathability and freedom of movement, but most are prohibitively heavy and bulky. Moderately. On one particularly windy trek in the Cerro Castillo region, we literally were blown to the ground on multiple occasions to the point where we had to lay down to avoid getting toppled down the mountain. That said, we took the Air out in 60mph, knock-you-over gusts near Patagonias Cerro Castillo and felt sufficiently sheltered from the storm. While this finish may not leave the jacket perfectly waterproof, it will increase its ability to hold up in rainy conditions. The windbreaker comes in women's sizes 2 through 22 and in a variety of fun colors. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Building off the beloved Houdini below, the new Air takes the old formula but adds a ton of breathability and comfort to the mix. First, we never recommend storing a jacket stuffed in its pocket. Jackets in our hiking category often keep prices low by using thicker and less technical fabrics (you usually dont see stretch weaves here) which also sacrifice a bit of breathability. The jacket comes in men's sizes small through extra-extra-large. You could bring a rain jacket along, but chances are it doesnt breathe very well and will be overkill for most weather (our rain jacket spends most of its life at the bottom of our pack).