Windshirts

[andrewbish]

I am considering getting a windshirt to add to my layering mix. Before I shell out my hard-earned it would be good to get some comments from those who've been using windshirts in Oz conditions.

Features-wise, I am looking for ultra light, half zip, peaked hood, breathable and somewhat water-resistant.

So far, I like the Mont Bell Tachyon and the Montane Lightspeed.

Thoughts?

[Dale]

Andrew I've been using the Montane Jetstream windshirt. It's the first windshirt I've owned and it comes with me on every walk, unless I'm going to use my hard shell as my wind proof layer. It's breathable and has resisted light showers without wetting out. I really like the function for weight these garments offer - blocking windchill for 70g, so in most conditions hiking in a baselayer + windshirt keeps me warm and breathes well.

I don't have a hood and not missed having one, however for the weight - why not ?

[phan_TOM]

I haven't seen the lightspeed but I've been owned a featherlite smock for ages now which I'm guessing is similar minus the hood.

The fabric is very thin but its proved to be more robust than I thought i.e. I havent ripped it yet and I wear it pretty often. I should add that I'm pretty careful with it and would never wear it near even remotely sharp bush or a fire, it mainly gets thrown on over a long sleeve thermal first thing in the morning while I eat or break camp or in my pocket/daypack if its cool and I need a bit more protection from the wind while out. The difference in warmth that it makes over a thermal/t-shirt/fleece on a cool windy day is suprising for something that packs away so small & light.

I've only had mine in a light misty rain but it didn't take too long to begin wetting through so its not gonna replace a proper waterproof, but it'll keep you warmer and drier than nothing if you get caught out for a short period.

The fabric feels fairly nice too, it doesn't have as much of a plastic garbage bag feel as you'd think and I find the fit/cut is pretty good especially the low tail.

[Moondog55]

I have a HellyHansen windshirt which I used in all seasons except snow (XL which is really too small) it is in the "Pay-it-Forward" section now.
Practically Brand new but I need something pull-over and like you with a hood, not full zip and hoodless.
Well worth getting one and the lighter the better, get bigger than skin tight tho, enough room for underwear and a very light top polartec 100 or R1 type insulation

[forest]

I had a Montane Featherlite Smock for a while. Excellent item and very functional. It's a hard item to leave out of the pack.
For me it's been much more breathable than a rain shell. Never really wished for the hood but I can see were one will be handy as I get cold ears.

I just sold the Montane and grabbed a Montbell Tachyon and as a replacement it's sweet (nearly half the weight of the montane too)
Very happy with the Montbell but I have only used it as a warm layer it camp so far, not any use in actual cold wind.
I also grabbed the Montbell Dymo windpants too and really like them, completely different fabric feel to the shirt. The pants are really soft, silky like.

I found the Montbell sizing for these items good. I normally wear a Medium and ordered Large due to the sizing issues a lot of people have.
The windshirt is a good fit and will layer really well with a thick puffy jacket.
I should have ordered my regular medium in the pants though as they are a little baggy and long on me (Anyone wanna swap some unused Montbell Dymo windpants, My Large for a Medium Pair ?? )

[andrewbish]

Thanks all for the quick replies.

@forest - where did you get your Tachyon from (and would you recommend them)? (Love the sig too - the truth will set you free )

[forest]

@forest - where did you get your Tachyon from (and would you recommend them)? (Love the sig too - the truth will set you free )

I grabbed mine from Campsaver.com but had an order in anyway with a US cottage manufacturer. No postage paid for the campsaver order. I don't think campsaver will post Montbell stuff here direct so you might need to use a re-poster.

[Moondog55]

These are a very easy home sewn project too, and even the stuff from Spotlight will work at a small weight penalty.
Style pattern 3586 works very well and less than 2 metres of fabric if using 1500mm wide

[southbank]

Another vote for the Montane. Packs down to the size of a small orange, lightweight, good wind cutter and resists even heavy rain for a while. Good zips and zipped pocket

[Mark F]

I have the older Mont Bell UL wind jacket 81g with full zip and no hood. I usually start the day wearing it until the sun gets a bit of oomph to it and put it on when I stop or late in the afternoon. Highly recommend it but any of the wind shirts are great from Mont Bell, Montane etc. I do like a full zip as I find I will often be walking with it fully open and just zip up as I reach a windy spot or stop to admire the view. I layer it over a 150gsm zip neck merino of mild conditions and a 100 weight fleece for cold conditions

[norts]

I have a Patagonia Houdini, it is now in my pack every walk. Wouldnt do a walk without it.

[Bluegum Mic]

Im another Montane featherlite fan. It moves between my day pack and o/night back as part of my essentials (first aid etc). I think its a great piece of kit to have.

[Macca81]

With wind shirts, do people tend to use them instead of a rain jacket? To me, the main function of my jacket is wind chill, as walking in the rain will get you wet regardless of what you wear. I'll put it on at camp to stop light drizzle, but anything heavier puts me to bed... So, would a wind shirt be more up my alley?

Sent from my obscenely large android phone...

[andrewbish]

These are a very easy home sewn project too, and even the stuff from Spotlight will work at a small weight penalty.
Style pattern 3586 works very well and less than 2 metres of fabric if using 1500mm wide

Moondog - what materials have you tried for this project?

[Bluegum Mic]

No I use my windshirt as a layer (usually top). That being said I've used it over the top of my down jacket to protect it when pottering out for a toilet stop when snowing and its dwr handles that fine. But in rain it would wet out fast. Like others have stated I use mine early/late in the day when things cool down and around camp if cold/blowy as an extra layer. I do always carry my rain jacket but if the weather is simply that hot that you'll be wet inside out I simply dont bother with anything as I wear a quick drying hiking shirt anyway. My goretex jacket has zips that run from the bottom hem to the pits so it has a lot of venting options so I find it fine in almost all situations.

[Moondog55]

Nylon taffeta, ripstop from spotlight and cotton Japara; I bought some EPIC last year which I am still to use
While not the lightest and by far the most expensive I did prefer the cotton Japara, I wish I still had it

[Wolfix]

Thanks for this thread! I was considering getting a wind proof vest but I think for weight it's worth just getting a smock. Heading to Melbourne in November so planning a (long) trip to Little Bourke St and BPL!

[andrewbish]

Thanks for this thread! I was considering getting a wind proof vest but I think for weight it's worth just getting a smock. Heading to Melbourne in November so planning a (long) trip to Little Bourke St and BPL!

BPL have a good range of Montane windshirts

[Wolfix]

Hence the visit! I am also keen to see the full Aarn range. Maybe they actually know something about them that I don't! I doubt it though

Mont-Bell is not easy to get so I think Montane is a better bet. Jetstream is on sale, I think half price!

[Moondog55]

Just in case you were interested my Japara windshirt was a PaddyMade garment, patterned on the old fashioned Scottish hill walking pullover but single layer and only one small chest pocket. I think they only made them for the one season.
They also made a full zippered garment patterned on the standard oilskin that same year, I don't think they sold very well but I was very happy with mine

[andrewbish]

Hence the visit! I am also keen to see the full Aarn range. Maybe they actually know something about them that I don't! I doubt it though
Mont-Bell is not easy to get so I think Montane is a better bet. Jetstream is on sale, I think half price!

I am blessed/cursed with working only a 4 minute walk away from Little Bourke Street..and I somehow I always seem to find an excuse to go there..