Wind shirts and wind shells are thin lightweight jackets, running shells, pullovers, or anoraks weighing 2 to 6 ounces, that hikers wear as a barrier to prevent winds from stripping away body heat. They’re usually made of highly breathable, uncoated nylon that is can be worn over a fleece or base layer to block the wind and keep you warmer when hiking, backpacking, or trail running.
While you can wear a wind shirt anywhere, they’re particularly useful in mountainous terrain, when wearing a full rain jacket or technical winter shell would be too warm. Wind shirts are a also great layer to wear on cold mornings over a fleece because they hold your body heat without the bulk of a rain jacket. Elastic wrist cuffs, an adjustable waist hem, and a 1/2 or full-length zipper are also useful for sealing in the heat and venting for thermal regulation.
Wind shirts may also come with hoods or be hoodless. If you get a wind shirt with a hood, look for one that lets you reduce the volume of the hood, or better yet, has pull cords so you can seal the hood around your face. Otherwise, the wind will make the hood flap noisily. Many trail runners prefer hoodless wind shirts because there’s no hood to flap around when they’re in motion.
Here are the best hooded and hoodless wind shirts and shells available today. Note: when shopping for wind shirts and wind shells, retailers may list them under trail running jackets or running jackets, since there’s so much overlap with hiking and backpacking.
1. Patagonia Houdini Jacket
The Patagonia Houdini is one of the most legendary wind shirts available today. Weighing just 3.7 oz, it’s made with a 15 denier 100% nylon ripstop shell with a DWR finish for improved water resistance. Elastic wrist cuffs make it easy to pull up the sleeves if you get too warm, while a drawcord cinches the hem. The hood adjusts with a single drawstring, while the jacket packs snugly into its zippered chest pocket with a carabiner clip-in loop. A women’s version is available. Read the SectionHiker Houdini Review.
The Enlightened Equipment Copperfield Wind Shirt is an incredibly refined, 2.4 oz wind shirt, available with 7d, 10d, or 20d nylon with an adjustable hood, elastic wrist cuffs, a drawcord hem, and a full-length zipper. While most windbreakers and windshirts have elasticized hood openings, the Copperfield hood is adjustable with pull cords, so you can completely seal off the face from drafts and prevent the hood from flapping loudly and violently in high winds. The sleeves are cut to be comfortable when wearing a backpack and the fit runs about a half-size large for layering. A women’s model is also available. Read the SectionHiker Review.
The Montane Men’s Featherlite Hooded Jacket is a super light and packable windproof layer that provides breathable wind protection. Featuring its own integrated stuff pocket, this hoodie stows effortlessly in any pack and is a highly versatile piece of kit that’s great for runners and fast packers alike. A women’s model is also available.
The Rab Vital Hoody is a lightweight hooded jacket with an elasticated hood with a stiffened peak and rear volume adjustment, so it stays in place in strong winds. Made with 20 denier nylon, it has two zippered hand pockets, a front zip with an internal storm flap, elasticated cuffs, a hem drawcord, and internal stuff pocket. Weighing 4.6 oz, it’s a relatively heavy windbreaker because it is so rich in features and internal storage. A women’s version is also available.
The Montbell U.L. Stretch Wind Anorak is a windproof top made with 15 denier Ballistic Airlight nylon ripstop with a water repellent finish. It has two zippered waist pockets, an inner zippered pocket, an adjustable hood, a zipper garage to protect the chin and face, an internal hem adjustment, and is packable into its inner pocket. A women’s model is also available.
The Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover is made from 100% recycled polyester stretch-woven ripstop with a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish made without PFAS. The sleeves and hood are made from a lightweight stretch-knit that can be pushed up on the forearms for added venting and comfort, while the hood fits snugly to retain warmth. The deep front closure has double zippers that allow for added venting while the left chest pocket converts into a stuff sack for easy packing. A women’s model is also available.
The Mountain Hardwear Kor Airshell Hoody is made with Pertex Quantum Air fabric. It has elastic binding on its hood for a secure fit with two zippered hand pockets and stuffs into an internal pocket that has a carabiner clip loop. The hoody has raglan sleeves and underarm gussets for enhanced mobility with elastic binding at cuffs and hem for a secure fit and to seal in warmth. A women’s model is also available.
The Mammut AEnergy WB Hooded Jacket is an ultralight breakable windbreaker designed for trail running, hiking, and ski touring jacket with a high neck, adjustable hood, and stiffened front brim. It is highly breathable and ultralight with a two-way YKK Vislon zipper for superior ventilation and a drawstring on the hem that can be adjusted with one hand. The fit is athletic, with elasticated cuffs that provide excellent functionality and good wind protection. The entire jacket can be easily stowed in its zippered chest pocket. A women’s model is also available.
The Outdoor Research Shadow Wind Hoodie is breathable yet highly wind-resistant, making it the perfect outer layer for trail runs, fastpacking, and backcountry touring. It provides light water resistance, features a hood that stows away into the jacket’s collar when not in use, and zippered pockets for essentials. It also conveniently packs up small, using its zippered chest pocket as a stuff sack. A women’s version is also available. Read the SectionHiker Review.
The Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell is a lightweight 15d Jacket with a basic feature set including an adjustable hood with a rear volume adjuster and elasticized face opening, elastic wrist cuffs, a zippered chest pocket, and hem adjustment. The thing that differentiates it from other windbreakers is its DWR coating, which is woven into the jacket rather than coating its exterior. This makes it far less susceptible to wearing off due to abrasion from stuffing and unstuffing, providing longer-lasting protection in mist and drizzle. It doesn’t make the jacket waterproof like a rain jacket but does extend its range in variable weather. The fit is slim. A women’s version is also available.
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I would also include the Mountain Hardware Ghost Lite jacket to this list. I’ve not yet used mine while hiking but it has become an essential piece of gear for me when running in cold or light rain conditions. When conditions or body temperatures change such that I do not need the layer to retain heat, then I can wade the whole jacket up into one fist and carry it.
It’s amazing how much warmth and protection from wind these windshirts can provide. I wore my Zpacks windshirt that weighs slightly under 2 oz. over just a merino base layer this morning while cross-country skiing in 38 degree, blustery weather. I was very comfortable. It took me years to give a windshirt a try (huh? another jacket? I already have a fleece pullover and a rain jacket.) But it gets a lot of use, and I’m glad I have it.
If rain jackets wet out and/or cause you to get wet eventually anyways, and if rain jackets are too warm for versatile use, isn’t there an argument for simply skipping the rain jacket altogether and just bring a wind jacket? The wind jacket would get wet quicker, but dry more quickly as well. This seems especially true if the temperature are warmer. It would still provides some level of warmth and protection against the wind, even if wet? Also, wind jacket is quite a bit lighter. Just curious what your thoughts are.
You’re missing a piece, which is the insulation layer that should be worn under a wet jacket to prevent conductive heat loss. I have an article coming out about this on Friday, as a matter of fact. You need to start thinking about clothing as a system….
The problem with just wearing a wind shirt is that it doesn’t provide a vapor barrier to retain your body heat the way that a rain jacket does, even when it wets out. So when it gets wet and windy, you’ll get very cold. I’ve seen people get hypothermic in the dead of summer in steaming hot weather. I’ve also gotten very chilled when a thunderstorm lets go overhead and the air gets very cold all around me and hail rains down on me. Don’t think that summer is safe.
My current choice is to carry a rain jacket that is light enough and well ventilated enough to use as wind shirt, a Montbell Versalite Jacket. of course, you really don’t need a wind shirt unless you’re hiking in mountains and even then you can suck it up and just use a rain jacket.
So what you’re saying is that a wetted out rain jacket will still keep you warmer than a wetted out wind jacket? Near home, on short hikes (2-3 hours) in warm weather (above 70 degrees), I’ve found that a wind jacket will keep me relatively warm, but not as warm as a rain jacket. I was wondering whether I should expand this experience to longer backpacking trips. I think your advice not to is good advice. As always, thanks.
Appreciate the rain jacket as a wind jacket suggestion. I’ve done that a few times but have gone back to carrying both in shoulder season at high elevations. I backpack in dry, cool/cold weather with the wind jacket. Saves wear on the rain jacket. I do use the rain jacket in camp as a wind layer over my puffy if needed. I guess I’ll never be ultralight.
I just ordered a Patagonia Houdini and it is really not made of a breathable fabric. I hear it’s now marketed as a lightweight rain jacket more than anything else I also did some research and believe the CFM rating (around 3 or so) is one of the lowest around. Nothing compared to my old Squamish hoodie (cam around17-20). Will be interested to hear your thoughts
I wanted something lighter. I think mentioning cfm stats would be helpful when comparing wind jackets as they vary in ranges and while all good are used for very different things.
I’m surprised they don’t make more windshirts without hoods. Hoods tend to flap around in the wind. I have a 15D windshirt from Mountain Hardwear called a Phantom Anorak that I love. It’s about 3 to 3.5oz. I use it for everything – hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities. MH doesn’t make this model anymore and I don’t think they offer windshirts at all. Bummer.
I would also include the Mountain Hardware Ghost Lite jacket to this list. I’ve not yet used mine while hiking but it has become an essential piece of gear for me when running in cold or light rain conditions. When conditions or body temperatures change such that I do not need the layer to retain heat, then I can wade the whole jacket up into one fist and carry it.
https://www.rei.com/product/112028/mountain-hardwear-ghost-lite-jacket-mens
I have the Montbell UL Stretch and love it, great shell that always goes in my pack.
It’s amazing how much warmth and protection from wind these windshirts can provide. I wore my Zpacks windshirt that weighs slightly under 2 oz. over just a merino base layer this morning while cross-country skiing in 38 degree, blustery weather. I was very comfortable. It took me years to give a windshirt a try (huh? another jacket? I already have a fleece pullover and a rain jacket.) But it gets a lot of use, and I’m glad I have it.
If rain jackets wet out and/or cause you to get wet eventually anyways, and if rain jackets are too warm for versatile use, isn’t there an argument for simply skipping the rain jacket altogether and just bring a wind jacket? The wind jacket would get wet quicker, but dry more quickly as well. This seems especially true if the temperature are warmer. It would still provides some level of warmth and protection against the wind, even if wet? Also, wind jacket is quite a bit lighter. Just curious what your thoughts are.
You’re missing a piece, which is the insulation layer that should be worn under a wet jacket to prevent conductive heat loss. I have an article coming out about this on Friday, as a matter of fact. You need to start thinking about clothing as a system….
The problem with just wearing a wind shirt is that it doesn’t provide a vapor barrier to retain your body heat the way that a rain jacket does, even when it wets out. So when it gets wet and windy, you’ll get very cold. I’ve seen people get hypothermic in the dead of summer in steaming hot weather. I’ve also gotten very chilled when a thunderstorm lets go overhead and the air gets very cold all around me and hail rains down on me. Don’t think that summer is safe.
My current choice is to carry a rain jacket that is light enough and well ventilated enough to use as wind shirt, a Montbell Versalite Jacket. of course, you really don’t need a wind shirt unless you’re hiking in mountains and even then you can suck it up and just use a rain jacket.
So what you’re saying is that a wetted out rain jacket will still keep you warmer than a wetted out wind jacket? Near home, on short hikes (2-3 hours) in warm weather (above 70 degrees), I’ve found that a wind jacket will keep me relatively warm, but not as warm as a rain jacket. I was wondering whether I should expand this experience to longer backpacking trips. I think your advice not to is good advice. As always, thanks.
That’s pretty much it.
Appreciate the rain jacket as a wind jacket suggestion. I’ve done that a few times but have gone back to carrying both in shoulder season at high elevations. I backpack in dry, cool/cold weather with the wind jacket. Saves wear on the rain jacket. I do use the rain jacket in camp as a wind layer over my puffy if needed. I guess I’ll never be ultralight.
I just ordered a Patagonia Houdini and it is really not made of a breathable fabric. I hear it’s now marketed as a lightweight rain jacket more than anything else I also did some research and believe the CFM rating (around 3 or so) is one of the lowest around. Nothing compared to my old Squamish hoodie (cam around17-20). Will be interested to hear your thoughts
So why’d you buy it?
I wanted something lighter. I think mentioning cfm stats would be helpful when comparing wind jackets as they vary in ranges and while all good are used for very different things.
Any experience with the Black Diamond Alpine Start?
https://sectionhiker.com/black-diamond-alpine-start-hoody-2/
Thanks!
I’m surprised they don’t make more windshirts without hoods. Hoods tend to flap around in the wind. I have a 15D windshirt from Mountain Hardwear called a Phantom Anorak that I love. It’s about 3 to 3.5oz. I use it for everything – hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities. MH doesn’t make this model anymore and I don’t think they offer windshirts at all. Bummer.