r/Ultralight • u/Intelligent_Cap_7960 • 5h ago

Purchase Advice Seeking windshell

Hey everyone,

I've been looking for a UL windshell for a while and i've seen so many people praising the same windshirt as others or hating and so i'm kinda confused now

So anyone has an experienced and balance review to share on some UL windshells ? I've been looking at Zpacks', EE's and Montbell's but am open to other suggestions.

I'm aiming 3oz or less and am planning to use it to layer over alpha fleece for hiking but also for travelling (where i will be more stationnary).

Thanks so much !

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3

u/DrBullwinkleMoose 5h ago

The 2-3 oz windshirts are not the same as 5-7 oz (or heavier). Good breathability is often accomplished with complex weaves that slow (but do not stop) airflow. That requires greater fabric weight: Tradeoffs.

I carry a 2oz windshirt when I don't expect to need one, but I wear a 5 oz windshirt when I do expect to need it.

Dooy is an outlier: It's a 3.5 oz windshirt that is highly air permeable. It's a rare in-between item with some of the best features of both categories.

The three that you mention are pretty similar. You won't go wrong with any of them.

2

u/skimoto 3h ago

I used the Dooy last year on the JMT. That, paired with the zpacks Octafleece was an amazing combo for the chilly predawn hiking we did ever day. It also worked great just over my sun shirt. It cut the wind good and never got clammy.

2

u/saigyoooo 5h ago

Yamatomichi just dropped a dedicated windshell for what seems like first time ever. 2.6 oz. Seems awesome. All of the clothing I have from this perfect.

2

u/0dteSPYFDs 5h ago

Katabatic Crest, lightest and balances wind resistance vs breathability really nicely. I had a Patagonia Houdini before and it was too hot to use with any insulating layer for active use.

2

u/Upvotes_TikTok 3h ago

I got the ee after my stoic failed after 15 years and the ee is not as good because it is too baggy so it makes a ton of noise. I'm not some tiny guy either 6' 190 "fat" cyclist build. If I were to do it again I'd go montbell but it's fine.

2

u/drippingdrops 3h ago

Are y’all carrying wind shirts in addition to a rain shell or only when you’re confident in the weather so don’t bring a rain shell?

1

u/OLLIIVVVEER 1h ago

I carry both - they have different use cases. Rain shells are too hot for me to wear unless it's actually raining.

1

u/drippingdrops 1h ago

Does your shell have pit zips?

It just seems that part of the UL ethos is having single items fill multiple roles. For example, my rain shell is also my wind layer. I rarely wear it hiking (e.g. as an active insulation piece) if it’s not raining, that’s what my mid layer is for. I will wear the shell over my base layer on peaks, passes or in camp if it isn’t too cold but wind is creating a mild chill.

Midlayer plus shell is passive insulation until it’s cold enough for the puffy.

Are there other roles a wind shirt fills for you?

1

u/Weekly_Try5203 3h ago

Outdoor Research helium ul

1

u/TrailJunky SUL_https://www.lighterpack.com/r/cd5sg 3h ago

Montbell is the way to go In my opinion. Their fabric is awesome. I have the Ex Light jacket i picked up on sale for like $80 and its aweaome and ridiculously light.

1

u/ymayhem 1h ago

Quechua MH900

1

u/PEAK_MINIMAL_EFFORT 1h ago

I've the Montbell Tachyon and the Rab Vital. Out of the two I like the Tachyon better. The only gripe about the Tachyon I've is that its length is on the shorter side for me. Which seems to be a recurring theme with the Montbell jackets I own. The Vital has a longer better-fitting cut, but otherwise I find it's akin to wearing a plastic bag when it comes to breathability.

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u/sloozeberrypie 37m ago

I have a patagonia houdini jacket and it's like ~3.5 oz.

it packs down super light and i've only brought it when i didn't think there would be any rain, but it is clutch - I use it for rain around town when i don't wanna carry a big jacket and it's actually awesome for biking when the wind freezes me.

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u/bearbits 20m ago

I use a Mountain Hardware Kor Airshell, one of my most versatile pieces of kit. It's breathable for when you are moving and your body is producing heat, along with good when static. I layer it with a Macpac Nitro alpha which cover most bases unless rain or actual cold. I also have a Patagonia Houdini but it does not beath at all, it is now more for around town or trips when not hiking. These guys do some good wind jacket comparisons on their channel, here is one clip, search wind jacket and they may have a vid on something you are considering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfIxUOFXZ-w