I'm quickly realizing that we agree on most gear choices and the reasons behind those choices. Windshirts are arguably ounce for ounce the best layering item for warmth. Did you see the Japanese guy who hiked the PCT last year with only 2 rain jackets and thermals? I wouldn't go anywhere without some insulating layers, but he's proof that multiple thin layers can work.
When it’s cold I always hike in my wind shirt. (Patagonia Houdini). For all reasons you said. I wear a light t-shirt or thin long sleeve under it and when I get to camp I just hang up and let dry for next day and throw on packed clothes. Even when I sweat it holds in the heat,very versatile.When I am going out and no rain in the forecast it is a great just in case layer,instead of bringing rain gear. It is one of my favorite pieces of gear.
incredibly overlooked item.. i use mine all the time here in the UK. agree with all of your comments* another benefit is that it saves wear & tear on your proper rain gear (which obviously costs much more - excluding frogtoggs but they're just unsustainable) *personally not a fan of the hood (cut mine off) not for weight saving but more a claustrophobic thing.. my buff/hat can shield me if necessary. great stuff Shasta
I appreciate this short advice very much and agree with you regarding hoods. Just can’t stand them unless very cold or very wet. All hoods swim on my not large and bald 👩🦲 head so don’t sit properly. And I can’t hear well with them either. Having said that I don’t think I would ever cut one off. Over a beanie they fit well enough to provide wind protection and added warmth
Good point about saving the more expensive rain gear and I also don't like the feel of the hood, but when the wind's blowing I'm not caring much about the feel (or look) of the hood. Just grateful for a break from the wind. For me, the hood does a better job than my beanie hat due to the full neck coverage. Thanks Rigby!
A fellow tenkara angler/hiker as well I see ^^ appreciate the video! Your insights always are 😊 a windshirt (jacket) with pockets have saved me many times, it can make all the difference in such a light and small pack! Cheers and atb
I am a relic, in more than one way, of the past as I still use a poncho for rain protection (S to S Ultra-Sil Nano Tarp Poncho). I carry the Arcteryx Squamish wind shirt. It weighs in at just under 5ozs so a little heavier than the EE Visp but also a little more durable with a great hood and chest, zip pocket. I rarely hike without it. It combined with the OR Echo Hoody was all I needed to stay relatively warm at nearly 12K’ along the Lizard Head Plateau in the Wind River Range this past September with the temperature at 41 degrees and a sustained wind of over 40 mph with gusts to, I estimate, about 60 mph. Those were the worst conditions I have used that combination in to date and I was impressed. Hats off to the wind shirt, whichever one you may choose. Great review and explanation of the virtues of this often ignored layer.
Thanks for the comment! When you find gear that works well, it's really hard to let go and try something else, and really no reason to if there's no real advantage. Cheers to good ol' gear!!
After about a year of using both windshirts, I find myself gravitating to the Montbell, primarily because of the color I selected, bright red, vs. the blue with the EE Copperfield. Down here in the southeast during hunting season, I feel the red is a little bit better protection from the hunters. In other scenarios, it's a toss up.
Have you tried the Copperfield wind pants? I’m down the rabbit hole with trying to figure out wether to get get 7D or 10D pants. I think I’ve decided 7D for the jacket over my alpha direct for the breathability but I’m planning on hiking in shorts in the 30-40s but don’t want to sweat , also don’t want to freeze 😂
Interesting. I've got an L.L.Bean Anorak, kind of a hybrid wind shirt. Hood, half zipper and hand warming pocket on the front. Not exactly ultralight but definitely light weight in general. My point is, I agree with you, comes in handy in the morning when I'm ready to move out but need more than a t shirt until the sun warms up the day. Handles mist and light rain well too.
Sweat and body oils cause waterproof/breathable membranes to actually draw in water on a garment with a weakened DWR exterior treatment. Wearing a rain shell instead of a wind breaker makes you sweat, causing the above problem. I carry both, and, short of my underwear, socks and shoes, my wind breaker is my most often used article of clothing on the trail.
Thanks for the video. I am still contemplating whether I should bring my wind shirt on the PCT. My MontBell Versalite rain jacket is very lightweight and does block wind. It's way less breathable though. Friendly side note; in this video there was hardly any eye contact with the camera (you reading notes). It might be worth it to get the notes closer to the lens. Happy trails
You're right; sorry about that and thanks for the feedback! The script was actually as close as it could possibly be -- what I really needed to do was practice more times before filming, but was just cramped for time with this one and wanted to get it out. ;-)
@@ShastaBubba Thanks for your reply. No reason to apologize, you owe us nothing. I recently watched this video since I plan on starting a hiking channel to document my thru hike. Maybe it has additional helpful tips that you can use. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tjfyM2k6Gg4.html
@@wio2189 Great link, thanks! Been wanting to upgrade to a teleprompter, but they all seemed to expensive. Got a name for your channel yet? Would enjoy following.
@@ShastaBubba Thank you! I have a feeling there must be an App so one can use the phone as a teleprompter. Maybe with a mirror? Spend the money with Montbell! Thank you, that's kind of you. I will update here once I have it set up which will be within days.
How's the breathability of the Montbell? Do you have to take it off often during high output activity or are you able to keep it on the entire time and able to dump heat effectively (unzipping, rolling up sleeves, etc.)? Thanks
Breathability is great, but what I really appreciate is how it dries in minutes when I've worn it too long and it's all sweaty! The deep zip helps lots with dumping heat and it stows super small when I want to take it off, so it's a quick process to stash in the front pocket of the pack. Or I'll often just feed it under the top strap to hang loose and dry.
So I'm planning bringing windpants as a sebstitute of leggings and trousers. So I'll just be bringing the pants, running shorts and a rain skirt (40g). That makes me think. Would a windshirt be a good sub for a longsleeve shirt? Id bring a t shirt, windshirt, puffy and Rain jacket then
The only hesitation I have with the windpants/shorts combo would be if you have to push through brush on a poorly maintained trail and would be forced between shredding your pants or your legs. For the top, I think you would be fine, as long as you're also bringing a polypro top for sleeping. The Heat longsleeve shirts at Costco are both cheap and light and plenty warm for me in summer. Happy Trails!
Are the win shirts somewhat water resistant? In the southeast there's always moisture in the air as well as a shower here and there which is why I've always used my lightweight rain shell jacket and paints for wind protection. Is it worth having to carry both?
Have you tried the Copperfield wind pants? I’m down the rabbit hole with trying to figure out wether to get get 7D or 10D pants. I think I’ve decided 7D for the jacket over my alpha direct for the breathability but I’m planning on hiking in shorts in the 30-40s but don’t want to sweat , also don’t want to freeze 😂 I love all my other EE gear, think this has racked my brain the most for some reason
Ooh, great question. I haven't tried wind pants at all, but think I would lean towards the 7d and here's why: it might be tempting to go with 10d for some protection from brush along the trail; however, I don't think either 7 or 10d would survive much of that. That means the only benefit would be wind protection and the 7d would provide that for slightly less weight. This is all idle speculation though, so I'd love to hear what you decide and how it turns out! Good luck!!
@@ShastaBubba I emailed EE about it and they suggested the 10D for durability, . I was leaning towards 7D but decided to take their advice. I can always sale these and spring for the 7D if needed but based on numerous reviews, videos and articles I think they’ll work fine! (It was the color I really wanted anyways, at least that’s how I justified it 😂) I’ll update ya when I get them out and about! Thanks!
As much as I love my Visp (and believe it has the highest breathability rating available for a rain shell), the wind shirt is more comfortable when hiking due to even better venting and moisture transfer.
