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. In fact, it tops the Patagonia Houdini Air above in most categories except for weight and packed size, and it's so breathable that we keep it on even during the most high intensity of runs. The Black Diamond Alpine Start isn’t the lightest or most packable jacket here, but it might be the best-performing. We’ve worn the Alpine Start in all-day drizzles and blowing snow and never once wished for more jacket. Perhaps most significantly, the shell’s robust nature, in addition to Black Diamond’s proven NanoSphere finish, means you get exceptional protection in wet weather. What makes the Alpine Start stand out is its stretchy, softshell-like fabric, which offers great range of motion, impressive breathability, and serious durability. What we don’t: Not super lightweight or packable.Īh, the Black Diamond Alpine Start: where do we begin? This jacket has become our layer of choice for everything from windy hikes to daily runs, multi-pitch climbing, and even ski touring. What we like: Softshell-like fabric is breathable, stretchy, and very protective.
See the Men's Patagonia Houdini Air See the Women's Patagonia Houdini Airīest Mountain-Ready Windbreaker Jacket 2. That said, no other design can match the minimalist build and performance chops and of the Houdini Air, making it our top windbreaker of 2022. And although the jacket’s DWR coating is impressive, a thicker shell fabric (like that of the Black Diamond Alpine Start below) will offer better wet-weather protection. That said, we took the Air out in 60mph, knock-you-over gusts near Patagonia’s Cerro Castillo and felt sufficiently sheltered from the storm. Keep in mind that with such a thin shell and air-permeable weave, you do give up some of the bombproof protection of a 100% nylon jacket like the original Houdini. In many ways, the Houdini Air is the Swiss Army Knife of windbreaker jackets and makes a great option for hiking, running, mountain biking, and a wide variety of other outdoor uses. The jacket pairs a double-weave liner with a standard nylon shell, offering great wind protection and a softer feel than any other design in its weight class. Building off the beloved Houdini below, the new Air takes the old formula but adds a ton of breathability and comfort to the mix. It’s not always this easy to narrow down competing models and make a top pick, but among windbreaker jackets, the Patagonia Houdini Air is head and shoulders above the rest. What we don’t: Expensive and not as protective as some of the options below. What we like: Impressive comfort and breathability in a tiny package.
For more background information, see our comparison table and buying advice below the picks. Below we break down our favorite wind jackets of 2022, including models for hiking, alpine use, and running. And more good news: today’s designs are increasingly breathable and comfortable. These small but mighty outerlayers pack a punch, offering serious protection from the elements for hikers, mountain bikers, climbers, and backcountry skiers alike.
In our opinion, a good windbreaker is the most versatile outdoor jacket money can buy. Let’s get right to the point: we love windbreaker jackets.
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