Favourite windshirt

[Baldy]

I was using a Zpacks Ventum for 2 years. But it felt to confined..

Was looking at Houdini and Squamish when leaving NZ.

Finally got a wind jacket in Nepal.
Kaemp 8848, Nepali made, not fake one
125gr for large, 3 pockets, heavy zippers and 20euro

Used it combined with tshirt and Macpac nitro alpha.
It performed perfect, no overheating or sweating.

Now i got a Gore H5 on sale, but still plan on using a windshirt also .


So do I keep using the 125gr good Nepali one?
Or switch to something lighter
I have been looking at Montbell ex light or Tachyon.
or what people suggest.

Its good in times like this we can at least read lots about gear

thx

If your Nepali one is perfect why buy something else?

 

[boinius]

that's an answer im looking for
cheers

 

[Toby]

So I now have a ME windshirt on it way.
I did find it in Nimbus (Grey) for £60 but only 1 in S & 4 In L left, I wanted a M. (I have a few new blue tops this year)
Incase anyone wants one in grey
https://www.facewest.co.uk/Mountain-Equipment-Aerofoil-Jacket.html

How are you liking it so far, any thoughts of the breathability? Asking since I'm veery close at pulling the trigger on the orange XL at Gaynors
Also, any thoughts if the weave is mosquito proof or if it's too breathable for that?

 

[Padstowe]

How are you liking it so far, any thoughts of the breathability? Asking since I'm veery close at pulling the trigger on the orange XL at Gaynors
Also, any thoughts if the weave is mosquito proof or if it's too breathable for that?

I like it, only had the chance to wear it a few times hiking so far, am quite sweaty & was wearing it over a long sleeve rab pulse base layer, it just got slightly damp at the back under the pack. Midges, haven't noticed any the few days I was out sorry.

 

[EM-Chiseller]

I like it, only had the chance to wear it a few times hiking so far, am quite sweaty & was wearing it over a long sleeve rab pulse base layer, it just got slightly damp at the back under the pack. Midges, haven't noticed any the few days I was out sorry.

Can you push the sleeves up a bit? Cheers

 

[Padstowe]

Can you push the sleeves up a bit? Cheers

Not a while lot, I don't have big forearms & would be about just under half way up them would be the limit for me.

 

[EM-Chiseller]

Not a while lot, I don't have big forearms & would be about just under half way up them would be the limit for me.

Cheers for that...

 

[Toby]

I like it, only had the chance to wear it a few times hiking so far, am quite sweaty & was wearing it over a long sleeve rab pulse base layer, it just got slightly damp at the back under the pack. Midges, haven't noticed any the few days I was out sorry.

That sounds good, thanks for the report!

 

[Toby]

Forgot to add that I asked ME about the breathability and got this table as an answer:

https://imgur.com/gallery/C7dxW3E

38 CFM sounds very good if it's true, but since it says mm/s further down which then would equal 7.6 CFM I'm not sure what to make out of it

 

[Enzo]

I'd assume they've converted from the test using mm/s to cfm?

 

[Toby]

I'd assume they've converted from the test using mm/s to cfm?

Yeah that is probably the case. Since they wrote above the table the CFM value it's probably correct! It's just the heading for the last column that confuses me!

 

[Padstowe]

Forgot to add that I asked ME about the breathability and got this table as an answer:

https://imgur.com/gallery/C7dxW3E

38 CFM sounds very good if it's true, but since it says mm/s further down which then would equal 7.6 CFM I'm not sure what to make out of it

This is where it gets way to technical for me, at 38CFM does that mean the fabric can let air out up to a rate of 38 cubic feet per minute or will keep air from getting in up to a rate of 38 cubic feet per minute, or neither of the above?

 

[Toby]

This is where it gets way to technical for me, at 38CFM does that mean the fabric can let air out up to a rate of 38 cubic feet per minute or will keep air from getting in up to a rate of 38 cubic feet per minute, or neither of the above?

As I understand it it's the permeability, so the ability of the fabric to let air/moisture through. But it's a bit technical indeed. Got the below site from ME as well to better (?) understand their values and how they vary between different testing standards

http://www.permeabilities.com/industry-standards-of-air-permeability-testing#iso

 

[Padstowe]

As I understand it it's the permeability, so the ability of the fabric to let air/moisture through. But it's a bit technical indeed. Got the below site from ME as well to better (?) understand their values and how they vary between different testing standards

http://www.permeabilities.com/industry-standards-of-air-permeability-testing#iso

I'd like to say that link helped, but that would be a lie.
I guess it's just a case of the higher the number the better the air permeability, & maybe that's all I need to know.

 

[Toby]

I'd like to say that link helped, but that would be a lie.
I guess it's just a case of the higher the number the better the air permeability, & maybe that's all I need to know.

Yeah that link doesn't make much sense for me as well. I originally looked at it to see how different standards test, since I think that the famous Nisley over at BPL uses another standard than ME when testing. I wanted to see if the CFM value reported by them is comparable to his 35 CFM "golden standard" for backpacking windshirts, but not sure what to make out of the information given there

Exactly I think that's the take-home message!

 

[bumbly]

Haven't read every post on this thread but wanted to give a thumbs up for https://alpkit.com/collections/mens-waterproof-jackets/products/arro-vest-mens and https://alpkit.com/collections/mens-waterproof-jackets/products/arro-mens. I like them being fairly inexpensive as I've found with this type of garment it is where a sternum strap passes that dies first.

I've found when moving fast a vest over a base layer with/without gloves makes for an ideal combination. Chilly arms sometimes is more about a sensation rather than your torso dumping tonnes of heat which will make you shiver and lead to hypothermia much quicker so doesn't actually feel that bad. It also works in light rain when not too cold by just lowering the windchill from my torso enough and dries in a snap. My only gripe would be is the vest only being available in black. When highly changeable or you are on terrain dips or turns to shelter from wind the blue jacket seems better than the black for solar gain. I also sometimes wear sleeves on chilly mornings and peel them off ( e.g. https://theomm.com/product/swift-arm-warmers/ ) whether or not I have the vest on.

The trick with a windshirt is to have one that makes you just as hot as if you take it off and put on your shell proper if its going to tip down for some time. My OR Heliums are about the same when I have to change one for the other.

 

[EM-Chiseller]

@bumbly I like those arm warmers
Montane do some, but they're more for sun protection.

 

[bumbly]

I just got one of these and am really happy with it. https://www.adidas.co.uk/terrex-agravic-windbreaker/FJ9461.html Wore it for my run today, (high wind and driving rain)The underarm mesh is very soft so should be fine with vests. I wanted something in a light colour due to the baking sun effect I mentioned. I don't see the lettering on the back standing up to much pack rub but that kind of thing doesn't bother me.

128g M labels cut out.

I ordered mine a week or so back and it was £39 plus they did an extra 20% off sale stuff so it was cheap as chips and I took a punt as was stocking up on running shoes.