Comparing Wind Jackets
Showing 11 products | Change
Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
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Price | $99.00 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $169.00 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $128.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $86.93 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $98.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Low price, simple and effective design, tiny packed-size, impressive DWR coating | Ultimate breathability, next-to-skin softness | Lightest in the category, tiny packed size, larger chest pocket | Well-ventilated, body-mapped Merino panels | Lots of zippered pockets, ease of packing, elastic brim |
Cons | No feature to stow-away hood, thin material can feel clammy during high-output activity | Cold in a strong wind, expensive | See-through material, under-performing DWR fabric | Lack of drawcords, billowy | Goofy looking brimmed hood, swampy, lack of DWR |
Bottom Line | Our Editor’s Choice for its simplicity, price, and solid performance in a lightweight package | A breathable shell that works equally well as a midlayer for fast-and-light missions | Made for the mountains, this ultralight jacket will help you push your limits | Perfect for adventure runners looking for packable weather protection | If you love pockets and still want solid wind protection, this jacket is hard to beat |
Rating Categories | Patagonia Houdini | Patagonia Houdini Air | Distance Wind Shell | Merino Sport Ultra Light | Rab Vital Windshell |
Wind Resistance (30%) | |||||
Breathability And Venting (30%) | |||||
Weight And Packability (20%) | |||||
Fit And Functionality (10%) | |||||
Water Resistance (10%) | |||||
Specs | Patagonia Houdini | Patagonia Houdini... | Distance Wind Shell | Merino Sport Ultra... | Rab Vital Windshell |
Measured Weight, size M | 3.9 oz (size L) | 4.0 oz | 3.5 oz | 4.8 oz | 4.7 oz |
Material | 100% nylon ripstop, DWR finish | 90% nylon (51% recycled) / 10% polyester double weave, DWR finish | 100% nylon ripstop, woven w/ DWR treatment (Green Theme Technology) | 100% nylon outer, 54% Merino wool / 46% polyester liner, DWR coating | Hyperlite nylon |
Pockets | 1 zip (chest) | 1 zip (chest) | 1 chest zip | 1 zip (chest) | 3 zip (2 external hand, 1 internal) |
Safety Reflective Material? | No (company states reflective logo on left chest, too small to really be visible) | No (company states reflective logo on left chest, too small to really be visible) | No | Yes reflective logos on chest, back, right arm; stripes on cuffs and seat hem | Yes, reflective logo on chest and back |
Stuffs into itself? | Yes, stows in chest pocket | Yes, stows in chest pocket | Yes, stows in chest pocket | Yes, stows in chest pocket | Yes, stows in internal pocket |
Cuff Style | Half Elastic | Half Elastic | Elastic | Half Elastic | Half Elastic |
Hood? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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